While the focus of today’s Fujifilm event was clearly its APS-C X-mount system, the company hasn’t forgotten about its medium format GFX System. Today, Fujifilm unveiled its latest medium format zoom lens, the GF 20–35mm F4 R WR, a compact ultra-wide zoom for GFX System cameras.
The lens offers a roughly 16–28mm (full-frame equiv.) focal length range and is constructed of 14 elements in 10 groups, including three aspherical elements, one extra-low dispersion (ED) aspherical element and three ED elements. fujifilm is also using its ‘Nano GI coating technology,’ which the company says ‘cuts down reflected light to minimize ghosting and flare, boosting sharpness, color and detail.’
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 35cm (13.8″), uses a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, has an aperture range of F4 through F22 and uses an 82mm front filter thread. It’s also weather-sealed at 12 points throughout its design and uses a fluorine coating on the front-most lens element to repel dirt and water. It measures 88.5mm (3.5″) in diameter by 112.5mm (4.4″) long and weighs 725g (25.6oz).
The GF 20–35mm F4 R WR is expected to be available ‘in early October 2022’ for an MSRP of $2,500. You can find out more about the lens through Fujifilm’s product page.
Fujifilm Introduces FUJINON GF20-35mmF4 R WR, a Compact and Lightweight, Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
Valhalla, N.Y., September 8, 2022 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of FUJINON GF20-35mmF4 R WR lens (GF20-35mmF4 R WR), a compact and lightweight, ultra wide-angle (UWA) zoom lens for GFX System cameras.
GF20-35mmF4 R WR’s focal length ranges from the UWA at 20mm to the wide-angle at 35mm (equivalent to 16mm – 28mm in the 35mm format). With the UWA coverage, the lens can freeze information-dense subject matters such as a wide landscape or cityscape with precise details in high resolution, powered by the large-format sensor¹ in the GFX System.
“Photographers will be able to expand creative horizons with what is now our widest GF lens, with numerous options to beautifully freeze every detail in landscape, travel and architecture photography. It also has the added convenience of a constant F4 maximum aperture throughout its focal range, which ensures exposure consistency and fast, accurate autofocusing regardless of the focal length,” said Victor Ha, vice president of the Electronic Imaging and Optical Device Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Unlike traditional large-format photography gear which is heavy and bulky, the compact and lightweight design of GF20-35mmF4 R WR enables mobility for photographers on-the-go.”
Main product features:
UWA zoom lens offering premium image quality
The optical construction of GF20-35mmF4 R WR comprises 14 elements in ten groups, including three aspherical, one ED aspherical and three ED elements, for effective control of distortion and chromatic aberration. With these elements, the lens delivers high-resolution images of up to 100-megapixels with edge-to-edge sharpness at all focal lengths and aperture settings. The optical quality is further ensured through Fujifilm’s unique, Nano GI coating technology, which cuts down reflected light to minimize ghosting and flare, boosting sharpness, color and detail.
Compact design that brings mobility to large format equipment
Measuring just 4.4 inches (112.5mm) and weighing 25.6 oz. (725g), GF20-35mmF4 R LM WR has the filter thread size of 82mm despite being an UWA zoom lens, which allows photographers the versatility of choosing a variety of filters when creating landscape images.
In addition, GF20-35mmF4 R WR uses an internal zoom mechanism, so its physical length and weight remain constant at every focal length.
A total of four aspherical elements are used in each of the lens groups to optimize the overall number of elements and their configuration, thus efficiently correcting aberrations to maintain advanced image quality while keeping the compact form factor. The concave lens surface of strong curvature, typically seen in UWA lenses, is applied with a specialized coating with even thickness to minimize ghosting.
As part of the design construction, magnesium alloy is used for components around the lens mount to make it lightweight and robust at the same time.
Rugged design for all conditions
Like all FUJIFILM G Mount lenses, GF20-35mmF4 R WR features a weather-resistant design with 12 sealed points protecting the lens from dust and moisture, while also keeping it functioning in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). The front lens element is applied with fluorine coating to repel water, fingerprints and other marks.
Pricing and Availability
GF20-35mmF4 R WR is expected to be available in early October 2022, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,499.95 USD and $3,200 CDN.
For more information about GF20-35mmF4 R WR, please visit https://fujifilm-x.com/en- us/products/lenses/gf20-35mmf4-r-wr/.
Footnotes:
¹ Fujifilm’s GFX System products incorporate a large-format sensor that measures 55mm diagonally (43.8mm x 32.9mm) and is approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor.
Principal specificationsLens typeZoom lensMax Format sizeMedium Format (44x33mm)Focal length20–35 mmLens mountFujifilm GApertureMaximum apertureF4Minimum apertureF22Aperture ringYesNumber of diaphragm blades9Aperture notesRounded bladesOpticsElements14Groups10Special elements / coatingsThree aspherical, one aspherical extra-low dispersion (ED), three ED elements. FocusMinimum focus0.35 m (13.78″)AutofocusYesFull time manualYesDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight725 g (1.60 lb)Diameter89 mm (3.48″)Length113 mm (4.43″)SealingYesColourBlackZoom methodRotary (internal)Power zoomNoFilter thread82 mmTripod collarNo