Fujifilm expands GFX medium format line with new camera, lenses

FUJIFILM North America Corp. introduced FUJIFILM GFX50S II, a mirrorless digital camera with a 51.4MP large-format sensor, as well as look at its future lens roadmap. GFX50S II uses a specialized design with small, light-collecting microlenses on the sensor which create a wide gap between adjacent pixels, thereby maximizing light resolution per pixel for exceptional image sharpness, the company said.

The GFX50S II is expected to be available in late October 2021, for $3,999 USD ($5,000 CDN). A GFX50S II camera/lens kit featuring the GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR lens is expected to be available as well at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,499 USD ($5,625 CDN)

“GFX50S II offers the perfect mix of accessibility and flexibility,” said Victor Ha, senior director of marketing and product development for FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging Division. “With professional features that include 19 Film Simulation modes, advanced autofocusing, and a vast range of exposure controls, GFX50S II provides limitless opportunities for creativity.”

GFX50S II comes with 19 Film Simulation modes, including “Nostalgic Neg.,” originally launched in Fujifilm’s GFX100S, and characterized by high saturation and soft tonality. Photographers can use Film Simulation presets, designed for various subject types and scenes, while checking how they affect the final image in Live View. to 6.5 stops. The camera features a five-axis image-stabilization mechanism and a fast high-precision assisted by  “X-Processor 4” image processing engine, and an image stabilization mechanism, operated with Fujifilm’s latest algorithm. The body also has in-body stabilization.

The top panel features the Mode dial, offering six customizable positions. The customizable 1.8-inch sub LCD monitor is found on the top panel, displaying key EXIF settings such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity and exposure. Additional information displayed includes the number of frames remaining when shooting stills and the remaining filming duration when recording video. On the rear panel is a 3.2-inch main LCD monitor with 100% coverage. It can tilt in three directions to enable high- and F (-10°C) when used with low-angle shooting, in situations in which the electronic viewfinder (EVF) cannot be easily used.

GFX50S II is expected to be available in late October, 2021, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3,999 USD ($5,000 CDN). A GFX50S II camera/lens kit featuring the GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR lens is expected to be available as well at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,499 USD ($5,625 CDN). For more information, visit https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/cameras/gfx50s-ii/.

FUJINON lens roadmap

FUJIFILM also revealed the latest development roadmap for interchangeable FUJINON lenses designed for its GFX System and X Series mirrorless digital cameras. The company said a total of 17 lenses are on the development roadmap for the GFX System

The first lens added to the GFX System roadmap is the large-aperture prime standard lens GF55mmF1.7 (equivalent to 44mm in the 35mm film format). The fast F1.7 lens can be combined with a shallow depth-of-field, produced by the large-format sensor, to render the background out-of-focus for a maximum level of creamy bokeh. The second FUJINON lens to be added is the first G Mount ultra-wide-angle zoom lens GF20- 35mm (equivalent to 16mm-28mm in the 35mm film format).

For X Series, two lenses have been added to Fujifilm’s development roadmap. The first lens is XF18- 120mm zoom lens (equivalent to 27-183mm in the 35mm film format), designed for video creators. It will be the first XF lens that provides a function to facilitate one-person shooting of full-scale video.

Additionally, XF150-600mm (equivalent to 229-914mm in the 35mm film format) has been added; an ultra-telephoto zoom that extends the X Series’ longest focal distance among zoom lenses. This lens is a perfect choice in situations that require a long focal distance, such as wildlife photography and sports photography. Its compact and lightweight design, one of the benefits of the X Mount, makes XF150-600mm highly portable and easy to hand-hold.

These additional lenses bring the total number of X Series interchangeable lenses up to a whopping forty. Fujifilm will continue to enhance its FUJINON lens lineup to address users’ diverse photography needs and to broaden the opportunities for photography creativity and enjoyment.

FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR Lens

Fujifilm also introduced the FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR lens (XF33mmF1.4), consisting of 15 elements, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements in 10 groups to effectively minimize chromatic aberration and spherical aberration, delivering edge-to-edge sharpness even when wide open. The focusing group in the middle includes two ED elements and one aspherical element to reduce fluctuation of aberration caused by the movements of focusing elements, securing superior image quality across all focusing ranges from close-up to very distant. The XF33mmF1.4 is compact and lightweight, weighing approx. 13 ounces (360g) and measuring 2.89 inches (73.5mm) long with a filter thread size of 58mm.

“XF33mmF1.4 is a new-generation, large-aperture prime lens that delivers exceptional image sharpness,” said Ha. “Its high-resolution capability is coupled with exceptional autofocus (AF) performance that delivers fast and high accuracy in both stills and video.”

FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR

Fujifilm also introduced the FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR lens (XF23mmF1.4  for the X Series. The product is a new generation of the previously introduced FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R lens. The XF23mmF1.4 lens consists of 15 lens elements, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, in 10 groups to effectively minimize both chromatic and spherical aberration, delivering edge-to-edge sharpness even when wide open. A two-element lens group including an aspherical lens at the far end nearly eliminates fluctuation of aberration caused by the movements of focusing elements, securing extremely high image quality across all focusing ranges, the company says.

“XF23mmF1.4 is a new generation, large-aperture prime lens that provides exceptional image sharpness even when wide open at F1.4,” said Ha. “With fast autofocus performance that delivers high accuracy in stills and video, this lens has the capability and versatility to accommodate even the most challenging photographic situations.”

The lens barrel is weather-sealed at 11 locations so that it is dust and weather resistant and can be used with the user’s weather-resistant X Series camera at temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C), accommodating snapshots in a variety of external conditions seamlessly.

FUJINON GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR Lens

Fujifilm also introduced the FUJINON GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR lens (GF35- 70mm), a lens for GFX System cameras. GF35-70mm is a compact and lightweight zoom lens, weighing approximately 13.7 ounces (390g), with outstanding image-resolving performance and focal length range. The highly portable form factor broadens the scope of applications for GFX System cameras equipped with a large format sensor. The GF35-70mm consists of 11 elements, including one aspherical element and two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, in nine groups. The lens is optically designed to balance image quality with compact portability, weighing approximately 13.7 ounces (390g) and measuring 73.9mm (when retracted)*2) with the filter thread size of 62mm

“GF35-70mm is a new concept, portable zoom for the GFX System, combining excellent versatility with mobility and portability,” says Ha. “It’s rugged, yet lightweight design is combined with its incredible adaptability to make it an invaluable part of any photographer’s gear.”

GF35-70mm is currently expected to be available late November, 2021, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $999.95 USD ($1,250 CDN).