Fuji GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR Review

The GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR was just hitting the market when I reviewed the Fujifilm GFX 50R about 18 months ago and it wasn’t available for me to try at the time. It left me with a bit of guesswork trying to pick a favorite between the GF 50mm f/3.5 and GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR.

I spoke highly of the GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR in my review but the GF 50mm was an enticing alternative featuring a linear motor, being more compact, and more affordable. Let’s find out how it stacks up.

Introduction

When you enter the GFX system inevitably everything is upsized due to the larger 44 x 33mm sensor. This goes for the camera bodies and lenses as the lens mount is much larger. In comparison, the sensor size in the APS-C-based Fuji X-Series cameras is 25.1 × 16.7mm.

The GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR is the lightest and most compact lens in the GF lens lineup but does this mean Fujifilm has cut corners or is the GF 50mm f/3.5 a lens worth considering?

Below you can see the size difference between two pancake lenses with approximately the same focal length for the GFX format and X-Series format.

The GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR is currently listed at $999.00.

Fuji GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR - Handling and Specs

At 11.82 oz / 335g and a dimension of 3.31 x 1.89" / 84 x 48 mm, the GF 50mm f/3.5 is indeed nimble in the GFX world of things but the lens feels substantial with enough heft to leave you with an impression that you are handling a solidly built lens.

I am pleased to see the aperture ring is wide as on other GFX lenses and it works flawlessly. The filter size is 62mm and the minimum focusing distance is 1.8' / 55 cm.

The lens hood screws in easily and seem like a good fit and look surprisingly okay when mounted.

The GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR has 9 rounded diaphragm blades and 9 elements in 6 groups, with one aspherical element.

The GF 50mm f/3.5 is weather-resistant and I find it reassuring that even if we are talking about the least expensive GF lens Fujifilm has not skimped on the quality or feel.

Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 in Action

For my Fujifilm GFX 100S review, I had two lenses. The GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR and the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR, giving me a moderate wide 40mm and a short telephoto 63mm full-frame equivalent.

With the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR being the latest and perhaps greatest I thought it may have become a struggle to even get around to using the GF 50mm f/ 3.5 during my test period. This was not the case at all. I enjoyed shooting the GF 50mm f/3.5 for a few reasons.

As I normally do, I tested the GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR for street and general travel photography.

Weight and size are the first reasons you would want the GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR for your GFX camera. Compared to the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR it felt like a reprieve using the GF 50mm f/3.5.

The GF 80mm weighs 28 oz, 795 g, and the GF 50mm, 11.8 oz, 335 g. The difference is noticeable and you feel it when walking with the GFX 100S around your neck for any length of time.

Your photos will appear free of distortion with the GF 50mm f/3.5 and with the GFX sensor, images will appear slightly wider than your normal 50mm perspective on full-frame. The full-frame equivalent field of view is 40mm.

As I wrote in my review of Fujifilm’s other pancake lens, the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR on APS-C, I sometimes struggle with the 40mm focal length.

It is a case of; when you want wide, it is not that wide and when you want to be close, it’s not close enough. This is probably due to the fact I have been shooting either a 35mm or 50mm equivalent for so long.

The linear motor, LM, ensures fast and quiet autofocus. For my use, it felt snappy, and overall a joy to use.

Fujifilm GF 50mm vs. GF 45mm f/2.8

I got along famously with the GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR when I reviewed it and it would probably still be my first choice in the GF lens lineup if my budget would allow it. At $1,699.00, the GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR is a significant step up in price but I feel the lens offers something special when it comes to image quality.

While the GF 50mm f/3.5 delivers sharp images it sometimes lacked that special character that can be so hard to define. Is it the extra two ED elements in the GF 45mm or the Nano coating? I am not sure.

The weight and focal lengths are similar in the two lenses but if you favor the standard documentary 35mm focal length and faster f/2.8 f-stop you will be leaning towards the GF 45mm 2.8 R WR.

If budget, weight, and portability are priorities for you, the GF 50mm f/3.5 will likely be the stronger contender. Below are two black and white street photos, one from the GF 50mm f/3.5 and one from the GF 45mm f/2.8.

You can read my full review of the GF 45mm f/2.8 here:

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR - Review

Fuji GF 50mm f/3.5 vs. GF 63mm f/2.8

At $1.499.00, 14.29 oz / 405 g, the GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR is close to the GF 50mm f/3.5 in size/weight and somewhat close in focal length. An extra $500.00, however, is fairly steep for the extra half-stop of light you get with the GF 63mm f/2.8.

The build quality of the GF 50mm surpasses the GF 63mm and with its linear motor, it feels like a more refined lens.

It would be tough for me to choose between the two. The 63mm f/2.8 probably suits my style more and with the slightly longer focal length and max f/2.8 f-stop, it is more suitable for portraits and isolating topics in street photography.

On the other hand, you could make a strong argument for the GF 50mm f/3.5 as it may be more versatile with its slightly wider focal length, lower price, linear autofocus motor, and better-built quality.

As a walk-around lens, the GF 50mm f/3.5 is hard to ignore. Below are two street scenes. One from the GF 50mm f/3.5 and one from the 63mm f/2.8. Although it is not the same scene the GF 50mm is clearly wider.

You can read my GF 63mm f/2.8 review here:

Fujifilm GF 63mm f/2.8 R WR - Review

Conclusion

It is hard to believe that the GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR was on sale for $499.00, as I recall it, for an extended period of time about a year ago. At $499.00, the lens would have been a no-brainer and in hindsight, I should have bought a few. I doubt we will see this kind of price again but who knows?

With a slightly slower f-stop of f/3.5 Fujifilm has managed to make a well-crafted portable option for their GFX cameras. You can still create a blurry background at f/3.5, especially for photos taken at a closer range and the bokeh is quite pleasing (see below @f 5.6).

Admittedly f/3.5 will be somewhat limiting for low-light shooting unless you have one of the GFX 100 models that feature in-body stabilization.

Having the IBIS in the Fujifilm GFX 100S was amazing and made for a great combo with the GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR for general travel photos as I didn’t have to worry about shooting at slower shutter speeds while maintaining the depth of field and sharpness in my photos.

Despite my comment above about the GF 50mm lacking character, I feel a need to end this review on a good note. I am fully aware that 4 days is not enough with any lens to create the images I talk about where all the stars are aligned and the character pops out.

I especially enjoyed some of my black and white images, created on overcast days, and having that lightweight walk-around lens option on the GFX 100S made for a pleasant experience altogether.

Pros

The most compact lens for GFX
Great build quality with weather sealing
The linear motor ensures fast and silent autofocus
Great image quality and sharpness

Cons

I wish there were more lenses like this in the G-Mount lineup

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos, especially Nostalgic Neg. and Acros.

Please click to view larger images.