Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 05, 2023Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Review, Fujinon GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Review, Fuji GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Review, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR sample images, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR sample photos, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR specs, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR image quality, Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR vs. GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR, Fuji GF 20-35mm vs GF 23mm, Fuji 20-35 vs 23, Fuji 20-35mm review, Fujifilm 20-35 review, Fujifilm 20-35mm review6 Comments

Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Review

The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Is the GFX Wide-Angle Zoom Everyone Has Been Waiting For

It took Fujifilm some time to get there but the wait is over!

Five years after introducing the first GFX camera at Photokina in Germany in 2017 Fujifilm has released an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR.

Fujifilm does have a couple of prime lens options in this focal length range in the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR and GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR. Namely the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR has been the choice of landscape and architecture/interior photographers.

The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

While many photographers have praised the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR others came to the GFX system from full-frame cameras where 16-35mm zoom lenses were important workhorse lenses in their setup and they were missing the flexibility of a wide-angle zoom in their new GFX setup.

When I used Canon a number of years ago I had a Sigma 15-30mm, then Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, and finally the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS.

These wide-angle zoom lenses were indeed important bread and butter lenses for me and I used them for a range of topics from tourism to landscape, events, sports, and interior real estate photography.

A woman is getting ready to go for a swim at Whytecliff Park near Vancouver on New Years Day 2023. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. — Whytecliff Park, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 35mm, f/9, 1/250s, ISO 320

Introduction

With the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR Fujifilm has finally brought an ultra-wide zoom lens to the table with a full-frame equivalent focal length range of 16-28mm.

While the focal length coverage is not quite the same as a full-frame 16-35mm lens it is a step in the right direction and very versatile.

The GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR was introduced at the September 2022 Fujifilm X Summit. At the time this article was written it was listed as a new item, out of stock, with the “coming soon” disclaimer at B&H Photo and it was listed at $2,499.00.

Thanks to Fujifilm Canada, I got the chance to test the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR over the holidays.

The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR mounted on the Fujifilm GFX 50R — The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

Specs and Handling

The GF 20-35mm feels surprisingly compact considering it is an ultra-wide zoom for the larger than full frame GFX series covering the 44 x 33mm sensor.

It weighs 25.6 oz, 725 g, which is only slightly more than my old Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS which weighs 22.6 oz, 640 g. The new Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS in comparison weighs more at 30.4 oz, 860 g, but in fairness has a faster max f-stop, increased zoom range, and is image stabilized.

My favorite feature of the GF 20-35mm is the internal focusing which keeps the lens from protruding when you zoom in or out. We all have different tolerances for weight and bulk and I found the GF 20-35mm quite comfortable when either out for a walk or cycling. It is bordering on being a bit large for cycling but did not tilt the scale for me.

Snow day in Vancouver at the Burrard Bridge. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. — Burrard Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 24mm, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 320

The fit and finish on the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR is as good as it gets and overall feels like the best-built GF zoom lens that I have tried, followed closely by the GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. This goes for the very smooth zoom ring, excellent aperture ring, and lens hood which snaps into place without any wobble.

The optical design for the GF 20-35mm includes 3 aspherical elements to control aspherical aberrations. It also features three ED elements and one aspherical ED element in order to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range. In total, it has 14 elements in 10 groups and has 9 rounded diaphragm blades.

The filter size is 82mm and the lens measures 3.5 x 2.8", 88.5 x 72 mm. The minimum focusing distance is 13.8", 35 cm.

The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR and Fujifilm GFX 50R — The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

In Action

I took the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR out cycling on a beautiful day before the snow arrived, then had a blast for a few days when Vancouver was covered in more snow than I ever recall seeing.

On New Year’s Day, I wrapped things up with a hike in the beautiful Whytecliff Park area just outside Vancouver.

I no longer rely on zoom lenses for my work or personal projects but can certainly see the appeal of having a lens such as the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. Especially when the quality is as good as it is with this lens.

It is a joy to work with and is well-balanced on my GFX 50R. I suspect it would be even better on either the GFX 100S or GFX 50S II due to the fact that these cameras have larger grips.

Autofocus speed is more than adequate for the type of photos you see in this review.

Sunset Beach in Vancouver on a winter day with fresh snow. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. — Burrard Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 20mm, f/6.4, 1/125s, ISO 400

Image Quality

The image quality from the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR is downright stunning. I viewed my sample gallery on a 4K monitor and see sharp images right into the corners with a clarity and color rendition that you would expect from a lens in this price range. It certainly did not disappoint.

In fact, I reduce the sharpness in Capture One to around 90 and often reduce the contrast in some of the images in order to minimize an otherwise clinically sharp look.

Please see more sample images at the end of the review and click to view images up to 2500 pixels wide.

The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR with the lens hood attached and mounted on a Fujifilm GFX 50R — The Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 vs. GF 23mm f/4

Shell out another $100.00 and you can buy the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR instead if you so desire but I find it hard to find compelling reasons to do so.

The GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR is more expensive, slightly heavier, and larger than the GF 20-35mm f/4 and only offers one focal length.

Usually, primes will perform better than zoom lenses but I am not sure this is the case when comparing these two lenses. I looked through all my sample images from both lenses on my 4K monitor and I was struggling to see any meaningful difference in the image quality. In fairness to the GF 23mm, I have not made large prints to see if this holds true in such a scenario.

The coastline at Whytecliff Park near Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. — Whytecliff Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 20mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 250

With money in hand at the counter I would pick the GF 20-35mm over the GF 23mm due to the more compact nature of this lens and having the flexibility of the entire 20-35mm zoom range.

The GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR is still an excellent lens and a very legit option, especially if you can find a used copy and save yourself a good chunk of change. I am not sure if we can expect to see the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR at sale prices in the future but this, of course, could also make it a more attractive option.

You can read my review of the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR here:

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Review

Snow covered trees at Alexandra Park by English Bay in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. — Alexandra Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 20mm, f/7.1, 1/125s, ISO 500

Conclusion

I am usually careful with comments like “slam dunk” or “hit a home run” but I think these expressions would be rather fitting for the GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR. It feels like a no-fuss lens where nothing gets in the way of making great images.

If you are a landscape photographer it will not break your back or take up too much room in your pack. It is weather-sealed and handles the elements in challenging shooting conditions.

If you are an architecture or interior photographer the GF 20-35mm covers a very useful focal length range.

It would be nice if the lens had a max f-stop of f/2.8 and if you own either the GFX 50S or GFX 50R, I am sure you would have welcomed OIS, an optical image stabilizer, in this lens as well. But the fact is, it would have made the lens cumbersomely large and most likely even more expensive.

Low tide at Coal Harbour on a December day in Vancouver. — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR @ 20mm, f/10, 1/125s, ISO 250

I predict that all future GFX cameras will have IBIS, so this becomes less of an issue. Of course, I do not know if this will hold true.

Speaking of expensive, I still think $2,499.00 is a tough pill to swallow but competitively speaking it is not much more than you would pay for equivalent top-tier full-frame options.

If you are on a budget check out the new Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D at $999.00. It will get you a wide-angle option for your GFX camera but will not be a match for the Fujifilm GF 20-35mm when it comes to optical performance and versatility.

Pros

Finally an ultra-wide G-Mount zoom lens
Versatile zoom range
Internal focusing and great build quality
Optically stellar

Cons

Somewhat limiting zoom range when compared to full-frame alternatives

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R 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. It is worth noting that all sample images were captured handheld.

Please click to view larger images.