Lens ReviewMorten ByskovOctober 19, 2022Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review, Fuji GF 45-100mm review, Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR sample images, Fujifilm GF 45-100mm sample images, Fuji GF 45-100mm sample images, Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR sample photos, Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR image quality, Fuji 45-100mm review, Fuji GF 45-100 reveiwComment

Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review

The Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR shown on the GFX 50R. GF 45-100mm f/4 review. — The Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fuji GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review - The Standard GFX Zoom Lens With All the Bells and Whistles

Depending on which bells and whistles you prefer the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm may very well be the ultimate, high-standard, and versatile Fujinon GF zoom lens for your GFX camera.

But is this a lens every photographer should strive for? Admittedly it wasn’t a lens I was looking forward to testing. This is mostly due to the that I am often on the move and this is indeed one of the larger and heavier GF lens options.

Thanks to Fujifilm Canada, I got the chance to test drive the GF 45-100mm. After spending more time with it let’s see if I am still hesitant.

Morten Byskov, camera and lens reviewer at 5050 Travelog, in the field testing a Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — Testing the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50R in Golden Ears Provincial Park, BC, Canada

Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - Introduction

The Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR was introduced in February 2020 and arrived as an alternative to the popular GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR.

Both lenses offer a max. f-stop of f/4, are priced the same, but the new 45-100mm offers image stabilization and a focal length range tilted more towards telephotography. It is also a bulkier and heavier option.

Alouette Lake, October sundown. Golden Ears Provincial Park. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. — Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 45-100mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ 45mm, f/11, 1/20s, ISO 100

In 2021 the GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR was introduced as a third standard zoom option and it had many photographers pay attention as a more budget-friendly and portable option had arrived.

In the following, I will mostly compare the GF 45-100mm to the GF 35-70mm as I have yet to try the 32-64mm f/4 lens.

At the time this review was posted the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR was priced at $2,299.00.

Morten Byskov, camera reviewer at 5050 Travelog, doing a lens review in Golden Ears Provincial park testing the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. — Testing the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50R in Golden Ears Provincial Park, BC, Canada

Handling and Specs

Getting back to the bell and whistles, the GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR has just about every acronym in the Fujifilm arsenal, and in full-frame terms, it provides and focal length or field of view of 36-79mm.

R, aperture ring
LM, linear autofocus motor
OIS, a five-stop optical image stabilizer
WR, weather-resistant

The GF 45-100mm is built like a tank and is a true joy to hold and operate. Every detail breaths quality including a perfectly dampened zoom action and an aperture ring that clicks into place with the appropriate amount of friction.

There is an OIS on/off switch on the side of the lens and the well-matched lens hood clicks in with no wobble.

A black and white photo of a downtown Vancouver back alley. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 45-100mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ 100mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 640

The 16 elements in 12 groups count a super ED element, an ED element, and three aspherical elements and you have 9 rounded diaphragm blades. The minimum focusing distance is 2.13', 65 cm, and the filter size is 82mm.

With the dimensions of 3.66 x 5.69", 93 x 144.5, mm (max. length when extended 6.85", 173.9 mm), and weight of 2.21 lb, 1005 g, this lens is getting very close to tipping the scale of what I feel comfortable lugging around but it depends on how you view it.

If you are looking for a carry-all-day travel lens or lens for cycling or hiking the GF 45-100mm will weigh you down. I used it for street photography and was surprisingly okay with the size and weight but when cycling with the camera and lens around my neck I found it cumbersome and too big.

Diana Byskov, 5050 Travelog, is trying out the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM WR and GFX 50R for a review at 5050 Travelog. — Di is trying out the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50R

I used to carry lenses in this weight category all the time back in the DSLR days and it was only after the introduction of mirrorless cameras and the X Series that we have been spoiled with more lightweight options.

In Action

Autofocus with the linear motor is silent, accurate, and snappy on my GFX 50R and I have had no issues with the photos you see in this post.

I captured a mixed variety of photos. Some were tripod mounted and some were handheld and I appreciated the OIS, optical image stabilizer, especially since my GFX 50R does not have IBIS.

The GF 45-100mm feels like, and is, a tool for professionals and demanding enthusiasts. There is nothing that feels fiddly or flimsy about this lens. It just works and does the job. I especially enjoyed using it for landscape photography in Golden Ears Provincial Park located near Maple Ridge in BC, Canada.

A man is roller painting a wall in a downtown Vancouver alley. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 45-100mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ 45mm, f/6.4, 1/250s, ISO 200

Image Quality

It is hard to falter the image quality of the GF 45-100mm. It only comes slightly short compared to primes in this focal length range.

It would be nice if the max. f-stop was f/2.8 for lower light scenarios giving the ability to capture photos with a more shallow depth of field. This, however, is purely wishful thinking and would make for a huge lens.

It is my impression that the GF 45-100mm performs slightly better on the wide end as opposed to focal lengths nearing the 100mm mark.

Overall the lens impressed me and I had to do very little post-processing to get images to where I liked them.

Please see more sample images at the end of the review and click to view images up to 1500 pixels wide or pinch-zoom if on your mobile phone.

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, at a waterfall in Golden Ears Provincial park doing a review of the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — Testing the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50R in Golden Ears Provincial Park in BC.

Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 vs. GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6

With a price tag of $999.00 the GF 35-70mm is under half the monetary value of the GF 45-100mm and so is the weight but it lacks some of the bells and whistles. Missing features are the optical image stabilizer, linear motor, and a few fancy lens elements, and the GF 35-70mm does not have an aperture ring.

It does, however, shine when it comes to portability, weight, and bulk. I got along famously with the GF 35-70mm when I reviewed it earlier in the year.

But keep in mind that I was testing it on the GFX 50S II which has IBIS, in body image stabilization, and if purchased with this camera the GF 35-70mm is a bargain at a mere $500.00 in additional cost.

Please note the GF 35-70mm is often on sale and the last time this article was updated (May 2023) it was on sale for $499.00, a staggering 50% off. Keep an eye out for these sales.

A black and white photo from Golden Ears Provincial Park. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. — Golden Ears Provincial Park, Fujifilm GFX 50R, GF 45-100mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ 61mm, f/5.6, 1/170s, ISO 100

I would go for the GF 35-70mm for three main reasons. Cost, lower weight, and portability. The image quality is probably a hair better on the GF 45-100mm overall but the GF 35-70mm performs admirably and I would probably fail a blind test. You can check my GF 35-70 review here:

Fujifilm GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR - Review

Keep in mind this choice is very personal. You can easily make a case for the 45-100mm if you want a one-lens wonder with the faster f/4 max. f-stop throughout the zoom range with OIS.

For portrait photography the focal lengths from 70-100mm are important and if the wide end is less desirable the 45-100mm may be your ticket.

With the GF 45-100mm I found myself wanting to go wider quite often and this is where I could see the GF 32-64mm come into play. I look forward to trying it out.

The average focal length for my selected GF 45-100mm photos, however, was 63mm. Perhaps in that fact lies a hint as to which GF lens I should pick next.

Morten Byskov doing a 5050 travelog lens review of the Fujifilm GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM WR lens in Golden Ears Provincial Park — Taking the GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR for a walk in Golden Ears Provincial Park

Conclusion

I enjoyed my time with the GF 45-100mm f/4 and didn’t expect that I would. My hesitation was mostly founded on the fact that this is a heavy and bulky lens in my paradigm.

Although this lens is not for everyone I will not hesitate to recommend it if you are prepared for or used to heavier lenses and carefully have considered the focal lengths you need for upcoming photography projects.

The 45-100mm will have you covered with a weather-resistant lens featuring OIS, quick autofocus, an impressive optical formula, a useful focal length range, and high built quality.

Update:

I have now had a chance to review the GF 32-64mm f/4 R WR as well. You can find this review here:

Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R WR - Review

Pros

Optically sound in a versatile zoom range
Image stabilization
Build quality

Cons

Heavy and bulky

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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