Those who are accustomed to smaller sensors are unlikely to be impressed with a maximum aperture of F1.7, but when you are talking larger medium format(ish) sensors like Fujifilm’s GFX line, this is a HUGE maximum aperture.  This is only the second lens on the platform from Fuji with a maximum aperture this large, and in many ways it is an improvement on the 80mm F1.7 that I reviewed a few years ago.  The new Fujinon GF 55mm F1.7 R WR is released alongside the very impressive Fujifilm GFX100 II flagship camera, and I had the opportunity to review them both at the same time (you can catch my review of the GFX100 II here).  The new GF 55mm is an interesting focal length (roughly the full frame equivalent of 44mm), which provides a very flexible “normal” angle of view that I particularly enjoy.  You can get my full thoughts on the lens in my video review below or by reading my text review.

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Thanks to Fujifilm Canada for providing me a review loaner of the GFX100 II and the new GF 55mm F1.7 WR.  As always, this is a completely independent review.  All opinions and conclusions are my own.

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I love this focal length for its versatility and very natural framing.  It’s great for landscapes…

…for portraits…

…and, thanks to its reasonably close focus abilities and large aperture, the ability to beautifully blur out backgrounds in closer shots.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the main new features of the GF 55mm:

• Medium Format 
• 44mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• F1.7 aperture is the brightest on the system
• DC Motor with GMR Sensor AF System
• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm
• 2 x Aspherical, 2 x ED Elements
• Weather-Sealed Design & Fluorine Coating

This is an excellent pairing for Fuji’s medium format bodies, providing great image quality, a solid build, and better autofocus than what we saw on the 80mm F1.7 lens.  At $2300 USD, it isn’t cheap (the same price as the 80mm), but medium format in general is more about optical excellence than financial bargains.   Despite the price I think this is one of the better options on the GFX platform and a great pairing for the GFX100 II (my review below):

 

Enjoy the photos below!

Images of the Fujinon GF 55mm F1.7 

Images taken with the Fujinon GF 55mm F1.7 

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GEAR USED:

Purchase the GF 55mm F1.7 R WR @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada 

Purchase the Fujinon GF 80mm F1.7 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Ebay 

Purchase the GFX100 II @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada  

Purchase the GFX100S @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK 

 

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