The GF55mmF1.7 R WR is a large-aperture prime lens with the standard focal length of 55mm (equivalent to 44mm in the 35mm film format). The large format’s enriched descriptive capability is combined with the creamy bokeh characteristic of the large maximum aperture, making the main subject stand out against blurred background. The lens’s focal length gives the field of view close to that of human vision to create a natural perspective. This makes it ideal for information-dense snapshots to capture how the main subject relates to the background, as well as portraiture with a tack-sharp subject against beautiful bokeh. The focal length of 55mm is the same as the diagonal measurement of GFX Series’ signature large-format sensor, which has the dimensions of 43.8mm x 32.9mm. The large-aperture GF55mmF1.7 R WR prime lens is a new addition to Fujifilm’s lineup of interchangeable lenses that brings out the best of large format cameras.
The GF55mmF1.7 R WR consists of 14 lens elements in 10 groups including two ED elements and two aspherical elements to deliver a high level of image-resolving performance and creamy bokeh. The lens features optimally-positioned aspherical elements and makes a generous use of the eight-element focusing lens group including one of the aspherical elements and two ED elements. This effectively controls shifts in chromatic aberration, spherical aberration and comatic aberration when the focusing position changes to deliver a soft creamy bokeh and advanced image-resolving performance, characteristics of large-aperture lenses. The maximum aperture of F1.7 and the generous composition of 14 lens elements in 10 groups are complemented with the use of a large-format image sensor to create creamy bokeh and advanced descriptive capability. The lens has a normal focal length, making it highly versatile in all shooting situations. Users can enjoy the full appeal of the large-format sensor in genres ranging from day-to-day snapshots to full-fledged portraiture both indoors and outdoors.
Advanced image-resolving performance and beautiful bokeh
The aspherical elements have been produced at ultra-high precision to minimize the onion-ring effect by using mold processed at a tolerance of 1/100,000th of a millimeter. One of these elements are positioned just behind the aperture ring to control spherical aberration while softening the back blur. The other aspherical element is placed at the back, closer to the lens mount, to control rays of light to achieve edge-to-edge sharpness.
The focusing lens group generously features eight elements including one aspherical element and two ED elements to achieve advanced image-resolving performance across the entire focusing range. Axial chromatic aberration is minimized to create soft and beautiful bokeh with subdued color tones. This has enhanced the quality of bokeh, which is a characteristic of large-aperture lenses used on a large-format sensor.
High refractive elements that suppress aberration fluctuation, typically used in cinema camera lenses, are used as the front element and also in the focusing group to reduce aberration. This controls spherical aberration and reduces performance shifts that occur with the movement of the focusing group to maintain advanced image-resolving performance regardless of focusing positions.
This is the first GF lens to use 11 diaphragm blades to achieve a near-perfect circle in the aperture. This is why the lens can produce rounded bokeh even when the lens is stopped down slightly from being wide open, creating beautiful bokeh in a wide variety of photographic scenes.
Freedom of shooting at the normal focal length thanks to the large aperture
The lens has a normal focal length of 55mm (equivalent to 44mm in the 35mm film format), making it highly versatile in all shooting situations. Users can enjoy the full appeal of the large-format sensor in genres ranging from casual day-to-day snapshots to street photography that captures how the main subject relates to the background, taking full advantage of the large maximum aperture of F1.7.
AF function driven by an evolved DC motor for fast and accurate autofocus
The GF55mmF1.7 R WR uses a DC motor that precisely controls the focusing group containing the aperture unit and eight elements that provide advanced image-resolving performance and beautiful bokeh. The motor allows the lens to autofocus on the subject quickly and accurately, even when shooting with a shallow depth-of-field, to ensure users capture decisive photo opportunities.
Dust- and weather-resistance and capability of operating at -10? for enhanced practical usability
The lens barrel is weather-sealed in nine places to ensure dust and weather resistance, and the ability to operate at temperatures as low as -10?. This means users can enjoy the lens with peace of mind to take photos outdoors in light rain or in dusty outdoor places.
The use of ultra-high-precision aspherical elements and optimized lens design mean this lens only weighs 780g and measures 99.3mm in length despite being a larger-aperture large-format lens with the maximum aperture of F1.7. This reduces users’ strains in walking around with the lens mounted on a camera, adding an extra sense of mobility as a standard walkaround lens.
