Fujifilm GF 23mm f4 Honest Lens Review (with sample images)

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I'm watching this from quite a long time after it was shot. I'm about to enter the GFX range of cameras. I'm a professional landscape photographer in Australia. I'm wondering did you end up upgrading to the 20 to 35 or have you kept the 23? Cheers

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

hi sadly I ended up selling my MF gear to due my failing health (I just couldn't carry it any longer). As a result, I never got to experience the 20-35. Have a look at a fellow Australian photographer - Izzy Abuleela - on YT. he shoots with the GFX system and I know he's used the 23 and 20-35. Tell him Nick from During the mean whilst sent you 🙂

[@dcrilley9624]

Could not agree more. I have used this lens for nearly 4 years, initially on a 50s and now on a 100 for landscape work. The detail it resolves on both sensors is simply staggering. Printed big - at A1 and A0 sizes - the level of detail rendered is evident across a room. Once a month a large print from this and other GF lenses brings a big smile. I don't think a super wide GF zoom will be coming anytime soon. It will be just too large and heavy to engineer with the requisite optical quality for this sensor size is my guess.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

thanks for the comment. I agree, but wouldn't a WA zoom be nice? Probably won't happen or if it does will be too expensive :-(

[@AnthonyMartinsRock]

@@duringthemeanwhilst next year. It will be huge though and heavy but optically wonderful!

[@wellsyboy]

I realise this is an old post but what were the lens covers you were back then?

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

these ones: www.amazon.co.uk/Lee-Lens-Cap-Pack-FHLC3/dp/B00MAKLEJO not sure if the still make them

[@loufonolleras5544]

Beautiful captures as always Nicky.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

many thanks as ever Lou :-) next week's video may interest you. I recall months back you asked if I could go through my editing and printing process. next week I do just that! an image from first concept through to print. so, you'd better watch it or else!!! ;-)

[@tomislavmiletic_]

For that kind of money this lens should have hard focus stops period, no matter focus by wire. I had the same problem with filters while using my Canon EF 17-40/4, all do I've been using Cokin filters. It had fit, but the lens is so wide I can see the filter holder. So I should buy Z or Pro variant of the same filter set which are of course double the price...

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

if my 16mm f1.4 X series lens has hard stops why can't this one??? on the filter front I hear you :-( I use Lee filters and even with their wide angle adapter I get some vignetting with this lens, but only if I stack 2 filters and then use a CPL as well - which is really, really rare

[@sovu9399]

Hi! will it work good on gfx 100s?

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

absolutely it will 🙂

[@sovu9399]

That is what I wanted to hear. Thank you for the review 😊

[@ageprevention]

Thanks. I will.

[@andreashaller1479]

thank you for this good review........

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

you're very welcome Andreas :-)

[@jackleggo9159]

Great video and photos

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

Thanks Jack :-)

[@alanstanway6118]

Had I gone down the medium format route, the GFX system would have been top of the list. That 23mm looks a beast and the images glorious. Favourite is the woodland shot with the garlic (?) and bluebells. Have I regretted concentrating on phone photography? No as I just have to imagine carrying that gear around! Lovely images, great video. Hope Dexter got a blow dry!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

thanks Alan I just did some filming for next week's blockbuster (HA!!!) of a video which had me carry my GFX, the 32-64, the X-T3 with its 10-24, my drone and its controller, 2 tripods a microphone and some filters. Although I only had to walk around 10 yards from my car, my back is now burning with the pain and had me thinking why I didn't just film the whole thing on my phone. Hopefully the footage will be worth it!!! I did remember to put memory cards in them??? Didn't I.....? and no! the little devil runs straight into the lounge and rubs himself dry on our sofas!

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

Good review. I'm thinking about it. Regards Barrie

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

thanks Barnie - your won't regret it, it's.a fantastic lens. My only caveat would be the possibility of a 20-35 zoom in a year or so.

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

@@duringthemeanwhilst If that's in the pipeline, I will wait. Regards

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

@@hamshanksproductions7161 good call. I think I'll be interested in one and replace my 23mm with it. hopefully Fuji will deliver on their promise.

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

@@duringthemeanwhilst oh, so they've promised it. Good

[@creationstationswitzerland2258]

Did I find the video useful? :) I found it expensive haha!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

Ha ha!! Bet you're happy though?

[@winheiMR]

Deine Himmel sind wohl oft ausgetauscht ? man kann es an den Kanten deutlich sehen, schade.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I've never swapped a sky out in any image I've taken. Sometimes when using the Lightroom linear gradient you can get "halos" around the edges of the affected area.

[@winheiMR]

Würde den Himmelaustausch nicht so übertreiben, sonst Klasse Linse die ich gern hätte.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

thank you :-) it's all about the art, and its subjectivity