Fujifilm GF 30mm f/5.6 TS review pt2 Tilt shift lens image quality & performance 100MP medium format

Testing the Fujifilm FUJINON GF30mm F5.6 T/S Lens on 100MP medium format. Part two: Image quality and use of the 30mm tilt/shift lens. How well does the lens perform with tilt and shift.
Part 2 of two videos about the 30mm TS lens from Fujifilm.
Part 1 covers how the lens handles and how it works.
• Fujifilm GF 30mm f/5.6...
The main written review for the lens, with many more pictures is at
www.northlight-images.co.uk/f...
My book about how to use such lenses is widely available from book stores.
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH TILT AND SHIFT LENSES
Publisher info: ISBN: 9781785007712
www.crowood.com/products/phot...
The FUJIFILM FUJINON GF30mm F5.6 T/S and GF110mm F5.6 T/S Macro lenses are each expected to be available later in 2023 at MRP’s of $3,999.95 USD and $3,499.95 USD respectively.
UK prices 30: £3899 | 110 £3499
For more information on the new GF tilt-shift lenses, please see:
fujifilm-x.com/en-gb/products...
For a full index of all my videos, see:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/k...
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[@PhotoArtBrussels]

Thank you for the great video. I picked up my 100S today. The few test images i made today are really amazing. Also the 65:24 format is fantastic and still delivers 50Mpix images. I wish you a great, healthy and prosperous 2024!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'll have some more info about the 110mm TS I'm testing at the moment.

[@bobby350z]

Thanks for bringing up up diffraction. During covid with nothing else to shoot, I did some food photography at home. Used my 120mm macro at f16, super sharp shots. You need to use f16, you need to use it.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - Yes, pick the aperture you need ;-)

[@andyvan5692]

interesting, that the lens collar turns lens tilt (front standard, in LF terms), into rear standard tilt, aka thus simultaneous focus plane and perspective, as the sensor distance to the subject changes; at 4:15 the exif data thing is also a feature of Phase One's XT camera, this is a technical camera with this tilt shift control, but the data is collected via encoders, like a telescope tracker, so Capture One can remove distortion, CA, and other tilt induced distortions, so a great thing to see in the less expensive cameras.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - such metadata is also available if you use the Hasselblad HTS1.5 tilt/shift adapter. I expect to see it in Canon and Nikon's next generation tit/shift lenses for mirrorless. I'm also hoping it persuades other raw raw file converters to include offset lens corrections, since [and it's just a personal view] I really don't like C1

[@opendrivers]

thanx!

[@KeithCooper]

You're welcome!

[@thomaseriksson6256]

Thank you, its seems to be a good lens for you. I think I stay with Nikon D850 an use my 24mmPC, 45mmPC and 85mm PC. I may get a 20 mm shift lens in the future for woodland. I will get a 2nd hand GFX 100s in a few years time if I produce good images with my current equipment. I have upgradied my PC equipment exept a new 27" monitor and I need to start to use what I have more.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - pity it had to go back :-( The Nikon lenses really do show their age from a performance POV ...but only if you use them a lot...

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@KeithCooper I use what I have Will you be testing the Epson SC-P5300

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, as soon as one turns up ;-)

[@SvenHogger]

Thanks for the review! I was able to test it as well and noticed some distortion towards the edges at strong shift. Any idea how to correct it (if not manually with risk to overdistortion)? With the data of shift distance, they should be able to create profiles for that I guess?

[@KeithCooper]

C1 supports the correction of the lens [I cover it more in the main [written] review] I'm hoping that ACR and maybe even DxO can catch up with the idea of offset corrections for lenses [I've been asking DxO for about 15 years ;-) ]

[@Photo3838]

What I run into is the camera not being parallel to the front of the building. That can cause some distortion. With a view camera, swing corrects it. The lens can, I assume, be rotated to allow swing. Can you think of an example of using the Fuji in this way? Also , the 45 degree angle showing the facade and one side of the building can cause some distortion that can be controlled by swing. How does that work with this lens?

[@KeithCooper]

My normal approach is to use diagonal shift after pointing the camera square on to the face of the building. The lens does allow the tilt axis to be placed at arbitrary angles so allowing tilt in any direction*. With the lens mounting foot, the lens can be fixed and the camera tilted/shifted. That said, in using lenses like this, uses of tilt for other than placing the plane of focus along an arbitrary plane are less commonly used. Remember that the maximum tilt of the lens or body is considerably less than with view cameras. The diagonal shift example in the review, had no need of tilt at all - distortions here are purely those of the lens and correctable - in C1 for example] There is more about this in the main [written] review: www.northlight-images.co.uk/fuji-30mm-ts-review/ * In all my written work on lenses like this I only refer to tilt and shift and the direction of the tilt/shift, not terms like rise/fall/swing. This reflects my audience coming from a 'small camera' background - I assume that anyone from a view camera background knows all this stuff inside out anyway ;-)

[@bshigeta]

I’m curious on your thoughts about the lens performance at smaller apertures like f16 for interior architecture. Looking at the samples on your blog as well as tests I’ve done myself on my personal copy, at f16 the lens is less sharp than wide open and similar to sharpness of the Canon 24mm TSE at the same aperture. It’s a much cleaner and consistent image overall, but still disappointing for a lens meant for architecture and landscape. It’s already difficult to deal with depth of field on a medium format camera for interior spaces and now I’m thinking at max I can shoot up to f14.

[@KeithCooper]

F/16 is definitely showing the effects of diffraction, but a lot depends on just where the images are to be used and how. They clean up exceedingly well with modern tools such as Sharpen AI. I was thinking of just where I need the full 100MP, from a practical POV, and who would actually notice the diffraction softness compared to the greater DOF? My choices are always related to the needs of the end product. If I genuinely need 100MP at some impractically small aperture, that need will have the budget for stacking or some other solution. There are no arbitrary numbers beyond which I won't go - aperture is always a trade-off. MF perhaps shows more of those compromises you can ignore with smaller sensors.

[@paulricher2010]

Hi, this is a question regarding Fuji and their TS lenses and converters. With all of my Canon TS gear I often use a 1.4x converter to change the focal length. So with my 4 Canon TS lenses, I actually have eight focal length lenses. Does Fuji have a converter that will allow this to happen for their two lenses? A 35mm TS lens, my 24mm with the 1.4x converter is a great focal length in the quiver of lenses. Thanks for any and all feedback!

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, they have a 1.4TC BUT it is only listed as compatible with two lenses GF250mmF4 R LM OS WR GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR I need to check this one with Fuji - thanks for reminding me

[@Snobdude]

Gr8 Video!Thank you Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - the 110mm TS is due to turn up here next week for my next review

[@Snobdude]

I'm really looking forward on this! I'm still missing my Sinar 4x5....@@KeithCooper

[@user-hx2ym4hk4s]

Thanks for the review! I am interested in the lens and would be using it with filters... to my knowledge only the 150mm format would properly work. You mentioned in the review to be careful using filters with large shifts, I assume that you mean that care has to be taken in choosing the "right" brand of high quality filters, am I wrong? I was eyeing the Kase system, any comment or recommendation? Thanks again

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'm not a big filter user in my work, so don't have much relevant experience in different brands I'm afraid. My concern is that with any sheet of glass in front of the lens at strong shift there may be issues - unfortunately, to test this I'd need someone to send me something to test, oh, and the 30mm TS has gone back to Fujifilm UK :-( I'm afraid you'll have to wait for a sufficiently deep pocketed filter aficionado to do some proper tests... :-)

[@Snobdude]

The purpose why I'm using filters is front lens protection.@@KeithCooper

[@KeithCooper]

I'd rather not, for a lens this good at strong shift. I might use a plain one if by the sea or in a very dusty environment, but in general I'd remove it for actual photos@@Snobdude

[@Snobdude]

Sounds like my masterplan: On lens when not shifting.@@KeithCooper

[@bshigeta]

Filters are annoying to use on this lens. The filter adapter takes 105mm filters to avoid vignetting, but is connected to the front ring that the lens hood screws onto. Unlike other lens hoods that attach with a quarter turn or so, this one needs to be completely screwed on. Often times you end unscrewing the whole assembly becoming too much trouble for say a single shot with a CPL filter in a string of shots for composition. A magnetic system would be great in this situation, but the only adapter I can find is 112mm and while it fits, I’m afraid it will eventually get lodged in the assembly.

[@macwestcanon]

Happy Holidays Keith can you explain or review this type of printer DNP DS-Tmini 10.1" Kiosk Order Terminal - Bundle With DNP DS620A Dye Sub. Also I purchased the new GFX 100 2 I returned it after 1 day all it did was lock up had to keep pulling battery. Thanks Mac

[@KeithCooper]

I can only really review printers which manufacturers lend me - and I don't know of anyone here producing such stuff? It's been many years since I used such a printer, but I do recall they are difficult to successfully profile [some would say it isn't actually possible] I've heard of a couple of people with GFX100 II cameras needed replacing after lock-up issues. One of the downsides of buying a just released camera - I had this with my 1Ds mk3 in 2007 [PS As an aside, thanks, but what holiday? - I'm in the UK. Next one here is Christmas!]

[@macwestcanon]

@@KeithCooper Thanks Keith, I want to purchase this Printer to bring with me to my Daughters upcoming wedding and hand out to the guests some pictures of them I will take but don't know about the quality or even how they work, not much info on the web. Thanks' for all the great content I never miss a video, Looking forward to the upcoming years videos, God Bless Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year .

[@KeithCooper]

I believe they are pretty 'bombproof' in operation if the image files are of good quality. Try printing one of my known good test images to check all is well rather than a picture of your own. Then you'll know where any possible issues lie www.northlight-images.co.uk/printer-test-images/

[@macwestcanon]

Thanks@@KeithCooper

[@chuckm482]

If you put the lens in "neutral", would it make a nice prime lens seeing how expensve it is.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - the quality of the unshifted lens is very good

[@CBSDailyBread]

Based on your first hand experience, do you think the new Fuji 30 T/S creates considerably higher quality large prints that make the lens worth $4,000 vs. continuing to use the Canon TS-E 24mm lens? I ask because that is a lot of money and most normal people are on a budget, however, if the quality is considerably better, then it could be worth selling some gear in order to afford the new Fuji lens.

[@KeithCooper]

I do, but with the proviso that it's part of my work ;-) I'm still on a budget though... Also, it returns the FOV I'm happiest with [~24mm on 35mm FF] The 24 does need more care if want to use the full 33x44 frame, but the main issue is that it's like taking just the TS-E17 on a job with my 5Ds. In terms of coverage I may get a TS-E50 [~38mm on the GFX] My own TS-E24 is also showing its age [~16 yrs] and along with my TS-E17, both could do with a service to ensure they are both still properly aligned. I use the 24 with the tilt/shift axes aligned, so that any residual tilt is up/down, when shifting up/down - I did this after I noticed a few shots were consistently [a bit] sharper on one side

[@CBSDailyBread]

@@KeithCooper The Canon TS-E 24 is a 2009 lens and the 50 is a 2017 lens, so it should hopefully be a litter better in terms of image quality, so that could be a good thing. I didn't think about the .79 crop factor of the Canon lenses on the Fuji when I wrote my first note above. The 24mm focal length is my favorite and the 17 is not one I am too found of, so the 50 on the Fuji may be a really good option for these reasons. I plan on keeping my Canon R5 as a second camera, so if I get the TS-E 50, I can use it on both cameras. One other thought. I know you have tested many lenses and adapters over the years. Have you found a 30mm or 35mm lens, such as a medium format lens possibly, that works on the Fuji with a compatible adapter? I ask because possibly this is another way to get to the 24mm look on the Fuji for a lot less money.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, the 50 is a noticeably better lens than the 24, but when you want wide... All the manual MF lenses I've tested are old ones, and whilst the M645 50/80/210 lenses I've tried seem tolerable, the Mamiya 35mm really shows its age - looks OK with a bit of shift on my EOS RP [26MP] but runs out of puff on the 5Ds and 100S

[@CBSDailyBread]

@@KeithCooper Yes, that is the issue... The 50 is just not wide enough sometimes. Why can't this be easy... :) It looks like I will be saving my money for a future Fuji 30mm T/S lens.

[@Skillividden]

Tilt is much more usable for product photography than for landscapes

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, and at longer focal lengths - definitely something I'll look at much more when I get the Fuji 110mm TS lens to test.

[@robr3621]

BH photo now says this lens isn't coming until "mid 2024".

[@KeithCooper]

ouch...

[@robr3621]

Why in the heck is fuji not giving updates in the availability of this lens? My guess is it won't be available to public for another year. Nobody seems to know what's going on with this lens. Fuji reps don't know, bh photo doesn't know. Ridiculous. Cmon fuji

[@KeithCooper]

Ah, I've no idea on that - I can't afford one at the moment anyway :-)

[@memcrew1]

There’s a 30TS lens firmware update for the 50s/50r/50ii bodies.

[@robr3621]

@@memcrew1 great, an update for a lens that doesn't exist.

[@KeithCooper]

That's good to know I still don't have any availability info for this lens though@@memcrew1

[@bshigeta]

I ordered within a couple minutes of the preorder opening on B&H and received a copy from the first shipment date.

[@pigeonfarmboy]

I'm going to need back surgery from my GF kit.

[@KeithCooper]

The weight does mount up... ;-)