The Fujinon GF 110 F/2 R LM WR review

[@raveemahadevan]

1"19secs point card states GF100?

[@JacquesGaines]

Thank you for the correction. I will pin the comment

[@MorningNapalm]

The description also says 100mm :) Did you own the Hasselblad H 100mm by any chance? @@JacquesGaines

[@borromine]

I have been photographing since the late 1940s. First camera was 127 Ansco. Used every thing from Rollei 6x6 Pentax 67, Canons, Nikons etc. This lens is truly one of a kind. I did not realize what a great photographer I was still I started to use it. 😂😂😂 seriously, it’s great. I tried the GF 80mm f1.7. Nice but the 110 is just some how better. Very heavy. But when you look at the images its weight seems to fall away.

[@JacquesGaines]

I totally agree

[@RichardSilvius]

Great review! Speaking of portrait lenses, I would love to see what the Pentax 67 105 f2.4 looks like on GFX - with a focal reducer.

[@timpriestley8997]

So I have the 80mm 1.7, I've watched heaps of reviews for eachother, I dont think i need both, donypu think the 110mm f2 is better than the 80mm 1.7 Im definitely keen on one, but tossing up whether o really need both ....

[@dan-le-brun]

I never put the lens hood on it, never had a problem even in bright daylight. Some seriously good coatings on it.

[@JacquesGaines]

Ahh

[@JohnCross-rz5uq]

That 110mm Lens can be used for many other kind of photography than just portrait ! I would fx use it for Landscape, Nature, Architecture, Street and more !

[@JacquesGaines]

It is a focal length that is very useful.

[@borromine]

For people wondering if they should go for this, I want to echo this review. I have this lens and it surprises you. It is so so stunning. All of a sudden you realize what a great photographer you are. Jokes aside, it produces wonderful images and makes you want to do more portraits work. And yes, you feel like you are actually there when the images come up on screen. And for those people that simply do not want to spend this much, there is a solution that is not as good but still not so bad: the Canon 85mm f1.8; yes, it vignettes but you can just shoot square format at f1.8 while using a smart adapter. Very light very cheap. Still if you shout portraits or fashion, you’ll never look back once you have the 110.

[@JacquesGaines]

I totally agree. The equivalent in the X mount is the 90mm. Stunning and amazing lenses.

[@dannyli9424]

I actually feel opposite coming from Nikon 85 1.2S and 135 Plena.

[@mauricerijnders3507]

Nice review👍🏼 I cannot remember though that is said “portrait lens” on the box. It is a great lens for creatives how want to use that focal length (and aperture) to make any subject magical. Landscape, street, portret, … ☺️

[@JacquesGaines]

Totally agree. It's just that that focal length tends toward portrait photos.

[@mauricerijnders3507]

Yes, when you're a portrait photographer this is a no brainer. For other stuff this is a creativity machine 😃😅👍🏼

[@RagingBubuli]

7:32 That buttery smooth bokeh!

[@JacquesGaines]

Like buttaaa!!

[@ryans_life]

Lovely review as always jack and gorgeous lens from Fuji. One day I hope to get a used R and get into the system

[@JacquesGaines]

Thank you Ryan. One little question though. Do you find yourself in a workflow, on any of what you do, where snappiness and agility are a concern? If so, you might want to re think your strategy. If not, it is a beautifully capable and striking way to get into either corporate, portrait or fine art photography. Cheers and thank you for the support.

[@ryans_life]

@@JacquesGaines Excellent post mate. Indeed. I have heard that medium format poses many unique challenges from a performance perspective which is why I don't mind waiting to see how the landscape will change In the next few years. Cheers for your great content and engagement.

[@beronbeorn2984]

@@JacquesGaines would you recommend him for marriage or not? the gfx 100 system

[@bikerdash27]

Fab Video ! Thank You.

[@JacquesGaines]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Anarki2U]

How do the 110mm perform for landcape photography if you are going to make large prints ? I do not agree with you about the lens hood, I have Hasselblad with "plastic" lens hood which do a very good job and being light weight a the same time very strong and solid, metal hoods are heavy and if a metal hood gets a big beating of fx a drop it might not function any more, so I have a very good experience with strong "plastic" lens hood´s :)

[@NoahStephens]

Agreed. Plastic doesn’t necessarily mean cheap

[@algordon6796]

I purchase the 50R with the 50 mm lens and can't decide to go with the primes or the 45-100 with ibis which will cover most usable focal lengths, of course expense is a factor...

[@JacquesGaines]

The GF line are all excellent lenses. However, I am a fixed focal length maniac. To me, the added image quality is too significant to ignore. IMHO get the 110mm

[@tianxing7795]

After get the new firmware update (4.0), the autofocus will improve. Great review! Hope to see more!

[@JacquesGaines]

Also Fuji just announced updates for the GFX cameras also. I believe this will also help.

[@karimnasser9226]

Thanks for the video Jacques. This is a great lens and I've seen large prints from it, simply amazing. Your video however was recorded in 1080P, essentially 2MP, so it doesn't surprise me that the images in the video don't begin to give the lens justice. I have a GFX 50S II with a 50mm F/3.5, do you recommend me getting the 110 for portrait, or do you think the 50mm is enough? I shoot portraits in a city environment and I often don't have the space to move far from my subject. Thanks!

[@JacquesGaines]

Yes the 1080 sort of puts a damper on the whole thing. That 110 is crazy crazy crazy sharp. If you are looking to make large prints, dont think twice. The 110 is a beast!

[@JacquesGaines]

However it is a .80 crop so it is like having an 85mm full frame. You have to be far from the subject. I wouls suggest the 80mm f/1.7

[@Mattytube18]

Everyone always goes on the the generic. I’m a landscape photographer and this is my favorite focal length for that genre. All is subject. I shoot portraits with a 200mm 35mm.

[@JacquesGaines]

Thank you. I love to hear about different approaches. 110 for landscape. Who would've thought.

[@Canaaninc]

How is this GF100mm compared to the new Fuji GF80mm lense? Can you also use Fuji 2X converter for both?

[@larryroccostudio]

Now that the GF80mm 1.7 is here, would you prefer it over the 110mm? Is the a test link to that? Thank you! You are the most professional I’ve viewed. Please review the 100s.

[@JacquesGaines]

Gee thanks. I have not had the oportunity to test the GF80. However, remember that when a new model comes out, the older model goes down in price. So the coming of the 80mm might be good but might also be an oportunity to get the 110 at a lower price. Cheers

[@tomislavmiletic_]

I'm drooling right now 😜

[@JacquesGaines]

If ever you get the chance Thomas message me via my website. I have a few reflections and comments about the GFX system.

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

Beautiful, would love to see you try some FF lenses on the GFX. I am a manual shooter, so auto-focus not a big deal and peeking has changed everything for me.

[@JacquesGaines]

Hey Juan. Unfortunately, I find myself neglecting my APS-c collection and my XT3 and XT30 bodies these days and giving a great deal of time to lens testing. Question for you though: Have you been using the GFX system with FF lenses via an adaptor these days?

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

@@JacquesGaines have not, looking at a used one for $2300 to use with my nikon ff lenses, gfx lenses are very expensive, now.

[@JacquesGaines]

Agreed. 2300 sounds like a good price

[@andrepoon]

Ohhhh… I was going to buy a Leica Q2… and now I’ve gone down this rabbit hole!

[@JacquesGaines]

Trust me. It's a nice hole. 😋

[@dakotaxu4792]

Yes there is another lens that can replace and maybe even exceed it, but on a different camera system because it’s not a Fuji lens and it’s not for the GFX system. It’s the Sigma 135mm Art lens.

[@JacquesGaines]

True. It is an excellent lens. But we need to compare apples with oranges no?

[@cleverghostcinema]

Wonder how the 50mm f1 xf would compare

[@JacquesGaines]

Hmm interesting proposal

[@xof112]

@@JacquesGaines ... exactly what i was looking for, when i got to your video - especially separation from the background, smoothness of the bokeh ... is this worth the extra money if i own a Fuji-X Camera for Portraits?

[@00_Ryan_00]

Nice Vid Jacques. I dont shoot people, only landscapes, but I'm curious of your opinion....Fuji 200 F/2 or the 110 in this vid? Which is the better portrait lens? I know...completely different formats, but still, if space constraints of the 200 are not an issue which would you want as the only one to use?

[@JacquesGaines]

Well maybe not the same formats but if you just look at focal range, the 110 (an 85mm ff equivalent) vs 200mm (300mm) ff equivalent because it is mounted on APS-C) is just going to be better. I tested the 200 and my God was I ever always way too far away from the subject to get something decent. My two cents

[@jimmyhill9591]

I have to agree with Jacques on this one. Almost all I do is portraits(corporate headshots/online dating shoots). The 110 or 120 would serve better for 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 portrait needs. Of course there are times the longer focal length comes in handy such as photographing performers where you can't get close, weddings where you want to capture the emotions of a bride without interfering in the moment or just portraits where you want to really compress the background for artistic/composition purposes. For typical portraits though, between 85 and 135(in 35mm terms) is great. The XF90(135 equivalent) is my main lens for corporate headshots because it gives enough breathing room between myself and my 'non-model' clients(realtors/lawyers/etc) without being so long that I can't use it in a typical office. Half/three quarter shots are done with my XF56(85 equivalent). A 200, particularly on a crop sensor(300mm equivalent), would not only put me too far from my clients to communicate well with them, it would add no real value to the shot just because of some extra 'perspective compression'. It would more likely take away from the shot. For those online dating shoots I actually tend to use my X100F with the TCL most. A 50mm equivalent focal length, despite so many saying it is unflattering because they read so on a forum, makes the images more personal/intimate and also adds some context/a story which works perfect for the purpose of those images. What focal length you use should be based on the purpose of the photo. No matter how you slice it, a long telephoto is going to produce an image that looks like it was taken from far away. Fine for paparazzi or sports/action photographers...Not always(rarely) ideal for anyone else. Medium telephotos(in that 85-135 range) serve a different role and the 50 or even 35 another. Any of them can be used for 'portraits'. Portrait has many meanings and focal length is a tool not an answer.

[@nelsonclub7722]

I am the same - with a GFX100 - I didn't like the 110, I didn't like the 250 - however I love the 120 Macro

[@filibertkraxner305]

@@jimmyhill9591 You make some very good points. I too find that a 50mm (35mm eq.) lens gives a more intimate feel to portraits, which is what I probably even prefer over an 85/90 (35mm eq.) lens. I think the key is the perspective you get from simply being closer to your subject. The typical 50mm distance corresponding to the distance for an intimate conversation. Anyway, that's what I feel. I'm very much looking forward to the GF80mm/1.7 that's announced, but today I'm checking out the 110. I think they might even complement eachother nicely (if the 80 focuses close enough).

[@dannyli9424]

Close down to F32, and you like the image quality ?

[@JacquesGaines]

Did I say that?

[@johnnygilroy5213]

Can I do Macro photos with this lens?

[@JacquesGaines]

I do not believe that it has Macro capabilities. You might want to check out the Fuji site. Their specs tab on the product page is excellent

[@lawrencelam1820]

Hi Jacques, just an amateur player as I am, I start to try the GFX system. I'm now putting my Canon 85L II on GFX 50R and the result is stunning with an exception of the focusing speed of course. I just wonder if GF110/2 can rise the image quality to another horizon, any view please?

[@JacquesGaines]

I believe so. As I am aware that the 85 is a great lens, always remember that native GF lenses have to resolve to at least 100mpixels

[@jlove24]

Would you say this is the best gfx 100 portrait lens??

[@JacquesGaines]

Yes. By far.

[@jlove24]

@@JacquesGaines thank you!

[@muehlemannfilms]

on the shot in the park bridge says 16bit... is there a secret to get 16bit out of the 50S? thought it was 14...?!?

[@JacquesGaines]

If there is, I am unaware. I simply took tghe photos. But suffice to say that I shoot exclusively in RAW. The RAW factor might be the difference

[@MichaelLaing71]

Nikon 85mm f/1.8 Bokah king? Its a good lens for the price but I wouldn't put it up their as one of the great bokah lenses for Nikon.

[@JacquesGaines]

Oh yes? Which Nikon lens would it be?

[@MichaelLaing71]

@@JacquesGaines Well the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D and G are both better, then either the 1.8D and G, when it comes to bokah, Also the Nikkor 105mm f/1.4e is better. Looking outside of Nikon I prefer the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T, Milvus and Otus, as well as the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 VC and I haven't even mentioned the Sigma. So, whilst I think both the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 D and G are good lenses (and some where in the house I probably have a 85mm f/1.8D (though I may have lent it out)), I do think they fall a bit behind in the bokah department (the G is very sharp though).

[@MichaelLaing71]

@@JacquesGaines I just thought it odd that the video calls the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 asking of bokah. The only lens I can think of that I haven't tried is the new Nikkor 85mm f/1.8s?

[@ricksatterwhite5790]

Best Nikon lens for OUTSTANDING bokeh is of course the 200mm f2

[@Rob060870]

How about the canon 85mm f1.2L using an EF- GF adapter?

[@JeffDietzphoto]

I was this years old when I learned that somehow you can't shoot a 110mm lens outside without the lens hood? huh?

[@joejojo5966]

THIS IS The sharpest most beautiful lens ive ever used. But i cant afford it lol

[@JacquesGaines]

I feel ya. Neither can I. Fuji let me use it for 3 weeks.

[@dannyli9424]

It's funny people always try to use good words to describe its AF system , as good as it can be.... it's pretty good ... ...LOL. i call it not just frustrating but painful experience with the AF on GFX 50S II + 110 when compare to my Z9 + 85 1.2s and A1 with a 3rd party Sigma 85 1.4 dg dn.

[@JacquesGaines]

Point taken. The GFX line in general is very clunky to say the least

[@EugeneMaynard]

🙏🏾

[@ricksatterwhite5790]

Need to include raw files

[@JacquesGaines]

Hmm I have been thinking of having adownload link. Is that something you think might be useful? If so, please tell me why,

[@KS0stli]

“Bowka”! Hahahahaha HAHAHAHA hahahaha hahahaha!!! Funniest pronunciation ever! Hahahaha

[@JacquesGaines]

OK

[@victoriankambe3070]

As long as you understand.

[@looseunit9180]

Your graphic says GF 100 - just saying

[@JacquesGaines]

Oops at what point in the video?