Why the Fuji GF45mm is Essential

In this episode, I take you through a few years of my work with the GF45mm f/2.8 R WR. We look at landscapes, street, travel and portraiture. I talk about what I love and don't love about this lens. I also make the argument why this lens is essential for many GFX users.
0:00 Intro
0:47 Slideshow / Examples
3:13 Where the GF45mm 2.8 Fits Into My Photography
4:33 Specs
5:39 Pros
6:39 Bokeh
7:02 Sharpness
7:18 Landscape and Street Photography Examples
8:25 Size & Weight
9:00 Is 2.8 Bright Enough?
10:00 Aperture Ring
11:14 Focus Ring
11:23 Durability
12:25 Price
13:13 Cons | Autofocus
13:57 Minimum Focusing Distance
14:20 Final Thought
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[@KevinDeal]

Do you have the Fuji GF45mm f/2.8? Is it an essential part of your arsenal? Did you trade yours for the 55mm f/1.7? Tell me about it below.

[@herbertmasing]

Your photos are from another world in terms of composition and style 😮😮😮

[@KevinDeal]

Thank you! And thanks for stopping by!

[@BenjaminKanarek]

A very nice lens indeed! In my metier, blowing out the background for the sake of blowing out the background is so predictable. Where I reside, it is all about the story the styling and the settings.. There is a reason one choses a tool. You choose the tool after establishing the story board. You don't chose a focal length for a feature film, you create a screen play and chose the tools to accomplish your goals. Most photographers are too hung up on the gear and not the photography.

[@KevinDeal]

I agree with this 100%.

[@kurotaka007]

Just added it to by list of (6). I find it my go to lens now vs 35-70mm. Street photo's in and around Tokyo area. A $540 difference between the 55mm. Love it!

[@KevinDeal]

Good choice! I love mine!

[@kurotaka007]

@@KevinDeal Are you debating a move to the 100Sii? Not really sure about the upgrade impact? Still vacillating if I want to hang on to GFX or move to Z8??? Medium Format hmmm??? I'm thinking more boxes checked with Z8. I was playing with one at Mapcamera and the focus was like butter... so smooth and fast. Even thought about going back to SONY but what? Wait for the A7RVI??? Heard SONY will be raising the bar again for all other camera manufacturer's ??? Hype? Deep pockets, wouldn't surprise me. Again, this incremental change in the camera world sucks!

[@KevinDeal]

@@kurotaka007 I am going to eventually get the 100SII and will convert my 100S to infrared, but I am going to put that off until later in the year. I am fine tuning my Canon rigs at the moment, which is tying up some money.

[@unstanic]

Minimum focus distance has been my biggest gripe with the GFX system. You just can't get close enough when you need to..

[@KevinDeal]

I know. Would love to see a MKII version of this lens where that gets addressed.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Great video mate. I had been thinking about this for awhile. I'm really keen on the 55 1.7 but now you've made me think which is a good thing. Looking forward to your thoughts on the new GFX 100s ii this is a pair would be phenomenal.

[@KevinDeal]

45 is a beast of a lens. And it’s not big or heavy.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@KevinDeal cheers mate

[@ChristopherKeels]

first, great channel! I'm slowly walking in to fuji and the GFX 100s ll is temping and the 45 is now on the list. I rented the 55 and loved it but 2300 is a leap. I have the 80mm and the 45 sounds like an affordable complement. Curious, are you going to buy the GFX 100s 2? seems like it's abetter body and autofocus

[@KevinDeal]

I will eventually buy the 100S II. But I am currently working on fine tuning my Canon rig, and that's taking up time and money. My guess is there will be a price drop around Black Friday. Fuji regularly does rebates and I'll hold out for that. Thank you for the kind compliments!

[@knnry]

they should do a 40mm f2

[@KevinDeal]

I like new lenses. Why not?

[@benard702]

Thanks for this video on the 45mm. What about are your thoughts on the 50mm f3.5 and maybe why you don’t use it as often? I’m trying to figure out which lens pairs to have in a kit for mostly people photography

[@KevinDeal]

I have the 50mm 3.5 and intend to make a video of it. It's a convenient lens, due to size, but the 45mm (to me) just has more to love.

[@benard702]

@@KevinDeal looking forward to your video

[@BoultenInc]

What can you say about the GF 50mm f/3.5 LM WR?

[@KevinDeal]

I’m working on that review right now. Hope to have it out in the next two weeks.

[@snowhite1qazse4]

If there are GF 45 1.7 you might change your mind coz it will be much more versatile in many ways if you dont mind the weight

[@KevinDeal]

Maybe. The wider you go, the less impact a shallow depth of field has. And, if I buy a lens for story telling, a blurry background is a blurry story. Not really why I bought this lens. And then to add $1000+ and a full pound (to me) doesn't add much at all. For people who want to isolate, I can see it being cool.

[@snowhite1qazse4]

@@KevinDeal I see

[@choongching]

Nice sharing. Do you think GF 63mm can be a close companion with this 45mm as well?

[@KevinDeal]

I love using them together. They are different enough to justify. The 63mm really has amazing shallow depth of field at 2.8. Here's my review of the 63mm, if you want to compare. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmS9f2yXpZKtipY

[@choongching]

@@KevinDeal awesome videos. Your photos (output) from each lens are very good and helpful. 🙏

[@KevinDeal]

@@choongching thank you!

[@tombube49]

I bought and sold the 45 2.8 three times. And now I have the 55 1.7 but it is slow and heavy. You’re right bokeh is not the key for good photos and I will sell the 55 and buy a second hand 45 because it is also my favorite lens of the GFX line. I have the GFX100S II sind yesterday and there the 55 is still slow.

[@KevinDeal]

Thanks for sharing. If I ever buy the 55 1.7, it won't be to replace the 45 2.8. Can't replace my 45 2.8. Too valuable.

[@SD_Alias]

f1.7 is slow?

[@tombube49]

The AF motor is slow

[@SD_Alias]

@@tombube49 Ah, ok i understand. Yes if fast AF is important, the GFX is not the sports photographers system.

[@walterlee3839]

@@tombube49 Not on the 100 II