The Lens
Lightweight, compact and an easy to use telephoto zoom for the GFX series of cameras. Fujifilm have created a lens with superbly sharp optics, especially at infinity and in the corners where other lenses of this type usually suffer.
I took a pre production sample of the GF 100-200 to Morocco at the end of 2018 on a recce for this forthcoming workshop in April 2019 and I must admit I was not expecting to like the lens because of the rather slow f/5.6 optic. I must learn not to be prejudiced because wow, I was pleasantly surprised indeed. I found that wide open the lens delivered some decent separation in my portraits and having the ability to zoom to fine tune my compositions made the whole shooting experience easy.
1. Morocco offers up some fantastic shooting locations and I took a bit of time out between scheduled shoots to give this lens a try. It was not part of the plan but I got a last minute call from the Fujifilm UK team and the lens landed on my desk an hour before I left for the airport. Of course curiosity got the better of me so I took some shots to get to know how this lens performs. I am shown here with my GFX on a tripod but in general use this body and lens combination would be equally suited to hand held shooting or in conjunction with a monopod.
2. The location pictures here and the behind the scenes pictures shown above were taken by Mohammed Kamal (MK) my co explorer. We climbed up through several abandoned kasbahs to find perfect locations for our workshop in April.
The OIS (optical image stabilisation) worked a treat and the autofocus was fast and precise. I was pleasantly surprised every time I picked up the camera with this lens attached. It just feels right. I’ve no idea why I felt surprised because I had plenty of experience of the excellent, yet underrated XF 55-200mm lens for the X series. Fujifilm have proven that they can deliver superlative optical quality time after time even with ‘kit’ or less expensive lens offerings. I’ll be interested to read other reviewers findings and to test out a final production copy.
3. Top: These shots taken with the GF 100-200mm lens set to 100mm Below: These 200mm shots for comparison were taken from the same spots as the top two.
4. The arid landscape in the mountain regions of Morocco turns a lush green in the spring. The small villages and rural areas don’t appear to have changed much over the centuries with donkeys and mules still carrying the load out in the fields. These shots were all taken with the GF 100-200mm lens at various settings. I used a tripod for the shot bottom left but hand held the other three.
5. I love the textures and tones of the old Morocco up in the Atlas Mountains. I used the lens at f/5.6, 200mm with the camera set to ISO 200 and 1/500th second. Click on the picture to see a full size, compressed sample of this shot. Bear in mind this is from a pre production lens.
6. This high pass over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh has been a trading route since ancient times.
7. Every bit of fertile land is cultivated in Morocco. The water levels in this river change dramatically and in April they will be in full flow from the melting snow on the mountains.
Conclusion
If this lens were the f/4 optic that I’d have hoped for it would be at least double the weight and that would lose a lot of its appeal. This is a lens that will certainly suit landscape and travel photographers alike. The GF 100-200mm is much lighter than it looks so it will tuck away in a rucksack or shoulder bag quite nicely. The detail that this lens captures is astounding and the useful, uncompromising 2x zoom range makes this a perfect long lens for many shooters.
Great review… You are always very informative!
Love the shots as well.
I have one question though. After all this time would you still purchase a GFX 50s? What has been your experience with it.
I was considering it, but I think it is becoming a little dated, compared to Sony’s latest releases and even Canon EOS R.
What do you think?
Thanks
Hi Joseph,
Thank you. Re the GFX. I have used it exclusively for 3 1/2 years now and by the time I replace it I’d have had it for 4 1/2 years. That is the perfect return on investment because I’ll still get about 1/2 what I paid for it. I wouldn’t buy a new camera at the end of it’s life cycle.
The GFX lenses are superb and have been the best I’ve ever owned. When I look at a photograph I can see the lens qualities but I couldn’t tell what camera it was taken on. So my advice is choose a system based on the lenses, not the camera bodies.
Kind regards,
Damien
Looks a great lens, seriously considering the Fuji MF. Nice images as always to D…
Thanks Karl,
The lens was surprisingly good but never made it into my kit bag. I’d love to get the 250mm at some point. I hire it from time to time. The rest of the Fujifilm MF kit is really good. I think the 50s is worth the extra. It will be interesting to see what Hasselblad bring out next now that DJI own the company. Maybe TPS will be the great reveal of their 100mp offering.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Hi Damien
Done what you suggested, shot with the 100-200mm on a tripod with IS on and off on a sheet of newsprint taped to the shed door to see if IS needs to be on or off, results are from 1/8 to 1/60th second the pictures were actually better with IS switched on, 1/125th to 1/500th it didn’t make any difference. So this could explain why its not in the manual, its just a non issue with the way they’ve designed the IS in this lens. Oh well, you live and learn its always been an issue with other brands.
Thanks anyway love your work
Cheers
Jonathan
Thank you Jonathan for the feedback. Your findings are like mine. Enjoy your photography and thanks for the compliments.
Kindest regards,
Damien
Hi Damien
Re my question below about IS on a tripod, I got my 100-200mm today and rang technical support, they checked, and it turns out this lens, like the 50-140mm 2.8, are not ‘tripod aware’ and could do with having the IS off on a firm tripod as the vibration corrections could actually cause blur. Im assuming theres no issue on a monopod with its slight movement. I wish it was covered in the manual, still its heartening that you’ve taken such great pictures without seeing an issue. Just thought Id let you know
Cheers
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
I’ve not experienced any blur from having the IS switched on with the camera on a tripod. I’ve usually just left it on and forgotten about it. I’ve used the 120mm, 250mm and now the 100-200mm lenses on a tripod with IS on and not had any issues.
If you see an improvement with IS on or off with your camera on a monopod or tripod let me know.
Thanks,
Damien.
Hi Damien, I had the opportunity to try the GF100-200mm last week, let’s just say I’ve ordered it already. For its size with OIS it’s still small and quite light. This is starting to get costly. I already have 4 lenses and a fifth added may make me sell one of the others. I have the GF32-64 GF23 GF110 GF63 What would you hide away or sell?
Frank
Hi Frank,
I have the 45 and the 63 and I’ve not fallen in love with either. Without a 30mm f/2.8 to make using primes an option I still use the zoom.
Cheers, Damien.
Damien:
Nice review and as always, your images are inspiring. I found your comment on the 110mm interesting as I have of course used it for portraits but found it is beautiful as well for landscapes at smaller apertures such as f8 to f11. I think it is perfect for a bit reach in that zone. I am looking forward to trying out the 100-200 though as it is a good range for my landscapes.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Robert,
Thank you for the compliments. Yes I agree the 110mm is a perfect short telephoto between f/2 and f/11. This GF 100-200 is great between f/5.6 and f/22 and that extra depth of field at f/22 before diffraction kicks in will be welcome by some landscapists. I hope it fits your landscape needs.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Hi Bob,
I took your advice and gave the GF110mm another test last night at small apertures (down to f/22) and I was pleasantly surprised. It surpassed my expectations. My previous experience was not great but I can now rule the lens out for the lack of IQ. Maybe I knocked the tripod or there was some vibration.
Thanks, Damien.
Wonderful photographs, but “lightweight and compact” are not the description I would have chosen :)
Hi BJ, Thank you. This is certainly one of the lightest and most compact telephoto zoom for medium format that I’ve ever seen. I think it is remarkable how neat Fujifilm have made this lens with its fast AF, internal zoom and focus mechanisms, plus OIS.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
It would be a crime to photograph such an amazing location with a shallow depth of field. The location demands inclusion within the composition. By heck what a great adventure your workshop attendees are in for. You have such a good balance of landscape/portrait and exotic location here. Oh, and if Fuji can put out a an ultrawide 5.6 zoom they would have landscape photographers covered. Cheers Damian, you are an inspiration.
Thank you Trev,
We are singing from the same hymn sheet for sure. Thank you for the compliments.
Kind regards,
Damien.
I have the GF110mm F2 on the GFX50s and must say the lens stopped down for some city scapes were fantastic and sharper than one would think, handheld.
Hi Frank,
All the GF lenses are fabulous including the 110mm but Iris flare becomes an issue with small apertures on the fast lenses by f/11 or so. It’s fabulous kit for sure.
Regards, Damien.
Thanks for the 110mm comparison thoughts, I use a monopod and shoot 5.6 and smaller with models so it should suit me. My question is did you need to turn the IS off on the tripod? This will save me time when I get one thanks! Impressed with the price I thought it could be 3k
Hi Jonathan, I didn’t feel the need to switch off the OIS at all. I think it’s best to leave it on. I was really impressed with this lens and you will love how light it is. It will be perfect for monopod use.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Absolutely great Pics Damien, I have seen you are using the GF 110mm how would you describe the difference of the Picture Quality, Resolution …
Thank you for the compliments Peter :)
The GF 110 is a completely different kind of lens. Chalk and cheese. I use the 110mm prime mostly at f/2 for portraits I always use it with a tripod and I have to use my feet to move around a lot before setting the tripod up. I doubt the 110mm lens would be any good at f/16 for shooting landscapes whereas the GF 100-200mm zoom would do the job brilliantly. It comes down to the kind of working aperture you want to shoot at and if you need a zoom. Then you can decide if you want to work hand held with OIS or like me you are prepared to use a tripod for everything. I’ve not done side by side pixel peeping testing because the lenses are so good you’d probably need 100 million pixels to spot any difference in resolution. I thought the GF 250mm was going to be optically challenged but it looks as good as all the other lenses I’ve tried. I’ve not come across any kind of lens softness from any of the GF lenses so comparing them at 50mp is not going to show anything.
Just my thoughts,
Damien
Great shots! Totally agree about the XF55-200 lens. It’s my go to portrait lens
Hi Michael,
Thank you for the compliments. :)