p.1 #1 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I am looking to dial in a GFX minimal lens combo with these two primes: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5
(equal to 24mm and 40mm in the full frame FOV). I am thinking I will use the GF 50mm f3.5 most often, but like to have a wide option with me.
When I was using full frame, I would crop the images to 4:3 ratio; so GFX seems ideal. I recently upgraded to a GFX 509S ii from a full frame kit with 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm primes. But with the crop, it was like 28mm, 40mm and 55mm at 4:3.
I wish Fuji made a 35mm GF prime lens (so that I could get 28mm in FF terms).
For those who also like a minimal two-prime setup, what are your thoughts? Also any advice on the GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 lenses?
p.1 #2 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
This is just one man's opinion, and it's the complete opposite of what you're looking at doing...but I think if you're going to take the time and get a GFX camera and you want a lens around the 50mm-ish range, you owe it to yourself to get the 55/1.7.
The 50 is fine, but it's boring with completely bland rendering - a true utility lens. The 55 is unlike anything you've likely ever shot, and it's one of THE reasons to have a GFX camera around. The 55 is an image maker.
p.1 #4 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I also bought a vintage Minolta 58mm f1.4 to test, and am waiting for the adapter to be delivered. If I find myself liking that, I may need to take your advice!
RoamingScott wrote:
This is just one man's opinion, and it's the complete opposite of what you're looking at doing...but I think if you're going to take the time and get a GFX camera and you want a lens around the 50mm-ish range, you owe it to yourself to get the 55/1.7.
The 50 is fine, but it's boring with completely bland rendering - a true utility lens. The 55 is unlike anything you've likely ever shot, and it's one of THE reasons to have a GFX camera around. The 55 is an image maker.
p.1 #7 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I agree with Scott. I think the GF50 is a very good "pancake" lens, yet ordinary. Where the 55/1.7 gives you tons of control over depth of field and stunning image quality without looking over processed. It seems to help you exploit the goodness of medium format. I like it even more than the 110/f2. I hope Fuji expands the prime, fast line up to include a 35/1.7 or similar. The GF50 is great for size, cost, and faster AF, but the 55 IQ is just fantastic. I have no experience with the 30/3.5 or 45/2.8.
p.1 #9 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I'll add that the GF20-35 zoom is a really great zoom that will outperform many a 35 prime and f4 isn't much slower. I've not compared it to the 35-70 @35mm.
p.1 #10 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
gdanmitchell wrote:
Also: Beware hyperbole. ;-)
Just for Dan - the 55/1.7 has tons of character and is never clinical. Its the best lens ever and is absolutely magical on medium format!
p.1 #11 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I am trying to replicate what I did with full frame, but paired down to 2 lenses. I mainly used a 35mm for my work; but liked have the option to go wide with the 24mm if confined to tight spaces. I really only used the 50mm for portraits. Again all cropped from 3:2 to 4:3 so a bit longer.
I don't like super-wide or telephoto field of view. I would rather images from all of my lenses to seem similar and blend together in a series of images.
gdanmitchell wrote:
The only question I’d have is whether you want two lenses so close together in focal length with a two lens system?
p.1 #12 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
I have the same preference for primes on GFX and chose a similar two prime setup for years: 45 & 63 (which I prefer over the pancake 50 rendering, and the size fits the 100sii well). For wider landscapes I prefer hiking with the 30, while the 23 is more niche but also has a place. I added the 80 f/1.7 at launch and it certainly has CA issues at 1.7 that seem to be remedied in the more recent 55 f/1.7, but even though the official GF lens roadmap is entirely filled with no planned lenses (right?!?), I think I'm hoping for a wider ~35 f/1.7 announcement with better AF. The 55 does seem compelling.
The zoom options seem excellent, but on GFX I still prefer primes.
p.1 #13 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
My 2 cents on your question(s) and a little more lens discussion sprinkled in...
On the GFX system:
1. I like the GF 50/3.5. Small, light, quick AF (relative to other GF lenses), very natural fall-off from subject and bokeh is pleasant. It does not give you "character", it gives you a neutral image that you have to make interesting yourself.
2. I also like the GF 45/2.8. It is a little sharper than the 50/3.5 (when pixel-peeping), especially at near distances. It has a little more "sparkle" than the 50/3.5, for lack of a better word. As close as the 50 and 45 are with respect to FOV, I own both and leverage their strengths.
3. The 110/2 is outstanding (I know -- you didn't ask). It's arguably the lens that towers (figuratively and literally) over the other excellent GF lenses. I no longer own it because I didn't find it as versatile for my use cases. For portraiture, I've switched over to the Mitakon 65/1.4 and love it. But I do miss that 110/2.
4. The GF55/1.7 is no doubt a fantastic lens and it is sharp, right at 1.7. In many ways, it's THE lens to own with the GFX system and is more versatile than the 110/2. Its bokeh is very nice, but I prefer the Mitakon bokeh and overall rendering more. If you take the same shot with both lenses and pixel peep, the 55/1.7 will produce the technically better image (by a very comfortable margin), but most people viewing the images as a whole will pick the one taken with the Mitakon as their favourite. Also, the 55/1.7 was too clunky for me, both with respect to its AF and also when manually focusing. I sold it, but sometimes do miss it.
5. I've never used the GF 30/3.5 but really like the sample images I've seen taken with it.
p.1 #15 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
After seeing some of the work by FM members with the Mitakon 65 f/1.4 on the GFX image thread, I picked one up recently and really enjoy it (for *static* subjects...manual focusing medium format lenses are still a work in progress for me). It lives on the old school GFX100 these days and balances better since it's a heavy one! A uniquely fun lens.
p.1 #17 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
If I were going to get back into the GF system and wanted a 2-prime kit, I’d get the 55 and the 23. The 50 pancake is very good, but also vanilla, no real magic. The 55/1.7 has a lot more character capabilities. The 20-35 zoom is stellar and not so much bigger that I could do it instead of the 23 and gain a lot of versatility. The 35-70 zoom I had was mediocre and IMO if one is going to use it, buy an APSC camera with any kit zoom instead and you’ll be happier. My .02.
p.1 #18 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
Totally agree with you here, Scott. It's the lens that keeps me coming back again ad nauseum to gfx. Truly special do it all lens.
RoamingScott wrote:
This is just one man's opinion, and it's the complete opposite of what you're looking at doing...but I think if you're going to take the time and get a GFX camera and you want a lens around the 50mm-ish range, you owe it to yourself to get the 55/1.7.
The 50 is fine, but it's boring with completely bland rendering - a true utility lens. The 55 is unlike anything you've likely ever shot, and it's one of THE reasons to have a GFX camera around. The 55 is an image maker.
p.1 #19 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
My GFX100S II is a recent acquisition, added 2.5 months ago. Among the available lenses, I settled on the GF20-35MM F4 and GF55mm F1.7.
These two are similar in size and weight, and cover nicely the wide-to-normal range that I find most needed for my travel photography.
If you need 35mm (FF 28mm), then the zoom gives you that FL. Whether you need or don't need a wider FOV, I am not sure. Perhaps you already have the relevant experience and can tell this with certainty that you don't need a FL wider than 28mm. If you haven't tried shooting wider than 24mm, you may find this useful. To me, the 20-35mm zoom is a must-have lens with a GFX body. The 55mm F1.7 is another essential lens in a GFX kit.
p.1 #20 · GFX - Two Primes - Lens Combo: GF 30mm f3.5 and GF 50mm f3.5 (24mm and 40mm in FF FOV)
Erik_A wrote:
I am trying to replicate what I did with full frame, but paired down to 2 lenses. I mainly used a 35mm for my work; but liked have the option to go wide with the 24mm if confined to tight spaces. I really only used the 50mm for portraits. Again all cropped from 3:2 to 4:3 so a bit longer.
I don't like super-wide or telephoto field of view. I would rather images from all of my lenses to seem similar and blend together in a series of images.
OK, sounds like you know what works for you. I'prefer to have about a 2:1 focal length ratio between primes, but that's a matter of personal preference.
