Thanks for this video. I'll go with the 45 f2.8 as my first and only lens for now but this is because I have an X-T3 with 16-80 and 70-300 that I use when there is good light and the GFX is more for low light, environmental portrait and travel (city/street/architecture).
45/2.8 is probably my all time favorite for the GFX. all purpose, fast, pretty small and light. the “pancake” and this “kit zoom” are the other competitors. i find them way more practical and usable than the big primes and zooms as someone who likes to walk and not lug around a big setup
I know people call this lens a “kit lens” - and it is, but it’s also a ridiculously strong lens. For the size/weight/range, you can’t ask for much more. Especially considering I spent $350 on it.
It's insane. One of my favorite lenses for the system even ignoring the price. I'm generally shooting f/8-f/11 so very little compromise and so small and light.
Picked it up myself as a kit lens when I purchased the GFX 50s II. It's a solid alrounder for everyday use and given the price tag, you'd be stupid not to pick it up. It definitely is slow in low light conditions but the GFX does a great job in compensating for it with the stabilizer.
As a landscape photographer I can say the the 35-70 is probably (I'm not biased! 🤣) the best zoom lens in the world for its range: 28-55mm full frame equivalent. It basically replaces traditional primes of 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. I keep mine glued at f/8 and if I need a faster shutter speed I just bump up the ISO. I also have the 32-64, but it needs f/11 to obtain sharp corners, whereas the 35-70 only needs f/11. As well the 32-64 is a beast of a lens to pack around and the difference in "look" from photos produced by the two lenses is too subtle to worry about. So for budding landscape photographers grab a 50r and the 35-70 and you basically have the best camera money can buy for landscape photography.
Yep I agree with you. if you don't need shallow depth of field or low light (and IBIS helps there) then this lens is so small and light and fairly-priced.
I’ve gone back and forth. Everybody starts with zooms and it’s easy to get primes and think “oh it’s sharper ooo bokeh pretty” but a lot of the time it’s better to just get the right shot. And zooms are so good nowadays compared to 10 or 15 years ago.
I appreciate your videos and opinions. You’re really grounded and you a great way to convey your opinions without seeing to force it onto people. May I ask what were your reasons to use fufjilm medium format as compared to a full frame digital which also has high resolution sensors ? After using my Leica MA I’m keen to purchase a digital Leica eg. the M11. Though it doesn’t have IBIS and and seems more suited for 28-50mm focal lengths. Rather than splurge on the M11 perhaps a GFX system is better value for the money and also gives more options about focal lengths. Thank you for this video. Take care.
thanks for the kind words. I have owned a few full-frame digital cameras - most recently an m10 and an a7r II before that, both since sold. for me, the gfx images have noticeably higher dynamic range, clean and accurate and beautiful colors, super malleable files, and a certain "transparency" like I'm just looking at the world without too much of a style imposed on it. I don't have to edit the photos much to get a result I'm happy with. And they're wonderful to work on, tons of detail even at 1:1. I love Leicas and do dream of having an m11 but see the Leicas as more of an emotional purchase - do it because you love shooting Leicas. And realistically you won't notice the extra resolution printed. (I would really miss IBIS though. I know the m11 sensor is finally up-to-date but on my m10 >3200 ISO shots were a little iffy.)
I came to many of the same conclusions but you stated them clearly. For an extra five it is a great buy. I shoot a lot of film. The clarity is very important. Surprisingly, one can even get a little bokeh with this lens. I bought three primes to go with the camera but the 35mm to 70mm is a great day at the relatives or for an all around camera day where all around relaxationis the order of the day. I usually chose one camera and one lens for the day.
Same here. Whenever I try to carry a second lens I just end up shooting the first. Maybe a personal failing, but for casual use a zoom like this is lovely.
Hi there, thanks for this awesome review about this lens. Yesterday, I've ordered this lens because of its crazy discount here in Canada. I bought this lens to pair with my GFX 100s for my Food Photography Business. What is your thoughts about this lens for the type of Photography I want to do? Thanks...
hmm the maximum magnification is 0.28x so probably should work decently? you might also check out the 120 macro lens depending on the magnification you need. (not an expert on product or food photography - only really do it when i'm selling stuff on craigslist or ebay)
hey, appreciate it. just got burned out on videos and photography in general to be honest, even at my snail pace of 1 video a month. thanks for the message and think I'm finally getting back into at least taking pictures.
may have misspoken. it does definitely extend as it zooms, since it's meant to be very compact (not "internal zoom") but IIRC does not extend as it focuses. and I _think_ the front element doesn't rotate as it focuses. but just my best recollection
Dude this is a GREAT video! I almost didn’t click bc the thumbnail though, I figured it’d be a boring old man. I’d have clicked much sooner if it were a sample picture like you provided in the video and the lens/gfx photoshopped in the corner or just Something that shows your displaying images taken with/reviewing the lens
That's a good point. I don't like to complain about others' videos knowing that even bad videos are a lot of work to make, but hearing some guy talk about a lens without actually showing it used is not super fun or enjoyable. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video. I'll go with the 45 f2.8 as my first and only lens for now but this is because I have an X-T3 with 16-80 and 70-300 that I use when there is good light and the GFX is more for low light, environmental portrait and travel (city/street/architecture).
45/2.8 is probably my all time favorite for the GFX. all purpose, fast, pretty small and light. the “pancake” and this “kit zoom” are the other competitors. i find them way more practical and usable than the big primes and zooms as someone who likes to walk and not lug around a big setup
Excellent video - really complete and balanced review, and beautiful sample images showing what the lens can do ! Thanks a lot.
thanks for the kind words!
I know people call this lens a “kit lens” - and it is, but it’s also a ridiculously strong lens. For the size/weight/range, you can’t ask for much more. Especially considering I spent $350 on it.
It's insane. One of my favorite lenses for the system even ignoring the price. I'm generally shooting f/8-f/11 so very little compromise and so small and light.
Picked it up myself as a kit lens when I purchased the GFX 50s II.
It's a solid alrounder for everyday use and given the price tag, you'd be stupid not to pick it up.
It definitely is slow in low light conditions but the GFX does a great job in compensating for it with the stabilizer.
yeah, for that price you can't go wrong
As a landscape photographer I can say the the 35-70 is probably (I'm not biased! 🤣) the best zoom lens in the world for its range: 28-55mm full frame equivalent. It basically replaces traditional primes of 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. I keep mine glued at f/8 and if I need a faster shutter speed I just bump up the ISO. I also have the 32-64, but it needs f/11 to obtain sharp corners, whereas the 35-70 only needs f/11. As well the 32-64 is a beast of a lens to pack around and the difference in "look" from photos produced by the two lenses is too subtle to worry about. So for budding landscape photographers grab a 50r and the 35-70 and you basically have the best camera money can buy for landscape photography.
Yep I agree with you. if you don't need shallow depth of field or low light (and IBIS helps there) then this lens is so small and light and fairly-priced.
Awesome video dude. Love this lens. Also the West Berkeley vibes brought me back to the 924 Gilman days \m/
west berkeley is a great area, really enjoy spending time around there
GAWD Why does EVERY sample photo coming out of a GFX make me weak in the knees. Even with this 'Kit' lens (which really isn't). Well done.
thank you! it's all the camera's doing. /s but not entirely it can kind of make meh or subtle scenes look a bit magical
My first zoom was the OG EF 24-105 f/4L and since then I have loved zooms.
I’ve gone back and forth. Everybody starts with zooms and it’s easy to get primes and think “oh it’s sharper ooo bokeh pretty” but a lot of the time it’s better to just get the right shot. And zooms are so good nowadays compared to 10 or 15 years ago.
Well most people’s first impressions of zooms are the kit lenses and a decent L series zoom will still blow those away
I appreciate your videos and opinions. You’re really grounded and you a great way to convey your opinions without seeing to force it onto people. May I ask what were your reasons to use fufjilm medium format as compared to a full frame digital which also has high resolution sensors ? After using my Leica MA I’m keen to purchase a digital Leica eg. the M11. Though it doesn’t have IBIS and and seems more suited for 28-50mm focal lengths. Rather than splurge on the M11 perhaps a GFX system is better value for the money and also gives more options about focal lengths. Thank you for this video. Take care.
thanks for the kind words. I have owned a few full-frame digital cameras - most recently an m10 and an a7r II before that, both since sold. for me, the gfx images have noticeably higher dynamic range, clean and accurate and beautiful colors, super malleable files, and a certain "transparency" like I'm just looking at the world without too much of a style imposed on it. I don't have to edit the photos much to get a result I'm happy with. And they're wonderful to work on, tons of detail even at 1:1.
I love Leicas and do dream of having an m11 but see the Leicas as more of an emotional purchase - do it because you love shooting Leicas. And realistically you won't notice the extra resolution printed. (I would really miss IBIS though. I know the m11 sensor is finally up-to-date but on my m10 >3200 ISO shots were a little iffy.)
I came to many of the same conclusions but you stated them clearly. For an extra five it is a great buy. I shoot a lot of film. The clarity is very important. Surprisingly, one can even get a little bokeh with this lens. I bought three primes to go with the camera but the 35mm to 70mm is a great day at the relatives or for an all around camera day where all around relaxationis the order of the day. I usually chose one camera and one lens for the day.
Same here. Whenever I try to carry a second lens I just end up shooting the first. Maybe a personal failing, but for casual use a zoom like this is lovely.
Hi there, thanks for this awesome review about this lens. Yesterday, I've ordered this lens because of its crazy discount here in Canada. I bought this lens to pair with my GFX 100s for my Food Photography Business. What is your thoughts about this lens for the type of Photography I want to do? Thanks...
hmm the maximum magnification is 0.28x so probably should work decently? you might also check out the 120 macro lens depending on the magnification you need. (not an expert on product or food photography - only really do it when i'm selling stuff on craigslist or ebay)
Very helpful, thank you.
thanks for watching!
On the image samples you wrote 32-64. Is that a mistake?
My bad - they're all the 35-70!
Hey man I miss your videos😢 hope you’re well
hey, appreciate it. just got burned out on videos and photography in general to be honest, even at my snail pace of 1 video a month. thanks for the message and think I'm finally getting back into at least taking pictures.
I don't think it extends as it focuses?
may have misspoken. it does definitely extend as it zooms, since it's meant to be very compact (not "internal zoom") but IIRC does not extend as it focuses. and I _think_ the front element doesn't rotate as it focuses. but just my best recollection
Dude this is a GREAT video! I almost didn’t click bc the thumbnail though, I figured it’d be a boring old man. I’d have clicked much sooner if it were a sample picture like you provided in the video and the lens/gfx photoshopped in the corner or just Something that shows your displaying images taken with/reviewing the lens
That's a good point. I don't like to complain about others' videos knowing that even bad videos are a lot of work to make, but hearing some guy talk about a lens without actually showing it used is not super fun or enjoyable. Thanks for watching!