Fujifilm Announces the GF 80mm f/1.7: The Fastest Medium Format AF Lens

Fujifilm has announced the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens, which the company is claiming is the world’s first AF-capable f/1.7 interchangeable lens for medium format cameras. It is the fastest lens in the Fujifilm GFX lens lineup and the fastest autofocus lens ever made for medium format cameras.

The 80mm f/1.7 comes in just slightly faster than the Hasselblad 80mm F/1.9 XCD Lens for the X1D, the previous fastest medium format autofocus lens.

The Fujifilm lens measures 3.9 inches (99.2mm) long and weighs 1.75 lb. (795g) and features a filter thread size of 77mm.

The 80mm f/1.7 features a nine-bladed aperture diaphragm that is comprised of 12 elements in nine groups including one aspherical element and two super ED elements that have been optically balanced to control spherical aberration and delivery quality bokeh. Fujifilm claims its ultra-high-precision glass molding technology has been used on the two aspherical lens surfaces to produce a tolerance of 1/100,000th of a millimeter, which the company says is five times more accurate than regular lens molding techniques. As a result, the lens minimizes the “onion-ring” effect in the out of focus areas.

This lens is what Fujifilm used as the barometer for its low light focusing claims on the GFX100S, and both it and the GFX100 can focus in low light down to EV -5.5.

Weather-resistant seals have been applied to the barrel at 10 locations on the lens to protect it against dust and water, while also providing it with the ability to operate at temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). The front lens element is also coated with fluorine.

The GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR is expected to be available in March for $2,300.