Valhalla, NY—Fujifilm North America launched two tilt-shift lenses for its GFX system of mirrorless digital cameras. They are the Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S and GF110mm F5.6 T/S Macro lenses. Built for the GFX system’s 55mm large-format sensor (43.8mm x 32.9mm), they cater to the demands of professional photographers who need to adjust for parallax, distortion as well as focus. Their sensor has an area approximately 1.7 times that of a 35mm full-frame sensor.
“The introduction of tilt-shift lenses for the GFX system opens doors for architectural, product and commercial photographers to use a native G-mount lens for the first time with their GFX system cameras,” said Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, Fujifilm North America Corporation. “This means that GFX system users will finally be able to achieve optimal image quality because these lenses are specifically designed to make the most of the GFX system’s 55mm imaging sensor.”
Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S
This wide-angle, tilt-shift lens has a 30mm focal length (24mm equivalent in the 35mm format). Fujinon engineered the lens to deliver “exceptional image resolution, effectively suppresses ghosting.” The lens is an option for landscape and architectural photography. That’s because tilt and shift adjustments can be made based on the specific needs of the location.
The lens’s optics minimize various aberrations while delivering image-resolving performance. The construction consists of 16 lens elements in 11 groups. They include three aspherical elements; two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements; and one super ED element. Moreover, its configuration uses a large aperture aspherical front element as well as three ED elements. They work to eliminate the need for electronically correcting distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. Spherical aberration, comatic aberration and field curvature are also suppressed to help achieve edge-to-edge sharpness even during shifting.
The lens also uses Fujifilm’s Nano GI coating technology to control refractive index on the lens surface and inhibit unnecessary light reflection. Thus, it reduces ghosting and flare that are typically seen in wide-angle lenses.
Tilt-Shift Mechanism
Furthermore, the tilting and shifting mechanisms work in conjunction with the GFX system’s large-format sensor. The tilting of ±8.5° and shifting of up to ±15mm adjust the position of the focal plane and angle of perspective. Rotation adjustments within ±90° also combine with parallel or perpendicular tilt and shift adjustments. As a result, the lens offers flexibility in accounting for the needs of the scene. In addition, it has a built-in sensor that measures changes in degrees to shift or rotation.
Moreover, photographers can monitor changes in live view mode. The changes are also recorded to the image file’s metadata for reference during raw processing.
What’s more, the GF30mm F5.6 T/S has an image circle that is approximately 85mm in diameter. The lens weighs 2.95 pounds and measures 5.5 inches in length. Additionally, a large aperture aspherical element is used as the front element to achieve a 105mm filter thread, common for landscape photography. The lens also has a custom-designed tripod collar. Even during shifting, the collar helps maintain the subject’s position in relation to the lens to facilitate the accurate stitching of multiple images.
The Fujifilm Fujinon GF30mm F5.6 T/S has a suggested retail price of $3,999.95.
Fujifilm Fujinon GF110mm F5.6 T/S Macro
This mid-telephoto, tilt-shift macro lens has a 110mm focal length (87mm equivalent) and a 0.5x maximum magnification factor. Suppressing various types of aberrations, including distortion and lateral chromatic aberration, it is a solution for commercial photography, particularly for still-life subjects.
Its optical design features 11 lens elements in 9 groups. They include one aspherical element and two ED elements. The aspherical element controls comatic aberration and field curvature; the ED elements minimize axial chromatic aberration. Furthermore, the lens configuration, with the aperture midway, suppresses distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. These permits edge-to-edge sharpness without relying on electronic correction.
Moreover, total control of the focus plane is achieved by adjusting the lens tilt when it is close to the subject. This feature is useful for both commercial photography and in still-life applications.
The lens also tilts up to ±10° and shifts up to ±15mm. Consequently, it allows the focal plane position and angle of perspective to be adjusted as needed in real time. Rotation adjustments within ±90° combine with parallel or perpendicular tilt and shift adjustments to lend enhanced flexibility in accounting for the needs of the scene.
The GF110mm F5.6 T/S Macro also has a built-in sensor that measures changes in degrees to shift or rotation. As with GF30mm F5.6 T/S, photographers can monitor changes in live view. Additionally, they are recorded to the image file’s metadata for reference during raw processing.
Finally, the tilt-shift macro lens has a 72mm filter thread. The lens measures 5.9 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds. The GF110mm F5.6 T/S Macro has an SRP of $3,499.95.
