Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 26, 2022Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR Review, Fuji GF 23mm f4 review, Fujinon GF 23mm f/4 review, Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 sample images, Fuji GF 23mm f/4 sample images, Fujinon GF 23mm sample images, Fuji GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Handling and Specs, Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - In Action, Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Image Quality, Fujifilm GFX 50S II sample images, Fuji 20-35mm, Fuji 23mm vs 20-35mm, Fujifilm 20-35mm review, Fuji GFX 20-352 Comments

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR Review

The Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II

Fuji GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR Review

The Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR is the de facto ultra-wide-angle lens for the GFX series cameras if you are looking for a native Fujinon lens. You do have a couple of third-party options. The TTArtisans 11mm f/2.8 is quite a bit wider with its fish-eye approach and there is a Laowa 17mm f/4 option as well.

The GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR yields an 18mm full-frame equivalent field of view which can be used for a myriad of topics but foremost would draw the attention of landscape, interior, and architecture photographers.

Fujifilm Canada kindly lent me the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR and a Fujifilm GFX 50S II for my review.

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Introduction

The Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR was introduced in the spring of 2017 alongside the GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR. At that point, the widest option for the GFX Series was the GF 32-64mm f/4 R WR zoom lens, and early adopters of the GFX system, especially landscape photographers, rejoiced that they now had a good option in the G mount lineup for wide-angle photography.

The two new lenses also sent a signal that Fujifilm was serious about making high-end, solidly constructed, lenses for their current and upcoming GFX cameras.

At the time this review was posted the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR was priced at $2,599.00.

People walk along the Stanley Park Seawall at Coal Harbour, sunset, Vancouver, on a December day. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/8

Fuji GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Handling and Specs

The moment you lay hands on the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR you know you are dealing with a solid piece of photography kit. At 1.86 lb, 845 g, and dimensions of 3.54 x 4.06", 89.8 x 103 mm, the weight feels substantial and you will need to allow for some space in your photo bag.

If you plan to buy filters allow for extra cost due to the somewhat large 82mm filter thread. But at least you can add filters which is not always the case with some ultra-wide-angle lenses having bulbous front elements.

The optical cocktail sounds promising with one super ED and three ED elements, 15 elements in 12, groups, and 9 rounded diaphragm blades.

Add to this a linear motor, LM, for fast and silent autofocus along with the lens carrying the WR badge being weather-resistant. It is clear Fujifilm went all out with this one.

The Sylvia Hotel on a December evening. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/7.1

The plastic petal-shaped lens hood is a good fit for the lens and I had no problems with it staying in place without a wobble.

You cannot put a finger on anything when it comes to the overall feel of the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR. When mounted on the GFX 50S II the combined package instills confidence and feels like it is ready for whatever you can throw at it.

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - In Action

I made some general travel photography style photos and a few tripod-mounted landscape photos with the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR. I enjoyed using this focal length on the GFX 50S II and did not find it too wide, which in my opinion makes it a more versatile lens. Please note, this, of course, is highly subjective.

As a walk-around combination with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, the entire package is fringing on what I feel comfortable carrying. While I like the solid feel you have to be prepared to put in an effort at 3.67 lbs., 1.745 g, for the combo.

If you primarily shoot on a tripod this may be of less importance to you and the heavier setup may actually work to your benefit as more weight should help keep the camera/tripod steady, especially in windy conditions.

The water is calm at Coal Harbour on a December day. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/8

One of the benefits of using wide-angle lenses on larger formats such as GFX is the fact that there will be less wide-angle distortion in your images. In the case of the GF 23mm, this comes as a result of only needing a 23mm lens to create an 18mm full-frame equivalent field of view.

In comparison, my wide-angle of choice is the XF 14mm f/2.8 R on Fujifilm APS-C cameras that creates a 21mm full-frame equivalent field of view. This typically results in the far objects in an image being pushed even further away in order to contain all content in the frame.

In the two images below you may see this. In hindsight, I should have taken two images from the same spot. Instead, I dug out an older image from my X-Pro2 and XF 14mm f/2.8 R taken in the same neck of the woods.

The water is calm at Coal Harbour on a December day sunset. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/8

Coal Harbour on a sunny day. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 14mm f/2.8 R @ f/8

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Image Quality

When I reviewed the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, I had two other lenses from Fujifilm Canada, the GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR and GF 250mm f/4 R OIS LM WR. While both are decent lenses in their own right I had a favorite among the three.

The GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR is the winner when it comes to sheer image quality. The quality level of this prime lens is in line with what I have experienced with other top-tier G mount lenses such as the GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR, or GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR.

One of the ways to determine good image quality is to realize that hardly any post-processing is needed in order to arrive at a great end result. The lens will render images the way you experienced them in the field. Images from the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR look organic and are sharp into the corners. Ie., the way clouds are rendered looking very realistic is a pleasure to the eye.

Please make sure to click on the sample images to view up to 2500 pixels wide depending on your monitor size.

People walk along the Stanley Park Seawall at Coal Harbour at sunset on a December afternoon. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/8

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Conclusion

The biggest rival to the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR, strangely enough, is a lens that has been announced but not yet released. In September of 2021, Fujifilm announced the development of a GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR slated for release in 2022.

Depending on the price, f-stop, and other unknown attributes of the GF 20-35mm, I predict this lens to be a popular choice for GFX wide-angle photographers.

Until then, there is little to complain about when it comes to the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR and it deserves serious consideration if wide-angle photography is your game.

Update: January 2023

I have now had a chance to test the GF 20-35mm and you can read my review here:

Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR - Review

University Canada West at the Granville Bridge, downtown Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR — University Canada West, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 23mm f/4 L R LM WR @ f/8

I want to mention another, more affordable, alternative in the GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR, $1699.00. I have yet to try this lens but if you are looking for a wide-angle for general-purpose photography this may be a better option yielding a 24mm full-frame equivalent field of view.

One caveat of the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR is the sticker shock that may occur to some photographers. But another way of accessing this dilemma could be to compare to wildlife photographers who often shell out $10,000.00 or more for a super-telephoto lens.

If you are a landscape photographer aiming for the optimal setup, the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR could be viewed as a bargain at $2,599.00.

For more sample photos from the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR, please see my review of the GFX 50S II also:

Fujifilm GFX 50S II - Review

Pros

Solid build quality
Stunning image quality
Linear motor for fast and silent autofocus

Cons

Fujifilm’s own GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR perhaps a better choice

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos, especially Nostalgic Neg. and Acros.

Please click to view larger images.