Lens ReviewMorten ByskovMarch 01, 2022Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review, Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR sample images, Fuji GF 250mm review, Fuji GF 250mm sample images, Fuji GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Handling and Specs, Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR In Action, Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Image QualityComment

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR shown on the GFX 50S II. GF 250mm f/4 review. — The Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II

Fuji GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR Review

Are Fujifilm GFX Series cameras and telephotography a good match? Would you make the jump to the larger-than-full-frame sensors if telephotography was your main game? What has Fujifilm done about this with the GF mount and is the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR something you should consider?

These were some of the questions I pondered before unpacking the Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR that Fujifilm Canada kindly lent me for my Fujifilm GFX 50S II review.

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR mounted on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, tripod mounted — The Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II tripod-mounted.

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - Introduction

The Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR was introduced in the spring of 2018 and at that point, the longest lens for Fujifilm GFX was the GF 120mm f/4R LM OIS WR Macro. It seems Fujifilm was on a mission to further establish the GFX system for a wide range of photography styles.

A year later the GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR was released giving us yet another GFX telephotography option.

Let’s see if and how the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR fits in.

At the time this review was posted the Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR was priced at $3,299.00.

Car traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 250mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ f/7.1

Fuji GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - Handling and Specs

With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 197.5mm, or roughly 200mm, the GF 250mm is certainly a telephoto lens but you will not get as close to the action as the size of this lens may lead you to believe.

Designing a telephoto lens for the larger than full-frame sensor naturally leads to a larger lens and at 3.14 lb, 1.42 kg, with dimensions of 4.25 x 8.01", 108 x 203.5 mm, it is a fair bit bigger and heavier than the Canon RF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS, $2,799.00, that I tested recently at 2.35 lb, 1070 g, and dimensions of 3.54 x 5.75", 89.9 x 146 mm.

For the Fujifilm X-Mount, we have the XF 50-140mm f/2.8, $1,599.00, with similar lower weight and dimensions, 2.19 lb, 995 g, 3.26 x 6.93", 82.9 x 175.9 mm.

Canada Geese fly over English Bay in Vancouver with cargo ship seen in the background. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — English Bay, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 250mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ f/7.1

The optical formula states 16 elements in 10 groups including one super ED and two ED Elements, 9 rounded diaphragm blades, and a fluorine-coated front element.

The GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR sports 5-stop image stabilization, OIS, and is weather-resistant, WR. I did capture a fair amount of the sample images in this post handheld and can indeed report a steady viewfinder combining the IBIS in the GFX 50S II and OIS in the lens.

The supplied lens hood is made of plastic. It does not feel flimsy but nor does it instill a quality feel as with all other parts of this lens. The tripod collar, aperture ring, and switches all feel excellent.

The Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR shown on the Fujifilm GFX 50S II

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - In Action

I alluded to the bigger size, bulk, and weight but if you compare it to my former Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L the weight is about the same and I still found the GF 250mm f/4L R LM OIS WR easy to handhold. It does take up space in your bag but it is manageable.

I only rarely use a tripod but actually enjoyed a couple of outings with the GF 250mm where I decided to use the tripod enabling longer exposures with more depth of field while keeping ISO values low.

Autofocus speed with the linear motor, LM, was for the most part sufficiently fast and accurate for my style of shooting which admittedly is not taxing on AF systems. I would mostly shoot still scenes, landscapes, and cityscapes with such a lens.

From time to time it would hunt a bit on the GFX 50S II and when shooting stills with the self-timer it would sometimes jump out of focus, and then readjust with a slight delay before firing which is a bit strange.

When I tried the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR for a game of street hockey it did come slightly short and was not optimal for tracking. I did however come home with a few keepers.

Street hockey at Sunset Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR. — Sunset Beach, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 250mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ f/4

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM WR - Image Quality

While I do like the sample images I was able to make over my test period maybe my expectations were too high. With a price tag of $3K+, I was perhaps expecting image qualities compared to my old Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS.

These expectations were not met with the Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4. I know the current iteration of the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 lens is $6K+ so this, of course, is not a fair comparison.

The focal length is also not the same but in my mind, I think I had built this lens up to something it is not.

Do note you can pair the GF 250mm with the Fujifilm GF 1.4X TC WR Teleconverter, giving you a 350mm f/5.6. I did not have the teleconverter available for my test.

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

A man is using the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR hand held — My friend Goran using the Fujifilm GFX 50S II and GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR hand held

Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - Conclusion

I realize I have been a bit harsh on the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR in this review but please keep in mind this lens was not targeted at me personally.

I can certainly see the benefit of the GF 250mm f/4 when combined with the Fujifilm GFX 100S. With this combination, you would have the longest GF lens, a 1.4x teleconverter option, and the 102-megapixel sensor would give you great leverage for cropping your photos in post with useable results.

With that said I would not enter the GFX system with telephotography in mind. Other camera platforms have covered this segment better, with more telephoto lens options and better autofocus performance.

The Canon option I mentioned above with the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS is more enjoyable to use with better AF and very good image quality.

You could of course also venture into a third-party lens option paired with an adapter. I do not have experience with this but have noticed Fringer adapters being mentioned.

The snow covered BC coastal mountain as seen from Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR — Coastal Mountains, Vancouver, Fujifilm GFX 50S II, GF 250mm f/4 L R LM OIS WR @ f/6.4

For the exact same dollar value as the price of the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR, consider also pairing a Fujifilm X-T4 with an XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR if you are looking for a lighter telephoto option with better autofocus performance and more flexibility. Keep in mind also that Fujifilm will be releasing an XF 150-600mm lens for the X mount in 2022.

For more sample photos from the GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR, please see my review of the GFX 50S II also:

Fujifilm GFX 50S II - Review

Pros

Solid build quality
Tripod collar and ability to add the 1.4x teleconverter
Great image stabilization

Cons

Price
Autofocus tracking

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS 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.