Test: Fujifilm Fujinon GF 30mm F/5.6 Tilt-shift

At the September 2023 X-Summit in Stockholm, Fujifilm introduced the Fujifilm GFX100 II, a new flagship medium-format camera with improved autofocus, faster shooting and 8K video recording capability. Two Fujinon Tilt-shift lenses were also announced: the GF30mm F/5.6 T/S and the GF110mm F/5.6 T/S.

Both the GF30mm and GF110mm Tilt-shift lenses are part of Fujifilm’s GFX medium format system, which offers superior image quality, high resolution and a wide range of lenses to choose from. In this article, find out all about the GF30mm Tilt-shift: its specifications, its capabilities and our test.

1. The GF 30mm T/S: ideal for architectural and landscape photography

Fujifilm’s GF30mm T/S is designed for photographers who want precise control over depth of field and perspective. Its tilt-shift mechanism enables selective focusing and perspective correction, making it an ideal choice for architecture, landscape and other situations requiring precise image control.

With its tilt function, the GF30mm T/S enables depth-of-field control, focusing either the whole frame or a specific part of it. This function is particularly useful in architecture for highlighting details while keeping the rest out of focus, while the shift function controls perspective and corrects distortion, ideal for maintaining straight lines when capturing tall buildings.

With a focal length equivalent to 24mm in 35mm format, the GF30mm T/S offers the perfect wide-angle lens for landscapes and tall buildings.

2. GF30mm Tilt-shift key features

3. Specs

4. Design and handling of the GF30mm Tilt-shift

The Fujinon GF30mm T/S gives you great flexibility. You can move the lens up to +/-15mm and tilt it up to +/-8.5 degrees, with a reference scale for easy adjustment, whether for tilt or shift.

The lens is equipped with standard adjustment knobs and locking screws for precise control and to secure adjustments. Calibrated tilt and shift scales are marked on the lens in 1 degree and 1 mm increments respectively, for optimum precision.

You can also rotate the tilt/shift function 90 degrees in 45 degree clicks, and even rotate the lens on its mount 90 degrees in 30 degree increments. You can use the tilt/shift functions in any orientation.

Accessories included with the GF30mm Tilt-shift lens are a lens hood with a ring adapter, enabling the use of 105mm-diameter screw filters, and a detachable tripod collar.

This tripod collar not only improves balance, especially in portrait mode, but also helps maintain a consistent composition when making tilt and shift adjustments to capture multiple images for later stitching.

5. Our test of the G30mm Tilt-shift

Following this technical analysis of the GF30mm T/S and a description of its main features, we have now tested the GF30mm tilt-shift for you. To do this, we used the GF30mm T/S with the GFX100II body.

The different shots taken were: 15mm shift up, 15mm shift down, and straight shot. No sharpening or retouching was applied to the final images.

The original photo (the first) has a resolution of 11648 x 8736 pixels and is 101.76 MP. The image taken with the tilt-shift lens (the second) has a resolution of 11520 x 16425 pixels and is 189.22 MP.

The tilt-shift lens corrects perspective distortions and provides a greater depth of field, which explains the difference in resolution and megapixels between the two images.

It can be seen that the image taken with the tilt-shift lens still shows a slight distortion, which is entirely correctable but has not been intentionally corrected to show the real result.

The images above highlight the high image quality and the preservation of sharp details from the center to the corners of the frame.

Our conclusion after testing the GF30mm: This combination of the GF30mm T/S with the Fujifilm medium format is the perfect combination for a landscape or architectural photographer. It offers 35mm sensor users the opportunity to improve the quality of their work by adopting this wonderful combination.

6. Our final review of the Fujinon GF30mm F/5.6 tilt-shift

In conclusion, the GF30mm Tilt-shift lens offers unrivalled control and precision for photographers seeking distortion-free images in architecture, interiors, landscapes and various other genres of photography.

The tilt-shift functions of the GF30 mm T/S lens offer adjustments of up to +-15mm, enabling possibilities ranging from perspective correction to depth-of-field alteration while maintaining high image quality and sharp detail from the center to the corners of the frame.

Overall, the GF30mm Tilt-shift lens is a versatile, high-quality tool designed for demanding professionals seeking superior results in their photographic projects. Note that this lens, due to its high quality and performance, also comes with a rather high price tag compared to other tilt-shift lenses on the market.