FUJIFILM North America Corporation’s Electronic Imaging Division has announced a new addition to its GFX System line of digital camera and lens products: the FUJINON GF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR (GF500mm).
This super telephoto prime lens is designed for photographers specializing in distant, moving subjects, including wildlife, outdoor sports, landscape, and street photography. The GF500mm lens offers a focal length of up to 500mm (equivalent to 396mm in 35mm format), making it the longest-range lens in the GF lineup.
Enhanced Imaging Capabilities
Victor Ha, vice president of Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions at FUJIFILM North America Corporation, highlighted the lens’s combination of impressive range and the GFX System’s 102-megapixel sensor. The GF500mm’s compact and lightweight design, paired with its super telephoto focal length, allows photographers to capture highly detailed images that were previously challenging to achieve.
Optimized for Mobility and Stability
The GF500mm lens has been miniaturized to be lighter and more compact than typical super telephoto lenses, enabling high-speed and high-precision autofocus. This makes it suitable for sports, wildlife, and bird photography, where high mobility is crucial. The lens features an advanced image stabilization system, providing up to 6.0 stops of compensation, allowing for handheld shooting in the super telephoto range with minimal camera shake.
Telephoto Capabilities and Construction
The GF500mm lens can be paired with the FUJINON Teleconverter GF1.4X TC WR to extend its focal length to 700mm (equivalent to 554mm in 35mm format). The lens construction consists of 21 elements in 14 groups, including two Super Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) lenses and five ED lenses, effectively suppressing chromatic aberration and achieving high-resolution performance. This design allows the lens to capture details beyond what the naked eye can see.
Durable and Weather-Resistant Design
Despite its telephoto capabilities, the GF500mm lens weighs only 1,375 grams (3.03 pounds). Its lightweight design is complemented by an optimal arrangement of ED and Super ED lenses, minimizing chromatic aberration and maintaining high-resolution performance. The lens is resistant to temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and features a weather-resistant structure with 18 sealing points on the lens barrel. The front element is coated with fluorine to provide water-repellent and anti-smudge properties.
Fast and Accurate Autofocus
The GF500mm lens uses an inner focus system with a small, light focus lens driven by a linear motor, enabling fast and silent autofocus with a minimum delay of approximately 0.31 seconds. It also includes a Focus Preset button, allowing users to quickly shift focus to a predefined location. The lens’s Focus Limiter function restricts the autofocus range to shorten AF time when photographing subjects at least 5 meters (16.4 feet) away.
Pricing and Availability
The FUJINON GF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens is expected to be available in June 2024 with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $3,499.95 USD ($4,724.99 CAD).
About FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, established in 1934 as Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., evolved into a multifaceted company with a diverse range of products and services across various sectors. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, FUJIFILM has been rebranded and expanded its focus beyond its original photographic film business to include healthcare, materials, and imaging solutions. As of 2023, the company has a substantial global presence, with numerous subsidiaries and a significant workforce worldwide.
The company’s diverse portfolio now includes medical systems, pharmaceuticals, graphic systems, optical devices, and more. FUJIFILM is committed to innovation and sustainability, driving advancements in technology and environmental responsibility across all its business fields (Fujifilm)
News source: https://global.fujifilm.com/en/
