Behind the scenes photoshoot feat. Maeva K.
The Fujifilm GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR is finally out! For all you GFX users, this is a biggie. We waited a long time for this one, and it’s finally here. I did a testimonial video that is already available on Fujifilm's Youtube channel, sharing my first thoughts on the lens so I will not really dive into that here.
Because yes I was one of the lucky ones who had a pre-production sample this summer and got to test it before everyone else. If you already saw the video then you already have seen a few images made with the lens made during 4 different Sessions. This is one of the 4, with additional footage and images. I will post each session separately, and a fifth session is on the way and will be only posted here on the blog for all premium members… but more about that later.
This was maybe my main issue with the GFX line. The lack of options on the wide end. I currently use the GF 30mm (that I own) and sometimes the GF 23mm lens (that I do not own). The only 2 wide angle lens I truly enjoy using and that fit my work.
If you travel back in time, this was my thing, going wide, including a lot of the environnement in my frame, sometimes playing with distortions, and getting close to my model. I did this for many years, did a video about a few years ago about wide angle lenses, and it became one of my most viewed videos on YouTube.
And then I took a step back. The past 2 years and a half because of COVID, and before that because of my switch to the GFX line. At the time I wanted to change my approach and the way I create my images.
I missed shooting with wide angle lenses and especially for portraits, and full body shots. Usually people avoid them for this type of work, but I find them really interesting because of how surreal they can make things look.
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/125sec f4 ISO125 at 35mm
I of course worked with the Fujifilm GFX100s and only used the GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR. This session was an opportunity to see how rugged it is, and if it's really weather resistant. I also brought with me one light, the AD1200pro and the phottix 105 octobox.
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/125sec f4 ISO100 at 35mm
You've seen this before, I often ask my model to do the same pose with her eyes closed!
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/125sec f4 ISO125 at 35mm
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/125sec f4 ISO100 at 25mm
Look closely at the shadows to understand my lighting placement. Since I was working solo on this one I simplified the way I worked. I managed to never get my light in the way, so I didn’t have to erase it in post like I sometimes do. I also did the entire session without a tripod, which is quite unusual for me.
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/50sec f4 ISO160 at 20mm
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/50sec f4 ISO160 at 20mm on the left and 34mm on the right
After this session I was seriously thinking about getting rid of my GF30mm lens, as it doesn’t bring much more to the table. But I still needed to use the GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR in different situations, to really decide whether or not it is for me. But my first impressions were really good.
Maéva K. (St Ferréol - France)
Fujifilm GFX100s + GF 20-35 mm F4 R WR
1/125sec f4 ISO100 at 35mm
Of course depends on your shooting style. What works for me might not work for you at all. So if you have the chance to get your hands on it and test it... do so!