Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR

Summary

The Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR is a strong optical performer — a standard prime (43mm equivalent) with f/1.7 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1750 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Landscape, Architecture, Street, Sport, Wildlife
  • Adequate for: Portrait
  • Avoid for: Nightscape, Travel, Macro

Strengths

  • Good overall sharpness
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good flare resistance
  • Negligible distortion
  • Weather-sealed construction

Weaknesses

  • Noticeable astigmatism in the corners
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)
  • No built-in optical stabilization

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction 14 elements in 10 groups (2 aspherical, 2 ED)
Coating Super EBC
Focal length55mm
Max aperturef/1.7
Sweet spot f/2.8
Aperture blades 11 (circular)
Sunstar points 22 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.17x
Min focus distance500mm
AF motorDC
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireNo
Distance scaleYes
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight780g
Diameter94.7mm
Length98.1mm
Filter thread77mm
Year2022

Optical Quality 13/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
1.0
Center (stopped)
2.0
Corner (stopped)
2.0
Coma
1.0
Astigmatism
0.5
Longitudinal CA
1.5
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
2.0
Vignetting (wide open)
0.0
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
1.5
Flare resistance
1.5

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Excellent corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Noticeable astigmatism in the corners

Rendering

  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

Distortion

  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

Nightscape Photography 2/5

Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.

Primary
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Noticeable astigmatism in the corners
  • Fast f/1.7 aperture
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)

Landscape Photography 4.5/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Excellent corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance
  • Noticeable astigmatism in the corners
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

Architecture Photography 5/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Excellent corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

Street Photography 4/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Fast f/1.7 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good flare resistance
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

Travel Photography 2/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy at 780g
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.7 aperture
  • Good flare resistance
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA

~ Portrait Photography 3.5/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)

Sport Photography 4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.7 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.7 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

Macro Photography 2/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.17x)
Secondary
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh

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