[With Sample Photos] Walking with a Medium Format Mirrorless: The Joy of Wide-Angle Snapshots - FUJIFILM GFX 50R + LAOWA GF 19mm f/2.8 ZERO-D

Hello everyone.

This time, we introduce the appeal of the FUJIFILM GFX 50R paired with the LAOWA GF 19mm f/2.8 ZERO-D.

The GFX 50R is a mirrorless camera with a medium format sensor of about 51.4 megapixels. Its appeal lies in its ability to render even the finest details delicately and in its rich color expression.

The LAOWA GF 19mm f/2.8 ZERO-D we paired with it is an ultra-wide-angle lens equivalent to about 15mm in 35mm terms. Not only can it fit a wide area into a single frame, but with a minimum focusing distance of 18cm it can also get close to the subject. You can shoot plants and the like large while also taking in the scenery in the background. Its distortion-suppressing design also makes it easy to photograph buildings and cityscapes with a natural look.

Through samples of plants and autumn leaves found in the city, a motorbike running down the street and more, we introduce the look unique to an ultra-wide-angle lens and the fun of capturing familiar scenery from a different point of view.

1. Leaves Filling the Frame

I filled the frame with a variegated green-and-white leaf and a dark green leaf.
The differences in leaf shape and color come through clearly, turning even a familiar plant into a striking shot.
Being able to get close to the subject is another appeal of this lens.

2. People Coming and Going on the Station Stairs

As I pointed the camera at the station stairs, a person holding an umbrella walked by.
I placed that figure near the center of the frame and pressed the shutter.
By also including the glass on both sides and the sweep of the stairs, the shot conveys the space of the station.

3. Autumn Leaves and Shinjuku Station

I moved close to the autumn leaves in the foreground and included Shinjuku Station in the distance.
With the station name in the background blurred, the leaves in the foreground stand out.
What is interesting is that you can capture a wide area while still making the main subject stand out.

4. A Fallen Leaf That Looks Like a Face

A leaf that had turned yellow, lying on a wooden floor.
Its two holes looked like eyes, like a cute little mask, so I photographed it.
Even ordinary things at your feet become fun subjects when you shift your viewpoint a little.

5. A Wide Passage Inside the Station

I photographed the inside of the station, lined with shops and busy with people coming and going.
By holding the camera as if looking up from below, I fit even the ceiling lights into the frame.
Making use of the wide angle of view conveys the openness of the interior and the movement of people.

6. A Motorbike Running Through the City

I shot while panning the camera sideways to follow a motorbike running down the street.
Because I moved the camera as if chasing the bike, a slight sense of motion appears in the background.
Even in the city, you can enjoy photos with a sense of motion.

7. A Green Payphone in a Phone Booth

From outside the phone booth, I shot with the green payphone in the center.
The surrounding scenery is reflected in the glass, conveying the feel of the town.
While capturing the surroundings with a wide angle of view, I was also able to express the three-dimensionality of the payphone through the background blur.

View all FUJIFILM GFX 50R products here

View all LAOWA 19mm F2.8 ZERO-D products here

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