LENS STORIES: GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR x Hasachai Boonnuang

Impression on GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR

To work as a nature photographer is sometime unpredictable. You might only consider and choose the right timing in order to put yourself into the right place at the right time to get a good photos. Even I cannot control the nature but at least I can control how to choose the right equipment which suitable to my work in the nature. I have 4 important things I concern when I choose my photo equipment which is 1. High quality file 2. Compact and lightweight 3. Flexibility 4. Weather resistance

My works are used in international publishing and broadcasting. I have to choose the best quality camera and lens in order to meet the international standard and to perfectly express my creativity in my photo. Medium format camera is one of the solutions for my work, especially when combined with the new GF35-70mm which offer me an edge-to-edge razor-sharp photo. This combination of camera and lens can deliver the next level of photo quality to my work.

When I got a chance to take GF35-70mm with me for my assignment in the real working situation in nature I brought it to the northern trip which I have to go up to the summit of the mountain by trekking. At first, I was very concerned about carrying the medium format system because from my experience in the past, I was led to believe it was going to be bulky and heavy.

But when I touched the GFX100S and GF35-70mm (28-55mm equivalent to Fullframe system) for the first time. I had to change my mind. This system is unbelievably compact and lightweight and gives me a lot of flexibility to use it because it’s a zoom lens that covers from wide-angle to normal angle which means I don’t have to carry too many lenses to cover my works from the wide landscape to the medium shot.

When you have to choose the equipment to pack into your backpack for trekking the weight of the equipment is very important. Thanks to the compact design of GF35-70mm, its weight is only 390g and also the collapsible design of this lens which means I can carry it with me to trek up to the mountain without any worries and I can save a lot of space of my backpack for other things. Sometime I didn’t even feel that in my camera backpack is loaded with the Medium Format camera system because it is so super lightweight.

Further than a variable focal length of this compact zoom lens, GF35-70mm also offers me the very short focus distance (Minimum object distance = 35cm). So I can use this lens for close up shot too. I can shoot landscape from wide-angle and medium angle on the other hand when I want to shoot the close-up shot of the wildflower this lens can also do it for me seamlessly in one lens.

Another thing that I was impressed with about this lens is the AF system. I never had any issues about the autofocus system of this lens even I have to use it under very poor and complex lighting in the jungle. The AF is fast and accurate then I have never missed the shot and get very sharp images even in the tough condition.

Lastly, I brought this lens to the sea for the landscape photo and helicopter shot. I’ve found that the WR system of this lens is so reliable. I shot the wide angle slow speed shutter at the rock beach where the wave smashed the rock and splashed to the camera and lens. I just took the photo until I get enough and come back to clean it up. The camera and lens work like normal without any sign of error. And the last assignment is to shoot the landscape of the Andaman Sea from the helicopter. Thanks to the zoom capability of GF35-70mm and the IBIS of GFX100S it deliver a super sharp image even I had to take it on the shaky helicopter.

I conclusion, I strongly recommend this compact zoom lens, GF35-70mm, it’s small lightweight but it deliver a powerful, high quality and super sharp image with the MOD at 35cm which allow you to take a close up shot easily. And the WR construction of this lens will make you feel no fear to use it in every condition.