When people think of medium format photography, they usually imagine something big, heavy, and slow. A tripod kind of camera. A “set it up and wait” kind of experience. And sure — medium format can be all those things. (I have a Contax 645 that I love) But what if I told you there’s a way to carry that stunning large-sensor quality in a setup that feels almost… casual?

That’s exactly what I get with my Fujifilm GFX 50S II paired with the GF 50mm f/3.5 — Fuji’s unassuming little pancake lens that’s quietly become one of my absolute favorites.

The Smallest Medium Format Lens — And It Shows

The GF 50mm isn’t flashy. It doesn’t draw attention to itself. In fact, that’s part of its charm. It’s the smallest lens in the GFX lineup, and when mounted on the 50S II, the entire camera suddenly feels portable — dare I say, compact. For medium format, that’s almost absurd.

It slips into a sling bag. It doesn’t weigh me down on long walks. It doesn’t announce itself in public. And yet, every time I review the images, I’m reminded I’m shooting with something far more powerful than it looks.

This lens is a little giant.

A Lens for All Seasons

What really makes the GF 50mm sing is its versatility. At 40mm equivalent on full-frame, it sits in that magical sweet spot — wide enough for landscapes and street, but natural enough for environmental portraits. I’ve used it on city walks, during quiet mornings in nature, and even for impromptu portraits in soft light.

Actually at f/3.5 the GF 50mm is pretty fast by medium format standards.  Wide opened at f/3.5, it is plenty when paired with the GFX sensor’s dynamic range and shallow depth of field. There’s beautiful subject separation. The rendering feels honest and clean — with that subtle, almost painterly Fujifilm look I love.

It’s a lens that never gets in the way. It just works — beautifully.

My Go-To Travel Companion

When I travel, I try to keep things light. But I also don’t want to compromise on image quality. The GF 50mm is my answer to that. With it, I can explore all day without fatigue.  On my last trip to Hokkaido, it’s just that one lens in my sling bag. I can blend in. And when I come home and open the files — 50 megapixels of deep shadow detail, nuanced highlights, and beautiful color — I remember why I put up with the extra bulk of a medium format body in the first place.

There’s a depth and dimensionality in the images that smaller sensors just don’t give me. Even with this unassuming little lens.

Even for Portraits? Absolutely.

Shot with GF50mm

I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. Could a 50mm f/3.5 really hold its own for portrait work? The answer is a firm yes. While I still love a classic 85mm or 105mm look, the GF 50mm gives me a more intimate, context-rich style of portraiture. It’s perfect for storytelling — capturing not just the face, but the environment, the mood, the moment.

When I want to shoot fast, light, and stay connected with the subject, the GF 50mm is what I grab.

Final Thoughts

The Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 might not get the spotlight. It’s not the lens that people rave about on forums or post test charts for. But for me, it’s the lens that made medium format truly usable — day-to-day, on the street, in the field, wherever I happen to be.

It’s not dramatic. It’s not heavy. But it delivers — quietly, reliably, beautifully.

And sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of lens that earns your love the most.