New Fujifilm and Topaz Deals…. or Why Fujifilm Prefers Mail-In Rebates over Instant Rebates (like the new up to $500 GF Lens Deals)

Topaz Deal

Topaz launched the new update on Gigapixel AI. It is also on sale until February 18.

🤖 Improved face refinement pipeline
Gigapixel AI will now do a much better job detecting human faces more often and delivering more realistic results. Tiny background faces especially should see a noticeable improvement in quality.

🖥️ Significant image quality improvements with Windows GPU
You’ll notice much better image quality across all models in Gigapixel AI when using GPU-powered Windows machines.

🧠 Reduced memory usage
We’ve streamlined how we cache and utilize image data through the entire editing pipeline, resulting in less memory usage and faster importing and exporting of image files.

⚙️ Lots of usability improvements and bug fixes
We’ve improved the post-processing resize algorithm, optimized how we compress JPG, PNG, and TIFF files when exporting, and squashed a bunch of annoying bugs.

Fujifilm Deals

Some FR-readers located in USA are a bit annoyed by the new trend of Fujifilm to offer cashback mail-in rebates instead of instant rebates (like the lastet GF lens deals with up to $500 savings).

Now, here in Europe cashback deals are the norm, but I can understand that for a customer getting the rebate instantly makes life a bit easier.

So why is Fujifilm USA following the steps of Europe?

Well, the reason is probably rather simple.

As you know, the Japanese fiscal year ends on March 31. Before that date, Fujifilm wants to show up in front of investors with the best sale figures possible.

One way to “improve” the numbers is to offer cashback deals, because:

  1. Fujifilm launches deals shortly before the fiscal year ends
  2. the deals boost sales
  3. customers initially pay full price for their gear
  4. Fujifilm will show up in front of investors with better sales numbers (it will result as if Fujifilm sold all their gear at full price)
  5. once the yearly financial report is out they will start to refund customers

This is probably also why Fujifilm writes that if you buy your discounted GF lens today, you will need up to 8 weeks to get your refund processed and delivered (hence you’ll get your money back in April, after the Japanese fiscal year is over).

Sure, then, in 2022, they will have to pay back the money and this will influence their next fiscal report. But that’s a problem for the following year. A problem that gear like the Fujifilm X-H2 will take care of, which hopefully for Fujifilm will sell very well. And if not, there is still the option for more cashback deals.

Look, if this helps Fujifilm, I am fine with it.

It’s really not that big of a deal to mail Fuji the invoice and the serial number and then wait a few weeks to get your money back. I literally just mailed them my latest purchase 3 days ago. Easy and smooth process.

Latest Deals per Category

GFX Gear

Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3.

X Gear

Buy within March 27 and submit your claim by April 26.

Dan Bailey’s X Journey is a Passionate Tribute to Fujifilm and Photography – Colors, Controls, X-Trans, Fun, Inspiration and More

Dan Bailey is an official Fujifilm X photographer as well as author of several books such as:

Well, in order to celebrate the 10 years of Fujifilm X mount, Dan started sharing his personal X series journey, which started with the Fujifilm X10.

It is a very passionate, honest and captivating tale about how he stumbled on the X series and how his love for this system grew over time.

  • Video 1: Getting the X10, enjoying its power, its colors (and enjoying shooting JPEG instead of RAW) and travel/work with it
  • Video 2: Falling in love with X-Trans, its advantages, getting in touch with Fujifilm, why APS-C and first experience with the Fujifilm X-E1
  • Video 3: not yet online, but all indicates that he is going to cover one of Fuji’s most important camera of all times which made him sell all his Nikon gear

I feel that the passion in telling his journey encapsulates nicely what it means and how it feels to be an X shooter.

the journey of my son starts early, too

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fuji_Rumors (@fuji_rumors)

Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Reviews, XF70-300 vs XF100-400, Hands-on with XF33mmF1.4 and XF27mmF2.8 R WR and More

For this weekend I’ve prepared a little roundup covering some of the latest Fujinon lenses. Down below you will find:

Latest Gear:

The Roundup

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Oops I did it Again: I Bought my Dream Lens and Here is Why

image taken with Fujifilm X-T4 and XF80mmF2.8
image taken with Fujifilm X-T4 and XF80mmF2.8

I Failed

I tried, but I failed.

And I failed in less than 48 hours.

I am afraid too many of you guys know what I talk about: try to resist to G.A.S!

It all started February 1st, when Fujifilm launched new deals here in Italy (and all over Europe). And to my surprise, the deals included one of my top 3 Fujifilm items on my 2022 wishlist.

Less than 48 hours after the launch of deals, I found myself at my local photography store, my credit card flying over the sales counter and in my bag a box containing the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.

And don’t worry, my wife approved this purchase… now all I need is her to approve also my other two Fuji-dreams gear 2022, meaning this camera and this lens ;).

I am Happy I Failed :)

Here is why I bought it, and I am so excited about this lens.

As you know, last year I bought into the Fujifilm GFX system by treating myself with a Fujifilm GFX100S and Fujinon GF32-64mmF4.

My main application for this wonderful combo is landscape photography.

So how is that working out?

Well, my go-to bag for hiking is my Camslinger Outdoor. I love the practicality of it to a point, that I won’t buy gear (for landscape photography) that does not fit in there. And despite having a sensor about 70% larger than full frame, the GFX100S with GF32-64mmF4 still fits!

So, for me, this combo is compact enough, and I can easily make my usual 4 to 6 hours hike with the GFX100S and GF32-64 on my hips.

Why do I say this?

Because I want to make clear that I don’t perceive the GFX100S with GF32-64 as too big for the purpose of landscape photography, especially considering what it is: a 100 megapixel medium format system that I can carry around all day on my hips. It’s frankly amazing.

But while it is a surprisingly compact combo for the purpose of landscape photography, the GFX100S combined with the GF32-64mmF4 is not small enough for my taste to bring it with me for more casual shooting, may it be for my street photography or to document my family life.

By getting the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5, though, the whole combo gets substantially smaller and lighter, making it much more portable and easier to pick also for casual photography.

And to be clear: my well-equipped APS-C system is and remains king when it comes to flexibility, performance and value for money. I still take my X system with me on hikes, on my travels, on my day trips with family and I also blindly trust it in crucial moments like when I had to photography my first wedding.

But owning the GF50mmF3.5 simply gives me more options and opportunities to pick up my GFX100S more often if I want to.

I am very happy with my purchase and I can’t wait to use use it comprehensively starting with this weekend.

We (my family and me) are probably going to the town of Sirmione this Saturday. I have never been there and can’t wait to test my new lens in such a wonderful little lake town.

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