A new Cactus X-TTL firmware for Fujifilm (version FUJ.1.002) is available on the Cactus V6II. They have added TTL Group Metering, TTL Ratio, support for Metz M400 and more (full list below).

Learn more at the dedicated Cactus X-TTL webpage here.

Cactus V6II: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama.
Metz Mecablitz M400: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

KIPON has been very active in releasing adapters for Fujifilm GFX 50s (see full list of offerings here).

Now they add also smart adapters for Canon EF glass. But there is more:

“For those who have both Canon EF and Contax645 mount medium format lens, KIPON gave a integrated solution, end-uses can connect EF-GFX E and Contax645-EF AF ,these two adapters together, also can control the iris of Contax645 lens electronically. For those clients who already ordered EF-GFX E adapter, they can buy as a kit with a 50% discounted extra Contax645-EF autofocus adapter, to reduce the order cost of buying two adapters.“

FYI: On eBay here you can find the Kipon Electronic Aperture Adapter for Canon EOS to Fuji GFX Medium Format Camera (no autofocus)

FULL PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

Valhalla, N.Y., July 21, 2017 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, is pleased to announce the re-launch of the long standing Fujifilm sponsored Masterpiece Award on August 1, 2017. This award will be available to all members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), State and District Affiliates in the United States and Canada, as well as, IPC of PPA and National PPA print competitions.

The Fujifilm 2017 Masterpiece Award will be awarded to a PPA members residing in the U.S.A and Canada in each of three separate categories – wedding, portrait and illustrative – whose work best represents the specific category of photography.

“With over 80 years of heritage in photography the Masterpiece Award underscores Fujifilm’s commitment to supporting and recognizing photographic excellence. Fujifilm is proud to honor photographers who strive to create images of excellence and distinction, and to be working with Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to recognize these incredibly distinguished professionals,” said Manny Almeida, Imaging Division President, FUJIFILM North America Corporation.

Honored photographers will be named in a national press release to be issued by Fujifilm. In addition, the Fujifilm 2017 Masterpiece Award recipients will receive a crystal glass trophy, a certificate of award, and a lapel pin.

For more information including full guidelines, please visit: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/photofinishing/paper_lab_products/masterpiece.html

• Fujifilm Masterpiece Award Guidelines
• 2017 Masterpiece Award Application

via FujifilmUSA

Hireacamera interviewed Fujifilm Manager Theo Georghiades (who is also one of our friends at the GFX facebook group)… go to minute 27:17.

Theo gives us an inside view about the history of Fujifilm and talks, for example, about why Fujifilm at a certain point felt like, with their compact digital offering, they were disconnecting from PRO photographers (whom they were always strongly connected to with their film cameras).

So they tried some paths (also partnering with Nikon), and at the end they decided to go all alone with mirrorless (the X-series).

• Fujifilm was the frist to come out with a high end compact camera, the [shoplink 59478 ebay]Finepix 4700[/shoplink], the first super CCD camera.
• They also had the first camera with removable memory
• Fujifilm focussed on digital compact cameras initially, but they felt they were losing the connection to professional photographers. Theo says: “we were always in touch with the professionals” (Fujifilm always had high end film products)
• They started focussing on high end digital cameras with interchangeable lenses
• When they moved into the DSLR market, they partnered with Nikon
• At some point the question arose: “do we start a system completely on our own“
• they looked at mirrorless cameras
• They worked on the Fujifilm X100, a high end compact camera
• The X100 was needed to test the water
• Given the big interested, they continued, offering an interchageable camera, the X-Pro1 (discussion for X-Pro1 started a few months after X100 launch)

The interview starts at minute 27:17 and you can check it out at Hireacamera youtube here.