Valhalla, N.Y., April 24, 2017 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, as the leader in innovation for photographers, announced the new Fujifilm Professional Services (FPS) in the U.S. beginning in May 2017. This service is designed to provide exceptional support for photographers currently using the new FUJIFILM GFX system, Fujifilm’s first medium format mirrorless digital camera.The innovative GFX system utilizes a Fujifilm exclusive 43.8 x 32.9mm (FUJIFILM G Format) 51.4MP CMOS sensor that delivers ultra-high image quality. The GFX 50S combines the heritage of over 80 years of imaging and theaward-winning functional design for a relentless pursuit of perfect image quality.
GFX FPS Program Puts Photographers First
Members of the new GFX FPS Program will receive extensive benefits to ensure the utmost support for photographers utilizing the new FUJIFILM GFX System, including:
Welcome kit
Personalized FPS Card confirming exclusive access to dedicated hotline technician telephone and email support
30% discount on non-warranty repairs for Covered GFX System products
Expedited two business day turnaround time for repairs with free 2-day express shipping to and from the repair facility
4 Check & Clean program service vouchers (voucher limitations, terms & conditions apply, terms here)
50% discount on additional Check & Clean program services and 2 business day turnaround for check and clean services with complimentary 2-day express return shipping for all service
GFX system product loaners for covered equipment in repair may also be available upon request if repair is expected to exceed two business days
GFX FPS Program benefits are intended to put photographers first by providing service andconvenience for an optimal photographic experience.
Program Requirements, Availability and Pricing
The GFX Professional Services begins on May 1, 2017 for an annual membership fee of USD $499. Photographers can become a member of the GFX FPS Program by registering online. For full details on the GFX Professional Services program requirements, please see the GFX digital camera and GF lens purchase requirements and other eligibility requirements here.
Specs Comparison: 10 Main Differences Between the Sony A9 and Fujifilm X-T2 at mirrorlesscomparison. You can also read
Fujifilm delays earnings over NZ unit accounting problems at dailymail. More artilces abotu this also at marketwatch and nbr. The problem is with Fuji Xerox in New Zeland, but the FR-reader, who sent me this link, added the following comment: “If it forces the parent company to restate earnings, it could affect all divisions by depressing the stock price and reducing the availability of research capital.”
The End of DSLRs in 2020, Sony A9 Vs. Fujifilm GFX Specs Comparison and Answering Your Ultimate X-Camera Questions at fujirumors (in case you missed it)
Fringer’s Contax 645 – GFX smart adapter is finally ready for demo. You can see pictures of the prototpye as well videos and samples images below. (Arca quick release compatible) tripod mount included.
Additional information
“GFX50s doesn’t support PDAF while Contax 645 lenses are designed for PDAF. Thus, it is extremely difficult to let those lenses AF fast and accurately on GFX50s. Two weeks ago I thought 140/2.8 would never AF properly on GFX50s. But finally I made it work just like the 45/2.8 and 35/3.5 do. However, their AF performance will never be comparable to native G mount lenses.
I have to emphasize AF is an experimental function of the adapter, on current stage at least. Don’t expect them perform like on a SLR. If AF performance can’t satisfy you, MF is always available. In the future, maybe a GFX body with PDAF support will come out and finally save us.
So far I only have one prototype in hand. In a month or so there will be a small batch of products ready for beta tests. Thus, don’t ask me where to buy it now. Test shots
Following test shots were all taken by myself with AF on.”
Below you can see the prototype, the demo video as well as some sample images.
A kind FR-reader (thanks) dropped me the link to a nice read for the weekend.
But before I share it, just allow me say a quick (but big) “thank you” to all FR-readers, who share with FR the interesting Fuji-stuff they find on the web.
You make it possible that FujiRumors is always the first to break the news and rumor, and also the first to share links in live bloggings and much more. I don’t know any other way to return you guys the favor you do to me, other than keep this blog running with enthusiasm, joy and dedication.
I’m so positive, motivated and full of energy like never before. So thanks so much to everybody for your help and support :)
At the end they visit the very best place of all the tour… but read further below, to discover what it is :)
The tour starts at the Fujifilm Omiya Headquarters, where Jon talks with a Fujifilm manger about the Fujifilm GFX 50s. and especially about the new Cinema MK lenses, the MK18-55mm F2.9 and MK50-130mm T2.9. As we already reported here, X-mount version of the lenses will come by the end of the year 2017.
A curiosity, why Fujifilm called their new cinema lenses “MK” lenses:
“M for Movie, Manual, Mobility, Marvelous, Multiple-use! Also, perhaps it can be said that in Video you “take the shot.” In stills, you “take” a photograph. But in movies, you “make” a film. You are a film maker. So MK.”
Then they continue to the Fujifilm Taiwa Factory:
“More than 1,000 people work in the vast Fujifilm Taiwa Factory, assembling X-series and GFX cameras, components and other products. A new, dedicated area has been set up for a highly skilled team to build Fujinon MK lenses.”
Regarding the MK lenses, they say:
“The philosophy of the MK lenses is affordablity for independent productions. To keep the cost down and the manufacturing yield high, Fujinon has combined techniques from their experience in high-yield manufacturing (still cameras and lenses) and high-precision, high-end lens crafting. The trick seems to the their use of molded, composite lens barrels and mechanical sub-assemblies. Traditionally, these components have been milled on CNC machines from metal. Advantages of composites include speed of manufacturing, resistance to temperature variations in the field, and advanced structural possibilities.”
And what’s the best way to end a hard day visiting factories and interviewing Fujifilm managers? Right, get a good Whisky :). So the tour ends at the Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Sendai Distillery.
The video above shows a basic specs comparison between the newly announced Sony A9 and the Fujifilm GFX 50s. However, all the specs comparisons do not answer the big questions, how good the image quality of the Sony A9 is, also compared to the one of the Fujifilm GFX 50s.
I think it’s safe to assume, that the Medium Format 50MP Fujifilm GFX 50s will deliver a superior image quality over the 24MP Sony A9. But let’s wait for the first lab test and real life comparisons before making any final conclusion.
The Stacked CMOS sensor, the Speed and the Megapixel
As usual, when Sony announces a new camera, the specs look quite impressive. And the Sony A9 just continues this tradition (specs & price here).
On paper, the strength of the Sony A9 is “speed“.
The new “stacked CMOS sensor” makes it possible to have impressive 20fps with no viewfinder blackout. However, in order to achieve this speed, the Sony A9 has to sacrifice Megapixel. Hence, it has 24MP, compared to the 42MP of the Sony A7rII. For wildlife and sports photographer, who might occasionally need to crop their shots quite a bit, this could be an issue.
(NOTE: in theory, as Fujica shows us here, also the X-T2 could be capable of 20fps, but not black-out free)
But you know Sony, maybe in 4 months they will release a successor with 42MP and stacked CMOS sensor :)
So let’s talk about speed:
It’s safe to assume, that nobody out there bought the Fujifilm GFX 50s for its speed. All what GFX owners want, is the ultimate image quality… and they are willing to sacrifize speed for that.
Who wants the ultimate speed in the Fuji world, has to go with the Fujifilm X-T2. And just last year, even the godfather of the Sony A7 series, Sony Manager Kimio Maki confirmed in this interview that the fast focussing Fujifilm X-T2 is a threat for Sony A7 series, since “we don’t have this weapon [speed] right now”.
Well, now Sony dropped this weapon on the market, and it’s called Sony A9. On paper, an amazing answer to the X-T2, in terms of speed. Well done Sony.
And it’s good that Sony keeps up innovating their sensors… because you know, also Fujifilm buys them from Sony :).
Read also this article: “Fuji Fun Vs. Sony Specs…. a Story about my 3 days Flirt with the Sony A7rII and why I now Love Fujifilm even more!”
Now, my Inbox is exploding with questions regarding the ultimate X (last rumor summary here). I get especially one question: will it have a stacked CMOS sensor, too?
The answer is simple: I do not know it…. yet ;)
Sure is, that Sony sells its sensors to Fujifilm. And if Sony will implement the stacked CMOS sensor technology also on APS-C sensors, then Fujifilm will be able to buy it. Of course with the usual rule, that other companies have to wait a couple of months after the first Sony camera featuring the new sensor technology has been announced, before they can use it on their own cameras. This gives Sony a little time advantage. But if you are willing to wait a bit, then you will get the same sensor also on other cameras.
So, it is possible, that the Ultimate X will have a stacked sensor. But for now, I have no information about it. I will share an update, as soon as I know something more… in the meantime, asking me this question in the comments and via email might not help much. I just can’t answer it now.
Another question I often get, is when the Ultimate X will be announced. And again I have to say that I don’t know it. It’s a bit too early to have any sure and final release date. The camera is still under development. I will let you know when time has come :)
Innovation in mirrorless cameras is fast. And now the last DSLR bastion is falling: speed!
Two years ago Canon (or was it Nikon?) released a video, showing how annoying the black-out during continuous shooting in mirrorless cameras is. Their goal was to demonstrate, that for sports and wildlife, you still have to go with a classic DSLR.
Last year, the Fujifilm X-T2 already made a nice step forward in this regard and its speed makes tracking using the EVF so much easier. However, the new stacked sensor technology now allows blackout-less EVF experience even at super-high frame rates. That’s better than any DSLR can do.
The ultra fast sensor readout made possible by the stacked sensor will improve the overall speed of mirrorless cameras so much, that you won’t miss a DSLR for sure :).
But the stacked sensor is not enough, to declare the death of DSLRs.
“[Answering the question when mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs] It will happen around 2020: Tokyo Summer Olympics feature the global shutter in mass market cameras –> end of DSLR technology as mass market technology. DSLR hybrid cameras will probably continue to exist in the high-price segment (Canon EOS 1X Mk3?).”
It’s almost done… mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs. And kudos also to Sony, for improving sensor technology so much to make this possible… and to Fujifilm for making that technology such a pleasure to use in cameras ;)
And now I do hope that also Canon and Nikon will take the mirrorless market segment seriously and give us some great mirrorless cameras soon. The more offers we have, the better it is for us customers :)
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