According to our sources, Tokina will launch “a new fast zoom lens” for Fujifilm X-mount.
Let me know what you think it could be, but I believe 99% of you will bet on this lens here!
But again, all we know is it will be a “new fast zoom“.
We also received the first images of the lens mounted on a Fujifilm camera, which you can see above.
New Fujifilm patents surfaced on the web and shared by the Japanese website asobinet.
I will share all the details below after some personal thoughts about them.
Fujinon XF 18-300mm F3.5-6.3
This patent is nothing new, as we could see one already back in 2023 here (just 6.5 instead of 6.3 on the long end), along with the patents for other lenses such as the Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS and Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS.
Yes, there is already the lovely Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, so probably this lens would not be a top priority in my mind. Although, when I once talked to a “prime-purist” like SonyAlphaRumors, he told me “the only zoom lenses that make sense are the superzooms“.
If you are also of that opinion, than having more superzoom options also coming from Fujifilm (with an aperture ring), then this could be a very interesting lens.
Fujinon XF 50-135mmF2.8
While the original Fujinon XF50-140mmF2.8 is definitely a stellar performer, I would definitely welcome a MKII version.
I mean, also the XF16-55mmF2.8 got its MKII version: smaller, lighter and even optically better in many areas over its predecessor.
So if Fujifilm could pull this off also for the XF50-140mmF2.8 replacement, that would be great.
Just one thing: in this patent the XF50-135mmF2.8 has not an internal zoom (although it does not protrude significantly). It would be great if it would be an internal zoom lens.
Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6
As a happy owner of the Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 MKI, I would definitely appreciate the arrival of a MKII version.
The new version in this patent has a different optical design.
Also here, make it more compact, even better optically, and I would definitely upgrade to a MKII version.
I must admit, I am thrilled to see what’s coming very soon.
Why?
Because while I do love Fujifilm, I always keep an eye on what’s going on at other brands.
And rarely have I been as excited to follow a non-Fujifilm camera announcement as the one that will happen in just a few hours.
So what is it?
Well, you know, FujiRumors has even written a dedicated love letter to that system in the past: Olympus (now OM System).
Besides the fact that I believe Micro Four Thirds could get a great revival thanks to computational photography (the smaller the sensor, the easier it is to make the computational photography magic happen), it is also true that the M43 sensor is plenty of good enough for most normal human beings. And you also get the added advantage of an even smaller and affordable system than Full Frame or APS-C.
So, there is lots to love about micro four thirds.
And soon there will be another excellent reason to look at the M43 system again!
In fact, OM Systems is about to launch probably one of the best looking digital retro cameras ever to hit the market: the OM System OM-3.
This is a brilliant move, as we have seen with Fujifilm, but of course also with cameras like the Nikon Zf, that vintage looking cameras sell really well.
And I tell you this: with the OM-3 soon on the market, if I was forced to leave my beloved Fujifilm APS-C system, I’d go for the OM System OM-3 rather than anything else there is on the APS-C or Full Frame market.
I have shot with mirrorless M43 for many years and still today some of the images I love most in my library are taken with Olympus mirrorless or Panasonic mirrorless cameras.
So, let’s rejoice. More strong competition coming for Fujifilm (which is a great thing) and more retro options for us nostalgic film camera lovers.
So we told you that the next Fujifilm X Summit will take place March 20.
By the way, it will take place in the wonderful city of Prague.
I have quickly read all possible speculations about what will come, so let me set a few things right.
The only gear we can be sure will come on that day, will be the Fujifilm GFX100RF.
And the gear we can be sure will not come on that day is the Fujifilm X-E5, which will come in summer 2025.
And if the anonymous source is correct, also the Fujifilm GFX Eterna will come later (in June).
There is the 1″ half frame Fujifilm camera, but I have no idea when that one will come, so I can’t exclude that for March 20.
Of course there can be always surprises. Some early prototypes of future gear (digital X Pan TX-3 anyone?), new lens roadmaps and what not.
But whatever comes, the place to be is FujiRumors.com. We will cover everything so that you won’t miss anything. ;)
Today we can share with you the date of the next Fujifilm X Summit.
And I know it will surprise many of you, because many of you were sure that Fujifilm will make the next major announcement just before CP+ in Tokyo in late February, where Fujifilm has of course its own booth.
But that’s not the case.
If you go to CP+ hoping to see the first Fujifilm gear to be announced in 2025 (actually the second gear to be announced after this one), then you will be disappointment.
In fact, according to our trusted sources (THANKS), the next Fujifilm X Summit will take place on March 20.
That’s the date you guys should mark on your calendar.
