Viltrox 23mm, 33mm and 56mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lenses Coming for Fujifilm X Mount

Viltrox AF Lenses

Viltrox recently launched the first reverse-engineered Fujifilm X autofocus lens, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF.

Now fellow FR-reader Michael (instagram, twitter, youtube) informed me that more lenses will come. In fact, Viltrox said:

“We will have more choices on focal length like 23mm/33mm/56mmf1.4. Maybe some of them can come out in October this year.“

It looks like competition is coming for the (currently discounted) Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4, XF 35mm f/1.4 and XF 56mm f/1.2.

As we reported here, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is on and about to become the best-selling third-party lens for Fujifilm X here on FujiRumors. So there is space for third-party glass in Fuji X shooters’ bags, and I wish Sigma, Tamron and Tokina would join the X mount, too.

The issue? Fujifilm does not open their protocols (except for Zeiss and the Zeiss Touit X mount trinity), hence companies have to laboriously reverse-engineer the lens firmware to make it work on X mount.

Sigma has flirted with X series customers, saying that they would love to provide lenses for us, if Fujifilm discloses their protocols. However, Fujifilm replied that this won’t happen.

  • fujirumors.com – Sigma CEO: “Fujifilm customers would be our ideal customer, but Fujifilm does not disclose their protocols”
  • fujirumors.com – Fuji CEO: “Fujifilm does need to share X mount protocols with third-parties, since we offer already lots of glass. But if third-parties reverse-engineer AF lenses for X mount, that’s good from a customers’ point of view“

Fujifilm makes more money with lenses, than with camera bodies, so it is understandable that they are reluctant to open their mount to third parties.

On the other hand, I believe that with an open X mount, Fujifilm would grow its customer base faster than it is currently happening.

Last but not least, some rumors we shared last year:

  • read here: SIGMA Will Make FUJIFILM X Mount lenses if X series Camera Sales Increase by 20%
  • read here: SIGMA Needs Bigger Fujifilm Market Share, TOKINA Designed X Glass Already but Stopped by Royalties, TAMRON is Vague

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Flibboard, RSS-feed, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram

Our Owners Groups

Our Facebook Pages

2020: A Fuji Odyssey Ends with the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0, but Do We Really Need it?

Do We Need Super Fast Lenses?

Five years ago, in April 2015 here and May 2015 here, we shared the first Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 rumors, and in 2020, this long rumor-odyssey will finally end.

Thanks to the XF33mm f/1.0 we will soon:

  • stop complaining that APS-C does not deliver enough shallow depth of field
  • start complaining that the DOF at f/1.0 is too shallow and we will stop down at f/1.4 or f/2 anyway :)

And, although I am a bit scared about the recently guessed price tag, I am looking forward to this lens.

However, many of you argued in the comments, if such a fast lens really makes sense.

Tony Northrup thinks its makes sense, and in a recent video he even suggested Fujifilm should focus on making even more super fast lenses.

Others think that Fujifilm should focus on smaller, slower, and more affordable lenses.

So the question today is: do we really need the Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR?

Today I will go against my own believes, and give you two reasons, why we do not need this lens (and yet I want it badly ;) )

REASON 1: ISO

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujinon XF 33mm f1.0 and XF 16-80mm f4 Hands On Video

At Photoforum 2019 in Moscow, a Russian youtuber went hands on with the Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR and XF 16-80mm f/4.

The youtuber had a chat with the Fuji rep, that the automatic google translation tool has a hard time to tranlsate, so if any Russian FR-reader has some spare time to do something good for the FR-community, feel free to drop your translation in the comments down below.

Until then, all I could get is that apparently the youtuber, after handling the XF33mm f/1.0, says:

  • “it feels like around 800g weight“.
    Update with translation by FR reader
  • 33/1.0 dummy represents weight and size for now. Guess it will be pretty expensive. Awaiting next year
  • 16-80 will be affordable lens with extendable barrel (dummy shows folded state only). Also said that 16-80 will be lightweight lens for travellers and videographers

Of course the unit shown is just a dummy (the lens is on the roadmap for 2020), but dummies are usually accurate representations of the lens in terms of size, look and weight.

With that said, it’s still a long way, so there might be changes in size and weight until the final Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 hits the market in 2020, and dummies we see later on this year might look different than the early ones we see now.

Regarding the Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4, I remind you that Fujifilm said it will come this fall.

Check out the video above, which will skip the initial part of X-T30 and 16/2.8 introduction and jump straight to the XF33mmF1 and XF16-80mmF4.

Rumors & Community

Stay in the Loop

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 Resources

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X Photographer Shares Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 Image on Instagram. Beta Testing Started?

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0

Russian wedding photographer and official Fujifilm X photographer Alexey Malyshev (instagram – fujifilm profile) just shared this instagram story, where he publicy asks people to guess which lens is mounted on his Fujifilm X-T3 (or maybe X-T2).

He gave us a hint: it’s not for sale yet.

Easy, this is definitely the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 R WR lens, which is scheduled for 2020 release.

I am not sure, but Alexey posts could indicate that the beta testing program just started, but it could also be just a dummy*. In any case I will follow his instagram now, and in case I see images with razor thing DOF, I will let you know ;).

*UPDATE: Jonas Rask said in the comments to this post it is just a dummy, since it does not mount properly

Would be great if any Russian FR-reader could entirely translate what Alexey wrote in his instagram story [UPDATE: translation came in, thanks. Read below].

“Who can guess what lens it is? If lens will be guessed, I gonna show some new super gun. Hint: It’s not even for sale yet.“

Here on FujiRumors we have discussed the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 R WR extensively, for example:

  • read here: Czech store lists Fujifilm Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 for $3,100
  • read here: Fujinon XF33mm F1.0 R WR: Clutch Focus? Price? AF-speed? and More – Multiple POLLS
  • read here: Fujifilm X-H1 with XF 33mm f/1.0 vs Panasonic S1 with Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 size comparison
  • read here: Fuji Guy Billy explains the Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 development challenge
  • read here: Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 vs XF 35mm F1.4 vs XF 35mm F2 size comparison
  • read here: Is the Fujinon XF 33mmF1.0 too Big? POLL
  • read here: Side by side – Fujinon XF33mm F1.0 vs Fujinon XF16-80mm F4 vs Fujinon XF16mmF2.8
  • read here: tell us why we should buy the Fujinon XF 33mmf1.0

That lens can’t come soon enough!!!

stay tuned on FujiRumors… hot rumors are coming soon ;)

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

Our Owners Groups

Our Facebook Pages

Fujifilm Managers Interview: IBIS in Smaller X-T Body is Necessary, XF Video Lenses, Why No Full Frame, XF 33mm f/1.0 and More

Fujifilm Managers Interview

The French site Phototrend interviewed Fujifilm Managers Shinichiro Udono, Jun Watanabe and Takuya Noguchi at CP+ in Japan. Here are the key points of the interview. For the full interview check out phototrend (google translated).

Hybrid Market

  • hybrid market had already reached 48% of annual sales (in value)
  • in the second half of 2019, the hybrid market has already exceeded the 50% mark
  • the managers think in 2020 year it we will be around 55 or 60%
  • Fujifilm launched first hybrid in 2012
  • now Fuji has already has 31 XF lenses + 10 GF lenses (roadmap lenses included), so the Fuji system is well established in relation to new entrants, both in terms of lenses and a very wide range of products

Why many lenses close or same in focal length (for example XF35mmF1.4, XF35mmF2 and XF33mmF1.0)

  • we want to offer different options to photographers, not only in terms of focal length, but also according to the shooting style. That’s why we have many fixed focal lengths with different focal lengths and apertures. It’s our concept

XF Cine Lenses

  • when Fuji launched X-Pro1 seven years ago, focus was on still images, hence lenses for stills
  • Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR and Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR zoom lenses are very good lenses for video
  • maybe in the future Fujifilm will offer XF zoom and prime lenses with a mechanism optimized for video shooting
  • The current Fujinon MKX lenses cover alreary most of the needs of professional videographers
  • Fujifilm thinks of making XF lenses with better video performance, and not more MK lenses

Fujifilm X-H2, IBIS in Fujifilm X-T3

  • with the XH series, Fujifilm targets professional users, while with the XT series they focus on enthusiasts
  • IBIS: Fuji does not want to compromise on image quality so they need a bigger package for now to get excellent image quality and image stabilization
  • IBIS is currently not possible in cameras of size of Fujifilm X-T3
  • But in the future, Fujifilm believes that it is necessary to offer IBIS technology on more compact cameras (X-T line).
  • Fuji X-H1 size is not only due to IBIS, but because Fujifilm wanted to create larger body with better grip and ergonomics for Pros. Even without IBIS, the X-H1 would have the same size/style

Full Frame Fujifilm?

  • we do not really know what’s in our customers’ heads (laughs). But in our case, we also have the GFX medium format camera system
  • we believe that the combination of medium format and APS-C is the best option
  • Canon, Nikon or Sony offer great full format products
  • Fujifilm had an internal discussion on the sensor format they had to use
  • they did a lot of simulations with engineers. They decided not to go FF, because APS-C allows for a smaller system, also lenses are smaller and lighter
  • Fujifilm is a photography company and they really want customers to take more photos. If the camera is bigger and heavier, they will not necessarily want to take it all the time with them and we do not want that
  • we want our customers to take their camera everyday and enjoy photography. This is the concept of our APS-C system
  • but Fujifilm knows that some customers want a system with a higher resolution and a larger sensor. For them, we have a system with a larger sensor than the full format and it’s the GFX

Fujifilm X-T30

  • Fuji does not intend to stop X-T20 production. The X-T20 will be sold cheaper than the X-T30

Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0

  • the goal is to deliver a lens with the most beautiful bokeh effect
  • at f/1.0, the manual focus is very difficult and that’s why we made this lens with autofocus
  • we already had this idea in mind, but we needed the technology to integrate an autofocus system on such a bright lens

Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel and GFX50R

  • the GFX100 will have much faster autofocus than current GFX50S and GFX50R
  • it will have IBIS
  • Our development team is working very hard on IBIS, because the sensor is much larger and it is very difficult to control the movements of the sensor
  • 4K 30p without cropping
  • GFX100 target are professional photographers, especially in the world of fashion, advertising and portraiture. But since this camera is faster, we may be able to extend the audience
  • Fujifilm GFX 50R sales are bigger than expected. Many advanced amateur photographers are buying the GFX 50r, especially for landscape or street photography

Modular GFX (Report & Images & Videos Here)

  • The modular GFX body was of course only an idea, there was no technical research on how we could achieve this result
  • For the moment, we have no plan to develop a modular GFX. But once we have the right technology to produce this type of device, maybe we will consider that option
  • Fujifilm was surprised by the huge reaction there was about the modular GFX. Some customer misunderstood, and thought it’s an actual prototype and future product

Kaizen Firmware

  • software technologies evolve on a daily basis, and new features are developed
  • we are always looking for the benefit for the consumer, it’s our way of thinking
  • when a new feature is developed for latest sensor/processor, it is very hard to bring it to cameras with older sensor/processor. It requires much more complex work. It’s not impossible, but it depends on situatuin and development resources

Market Trend

  • SLR market, each year this market will shrink, by 10 to 20%
  • Fujifilm is in the hybrid market for 6 to 7 years, it’s a good thing more manufacturers are coming up with more products because it creates a strong message for the hybrid with customers

A few product images from the interview below.

 

Czech Store Lists Fujifilm Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 for $3,100 and XF16-80mm f/4 for $1,100

Fujinon Roadmap Lenses

The Czech store Oehling has already added to their database the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 and the XF 16-80mm f/4.

It is not unusual that stores add upcoming lenses into their database. For example, the Dutch store Cameranu has both lenses listed since August 2018, hence just 1 month after Fujifilm added them to the official roadmap.

But where Cameranu just says “price not known yet”, the Czech store Oehling hazards a guess on the price:

  • Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 = $3,100 (converted from czech crown)
  • Fujinon XF16-80mm f/4 = $1,100 (converted from czech crown)

But before you freak out and panic, I must tell you that, when stores don’t know the final price but want to place an item up already for people to see and get interest, they can add a random pricing to them.

We have covered such “price-holders” in the past here on FujiRumors, such as the Fujifilm X-M1 for $9,999. Although in today’s case it does look more like a “guessed” price than a completely random one, since both lenses have a very different price tag.

So let’s hope this Czech store will keep up making terribly wrong guesses, like they did with the brand new Fujinon XF16mm f/2.8, which in their not yet updated product page has a price tag of $887 (19,990 czech crown), when in truth it costs $399.

For us, this is a welcome opportunity to discuss if $3,000 would be an acceptable price tag for a radical fast autofocus lens like the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 and at which point you would call the price a deal breaker.

JOIN US for Breaking News and Rumors on…

Check the Oehling store here for the 33/1 and here for the 16-80 and here for the 16/2.8

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujinon XF16-80mmF4 Fully Extended, Fujifilm GFX100 Controls, XF 33mmF1.0 vs XF 35mmF1.4 Size Comparison and More

CP+ 2019 Live Coverage

The CP+ 2019 live coverage continues. We have already covered:

Today we have:

  • close up shots of the Fujifilm GFX100
  • Fujifilm GFX50R + GF50mmF3.5 combo
  • images of the XF16-80mmF4 fully extended
  • images of the Fujinon XF33mmF1.0

That GFX50R with GF50mmF3.5 is a serious GAS trigger for me ;).

All the images shared below (and more) can be found at the Japanese sites dc.watch and sankei.

JOIN US for Breaking News and Rumors on…

 

Fujifilm X-H1 with XF 33mm f/1.0 vs Panasonic S1 with Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 Size Comparison

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0

Today I was curious to know how the Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 would compare in terms of size to the brand new full frame Panasonic S1 with Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4.

So I grabbed one of the real life pictures of the XF33mm f/1.0 I took at Photokina 2018 and made an approximate comparison.

If the final production XF 33mmF1.0 will have the same size of the mock-up I have seen at Photokina, then the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 will be smaller than the Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4.

Let’s hope it will also be cheaper, since the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 comes with a hefty price tag.

When it comes to camera bodies, the Panasonic S1 is noticeably bigger than the Fujifilm X-T3, X-H1 and also other full frame cameras like the Sony A7III.

My guess is that the bigger body is needed for proper heat dissipation to allow 4K/60 and avoid overheating. This is probably also the reason why no Sony A7 camera currently offers 4K60p.

But despite the larger body, the Panasonic has still to do compromises in terms of 4K/60P compared for example to the Fujifilm X-T3.

  • Fujifilm X-T3: 4K/60 with only 1.18x crop without line skipping
  • Panasonic S1: 4K/60 with 1.5x crop (basically APS-C size)
  • Panasonic S1R: 4K/60 with line skipping

In our article about the several advantages of APS-C sensors over full frame, we explained how smaller sensors are faster to read out, hence generate less heat and allow for features like the blackout less EVF at 30fps continuous shooting, and, in this case, a better 4K/60 readout.

The Fujifilm X-H1 has no 4K/60, but this is a limitation that comes from the older and slower X Processor Pro.

So, every sensor size has its advantages. It’s now up to Fujifilm to fully take advantage of them. And I expect especially the Fujifilm X-H2 to raise new standards and be a clear step ahead of the competition.

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fuji Guy Billy: Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0 Development Challenge, XF 16-80mm f/4 very silent AF, X-H1 Market Misunderstanding and More

Fuji Guy Billy Interview

Fuji Guy Billy joined the Fujilove podcast. For those of you, who are right now on the road or at work and you can’t listen to it all at iTunes, Stitcher or on fujilove, here are the key points:

Fujinon X Mount Lenses

Fujifilm X100, X-E3, X-T20 and X-T3

  • Fujifilm X100 was the game changer and started the X series success
  • When developing the X100, Fujifilm wondered who is going to buy a fixed lens camera at this price point, but it turned out to be a success
  • Fujifilm X-T3 is balance of size, weight and quality in a good price point, but for Billy even the X-T3 is big
  • Billy’s go-to camera is the Fujifilm X-E3, paired with XF35mmF2, XF23mmF2 and occasionally the XF50mmF2 because of portability
  • Fujifilm X-T20 with no joystick is a dealbreaker for him

Fujifilm X-H1

  • Fujifilm X-H1 latest firmware introduced lots of improvements and the new lower price makes it very tempting
  • The Fujifilm X-H1 maybe has been misunderstood by the market. It had a lot of new video features, so people considered it more a video camera. But it is also a better and more robust camera, and facilitates handling of bigger lenses. For Professionals weight is sometimes not a problem, but more durability. That’s why Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X-H1. It should also appeal to DSLR customers, who were on the fence of switching to mirrorless. IBIS is quite nice also for photography, especially in low light
  • Shutter has an S1 (half press) and S2 (full contact to release shutter) position. Regarding the Fujifilm X-H1, you can contact your Fujifilm service and see if they have an option to adjust the S1 and S2 position to your taste (low, medium or high). There might be a charge for that service, depending on your country

IBIS

  • Fujifilm wanted to make an excellent IBIS system, and it is one of the best on the market. But the size of the system was too big to put it into other X-series cameras. At this moment, it can’t fit in other cameras, but hopefully one day IBIS can be designed smaller and make it fit on other cameras

Fujinon G Mount Lenses

  • Fujinon GF 50mm f/3.5 coming in 2019 and Fujinon GF 45-100mm f/4 in 2020
  • Fujinon GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR: If you look to move into medium format, you don’t have many lenses initially to choose from, so zoom lenses can cover various focal lengths. The GF100-200 is compatible with teleconverter. It’s a little bit heavier, but very sharp. At that focal length with medium format sensor, you can isolate your subject very well

External Battery Packs

Navigate Menu

  • Tips and Tricks: Best way to navigate the menu is using the front and rear command dial. Front dial jumps from page to page, and rear dial jumps from item to item

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

Our Owners Groups

Our Facebook Pages

Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 vs XF 35mm F1.4 vs XF 35mm F2 – SIZE COMPARISON

Fujinon XF33mmF1.0 vs XF35mmF1.4 vs XF35mmF2

As you know, I have been to photokina 2018, and I also have delivered you the worldwide first real life images of the XF33mmF1.0, XF16mmF2.8 and XF16-80mmF4 lenses, as well as a side by side comparison of the 3 new lenses on Fuji’s roadmap.

However, I keep up getting questions about how big the XF 33mm F1.0 is, compared to its little brothers, the XF 35mm F1.4 and XF 35mm F2 WR.

So based on the images I took and what I have seen with my own eyes at the Photokina Fujifilm booth, I try to give you a visual representation of how Fuji’s 50mm equivalent trinity compares side by side mounted on a Fujifilm X-T3.

Of course this can’t be super-accurate, and I’d say it’s 85+% close to perfection. However, the Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 will hit the market in 2020, and until there, the final size can change.

In an earlier post on FujiRumors, we launched a huge poll, asking you guys if you consider the Fujinon XF33mmF1.0 is too big for you. 7,500 people voted already, and you can check the results here.

We also launched XF33mmF1.0 feature polls in the past, that you can check out here.

And speaking of 35mm lenses…

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **