Fujifilm is Suing Grey Market Sellers to Stop Import Sales :: Should You Buy Grey Market Gear?

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Fujifilm decided to file lawsuits against several grey market retailers… just like Canon did last year for the same reason (read more at CanonWatch)

The news broke first at worldipreview, later on reported also at phoblographer… here is what they say:

“Fujifilm contents that in many cases these imports can differ from the correctly imported products in many ways and are likely not up to the same standard. […] The issue lies in that consumers are purchasing these grey market imports and in many cases they are unaware that they have one. […] So if something breaks, is defective, or if the product is a knockoff and not real Fujifilm is the company they go for answers, and it is Fujifilm reputations that is hurt because of it.”

[…] According to Fujifilm, the cameras physically and materially differ from products authorised for import to and sale in the US.

“Defendants’ importation … and/or sale within the US of grey market cameras intended for markets outside of the US is likely to result in consumer confusion and stymie FNAC’s [Fujifilm North America Corporation’s] quality control efforts, causing irreparable harm to FNAC that will continue unless such conduct is enjoined,” said the suit. Fujifilm explained that in order to maintain quality control over genuine Fujifilm X and Instax-branded products, it sells them only through a channel of “specifically authorised local dealers and distributors

The camera manufacturer alleged that the products are different in terms of the geographical warranties, the packaging and product labelling, serial numbers and tracking codes, and accessories.”

Now, in the past, here on FR, I’ve occasionally linked to grey market X-series gear. Of course I clearly informed you that these were import models and I linked only if the seller was top rated on ebay and the grey market item had at least one year seller (not Fujifilm) warranty. And so far, at least to the retailers I’ve linked here on FR, I’ve never heard a complaint from customers.

Some of the deals these retailers offered, were just insane… unmatched also by the best official Fujifilm deals.

But what worries me now, is that Fujifilm claims that some grey market cameras/lenses can “physically and materially differ” from the ones sold via official Fujifilm distributors and also seem to have counterfeit serial numbers.

I’d like Fujifilm to publish the name of those retailers, so that we can be aware of which stores avoid.

FYI: Fujifilm US has a clear list of authorized Fujiflm dealers here.

Tony Northrup Video: Grey Market – Should You buy it? – youtube

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Fujifilm EF-X500 Flash Overview :: Severe Overheating Reason for EF-X500 Delay (New Source)

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The EF-X500 Possible Flash Issue

As you know, Fujifilm has delayed the release of the Fujifilm EF-X500 flash several times. The current deadline is the 17th of November. In their official press release, Fujifilm just said they need more time for the “quality evaluation”

Well, according to a new source, the reason for the delay is that the flash was severely overheating (actually the source said it can catch fire).

Fujifilm took a few more months of time to fix this issue. Let’s hope they will have sorted out any issue by the 17th of November.

EF-X500 Flash: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

The Flash Overview

Anyway… sooner or later the flash will come. Some folks are already testing pre-production samples of the Fujifilm EF-X500, and in this case it’s X-photographer Max De Martino, who shares a quick overview (and samples) over at fujifilm-x.

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Fujifilm GFX Listed for Sale for $8,500 (with lens) at Vietnamese Fuji Premium Reseller :: POLL: How Much Would you Pay for the GFX?

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Fujifilm GFX – Price

Official Vietnamese Fujifilm Premium Reseller (with Fujifilm Showroom) Phú Quang Camera has the Fujifilm GFX with GF 63mm listed for sale for 189.900.000 VND ($8,500 – €7,700) here. They also say it will ship in February 2017. – thanks to the FR-reader for the link :)

Now, I don’t think that, at this stage, Fujifilm has set a 100% final price on the GFX. The camera is still in development and Fujifilm can change the supposed price tag anytime until its launch. And as indicated by dpreview here and by Swiss Fujifilm Managers here, the camera is more likely to hit the market in Spring (early spring according to the Swiss Manager)

At the moment, the only official statement Fujifilm made is that the Fujifilm GFX will cost “way under $10,000 (exlcuding tax)“.

Well, let’s grab this occasion to launch a survey. Sure, we all want it as cheap as possible, but the poll is about how much you would spend ** maximum ** on the Fujifilm GFX + 63mm. What’s your uppermost investment limit?

Fujifilm GFX facebook Group

Articles shared earliert today on FujiRumors:

  • Nissin working a Firmware to support X-T2/Pro2 – click here
  • Well done and useful Video of Fujifilm to Explain the Fuji X-T2 AF-C Custom settings – click here
  • X-deals starting on October 15 in Europe – click here

For the Fujifilm GFX + GF 63mm lens I'd pay a ** maximum ** of...

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Nissin: New Firmware for HSS on X-T2/Pro2 Coming “at a Later Date” + Air 1 Commander in November ** HSS with Cactus Beta Firmware (VIDEO)

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nissin-i60

If you follow FujiRumors regulary, you’ll know that the Nissin i60 is in stock since mid September. You can find the Nissin i60 at Adorama, AmazonUS and BHphoto.

One of the issues, though, is that with the X-T2 (and the X-Pro2 FW 2.0) Fujifilm introduced new flash protocols (read also Fujifilm & Flash, The State of The Art here). This means that flashes like the Nissin i60 need firmware udpates in order to work properly.

Well, apparently Nissin is working on it. If I got the google translated version right, Nissin just said in an official press release to the Nissin i60 launch in Japan here (via dc.watch), that they are working on a firmware udpate, in order to unlock the HSS feature.

“[google translated] Regarding the for Fujifilm, with FP flash (high-speed synchro) non-compliant at the moment, is scheduled to correspond by firmware updates at a later date.

In addition, NAS commander “Air 1” Fuji Photo Film for Four for the Thirds, is expected to release November.“

Regarding the Nissin i40, FR-reader Fujica explains that “you will need to send your flash to the distributor for the update as the i40 does not have a USB port.”

As shared here on FujiRumors back in September here, Cactus is also working on a new firmware and you just have to drop them an email to get access to the Beta Firmware. ZedProMedia did it, and shared his feedback on his youtube channel here.

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