So here it is, Fuji’s really most important camera ever and the real winner for its imaging division: the brand new Fuji film Instax Mini 70!

You might say… who cares? We are X-shooters and the only instant film we eventually need is the Instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1! These Instax cameras are not important for us!

WRONG!

Instax Cameras are a terrific success for Fujfilm and they push its imaging division into profits more than any X-series cameras. And this is a good thing for us X-shooters, since the earnings Fujfilm makes with Instax Cameras are fueling the development costs of the X cameras… including the one of our long-awaited Fuji X-PRO2!

SURPRISED?

That’s why Fuji keeps up releasing new models, from the Instax Wide 300 to the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic, from the Instax Mini “Hello Kitty” to the just announced Instax Mini 70.

The latest one, the Instax Mini 70, comes also with some handy features like the automatic exposure control, which captures both the subject and the background in “beautiful clarity” and even a Selfie mode with built-in selfie mirror!

So, APS-C? Full Frame? M43? Medium Format?… no, it’s Instax that spanks them all… and that’s a good thing, even for X-shooters!

so, pay tribute to Fuji’s Instax World :)
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, Google+, RSS-feed and Twitter

Specs & Price of the new Instax Mini 70
Offical Press Release

Instax is really very important for Fujifilm… and therefore a matter for the boss, Fuji Guy Billy!

FULL PRESS RELEASE

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce that it will release the instax mini 70, a new model to join the ‘instax mini’ series of instant cameras which produce credit-card-size photos instantly, on October 23. The instax mini 70, which comes in three new colors including “Canary Yellow,” “Island Blue,” and “Moon White,” features the Auto Exposure Control Function to capture both the main subject and background in natural brightness as well as the newly added ‘Selfie’ mode. With its modern design the instax mini 70 broadens its appeal to not only young women, but also men in their 20s and 30s, making it a perfect fashion statement at any scene for any occasion at any time.

The instax mini 70 has a variety of shooting modes which allow the user to enjoy photography in a variety of situations. While taking ‘selfie’ shots, users can choose the ‘Selfie’ mode to provide the appropriate brightness and shooting distance for their ‘selfie shots’ and use the Selfie mirror beside the lens to check their framing. Features such as the tripod mount and the self-timer function are perfect for group shots. In addition, the ‘Macro’ mode can be used for shots at a minimum of 30cm from the subject and the ‘Landscape’ mode is suitable for far away landscape pictures.

This it the third and final episode of “underestimated Fuji X gear” series. And today it’s about the Fuji X-M1 and XF 27mm.

Nr 1
Fuji X-T10 (see post here)

Nr 2/3
Fujifilm XQ2 / XC lenses (see post here)

Nr 4
Fujifilm X-M1

The X-M1 is cheap, small, X-Trans, good-looking, gives you Fuji Quality in an affordable and compact package, has a tilt screen… but no Viewfinder. This is a deal breaker for me. But if you don’t mind composing your shots using the LCD only and you are on a very low-budget (and can’t afford the X-T10), then this is the way to go for you.

Fuji was clear about it’s entry level segment: only one series can survive, X-M or X-A… and since we now have the Fuji X-A2, the X-M1 will never get a successor.

And I find it a pity. To me, X-Trans is part of the Fuji X DNA and the reason why I’d choose it over the even cheaper X-A1 (with Bayer sensor). A sensor also dpreview likes a lot, when they said here:

“our tests confirm that “although it is “just” 16MP, thanks to the X-Trans sensor, combined with its XF range of lenses, its effective resolution is not much lower than 24MP.”

In the past we discussed this topic comprehensively here on FujiRumors, pixelpeeping and comparing Fuji Bayer Vs. Fuji X-Trans images, and we also launched a Poll, which I share with you again today. The winner is pretty clear.

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Nr 5
XF 27mm

There might be some truth in the words of Antonio, when he says the XF 27mm is “the best unnoticed lens on fuji world“.

Earlier this summer, there was a Cashback deal running in my country. I grabbed the XF 18-135 with a €200 discount. A great deal, and it replaced my 18-55 and 55-200 for travels.

Anyway, during the cashback deal, I was tempted to buy the XF 27mm, the smallest and lightest of all Fujinon lenses. I didn’t buy it just because I already have the 23mm and because the 27mm has no aperture ring… and today I regret it. Especially since I recently sold my 18mm, and I now start to miss a compact walk-around lens to put on my X-T1.

But this lens is not only worth of consideration because of its compactness. Sure, when it comes to pancake lenses, it’s always a trade-off between miniaturization & optical performance. But the XF 27mm seems to have a pretty good IQ for its size. From the Admiriglight review:

“Overall, the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 is a pleasant lens to use and a great option when you want the smallest possible package for your Fuji X camera. […] The 27mm f/2.8 is sharp at most any aperture, and while the edges are a little softer than the center, they are plenty sharp enough for most any use. This little pancake controls chromatic aberrations and fringing extremely well, and I feel that overall image quality is quite good, though bokeh is rather unremarkable.”

At the moment there is a also a terrific deal on it. Buy it along with the Fuji X-E2 and save $350! X-E2 black + 27mm here – X-E2 silver + 27mm here

XF 27mm: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline  – EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA

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So, this episode concludes my mini-series of 5 Fuji products that probably did not get the consideration they deserve. If there is anything you would add/change in this list, feel free to say it in the comments down below… and to vote the Poll.

cheers,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, Google+, RSS-feed and Twitter

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Fujifilm just released the New Firmware for Fuji X-A2. The firmware adds Windows 10 Support.

By the end of December 2015 also the X-E1, X-M1, X-A1, X100, X10, XQ1, XF1 and X-S1 will get a new firmware update.

DEAL: there is currently a $50 price drop on the white X-A2 with kit lens at AmazonUS here.

*Fujifilm Reads You!
Click HERE to see the original FujiRumors Poll, that Fujfiilm used in an official presentation to the Press

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When I shared the 60mmMKII rumor here, I asked you to tell us in the comments, which lens you would like to be updated as next, promising to make a Poll out of them… and here it is.

I went through the almost 100 comments and summed up all your suggestions (and added suggestions also coming from our Forum here). There where inevitably some X-shooters, who asked for completely new lenses and I thought it could be nice to collect them in a separate Poll.

So let’s Fuji know about our dreams… and you know Fujifilm DOES like our Polls … which is not a surprise.

Fuji would not care about our Polls, if we’d hardy get a few dozen of votes… but since our Polls normally get a few thousands of votes each time, I can tell you that they really care about them  – keep it up, you’re great, guys! ;) .

Poll 1 lists ALL currently available Fujinon lenses, except the XC16-50, XC50-230 and XF35mm, because these 3 lenses already got (or will get very soon) an update in 2015. All the other lenses are included. Vote the one you would have updated as next.

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Poll 2 shows the suggestions of variations of existing lenses shared in the comments to this post. NOTE: The focus in this Poll is on the aperture of these lenses. I take it for granted that all the below listes lenses will have Weather sealing and faster AF. Some lenses are marked as “MKII”, meaning that the aperture will remain the same, but they will have faster AF and WR. Vote your favorite lens variation.

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Poll 3 features completely new Fujinon lenses. Vote your favorite.

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To Make Video Reviews isn’t easy at all – via LuLa

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Today I just want to share a good laugh with you… nothing more :) . So time for a bit of FujiHumors… and enjoy your weekend!

Ken Rockwell is the Chuck Norris of Photography

FXF member calinandra69 knows it: Ken Rockwell* is the Chuck Norris of photography. Why? Well, here are just some of my favorites… but there is a lot more to read at our Forum here.

– Rockwell portraits are so lifelike, they have to pay taxes
– Ken Rockwell never focus, everything moves into his DoF
– Ken Rockwell’s shots are so perfect, Adobe redesigned photoshop for him: all it consists of is a close button.

And these are just 3 out of 34 of them… click here and enjoy a genuine laugh!

* I have nothing personal against Ken Rockwell. I share this just for fun. I hope Ken demonstrates the same sense of humor of Chuck Norris :)

HOT (!!!) USA DEALS

• X-A1 + 16-50 + 50-230 for ridiculous $399!
• $350 price drop on the X-E2 with 27mm (X-E2 black + 27mm here – X-E2 silver + 27mm here)
• $100 price drop on the X-T10 body only or combined with the XC 16-50 or XF 18-55 kit lens at AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama

HOT (!!!) EUROPE DEALS

• XF56mmF1.2 for just €720! Get it here!
• XF 10-24 sells for just €705 at AmazonDE here!
• XF27mm, AmazonDE sells it for €329 here.
• AmazonITA is offering the black Fuji X30 for just €382 here (until Sunday)!
• X-T1 + XF18-55 + XF55-200 for €1999 and X-T1 + XF16-55 for €1999 . Get it at PCHstore.
• Buy X-PRO1 + 18 + 27 and get Free Leather case worth £160 + Receive an £80/€100 bonus on your old D-SLR trade-in value when you buy an X-T1, X-E2 or X-Pro1. More at FujiUK.
• Get the Fuji X30 for €444 at AmazonDE + Get additional € 50 Cashback. Deal on X-T1 + 18-55 + 55-200. Both offers expire 15.01.2016. More details here at FujiDE.