Well, according to our trusted sources, Fujifilm will add a new XF18mm f/1.4 weather resistant prime lens to the upcoming new X mount roadmap.
Now please read carefully!
As you know, a top Japanese Fujifilm manager said there will be 4 new Fujinon X mount lenses released within February/March 2021, and FujiRumors has shared them all for you already.
I confirm that the lenses listed above are indeed the 4 new lenses that the manager was talking about, and hence the ones that will be officially announced by February/March 2021.
And I also confirm what I just published today: a new XF18mm f/1.4 will be added to the next X mount roadmap.
According to a new anonymous source (that uses a nickname, thanks for that), Fujifilm is going to soon announce a new lens roadmap.
TO THE SOURCE: if you want, we can have a more direct and confidential talk via email (fujirumor@gmail.com). Would be great if we could. Otherwise no problem, thanks a lot already for the help today and for using a nickname, which helps me a lot already.
As you know, a top Japanese Fujifilm manager said there will be 4 new Fujinon X mount lenses within February 2021, and FujiRumors has already shared them all for you.
Because it touches the wish expressed by Michel, Willy and Kenneth, I invite you to check out also our big Fujinon XF wildlife photography survey and other long telephoto primes articles we have previously shared (list below).
Overall, there seems to be a strong wish by the FR-community for longer primes.
But we know the stellar Fujinon XF200mm f/2.0 did not sell well, and hence it’s obvious that Fujifilm is now a bit reluctant to invest further in long lenses.
But keep in mind, the XF200mmF2.0 comes with a 1.4x teleconverter designed specifically for this lens, which transforms the XF200mmF2 lens basically in a 280mmF2.8 lens. So, with 1 single lens, here is what you get:
XF 200mmF2.0 = full frame 280mmF2.8 (f/2.8 DOF equivalent)
XF 280mmF2.8 = full frame 420mmF4.2 (f/4.2 DOF equivalent)
If you want to, you can check out our previous “long telephoto primes” related articles.
Iridient Developer 3.4 and X-Transformer 1.6.7 updates were released today.
These are primarily to add support for new RAW camera models from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and others (none lately for Fujifilm…), however they also include a number of changes for improved macOS 11 beta (Big Sur) compatibility particularly for Iridient Developer.
Iridient Developer also features additional GPU optimizations for macOS 10.13 or later systems with Metal compatible GPUs. Both programs also include a lot of behind the scenes work on Apple Silicon (ARM) compatibility, ARM optimizations and user interface updates for macOS 11 (Big Sur) although final macOS 11 GUI interface changes and Apple Silicon (ARM) native code updates still await the final release of macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) and Apple’s final developer tools for Big Sur and their CPUs.
What… you ask me to add a comment? Well, what can I say.
I own the XF10-24mmF4 and I feel Fuji missed 2 big opportunities: it should have been weather sealed, and it should have had a marked aperture ring.
But while I can understand it’s not weather sealed (the XF10-24 was launched before Fuji even had a weather sealed camera on the market), the lack of markings on the aperture ring is one of those big Fuji mysteries that remains unsolved.
Today I have a bit of mixed feelings, sad and happy at the same time.
Let me explain.
Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida is arguably the most representative face of the Fujiflm X/GFX series.
As general manager for Fujifilm electronic imaging products, he was the guy, who stood on the stage to introduce the most important new Fujifilm X/GFX gear, he lead the Fujifilm X summits, and his interviews were always the ones we read with the biggest care, as he was the guy, who, at the end of the day, had to take the final decision in which direction the Fujifilm X/GFX series should go.
For us Fujifilm lovers he was definitely a point of reference and one of those high ranked Japanese Fujifilm managers we loved most for his dedication, vision and passion for photography and the X/GFX series.
Toshihisa Iida has just been promoted, and he is now the new President and Managing Director at Fujifilm Europe.
And while I am happy that such a competent person gets a step higher into his career, I am also a bit sad that he is now no longer dedicated to Fujifilm’s camera/lens development only.
In fact, in his new role as Fujifilm EU CEO, he will take care of Fuji’s medical systems, photo imaging, instax, electronic imaging, optical devices, graphic systems, recording media, industrial products, document solutions and more.
It goes without saying, that when you are in charge of the development, production, distribution, marketing, customer service and more for a total of 55 companies in 43 countries and 4.500 employees, than the time to dedicate to the Fujifilm X/GFX series will be limited.
Well, I guess I can speak for all of you, when I wish Toshihisa Iida (who is a FujiRumors “lover” ;) ) all the best for his new professional chapter.
The new electronic imaging general manager is Mark Yamamoto, who will also take up a new assignment as a Board Director for FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation in Tokyo, hence he’ll have a dual role within Fujifilm.
We wish Mark Yamamoto all the best, and may his guidance through this “mirrorless war” be as wise and illuminated as the one of Toshihisa Iida.
As you might know, in 2020 I added new gear to my Fujifilm X collection: the Fujifilm X-T4 and the XF56mmF1.2.
The Fujifilm X-T4 turned out to be a great investment already just for the COVID-19 online teaching I had to do.
I am not he biggest fan of the selfie screen (for the reasons I elaborated here), and for my needs the 3-way tilt screen is clearly superior, but other than that it’s such a powerful machine, that sometimes I find myself grabbing it over my X-E3, just because of sheer performance-boost it gives me.
As for the XF56mmF1.2, it was supposed to get heavy use at my friends’ wedding, but due to COVID-19, it has been postponed to next year. And since overall we try to be careful and avoid crowded events and gatherings of people, where the XF56mmF1.2 would shine to take some candid portraits, I used it less than I would have wanted. But I use it, even if just for taking pictures of my old dog in a lonely forest, and I love its output. Although, I must admit, the XF50mmF1.0 is my new forbidden dream already.
Damn, life with GAS is complicated :).
Anyway, with new gear joining my X arsenal, other gear had to go.
The reason is simple: since I own my travel go-to lens, the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6, the 18-55 and 55-200 didn’t get as much use anymore. And yes, the 18-55 and 55-200 might still be optically a bit superior to my 18-135, but my XF18-135 sample is also very good, giving me a super-zoom range that is more than enough for my needs, basically replacing them both, the 18-55 and 55-200.
And then there is my X-T1.
I put it up for sale for €290, but that’s hard to sell. It’s an X-T1 without mushy buttons, with super-sticky rubber, no light-leak… a perfect X-T1. But while the lenses sold like hot cakes within 24 hours, the X-T1 is still there for sale.
But more gear will be put on sale I guess. Why? Down below the list of gear I own, and what will probably be sold next… and what I will keep.
X-T4 (keep)
X-E3 (keep)
X-T1 (currently for sale)
XF23mmF1.4 (keep)
XF27mmF2.8 (I will probably sell it before the new XF27mmF2.8 MK II is announced, and get the new one, in the hope it has an aperture ring)
XF35mmF1.4 (keep forever)
XF56mmF1.2 (must resist to XF50mmF1.0 siren songs)
I am 100% sure that the XF10-24mmF4 MK II and the XF27mmF2.8 MK II are coming. After the announcement of those lenses, Fujifilm will probably drop prices on the MK I versions, just as they significantly dropped the price on the XF56mmF1.2 right after the XF50mmF1.0 announcement.
Hence, if you are considering to get the MK II version, you might be better off selling the MK I sooner rather than later.
Also, I am in the market for at least one more lens. And I will ask you a clear and specific recommendation. But not now. Time will come pretty soon, when you’ll be able to guide me through my buying decision, just as you did with the X-T4 and XF56mmF1.2.
Until then, take care, stay safe, and have fun with whatever gear you use.
