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What Happened to the Amazing Fujifilm X Lens Deals? Will They be Back?

Fujinon XF Lens Deals

Ok… I get the question about the next X-deals very often via email… so let me try to answer it today.

In the past years, we were used to see Fujifilm launch terrific deals on Fujinon XF lenses every couple of months in USA.

As many of you, I also noticed that we started this year (2017) without any really amazing “lens-only” deal, especially considering that Fujifilm traditionally launched its very best deals around the end of the Japanese fiscal year (March 31).

I don’t know if Fujifilm has changed their lens-deal-strategy, and if we will see way less deals on lenses in future. But maybe, from Fuji’s point of view, it would make sense.

The Past, The Present…

Just 4 years ago, the young Fujifilm X-system struggled to gain a foothold in the market (especially US market). As the New York Times revealed, Fujifilm X-series camera sales were very low.

In order to create a larger customer basis and to “convince” photographers to invest a lot of money into X-gear, Fujifilm North America had to launch a lot of deals, especially lens deals, because you know how the saying goes: “we buy cameras, but we invest in lenses“.

The lens deals were a “necessary evil” (from Fujifilm’s point of view) to break into the camera market with a new camera line (the X-series) and consolidate their position.

In Europe, where mirrorless (and Fujifilm) was getting popular quicker than in USA, Fujifilm never really launched as many good deals like in USA.

… and the Future?

Today things have changed quite a bit. Fujifilm is quite popular and their imaging division is healthy.

So does Fujifilm still need to have such an aggressive lens-deal-policy as in the past? Maybe not.

Now, I’m not saying that we will never have any deal on lenses anymore, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Fujifilm will be less aggressive from now on. In the long-term, it’s in their interest to sell their gear at full price (and make more profits), rather than get customer used to wait for the next deal.

Sure, deals are good for us, the customers. I mean, I’d like to get everything brand new and super-discounted all the time. But I also have to be realistic and I think that a business model based on the perpetual sale can not really work in the long-term.

The Current Deals

Will there be any great deal on XF lenses anytime soon? I don’t know it now. But we currently still have great deals on X-gear, especially on the X-T1, X-T2 combos and the XF100-400 with Teleconverter. Check them out below.

Keep in mind that the deals marked as “NEW” expire July 22, whereas the other ones expire July 1.

NEWFujifilm X-T2 body + grip (save $230): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
NEWFujifilm X-T2 body + 35/2 + grip (save $330): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
NEWFujifilm X-T2 graphite body + grip (save $230): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
NEWFujifilm X-T2 + 18-55 + grip (save $230): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

NEWFujifilm X-Pro2 + 23/2 or 35/2 or 50/2 (save $300): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

NEWFujinon XF 100-400 + 1.4 Teleconverter (save $450): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
NEWFujinon XF 100-400 + 2.0 Teleconverter (save $450): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujifilm X-T20 (save $50): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS (seems to be expired)

Fujifilm X-T1 black body (save $500): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T1 black body (save $500) + Free Accessories: Adorama
Fujifilm X-T1 graphite body (save $500): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T1 + XF18-55 (save $500): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T1 + XF18-55 (save $500) + Free Accessories: Adorama

Fujifilm X100T (save $200): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujifilm X-T10 body (save $200): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T10 + XF 18-55 (save $200): BHphoto, Adorama AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T10 + XC 16-50 (save $200): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Best Mirrorless Camera for Wildlife Photography: “Fujifilm X-T2 Best AF Performance of Any Mirrorless”… but the Winner is?

Oh… if only the Fujifilm X-T2 would ship as fast as it focusses :(

Best Mirrorless for Wildlife Photography

From all the mirrorless cameras available right now at the market and tested by Mat from Mirrorlessons, which one is the best for wildlife and bird photography?

In his (as usual) well written and honest comparison, Mat says that the Fujifilm X-T2 has

the best AF performance and settings I’ve tested out of all mirrorless cameras” [Also the IQ] is top notch“.

Regarding the XF100-400 he says it is

excellent concerning sharpness, autofocus speed and optical stabilisation”

And yet, the Fujifilm X-T2 is not the number 1 mirrorless choice for wildlife photography, mainly because

  • live view only goes up to 5fps
  • the camera grip is not really designed for big lenses
  • no fast prime lenses – we need to wait for the long rumored XF200mmF2

So, at the end, it’s the Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark II to get the award for the best mirrroless camera for wildlife and bird photography. But make sure to read the whole comparison at mirrorlesscomparison.

And yes, I guess we will see the Sony A9 in the list too, once it is available for real life testings.

Fujifilm X-T2: USABHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera, BestBuy CA: AmazonCA EU: AmazonDE, Calumentphoto DE, AmazonUK, AmazonITA, AmazonFR, AmazonESP, PCHstore, WexUK AUS: CameraPro

Fujinon XF100-400: USA: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama CA: AmazonCA EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, AmazonITA, AmazonFR, AmazonESP, PCHstore, WexUK

Top Sony Manager Confirms The Fast Focussing Fuji X-T2 is a Threat for Sony A7 series Customers. “We Don’t Have This Weapon Right Now”

Fujifilm X-T2 Image by Simone Raso Gets “Honorary Mention” at Oasis Photocontest & More Photo Contests Roundup

Simone Raso, Fujifilm X-T2, XF 100-400
Simone Raso, Fujifilm X-T2, XF 100-400

Oasis Photocontest

It is a rainy Sunday here (of course, always at weekend!), and since I stuck at home, what better thing to do, then to check out winners at this years’ “Oasis Photocontest“, which some consider the “Oscar” for nature and wildlife photography?

So, while enjoying hundreds of images, I noticed this image taken by Simone Raso.

The name, Simone Raso, sounded familiar to me. I checked FujiRumors and saw I featured his video, where he photographed Cristiano Ronaldo & Co during a Champions League soccer game standing on the sideline with his X-Pro2 and XF100-400.

So I checked the EXIF data of this image, and well, it’s an X-shot, Fujifilm X-T2 with Fujinon XF100-400 to be more precise.

This image got the “honorary mention” at the Oasis Photocontest. Congratulations, Simone. Keep up delighting us with you X-shots :)

It’s definitely worth to head over at oasisphotocontest website and check out all the images. There is so much truly inspiring work over there. Don’t miss it.

Sony World Photography Award 2017

Another fellow X-shooter, Andy Gawlowski, made it into the Top 50 of the Travel category of the Sony World Photography Award 2017. It is one of the images he also shared in his guest post “Fujifilm X-Pro2 Vs. Canon 5D MKIII for Travel Photography“. Andy Gawlowski – worldwidewax.chfacebookinstagram

You can check out more at worldphoto.org.

2017 National Geographic & PDN Photo Annual Contests

Also National Geographic has its “Travel Photographer of the Year (2017)” running now. Entries are open. So feel free to join with your X-shot :). Check out travel.nationalgeographic.com

2017 PDN Photo Annual have been assigned too. Check out the winners at shutterloveonline.

Fujifilm Awards & Curiosity Recap

Fujifilm cameras aren’t new to important recognitions, such as photography awards or cover images for important newspapers.

Sure, it’s the photographer and his vision that creates the image. But hey, at least we can say that Fujifilm cameras are no limitation for real PRO work. Here is a short overview:

  • Fujifilm X-T2 distracted a French presidential candidate during his interview (story here)
  • Only the Fujifilm X-System Breaks the DSLR Hegemony World Press Photo Awards (story here)
  • Fujifilm cameras already made the cover of the TIME magazine (story here)
  • Fujifilm cameras snapped the image that won the World Photography Arts&Culture Award 2015 (story here)
  • Fujifilm cameras are good enough for God’s work (story here)
  • Fujifilm cameras captured America’s most hated man (story here)
  • Fujifilm cameras made the front page of the Wall Street Journal (story here)
  • The X-VIRUS is spreading: Rock Star Brandon Boyd (Incubus) takes Selfie with his X-PRO1! – (storyl here)
  • … and more

This Guy Broke His XF 10-24 (Again) Shooting Waterfalls… And Why That Fujinon XF 8-16mm WR Can’t Come Soon Enough!

The Fujinon XF10-24

The Fujifilm XF10-24 is one lens I always lusted after. I also almost bought it, but at the end went for the smaller and much cheaper Samyang 12mmF2.

Regarding the XF10-24, I remember how it was launched just a two months before Fuji’s first weather sealed camera, the Fujifilm X-T1. At that time, here on FujiRumors I already told you that a the WR X-T1 would come in January 2014. So, when Fujifilm decided to launch the XF10-24 in November, we all hoped it would be weather sealed… but it wasn’t.

Now, I know that there are tons of X-shooters out there enjoying this lens day after day. But if you are like Jim, and bring it out into some really tough conditions, then you might be interested to read to rest of the story :)

Why That Fujinon XF 8-16mm WR Can’t Come Soon Enough

Jim drove several hours to reach a simply stunning waterfall in Portland, at the Columbia river gorge. The gear he used is the Fujifilm X-Pro2, the Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 OIS, the Feisol CT-3442 Tripod, the Really Right Stuff ball head… all packed into his Mindshift Rotation 180 Horizon.

Now, Jim is completely in love with the X-system. He loves the image quality, the form factor, the size, the usability, the dials… just everything. He says it “fits my style of photography

But he also says that “photography is adventure” and that it is “completely unaccetable” that the only wide angle zoom lens in the Fuji system is not weather sealed.

In fact, after a while shooting in the very wet and humid waterfall envoriment, he couldn’t take pictures anymore, because “the lens gets wet and causes a lens communication error“. He says this is not the first time it happens to him. That’s why he owns two of these lenses and changes them, when one stops working. And once at home, he has to dry the lenses.

Jim apparently reads FujiRumors, since he knows about the XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR lens, which will come in early 2018 (I’ve shared the first rumor back in May 2016 (!) here). But he said he’s not sure he can wait that long for the XF 8-16. Hence, despite him loving Fujifilm’s image quality and usability, he is considering to switch to another brand.

At our immense future APS-C lens poll, with over 11,000+ voters, the XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR is the most wanted out of the 30 lenses in the voting-list.

Just a curiosity, on the way back, he uses a Beta version of an App, called “The Really Good Photo Spots“, which I think he’s developing right now. Based on your location, it shows you the best spots to photograph in your area.

See the video “I Broke My Lens….Again!” at Improve Photography Youtube

Considerations

Of course, Jim is using the XF 10-24 in an enviroment it is not planned to be used (rainy/wet conditions). But if he wants to get the shot he wants with a Fuji camera, then he currently has no other choice than to go with the XF10-24. The next widest weather sealed lens in the Fuji line-up is the XF 16mmF1.4…. and evidently not wide enough for certain landscape photography.

So, Jim might do well to switch, because Fujifilm currently does not offer the lens he needs the most… unless he is willing to dry his two XF 10-24 for a few more months, until the XF 8-16 will be out.

Or, maybe, just use a plastic bag around your lens in the meantime ;)

And What About You?

So what about you? Do you own the Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 OIS? Did you have the same experience as Jim? Are you also waiting for the weather sealed XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR or are you just fine with the Fujinon XF 10-24?

Feel free to drop you thoughts and considerations in the comments :)

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

VOTE :: The Ultimate Fujifilm APS-C Lenses Poll ** 30 Lenses, 3 Votes… and Let’s Fuji know What We Want ;)

TIPA Awards 2017: Fujifilm Most Awarded Camera Company. Prizes to GFX, X-T2, X-T20, X100F and XF23mmF2

If you were lucky enough to attend the Photokina 2016 (like me), you will have noticed that the by very far busiest booth was the one of Fujifilm. So it was clear to me, that Fujifilm must have done many things right over the last year, in order to attract all these people.

So it’s not really a surprise, that the latest Fujifilm products are highly awarded. I’ve already reported how:

  • the Fujifilm X-T2 got the Gold Award at DPReview (story here)
  • 14 Fujifilm products won the IF Design awards (story here)
  • the Fujifilm GFX got the DPReview Gold Award (story here)
  • the Fujifilm X100F earned the DPReview Gold Award (story here)
  • 17 Fujifilm products won the red dot design award (story here)
  • the Fujifilm X-T20 got the DPReview silver award (story here)
  • Only the Fujifilm X-System broke the DSLR Hegemony at World Press Photo Awards (story here)
  • at the DPReview Awards 2016, DPReview declared the Fujifilm X-T2 and Nikon D500 “Way in Front of the Rest” (story here)
  • the Fujifilm X-Pro2 Best Professional CSC and XF100-400 Best CSC Zoom Lens won the EISA Awards (story here)

Well, Fujifilm now sets another record. At this years’ TIPA Awards (2017), it is the most awarded camera company out there, with a total of 5 awards for:

As usual, at such competitions, there is an award for basically every brand out there. But it might be still significant, that Fujifilm is the most awarded brand.

Check out all the 2017 TIPA winners at tipa.com

TOP OF THE SHOTS… at the Fuji X and G Shooter Facebook Zone!

Michael Schnabl: image was made on one of my “Fine Art Portrait” workshops …
shot with Fuji X-T2 and XF 56mm
ISO 200 / f/2.8 / 1/200
Photo: Michael Schnabl photography
Model: Federica Martinazzi — at Fotopraxis-Fotoworkshops

_ _ _

NOTE :: HOW TO SEE THE IMAGES
To see, add and vote images click on “Photos” and then “See All

See All

Here are the most liked images of the Fujirumors facebook page… and keep it up, share and vote your absolute favorite X or G shot… and here is how to do it:

1) SHARE & DESCRIBE: go to the Fujirumors facebook timeline and submit your favorite X-shot (and a short description) in the timeline by selecting “Photo/Video” .
2) VOTE & COMMENT: All the images will be displayed at the Fujirumors facebook photo page (click “See All”). You can vote, share & comment the images there.

NOTE: The next selection will start from those images shared starting from April 3!

Enjoy the X and G shots ;)

Push READ MORE and Enjoy the Images

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

Why Sharpness Is Overrated :: Are Firmware Updates Good or Bad? :: RoboSHOOT :: X100F, X-T20, XF50/2 Reviews (miXed zone)

FOR GERMAN FR-READERS
Ultimate X Workshop

  • A few spaces left for Rico Pfirstinger’s Fuji X Secret Workshop at the end of May / beginning of June on the wonderful EU Island of Guernsey. If you speak German and love Fuji, the head over to selectedtravel and grab your place now.

Cover Stories

Fujifilm X100F
USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

  • First two weeks with Fuji X100F at dragan.photos
  • Washington Square Park With The Fuji X100F at findingrange
  • Fujifilm X100F with Teleconverter and the digital zoom – a winner I think! at markbellringer

Fujifilm X-T20
USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujifilm XF50mm
USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujifilm X-T2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama

Jim dropped his Fuji X-T2 at Jim Duncan youtube:

  • Fuji X-T2 Field Test Part III at imaging-resource
  • Aquatech Underwater Housing for the Fujifilm X-T2 Review at fstoppers and the results of the shoot at the India Street Photography During the Holi Festival at vinsonimages
  • How To Edit RAW Digital Photos From The Fuji X-T2 In Adobe Lightroom CC: Tips For Photo Editing at Jared Polin Youtube
  • Fuji XT1/XT2 Quirks – Why Do I Get those dark bars in my images? (and other quirks) at THOR*tography youtube
  • My 10 Favorite Features in the New X-T2 Firmware Update at danbaileyphoto
  • With The Fuji X-T2, Can You Now Standardize On ISO 800? What Do You Gain And What Do You Lose? at thewanderinglensman
  • Street Photography – Chinatown with the Fuji XE-2 +23mm 1.4 Lens at colinnichollsphotography
  • Getting your hands dirty in the studio with the Fuji X-T1 at fulde

Lenses

a bit of everything

  • Fix our attention on focal fixed lenses. Mix with the Fix(es) at photodanielm

Acessories / Flash / Bags

“Serene Automation have released Beta firmware for their RoboSHOOT MX-20 radio triggers, making them the first to provides TTL and HSS compatibility with Fuji X cameras and the popular Godox / Flashpoint R2 flash system, including strobes like the XPLOR 600, and eVOLVE 200.” via flashhavoc via Serene Automation

TTL and HSS with Godox for Fujifilm X cameras (beta preview) at J.L. Williams youtube

Even North Korean Soldiers shoot Fujifilm :: GFX Roundup :: X100F Reviews :: Fujifilm Meets Pixelstick :: The Legendary X100 Series (mini miXed zone)

Holger Glaab‎: Berlin, Potsdamer Platz. Fuji X-T1, XF10-24 F4R OIS @30 sec, F13, ISO 200 + ND-Filter and some PS-Editing – shared here the the Fujirumors facebook photo album

Cover Stories

  • Even North Korean Soldiers shoot Fujifilm. See more at washingtonpost. Besides the camera, the real story is that a North Korean soldier got inches from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
  • Fujifilm Meets Pixelstick at varis
  • The legendary X100 series at johncaz

Fujifilm GFX
USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

GFX extended gallery at imaging-resource (focus on Portraits)

  • Fujifilm GFX: The Game Changer – Gary Heery at betterphotography
  • What is the dynamic range of the Fujifilm GFX 50s? We look at how to set up and use a Sekonic 748dr light meter with the GFX. The set up can be used for all makes of cameras at Lewis Von John youtube
  • GFX review (and the 3 GF lenses) at the French Magazine chassimages (translation) – NOTE: it’s a magazine, you have to purchase it (or the online version)

Fujifilm X100F + X70
USA BHphotoAdorama, AmazonUS

Record: 14 Fujifilm Products Win the “iF Design Award” 2017 (Including 1 still Unreleased Product… Instax Square? – UPDATE)

[Logo]iF design award 2017

14 Fujifilm products won the IF design award 2017… and it’s a record for Fujifilm. Below you can read the list of 13 winners. 1 is still not officially announced, so it is missing in the list.

If I should place a bet, I’d say it’s the Fujifilm Instax Square. The square film has already been announced last year and has been displayed at photokina, as you could see in my photokina report. Fujifilm also already launched a special instax square page. But the camera itself is still a mystery.

UPDATE: The 14th product is the FUJIFILM BL-7000/VP-7000 you can see at Fujifilm’s design page.

Full Press release

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