Tuscany: Look at that terrible Dynamic Range // Dolomites: what a pain those horrible colors // Woman + Kid: that 56/1.2 rendering just destroyed every portrait
Fuji Crop is Crap
How often have we heard influcencers says that Fujifilm is not a professional system, because it is not full frame.
How often have super talented photographers, who hide behind anonymous forum accounts with no portfolio, said that Fujifilm APS-C is not good enough to keep up with their immense talent and creativity.
How often have professional photo reviewers given scientific proof that Fujifilm APS-C can hardly beat an iPhone in terms of image quality.
How often have we heard about how impossible X-Trans files are to edit.
How often have we heard youtubers complaining about the slow manual controls on Fuji cameras, making it impossible to take pictures, because you have to spend half an hour turning dials before pressing the shutter.
And today I will prove, that they were all right!
In the spirit of one of my favorite Fuji blogs, photosfujiscanttake.com, I will list below a series of images, so horrible and painful to the eyes due to the limitations of the APS-C sensor, that you will immediately agree with forum experts, that APS-C is not for Pros.
If you are brave enough, check out the images below.
There is everything wrong, the colors, the dynamic range, the noise, the moments.
Fujifilm has recently announced a new GF lens mount roadmap. The official roadmap, though, didn’t gave any timeline about when the future GF50mmF3.5 pancake, GF100-200mmF5.6 and GF45-100mmF4 will hit the market.
Now the Japanese site dc.watch has shared a couple of media slides, including one that shows the roadmap for the various lenses. We can see:
2019 – GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
– GF50mmF3.5 R LM WR
2020 – GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR
As we told you back in December 2017, Fujifilm plans to release 2/3 lenses for each of their systems (X and GFX) a year. This means that we might see one more lens coming n 2019 for the GFX 50S as well as 1 or 2 more lenses in 2020. Check out our big rumor timeline to see what could come.
The slides also give us some basic details about these lenses, which I have all listed at the bottom of this article.
Other media slides (also below) show some more details the Fujifilm GFX 100. So we discover that (unsurprisingly) it will feature the X Processor 4 and we can see a first crop made out an image taken with the GFX 100.
Don’t worry, of course I did google translate the Japanese description of the slides for your guys. Here on FujiRumors we like to treat you well and save your time ;).
Moreoever, Fujifilm wisely designed the G-system thinking at the long-term. The imminent breakthrough (some predict it at least within 2020) in the camera market of the global shutter, will make leaf shutter lenses (and DSLR’s) basically obsolete… that’s called innovation ;) .
But global shutter and lens roadmaps are a thing of the (not so distant) future. We should not forget that the Fujifilm GFX is already today quite a beast… and although not the prettiest camera on the world, the Fujifilm GFX 50s might well be, already, the best Medium Format camera out there today :)
So let’s dive into today’s roundup… and don’t forget to….
German Pro-photograher Deniz Saylan tested the Fujifilm GFX 50s vs. Leica S. In short he says that:
“Leica S has very bad AF and not very accurate. The GFX instead is more accurate and delivers sharper results even if used at slower shutter speeds compared to the Leica S. Better noise performance of the GFX. Better handling for GFX. Leica S loses the battle agains the Fujifilm GFX. The GFX is not perfect, but “impressive” and makes fun… and the clear winner against the Leica S“
And I’d add also that the GFX is much cheaper than the Leica S ;) . To read it the full feedback (in German), go to this comment on facebook.
Fujifilm GFX Vs. Hasselblad X1D
Photographylife reviewed the Fujiiflm GFX 50s and inevitably compared it to the Hasselblad X1D. And the winner is… ;)
“After months of use of both camera systems, I came to the conclusion that the Fuji GFX 50S is a far better camera to invest in when compared to the X1D-50c. Not only because of its superior feature-set (more responsive EVF, faster and richer AF system, tiltable LCD screen and a very robust menu system with tons of options), but also because it proved to be a more reliable tool. Top that with better overall image quality (see the previous page for ISO invariance tests), vastly superior battery life, ability to adapt third party lenses and far less blackouts and lags in comparison, and I really don’t see any area where the X1D-50c is functionally better. The X1D-50c is a beautiful camera without a doubt, but that’s pretty much its only strength. It has an unbearably long start-up time, poor battery life, poor feature set and constant bugs, making it a very frustrating camera to work with.”
You can read the whole Fujifilm GFX 50S Review at photographylife:
The video above shows a basic specs comparison between the newly announced Sony A9 and the Fujifilm GFX 50s. However, all the specs comparisons do not answer the big questions, how good the image quality of the Sony A9 is, also compared to the one of the Fujifilm GFX 50s.
I think it’s safe to assume, that the Medium Format 50MP Fujifilm GFX 50s will deliver a superior image quality over the 24MP Sony A9. But let’s wait for the first lab test and real life comparisons before making any final conclusion.
The Stacked CMOS sensor, the Speed and the Megapixel
As usual, when Sony announces a new camera, the specs look quite impressive. And the Sony A9 just continues this tradition (specs & price here).
On paper, the strength of the Sony A9 is “speed“.
The new “stacked CMOS sensor” makes it possible to have impressive 20fps with no viewfinder blackout. However, in order to achieve this speed, the Sony A9 has to sacrifice Megapixel. Hence, it has 24MP, compared to the 42MP of the Sony A7rII. For wildlife and sports photographer, who might occasionally need to crop their shots quite a bit, this could be an issue.
(NOTE: in theory, as Fujica shows us here, also the X-T2 could be capable of 20fps, but not black-out free)
But you know Sony, maybe in 4 months they will release a successor with 42MP and stacked CMOS sensor :)
So let’s talk about speed:
It’s safe to assume, that nobody out there bought the Fujifilm GFX 50s for its speed. All what GFX owners want, is the ultimate image quality… and they are willing to sacrifize speed for that.
Who wants the ultimate speed in the Fuji world, has to go with the Fujifilm X-T2. And just last year, even the godfather of the Sony A7 series, Sony Manager Kimio Maki confirmed in this interview that the fast focussing Fujifilm X-T2 is a threat for Sony A7 series, since “we don’t have this weapon [speed] right now”.
Well, now Sony dropped this weapon on the market, and it’s called Sony A9. On paper, an amazing answer to the X-T2, in terms of speed. Well done Sony.
And it’s good that Sony keeps up innovating their sensors… because you know, also Fujifilm buys them from Sony :).
Read also this article: “Fuji Fun Vs. Sony Specs…. a Story about my 3 days Flirt with the Sony A7rII and why I now Love Fujifilm even more!”
Now, my Inbox is exploding with questions regarding the ultimate X (last rumor summary here). I get especially one question: will it have a stacked CMOS sensor, too?
The answer is simple: I do not know it…. yet ;)
Sure is, that Sony sells its sensors to Fujifilm. And if Sony will implement the stacked CMOS sensor technology also on APS-C sensors, then Fujifilm will be able to buy it. Of course with the usual rule, that other companies have to wait a couple of months after the first Sony camera featuring the new sensor technology has been announced, before they can use it on their own cameras. This gives Sony a little time advantage. But if you are willing to wait a bit, then you will get the same sensor also on other cameras.
So, it is possible, that the Ultimate X will have a stacked sensor. But for now, I have no information about it. I will share an update, as soon as I know something more… in the meantime, asking me this question in the comments and via email might not help much. I just can’t answer it now.
Another question I often get, is when the Ultimate X will be announced. And again I have to say that I don’t know it. It’s a bit too early to have any sure and final release date. The camera is still under development. I will let you know when time has come :)
Innovation in mirrorless cameras is fast. And now the last DSLR bastion is falling: speed!
Two years ago Canon (or was it Nikon?) released a video, showing how annoying the black-out during continuous shooting in mirrorless cameras is. Their goal was to demonstrate, that for sports and wildlife, you still have to go with a classic DSLR.
Last year, the Fujifilm X-T2 already made a nice step forward in this regard and its speed makes tracking using the EVF so much easier. However, the new stacked sensor technology now allows blackout-less EVF experience even at super-high frame rates. That’s better than any DSLR can do.
The ultra fast sensor readout made possible by the stacked sensor will improve the overall speed of mirrorless cameras so much, that you won’t miss a DSLR for sure :).
But the stacked sensor is not enough, to declare the death of DSLRs.
“[Answering the question when mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs] It will happen around 2020: Tokyo Summer Olympics feature the global shutter in mass market cameras –> end of DSLR technology as mass market technology. DSLR hybrid cameras will probably continue to exist in the high-price segment (Canon EOS 1X Mk3?).”
It’s almost done… mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs. And kudos also to Sony, for improving sensor technology so much to make this possible… and to Fujifilm for making that technology such a pleasure to use in cameras ;)
And now I do hope that also Canon and Nikon will take the mirrorless market segment seriously and give us some great mirrorless cameras soon. The more offers we have, the better it is for us customers :)
There is a time for the rumors, a time for the reviews, a time for the X-T1 delivery check… and then there is a time to (finally) go out and take photographs. That’s what I’ll do now on this sunny and mild Sunday.
And to keep the spirit of today’s X-shooter zone, I’ll take black&white shots only. That’s my “limitation of the day”.
So here are some more X-shots from X-shooters all around the world. There are many ways to share your passion and shots with FR. Via email (fujirumor@gmail.com), google+, twitter and keep up sharing also on the FR-facebook wall.
enjoy your Sunday Patrick
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Sadaqat Ali
My daughter learning how to expose for the sky with FujiFilm X100. Shot with XPro1, 35mm f/1.4 at f/1.4 and 1/500 sec. (FR-facebook wall).
Sadaqat Ali
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Arlindo Namour Filho
Hello Patrick.
I´ve being working a lot with Fuji cameras and getting better on it more and more. My Mirrorless Photography Blog is now in english also. www.ehnamour.com
Today I posted a Brides Fashion Parade that I shot with my X100S and in black and white.
Very interesting results. Take a look at: http://www.ehnamour.com/desfile-x100s
Best wishes and have a good week.
Arlindo Namour Filho
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Paulo Pinto
Black&White photography is my favorite way of express myself. The absence of color gives me the necessary abstraction for a truly unveiling of the world… without influences…
That’s why I would like to share with Fuji Rumors followers my 2014’s project: Colorless Impressions
I’ve been an avid follower of your site ever since the X100 came out (and I subsequently started drooling at it). Since then, I’ve made the move from a Canon full frame system and a few L lenses (and a lot of RAW reliance) to the X-Pro1 and 35/1.4, 18/2.0 lenses.
Ever since the release of the Leica Monochrom as well, I have been thinking about the effect that a fully monochrome camera could have on my photography, the comfort level I would have to overcome and the change it would bring to my prespective of the scene I’m photographing.
Before you wonder; no, I have not bought a Leica Monochrom as I am still not made of money.
The other realisation I came to recently was that the JPEGs coming out of my X-Pro1 were by far cleaner, sharper and had better noise performance than anything I could ever achieve out of the X-Pro1 RAW files and Lightroom. So the conclusion? I’ve decided to shoot my X-Pro1 one in JPEG only, BW film emulation only and do some very light retouching in Lightroom (yes, the Dynamic Range in these JPEGs is that good).
In my latest blog-post, you can find my the outcome of my first trip using nothing but in-camera JPEG and in BW; in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hope you enjoy it and keep up the great work!
Stephan Geyer
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Michiel Kostermans
Hi Patrick,
Since I saw the X-E1 I knew this is the one. I waited 3/4 years to let it drop in price. For me it is the perfect combination of quality and size. I always take my camera with me. I started do do a self study project. I found a beatiful book The Visual Toolbox from David duChemin. It’s about learning visual tools to add to your toolbox. I learn a tool every week. So i force myself to make 3 good prictures and publish hem on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/108772254@N05/
I hop from one chapter to another, just what i like, and practice the visual tool for a week. Inspiring and fun!!
Af course i also studied Rico Pfirstingers book as a technical basis. But this book from David is different from anything i read before, Stop looking for gear (although difficult wiht the beatiful line up of lenses from Fuji) and study, study, study. Have fun.
Maybe there are more people who can get inspired by the self study idea or would like to join a Flickr group.
Greetings
Michiel Kostermans
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Bruno Trematore
Hi Patrick,
My story is the following: I was enthusiast about my first Nikon DSLR back in 2007, until during my first long trip with it I started experiencing pain at my shoulder. During that trip I bought a second hand F3 and switched back to film. I kept shooting film on Nikon F3 and Leica M6 until 2012, when I tried an X100. The camera is quirky sometimes, but its small size and excellent image quality more than compensate for the occasional lost shot. I have also learned that it is better to learn to live with the shortcomings of a certain camera and overcome then, rather than changing every year. My travel bag restrictions are hard sometimes, but the X100 fits everywhere, making it an ideal companion for travel as well as everyday life.
I have spent quite some amount of time in ordering and editing the photos, seeing how they work next to each other, escaping the paradigma of the “best shot”. The blurb books make the whole projects shine in a completely different way in comparison to the website.
It’s time to look back at what sold most among the FujiRumors community in 2023. And if you are interested, you can give a look at what sold best in the previous years.
The data is based on affiliate sales made via Amazon and BHphoto.
Of course this is not representative for the worldwide Fujifilm market. For example, on FujiRumors the Fujifilm GFX100 II outsold the X-S20, whereas on the overall market it’s more likely the opposite. That’s because FujiRumors readers, while appreciating mid-range gear, are mainly interested in higher end gear.
Panasonic has now stated that their organic sensor is close to practical use and that they expect to use it in commercial devices “in a few years“.
“In a few years” might not sound that close for many of us, but considering that the announcement of the organic sensor development was made 10 years ago, being let’s say 2 or 3 years away from the finish line can be indeed perceived as “close” for engineers working on it for so long.
Also other companies work on the organic sensor (for example Samsung), but Panasonic says they lack behind in the development and Panasonic is leading in this case.
Back in June 2013 Panasonic and Fujifilm announced that they are developing the organic sensor together. The last time we heard of Fujifilm being still involved in the development was back in October 2018.
At this point, in 2023, I don’t know if Fujifilm is still involved or not.
10 year after the joint Panasonic and Fujifilm announcement, where the organic sensor was first unveiled to the masses with great optimism and claims of glorious performances and dynamic range, we haven’t seen anything coming to the market, expect for a camcorder prototype shown by Panasonic back in 2019.
The last update we got was back in October 2021, when Panasonic unveiled a 35MP organic Super35 CMOS sensor with global shutter.
Well, today we got another update from Panasonic, where they announced the “development of organic CMOS image sensor technology that realizes good color reproduction even under all kinds of light sources“. You can read the full press release below.
Is Fujifilm Still Involved?
Unlike the first announcement in 2013, that was made by Panasonic and Fujifilm together, this time it’s only Panasonic, who released a press release regarding the organic sensor development.
So the question I guess is if Fujifilm has pulled out of the organic sensor development.
The last statement in this regard comes from Panasonic, who in October 2018 said they are still working on it with Fujifilm.
So at least until 2018, Fujifilm and Panasonic did work on it together, but I don’t know if that’s the case still today. I will try to figure that out and in case let you know.
For us long time Fujifilm lovers, Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida (the manager who said Fujifilm will NEVER go Full Frame) was arguably the most representative face of the Fujiflm X/GFX series of the last 10 years.
Sadly for us (but congratulations to him), Toshi left the electronic imaging division once he got promoted to President and Managing Director at Fujifilm Europe back in 2020.
I must admit I was a bit worried when the Toshi left, as I felt that the Fujifilm X/GFX series was in safe hands as long as he was in charge.
He did run the business with huge dedication, passion and vision, as can also be seen in this in this brilliant documentary (MUST WATCH !!!), that gives an intimate look into his life and work as imaging director.
I honestly thought it would be hard to replace a manager like Toshihisa Iida.
