VOTE NOW the SIGMA Lens You Want for Fujifilm X

In a recent interview, Top Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida said that Fujifilm is opening X mount to third parties, and that Tokina will be the first company to offer autofocus lenses for the Fujifilm X system.

To be fair, Fujifilm had an exclusive agreement with Zeiss back in the days, when the Fuji X system was at the beginning (and almost nobody bought it). Fujifilm needed to extend their lens offering and they did it with the help of Zeiss, who released Zeiss Touit X mount trinity (with the first 1:1 macro lens for the X system among them).

But that cooperation failed, and Fujifilm went on making lenses for the X system all alone, never sharing protocols with anybody else again.

Fast forward March 2019, when pressed by questions, Top Manager Toshi Iida confirmed that Fujifilm does not need to share their protocols, as they offer lots of lenses already.

This statement raised strong reaction in the FujiRumors community, with hundreds of comments disagreeing with Fuji’s decision.

Shortly after that, Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki literally said in this interview: “Fujifilm customers would be our ideal customer, but Fujifilm does not disclose their protocols”.

And so, another wave of critics reached Fujifilm.

It seems Fujifilm listened, as just recently Fujifilm completely changed position, saying they will open X mount to third parties.

We like to believe, that all our critics helped Fujifilm to change their mind about this subject ;).

Now, it remains to see, what “opening X mount” means for Fujiiflm. In fact, I agree with Trenton, when he wrote in the comments to our previous post:

Only time could tell what that “open to third parties” means in reality. It could come loaded with prohibitive licensing costs. It could come with a non-compete clause.

For todays’ article, we will just assume, that Fujifilm will open for everybody, who wants to join, for a reasonable price. And that Sigma, who said that Fuji’s protectionism was the reason they can’t make X mount lenses, will now be on board and start releasing lenses for Fujifilm X.

Now the question is: which lenses should Sigma make first?

Of course Sigma has currently a massive lens selection.

I decided to check out the current Sigma mirrorless lenses offering that are listed at BHphoto here as well as all current Sigma lenses for DSLR cameras listed at BH.

Of course some lenses are for APS-C and others for full frame. I will list them all down below.

Now, the FujiRumors community is always extremely happy to help out managers to make decisions. So, in case Sigma is right now thinking at which lenses they should offer first for the Fujifilm X system, we launch a survey, so that you guys can tell them what you want, and Sigma can make their decision.

And if you think I am crazy… remember those times, when Fujifilm had no roadmap, and we launched a mega-survey with lens suggestions, and Fujifilm took 1:1 our top recommendations and put those into the roadmap?

Sometimes, those guys in Japan do listen ;).

Now, back to the survey.

We remind you that at Sigma, DG lenses are full frame lenses, and DC lenses are APS-C lenses.

Full Frame Lenses

APS-C Lenses

Vote The Poll

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FR-readers Wishlist Corner: Fujifilm X-TSony, Firmware Upgrade Suggestions, Lens Wishes and Much More

Here on FujiRumors I get many, really many thousands of emails and personal messages a year.

There is no team behind FujiRumors. It’s me, Patrick, that’s it. And I try to reply to every single one of you, in my spare time from my day job.

I feel very privileged that such a large community comes together here on FujiRumors… but with huge fellowship, comes also huge responsibility and work.

Hence, for as much as I try, sometimes I am not really able to answer you all in a super-comprehensive way.

But I think everybody gets a reply, and surely I read ever single message I receive.

Among those messages, there are many, who express lens wishes, firmware wishes, improvement ideas and all possible things.

Today I decided to collect many of those messages I get, and put them all in one big FujiRumors readers wishlist roundup.

I would like to honor your participation as good as I can, and this little wishlist roundup, is a little sign, that whatever you tell me, I listen…. and I share :).

Have a wonderful Sunday,
Patrick

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FR-readers Wishlist Roundup

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Fujifilm Wins Four TIPA Awards with GFX100, X-Pro3, X100V and Instax Mini Link

Fantastic achievement for Fujifilm!

The TIPA Award is an extremely tough competition, where products are brutally tested by the best experts on the planet. Companies are eager to win the TIPA award, and sometimes they want to pay to get it, but the incorruptible and visionary team of TIPA experts, guided by the one and only goal to deliver the most unbiased and professional feedback to customers, does not bend to the will of multimillion dollar companies. They award only the most prestigious products ever!

Ok, now let’s get serious.

Lots of companies payed again lots of money to win a totally meaningless award. TIPA created as many categories as needed to make everybody happy (who paid). Hence you will find frankly ridiculous category differentiations, such as “best professional APS-C camera” (Fujifilm X-Pro3), “best expert APS-C camera” (Sony A6600) and “best advanced APS-C camera” (Nikon Z50). The whole point of these award commissions is to make money by selling award licenses, meaning the right for companies to use the award logo to promote their products.

All the truth, and how exactly these awards work, in this article.

What a pity… all that money Fujifilm could have spent in firmware updates!

TIPA 2020 Winners

Cameras

Lenses

Mixed Stuff

via tipa

Fujifilm Photography in Times of COVID-19 Quarantine, the FujiRumors Lockdown Diary and the Revival of the XF 55-200

I read somewhere, that about 4 billion people are forced to stay at home now to slow down and hopefully stop the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In my country, the stunning Dolomites in Italy, we are locked in since over 1 month now. Of course I strictly follow the rules and never leave my apartment, except to buy food 1 or 2 times a week, and to quickly bring out my old dog in the fields just under my home.

Teaching Online

I continue to teach. Just online! With live streaming lessons, videos I upload on youtube [does this qualify me as a vlogger now??? ;) ], material I send to students via email and more. I try to do my best.

But the more I do it, the more I miss it to enter a classroom, write on a blackboard, smell the chalk, but most importantly, interact with my students.

But hey, these days there are people, who live far bigger challenges than me. So no complaint here. Just a wish that everything goes back to normal soon.

Lockdown Photography

The first weeks all went into figuring out how to do this online teaching. Trying different platforms for online live lessons, adapt my material to make it online teaching fit, figure out how to reach the various students best (some have only a smartphone, no computer, no printer, etc), and more practical issues to sort out.

But now that I have some sort of workflow, I can start thinking at my lockdown photography.

In my small rented apartment, I am running out of subjects rather quickly.

What I did now, is I started to take out my Fujinon XF55-200 lens, a lens I hardly use anymore since I own the Fujinon XF18-135mm (which never stops to surprise me, as you can see here).

The goal?

Get a decent shot of the little birds flying around my balcony, and the XF55-200 is the best lens in my arsenal for that. So it gets its revival now!

So far I have failed, though, not for the limits of the gear, but because of my lack of skills. But I have time to practice, improve, and I will upload an image on my instagram if I get a decent shot.

Inspiration

Another thing I like to do, is to check out all our facebook groups, and see how other fellow Fujifilm X and GFX shooters deal with these lockdown days and what they shoot.

I have picked out some images and shared them below. May them motivate you (and me) to stand up, and do the best out of this situation, also photographically speaking.

COVID-19 Image Roundup

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Fujifilm Wins the Internationally Prestigious Red Dot Design Award with 23 Products

News is news, so I share it. But I wrote a very informative piece about these awards in the past. So, if you want to read how the business around (some of these) awards goes, check out this article.

Fujifilm wins the internationally prestigious Red Dot Design Award with 23 products

– In recognition of good design quality and functionality in products of various business fields
– High precision lens film for inkjet printing is awarded the “Innovative Product Award,” given to products with outstanding innovation potential

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The Big Lens Roundup: Fujinon Lenses, Third Party Glass, Autofocus Adapter and More

BH Photo Explora – Mikaton Zhongyi Lenses Bring on the Speed and then Some 

Today I would like to share a rather massive lens roundup.

It will include:

  • reviews about Fringer AF Adapter
  • third party/adapted lenses
  • Fujinon lenses

It’s a lot of stuff ;).

Third Party / Adapted Lenses

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New 43 Megapixel Sensor for Fujifilm X-H2? :: Fujifilm X-T4 Leaks :: X100V Controversy :: Sigma & Fujifilm :: TOP February Articles

February was an extremely busy month.

With 108 articles published in 29 days, you might have missed some here and there, so here are the top articles shared in February.

  1. LEAKED Fujifilm X-T4 Full Size Images Front and Back
  2. See the Controverisal Fujifilm X100V Promo Video Removed by Fujifilm
  3. Sigma CEO: “Our Mission is to Support as Many Systems as Possible, But Fujifilm X Mount….”
  4. Fujifilm X100V Leaked Image Shows New 23mm f/2 MK II Lens
  5. Fujifilm X-T4 vs X-T3 vs X-H1 – The Ultimate Specs Comparison Sheet
  6. Fujifilm X-T4 Press Release Leaked
  7. New Sony APS-C 43 Megapxiel 8K Stacked BSI Sensor, for Fujifilm X-H2?
  8. Fujifilm to Release 3 New X Mount lenses within 2020 (in addition to XF50mmF1)
  9. New Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T2, X-Pro1, X-A7, X-E1 and Fujinon XF8-16mm f/2.8
  10. Fujifilm X-T3 Firmware Update in Spring/Summer will Bring “a Significant Number” of Fujifilm X-T4 features to X-T3

On the 11th position, but worth the mention here, is the Fujifilm X Summit live stream article.

I hope you had a good time in February.

And I have the feeling that March could be exciting, too, because we might have to talk about some important decisions Fujifilm is making.

Interested?

Then make sure to follow FujiRumors, as it’s the only place, where you will read about it.

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Photographing my first Wedding: The Gear I Bought, The Fujifilm X-T4 Dilemma and is My Friendship at Risk?

Back in mid January, I wrote this article, where I told you that my best friend asked me to photograph his wedding.

Well, actually not his entire wedding.

There is an official photographer, but he will stay only until dinner. He will then leave, and my friend asked me if I can cover it from dinner onwards.

So I asked you…

… in order to be ready for the shoot, any tips and tricks, also from a gear point of view?

The article received a massive response with over 230 comments.

I did read them all, but was not able to reply to all of them, as then all the mega buzz started for the X100V announcement and the Fujifilm X-T4 rumors. Not to talk that January is always extremely busy also at school, and now in February I started a video project, which takes lots of time, too.

So I thought I post one big response article now, that touches three main points: the gear, how I should relate with the official photographer and something that came unexpected for me: the risk to destroy my friendship.

Let’s go in order:

The Gear and X-T4 Dilemma

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Oh My Gosh: I Will Assist Photographing My First Wedding – Should I Panic, or Just Buy Fujifilm X-T4 and More Lenses?

Hey folks,

This morning I woke up, with a message from one of my best friends, who marries in June.

The message said:

Hey Pat. Would you mind take your camera gear at the wedding? We do have an official photographer, but it would be nice if you can take some images, too. Also, the photographer will stay only until dinner. So if you could grab images of the late night dance party…

And you bet, I accepted, because isn’t there a better excuse to buy new gear, than to help to photograph the wedding of your best friend? :D

Now, I want to do things right for one of the most important days in the life of my friend.

So here are a couple of things I need to do:

  • Don’t Annoy the Photographer

Never be in the way of the photographer. I don’t want to be one of those annoying guest jumping into his frame to get an image. We pay those guys, so that we can enjoy the moment, and later have some cool shots to remember forever.

But the photographer can’t be everywhere at all time, so I will try to be there, where he is not, and maybe I’ll get some nice shots ;).

But overall my philosphoy:

Whatever the official Photographer does, he will do it much better than me. So stay out of his way. My focus is on the night shots, when he is gone.

  • Get a Beer with the official Photographer

I am a man on a mission: convert people to Fujifilm. So you can bet I’ll grab the photographer in one of his rare moments of rest, and try to convert him to the Fuji side of life!

  • It’s GAS Time

And now comes the gear part. And for that, I will make shameless use of FujiRumors for private reasons, and ask all of you guys, what you recommend me to do.

Maybe I could go along with what I own already, but I believe I need a gear upgrade.

Here is what I am considering to do.

  • Upgrade my Camera

I could need a low light autofocus boost over my X-E3, hence I am either considering the Fujifilm X-T3, Fujifilm X-Pro3 or even the Fujifilm X-T4.

  • X-Pro3 – PROS: Looks awesome / CONS: tilt screen allows to shoot only from the hip, not from above, which might come in handy on the dacing floor
  • X-T3 – PROS: most affordable option (I can find deals or second hand offers) / CONS: Won’t probably have latest features and AF performance of X-T4
  • X-T4 – PROS: latest and greatest AF performance and features / CONS: pay full price

At the moment I am tending towards getting the Fujifilm X-T4.

  • More Lenses

My current fastest lens options with autofocus are the Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 and XF 35mm f/1.4. But I believe I need more.

I am considering to get two more lenses: the Fujinon XF16mm f/1.4 for some wide shots on the dancing floor, and the XF56mmf/1.2.

These four fast primes should cover my needs properly.

What do you think, am I good to go, or do I need something else? Maybe one of those nice f/2.8 zooms?

  • Settings Tips Anyone?

Once I have the new gear, I will go out and practice to shoot in similar low light dancing scenarios. I need to see what works and what not, as I am not very familiar with those kinds of shots, as you can see from my instagram.

But I know many of you are so much more experienced than me, so if somebody of you can give me tips on settings, feel free to drop them down below in the comments.

  • It ain’t free, so something has to go

To get all this new goodness, something probably has go.

Hence I could soon put my X-T1 on sale, the camera that took my favorite image, and which story I told you here (I got it after I destroyed my X-E2).

As far as lenses go, I think I’ll have to let go the Fujinon XF 18-55 and XF 55-200, and stay with my XF 18-135 only. Letting those lenses go isn’t easy. Selling that gear will help to mitigate internal discussions with my wife when I get the new one ;).

And if you want, and have the possibility, you are always free to make a micro-donation on Patreon. Even just $1 or $2 a month can help a lot, if many do it. Mostly it will allow me to cover the costs of the site… but if the support is big, well, then maybe also to get new gear ;).

  • You Vote…

Down below are a couple of surveys, where you can offer your camera and lens suggestions also in form of a vote.

Also, I will try to get permission from my friend to share some images on my instagram, so that I can share the results .´

In addition to the XF35mmf/1.4 and XF23mmf/1.4, FujiRumors should buy...

View Results

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In addition to the Fujifilm X-E3, FujiRumors Should buy

View Results

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Fujifilm X-T4 G.A.S? These Fujifilm X-T3 Images will Help You to Resist to it ;)

Oscar Wilde once said:

The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it

But today we will prove him wrong.

We will display a series of stunning X-T3, X-T2 and X-T20 images, and show to Oscar that we don’t need a Fujifilm X-T4 to create stunning imagery.

Because no specs on the world can replace your feeling… and it’s a known fact, that feeling is the origin of your creativity and intuition.

30 Seconds Story of my Favorite Image

In the spirit of this post, do you want to hear the story behind my all time favorite image?

If you have 30 seconds… here it is:

I was in Cambodia (for my fair trade Fuji X T-shirts project), walking through an abandoned Casino in Bokor, with one of my very best friends.

I borrowed her my Fujifilm X-T1 camera, and she took a couple of snapshots.

At some point I saw some kids playing hide and seek in the building.

One of them hide behind a wall, waiting for his little friends to come up the stairs.

I noticed all this, and told to my friend “give me the X-T1, and I’ll grab the killer shot“.

She gave it to me, I placed myself in the right position… and waited.

And then it happened: the hiding kid leaned out beyond the wall, then suddenly watched down the stairs to see where his friends are. In that moment, I was ready and took the image.

I came home, printed it, and now I have it big on my wall.

And it was taken with a Fujifilm X-T1.

Call it luck, call it intuition. Whatever it was. It was nothing you can read on any specs paper.

So yes, let’s be happy about the Fujifilm X-T4, but also not forget, that what we own now, is plenty of good enough.

In the spirit of this post, enjoy the X-T image roundup below.

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