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2016 will be THE Fuji Year :: Big Rumor Overview and Rumor Check :: 84% correct rumors…. but actually it’s more ;)

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I’m aware of one thing: I will never ever be able to give you a 100% rumor accuracy.

Sure, I sometimes just post a wrong rumor, but often those “wrong” rumors were actually correct at the time of sharing… it’s just the products did not materialize (did you notice the X-Pro1s amongst the X-Pro1 successor prototypes showed by Fujfilm ;) ?)

But luckily Our Sources Rock, and often they can keep us updated with the latest changes at Fuji’s house. They are my guide through the tons of fakes I get from people who apparently don’t like FujiRumors. And that’s why at the end, in the last 12 months, Fujirumors has the following (in my opinion amazing) numbers:

  • 140 rumors shared
  • 117 of these 140 rumors could be verified
  • 98 of those 117 rumors were correct
  • 19 were wrong (or right at the time of sharing, but Fuji changed plans)
  • 23 rumors still have to be checked
  • 84% correct rumors

So, my fellow X-Shooters, I will continue to keep you up to date with Fuji’s plans, even if this means taking risks that Fuji changes plans, and I’ll expose myself to shitstorms. But my job here is to keep you informed, so that you can make better buying decisions and also send your Feedback directly to Fujifilm (who reads this blog), while they are still discussing possible products.

So here you have the complete Rumor Overview of what has been shared in 2015 and 2016 (and still has to be verfied) + the huge Rumor by Rumor check.

stay tuned,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

HIGH RATING*

* 75% to 99% correct

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

First Look: Fujifilm X70

70

Fujifilm X70: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

First Look: Fujifilm X70

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook – Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips2nd Edition (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

Rico’s X70 Full-Size Sample Images

Size Does Matter: The tiny Fujifilm X70 was inspired by the Ricoh GR II. Beyond their pocketable size and weight, both cameras share a Sony-built APS-C sensor with 16.3 MP, a 18.5mmF2.8 lens and plenty of street cred as premium compacts that you can carry with you all the time.

The X70 also incorporates the spirit of the X-series: a solid design with dials for everything, the functionality and image quality of the popular X-T10, and a very well-made lens. It also premieres a tiltable display with touch control for quick focusing, instant shutter release and intuitive image playback.

A black X70 (pre-production) pretending to be weather-resistant

Initially, the X70 was supposed to be introduced in concert with the X-T1 in early 2014, but Fujifilm shelved these plans in favor of the underrated X30. Of, course, the new X70 of 2016 embodies all the major goodies and features that have been developed in the past two years: the new AF system with more sensitive PDAF pixels, AF zones and “3D tracking”, Classic Chrome, a new and improved user interface and now even a touchscreen.

Click here for full camera specs and here for full-size sample images.

The X70 is available in black and silver versions

Main features include…

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

IT’S HERE! Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware 4.20 available for Download NOW!

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First off, thanks a lot to an anonymous source, who gave me the hint about the time of the Firmware release. I’ve put my alarm clock at 01:55 AM MEZ thanks to your hint ;)

So here it is, the new Fujfilm X-T1 FW 4.20. It brings all the improvements tha leaked FujiUSA announcement promised.

Special note to the Video Button becoming a function button: I’ve shared this rumor already back in October, and it comes from the same source, who told us that “there is an internal fujifilm lens roadmap that includes a 8mm, a 200mm and the 33mm.

Happy Download here :)

P.S.: There is also an announcement of support for Microsoft Windows 10 (Digital camera) – Read here

X-T1 (save $300): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline /
X-T1 GS (save $300): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline /
X-T1 + 18-55 (save $300): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama
X-T1 + 18-135 (save $300): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline

stay tuned,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

Over $3,000 raised for Charity with the X-shirts… keep it up :-)

1. Using a flashgun in Bracketing/Continuous shooting

Optional flashguns can now be used for bracketing and burst photography. When using the EF-X8, which is bundled with the X-T1, the flash fires in ISO, FILM SIMULATION and WHITE BALANCE BKT modes.

2. Instant AF Setting in manual focus

Focus and exposure can now be locked when the AF-L button is used in manual focus mode. You can shoot after locking AF and AE with your thumb.

3. AF+MF operation with AF-L button

The AF-L button can be used to lock focus in AF+MF mode and you can adjust the focus more accurately using the lens’s focusing ring.

4. Focus zoom in AF+MF

The FOCUS ASSIST button can be used for focus zoom and you can fine tune focusing using the lens’s focusing ring with focus zoom activated.

5. Additional Custom Display options

Functions have been added to the DISP. CUSTOM SETTING option in the setup menu. Choose the information you want, then concentrate on shooting.
(Additional items)
Focus frame/Shooting mode/ Information background/Focus mode/Shutter type/Continuous mode/Dual IS mode/Movie mode /Blur warning

6. The Fn7 Button

The movie-record button now doubles as an Fn button (Fn7). Press and hold DISP/BACK to select what it controls.

 

BIG Fujifilm Rumors Overview (with Reliability Rating) + 2015 Rumor Check (about 90% correct rumors)

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It’s high time to share some hard facts:

  • 544 blog posts published so far in 2015
  • 92 of these 544 articles were rumors
  • 48 were right, 7 were wrong and 37 still have to be verified
  • 87,27% correct rumors shared so far in 2015 (and it’s up to you to decide, if the 7 wrong rumors are really that grave or rather irrelevant)
  • 1000’s of “Thank you” to all those sources, who shared correct rumors with FR. :-)

About the rumor check

All the rumors shared here are different rumors, mostly from different sources, all shared at a different time about different things.

Also consider that for example every single Fuji X-T10 rumor shared over half a year by different sources (the announcement date, several specs, the leaked images etc.) could have been right or wrong. That’s why they have to be listed separately.

Throwing for example all X-T10 rumors into one pot would not respect the work of several FR-sources. It probably wouldn’t even change the correct rumor hit rate at all, since we’d then have to put together also the wrong rumors, which means I’d have shared just 4 wrong rumors instead of 7.

If you don’t trust this list for whatever reason, then feel free to invest a couple of hours of your time, go through all the rumors shared in 2015 and make your own list. Then pass it to me via email. I’ll be happy to publish it on FujiRumors.

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

HIGH RATING*

* 75% to 99% correct

– Fujifilm decided to go ahead and produce the XF33mmF1.0
– Fuji X-PRO2 delayed to 2016
– X-Pro2 will NOT show up at CES 2016 but later!
– X-PRo2 announcement Janaury 15, 2016
– Fuji X-PRO2 will be 4K capable
– X-PRO2 will have new processor EXR III
– Fujifilm X-PRO2 will have 1/8000 mechanical shutter speed
– The Fuji X-PRO2 will be weather sealed
– Fujifilm will launch the X70, little sister of the X100 series… with a NEW LENS!
– Fuji X-PRO2 available early 2016
– The rumored X-E2 firmware will bring a new AF-system to X-E2 cameras

– No more X-PRO1S, all R&D placed into the X-PRO2 (shared in 2014)

MEDIUM HIGH RATING*

*50% to 74% correct

– The Fujifilm X-PRO2 will come in January 2016
– X100T successor with Newly Developed Lens!
– X-PRO2 Sync Speed faster than 1/180th
– Fujifilm is forging a MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA
– Fuji plans a Super Fast XF 33mmF1.0, but final decision is not yet made if to produce it or not
– Fujifilm plans a Super Fast F/1.0 lens!
– Sony A7000 APS-C sensor with BSI and 24 or about 30 MP, 4K, Phase detection pixels covering the whole sensor area
No further delay on the XF100-400 (roadmap says available within March 2016)
– Fuji Flash delayed to first half of 2016
– X-PRO2 with tilt screen

– X-PRO2 with 24MP (shared in 2014)
– Fuji Flash made with METZ, ABC grouping, off shoe TTL (shared in 2014) [NOTE: As confirmed here, Fuji really planed to release it in 2015. However, the Metz insolvency changed everything. I still don’t know if this will lead also to changes in the specs].

MEDIUM LOW RATING*

*25% to 49% correct

– Internal Fuji roadmap shows 200mm, 8mm and 33mm. But 33mmF1.0 still not sure if Fuji will make it
– No Plans for an Instax Wide Printer at this stage
– Sigma has no Plans to make X-mount lenses. X-Market share too small
– Fujifilm considering to make an XF 60mm Mark II, once they completed the roadmap!
– Fuji X-PRO2 will have „about the same size“ of the current Fujifilm X-PRO1
– No Full Frame for Fuji X100T successor? New Source says: “Same sensor of Fuji X-PRO2”
– Kaizen Again? Fuji X-T1 will get another Firmware update this year!
– The Fujifilm X-E2 will get the NEW AF-SYSTEM by the end of this year
– Fujifilm Flash will come in spring 2015, guide no. 50 and wireless control [NOTE: As confirmed here, Fuji really planed to release it in 2015. However, the Metz insolvency changed everything. I still don’t know if this will lead also to changes in the specs].
– Fujifilm X-T2 coming pretty soon after the Fujfilm X-PRO2

– X-PRO2 priced about 20% to 30% more expensive than the X-T1 (shared in 2014)
– X-PRO2 will feature a dual SD card slot (shared in 2014)
– X-PRO2 with tilt screen (shared in 2014)

LOW RATING*

*1% to 24% correct

– XF100-400 and XF120mmF2.8 delayed!
– X-PRO2 with bigger sensor ( ≈ 1.3x crop), compatible with existing lenses
– Fuji working on bigger sensor camera. Some XF lenses already able to cover bigger sensor!
– Fujifilm will launch the first X series camera with 1” sensor in about 3 months. Fixed lens super-zoom with range similar to X-S1
– Next generation of X-Trans sensor will be made by Toshiba [NOTE: I never believed it, and never planed to publish it, but since the famous joofei shared it here, I decided to share it. We now know that everything joofei shared so far is wrong.] – Fujifilm X-PRO2 coming “late 2015“ [NOTE: This early rumor (shared on Janaury 13) was probably correct at the time of sharing, but will turn out to be wrong due changed plans at Fuji. Unless I find an official statment from Fujifilm about the delay, I’ll consider it a wrong rumor anyway.]

Push the READ MORE button for the 2015 Rumor Check

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the 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!

I guess it’s my time to say something about the SonyA7rII. I was reluctant to write anything about it, even though I’ve tried the Sony A7rII for several days.

But today I could not resist for two reasons:

  1. I have a bit of spare time & and I’m slightly drunk at home after an X-T1 Vs. Canon M3 shootout with Steve of CanonWatch.
  2. I’ve read a very interesting article at Fujifilm X World.

You’ll read about the Canon M3 at CanonWatch later on, so let’s go directly to point 2, the Fuji X World post, which was the real trigger for this article.

“Image quality” over “Specs”

The article is about one of the most loved lenses amongst us X-shooters: the XF 35mmF1.4. It shows Fuji’s approach when they design a new lens, which can be summed up in this sentence:  “Image quality” over “Specs

And it’s not just a good sounding slogan, it’s Fuji’s philosophy. Go and read it here… I’ll just quickly come to the point of the article:

When Fuji designed the XF 35mmF1.4 they had 2 choices: create the lens in a way that it will perfectly match the test criteria used for MTF charts, or don’t care about specs & charts and design the lens thinking at the real life use… and Fuji went for the latter one.

That’s why, today, looking at the MTF charts, the XF 35mm doesn’t seem much of a lens, but looking at the pictures X-shooters (including me) take with it every day, it’s pretty clear that Fuji has created a hell of a lens! Because, as Fujifilm said:

There is something more than just the catalog spec.”

And that brings me to the Sony A7rII.

Fuji (X-T1) Vs. Sony (A7rII)

Prologue

These are just my very personal considerations. People with different ways of shooting, priorities & workflow will come to completely different conclusions… and that’s good so.

I don’t want to sound like a Sony hater, so let me say it clearly: the Sony A7rII has terrific specs, it’s a good camera, and overall I absolutely like the innovation Sony brings to the digital camera technology. They make the arguably best & most innovative sensors out there (sorry Canon)!

But today I won’t join the A7rII siren songs of the internet, and since I can’t cover every single spec (that would mean writing a book, not a blog post), I’ll focus on those aspects that I prefer on Fujifilm and try to explain why I’ve quickly lost my interest in the A7rII.

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

First Look: Fujifilm TCL-X100 Teleconverter for X100(S) Cameras

Fujifilm TCL-X100 Teleconverter for X100(S) Cameras

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

TCL-X100 Sample Images Set – Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr sets

Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Reading Samples (65 free pages)
Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 – The Fujifilm X-E2 – Beyond the Manual (coming soon)

Hello Again!

It’s been a while, as I have been busy wrapping up my new eBook The Fujifilm X-E2 – Beyond the Manual. The German version of the manuscript will enter conversion later this week, and I am currently working on the English version.

When a member of the German Fuji X Forum inquired about workshops covering Fujifilm X-series cameras, one user suggested me to offer one, though I honestly didn’t expect much interest, given how small the Fuji universe still is. Turns out I was wrong: The first three Fuji X Secrets workshops each sold-out within just a few hours.

Bildschirmfoto 2014-04-22 um 02.22.44

We kick-off the series with a Beginners Workshop on 31MAY, followed by two “standard” workshops in Nuremberg on 7JUN and 14JUN, then two more in Heidelberg on 28/29JUN. Here’s a list for those of you who might be interested and are based in Germany or nearby countries (even though we have participants that come from as far as Australia). There’s a fair chance that we’ll tour other cities (such as Berlin) after summer break. As I am going to spend a few weeks in Santa Barbara, CA in late November and December, I’d like to offer one or two workshops there, as well. Stay tuned.

X100(S) Turns Into a Mini System

When Fuji displayed a telephoto conversion lens for their X100 and X100S cameras at CP+, it was a dream come true for many X-Philes who had kept asking for such an option since this camera’s inception. Adding 19mm (wide-angle conversion lens WCL-X100) and 33mm (telephoto conversion lens TCL-X100) options to the fixed 23mm lens of the X100(S) turns the camera into a three lens mini system with silent leaf shutter operation and fast flash synchronization speeds.

X100S with standard 23mmF2 lens

X100S with 19mmF2 WCL-X100

X100S with 33mmF2 TCL-X100

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

X-E2 initial impressions and thoughts by Randall Cipriano

After his EVF comaparison X-E1 vs X-E2 here (where Randall shows us the amazing, lag-free performance of the X-E2’s EVF), now he also shared his initial impressions and thoughts about the X-E2 on his blog here.

“I will reserve any comments about image quality till after I run it through a proper shoot but all-in-all, I’m happy and welcome all the improvements implemented on the X-E2. Physically, it looks like the same camera, but only after using it will you realize the differences and improvements are significant.”

Pre-order (and Support Fujirumors)

If you think the X-E2 is the camera that meets your needs and you want to pre-order it, feel free to use one of the links below. FR will get a small commission and it won’t cost you one single penny extra. Thanks in advance for every FR-reader who places his pre-order via Fujirumors. It’s a great help to keep the site ticking over.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /