Fujifilm to Announce More Cameras in First Months of 2024 than in the Entire Year 2023 – Which Cameras Do You Think will Come? VOTE NOW

Fujifilm Future Poll

INSANE DEAL (only for Black Friday)

We just told you that Fujifilm will announce more cameras in the first months of 2024 than in the entire year of 2023.

All the answers will follow on FujiRumors. But in the meantime I thought it could be fun to vote on which cameras you think will come.

But note a few things:

  • this is a survey on gear that you THINK will come, not what you wish will come
  • this is why I stayed rather “conservative” with my poll options and mainly only include successors to current camera lines

Regarding the successors, a very important note:

  • it is not clear if all current X/GFX the lines will get a successor. Will there ever be a GFX50RII or GFX100RII or GFX100SII or X80 or X-E5 etc?
  • I will include them anyway in this survey, just to see how much demand there is for such cameras among the FR community

And now a quick explanation on the survey itself.

  • recently refreshed cameras will not be included in the survey (no Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-H3/S)
  • X100V successor is not included in the list, as that one will come for sure in early 2024

And if you Need to go Wild… ;)

There is always a possibility that Fujifilm will launch something new, hence a new type of camera or new camera line.

And while you can’t vote on it, you can still express your wildest wishes in the comments below. At a later stage we can make a separate survey if it’s something you’d like to vote on.

Which Fujifilm Cameras do You THINK will be Announced in the First Months of 2024 (max 1 pick)

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

RUMOR: Big Start for Fujifilm in 2024 with Multiple (and Record?) Camera Announcements

Starting Big in 2024

So, we told you that there won’t be any new Fujifilm gear announcement in 2023.

But don’t worry, Fujifilm is working full power right now.

In fact, we have been told that in the “first months of 2024″ Fujifilm will announce more cameras than in the entire year 2023.

Considering that we got a total of 2 cameras in 2023, this means we can expect three or more cameras coming in the first months of 2024.

I have checked back, and as far as I can see, in 13 years of X/GFX series there has been only one year in which Fujifilm launched more than two cameras in the first months of the year (without counting the entry level cameras that were made by Xacti Corporation and not by Fujifilm).

It was back in 2017 when Fujifilm released the Fujifilm GFX 50S, Fujifilm X100F and Fujifilm X-T20.

But even if we would count the Xacti cameras (X-T100, X-T200, X-A5, X-A20 etc), we would get a total of 3 years out of 13 in which Fujifilm kicked off the year with more than two cameras, and also in that case we reach 3 cameras max (as in 2017).

So, by launching three or more Fujifilm cameras (made by Fujfiilm) in the first months of 2024, Fujifilm is out for a record release rate, matching or exceeding the announcements we had only once in 13 years of Fujifilm X/GFX history.

Not bad ;).

One Camera is Sure

Now, thanks to our sources we know already what one of these cameras will be: the replacement of this camera here.

What will the other cameras be?

Well, you know what you have to do: just stay tuned on FujiRumors, and you will know it.

And what about lenses?

Well, we know that the next XF lens to come will be the replacement of this lens here.

But even though I have no further solid lens rumors right now, I do hope to be able to share more soon.

Follow FujiRumors on Patreon, Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed, Youtube, Flipboard and Twitter

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm CEO Says Cameras Sell Well (if they Are Made), Increased R&D for More New Products and BLACK FRIDAY Sales Opportunity

Recently we shared the second quarter financial results of Fujifilm (in Japan the fiscal year starts in April and ends in March)

The numbers were actually good:

Imaging achievements. The sales of instant photo systems and digital cameras were strong, with revenue up 19.5% YoY to JPY219.2 billion and operating income up 85.5% to JPY49.4 billion.

But despite that, the growth was not as strong as Fujifilm hoped for.

Hence, in a Q&A session discussing the financial results, the Fujifilm CEO (Mr. Goto) and the Vice President (Mr. Higuchi) were asked about the reasons for that.

Shibano [Q]: I would like to ask President Goto about Imaging. Since President Goto took office, I believe you have often expressed your strong belief in the potentials of Imaging. In fact, the strong performance of H1 of the fiscal year indicates this, but the operating income for H1 was JPY49.4 billion, and even though Q4 is usually weak, there is Q3, so H2 of the fiscal year, which includes the sales season, is expected to see a 387% decrease, or even a 17% decrease YoY, which is a little questionable. I would like to ask again if there is any specific reason for such a decline, worse than the previous year, in H2. This is the point what I would like to reconfirm.

Higuchi [A]: Regarding H2 of last year, we closed our U.S. plant in H2 of last year, and there was a one-time profit. One reason is that we don’t have it in this term. Another is that we have increased development costs for new products in H2 in order to continue to introduce new products without interruption, and we have also increased marketing expenses and marketing investment.

Goto [A]: I will continue with my answer. Now, we are looking at Black Friday toward December, the biggest sales season in the U.S. at the end of November, and the purchasing situation, or rather the movement, is on par with the previous year, but the voice from the person in charge is that inflation in the U.S. is high. We have heard that it is not clear whether it will be as good as the previous year. However, in fact, given the tight demand for INSTAX film and the fact that cameras are selling well if they are made, I believe that there is room for a bounce upward, although we are taking a firm stance now. Is that all right?

Good thing first: one reason why the profit was not as strong as hoped, was that Fujifilm has allocated lots of resources to increase development and marketing expenses in order to assure “to continue to introduce new products without interruption“.

Of course the managers talk about R&D money for Instax as well as digital cameras. But it’s great to hear that overall they keep investing more money to push development.

Also worth to note is the comment of Fujifilm CEO Mr. Goto, who says that “cameras are selling well if they are made“. And this is probably Fujifilm’s biggest issue so far, with lots of cameras out of stock and in many cases even a complete suspension of camera sales in certain countries until who knows when.

The CEO says the hope is to “bounce back” thanks to Black Friday sales, although inflation is still high and it is not sure if the holiday season will run as good as last year.

And in this regard, here are the current deals you find on X/GFX gear that should help Fujifilm to show up with better figures by the end of the fiscal year.

GFX Gear

X Cameras

X Lenses

Fujifilm Q&A here

Sony A9III: The Revival of Global Shutter and a Glimpse into the Fujifilm X-H3s?

The “Old” Global Shutter is Back

The Sony A9III has hit the market.

In the headline I wrote that this is the revival of the global shutter, simply because global shutter cameras are nothing new. In fact, cameras with older CCD sensors already featured a global shutter.

But as back in the days of CCD sensor cameras, the global shutter is not the answer to all problems, and as just everything in life it comes with its Pros and Cons. Let’s talk about it.

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

Best Sunday Deals (Not Only from Fujifilm)

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8

eBooks

Software Deals

Viltrox & FieldMade Coupon Code Deals

SanDisk Deals (exp. Oct. 23)

Newest Fujifilm Gear

Fujifilm Deals

GFX DEALS in USA

X Series Deals in USA

GFX Deals in EUROPE

DUNE Blockbuster Movie Images taken with Fujifilm X Series APS-C Gear

FR-reader Malcom was going through the book Dune Part 1 – The Photography, and he told me he noticed that lots of images in that book were taken by Chiabella James using Fujifilm X Series cameras.

Chiabella James was also part of the Depth of Field podcast at BHphoto, and in the video (video below starts at 9:54) she talks about the gear she uses.

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

Ends Tonight: up to 10% off on Photography Gear at FotoErhardt Germany

If you use the checkout code “OKTOBERFEST” you save up to 10% on gear sold at the German store FotoErhardt (Click here).

This deals is valid on LOTS gear. Not only the few listed on the action page or their deal page!

GFX Deals in EUROPE

GFX DEALS in USA

X Series Deals in USA

My Experience with the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 – Crafted to Trigger GAS

On Saturday, Fujifilm had one of its Italian Roadshow gear presentation in the lovely town of Trento just 30 minutes car drive away from my home.

Much to my surprise, they already had the Fujifilm GFX100II and the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 R WR there for testing. And I could test it for about 30 minutes only.

Now, initially I wrote an article that contained both, my GFX100II and my GF55mmF1.7 first impressions.

But I decided to split it up in two parts for one reason: the launch of the Fujifilm GFX100II has overshadowed what I believe is a true gem of a lens: the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7.

So much so, that I believe Fujifilm should have given this lens a separate launch date.

But that’s how it is.

And that’s why FujiRumors wants to bring the GFX system world into the right balance again by giving the wonderful Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 the space it deserves.

So, here are my first impressions without GFX100II distraction.

Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 R WR – Perfection Achieved

INSANE!

I shot everything at f/1.7.

The reason?

It was so sharp wide open, that I was scared to stop down and to hurt my eyes with even sharper images (if that is even possible).

The good thing?

If you need to take a rest from all that sharpness, then just look at the background of the image and enjoy a massive relaxation for your eyes thanks to a wonderful, dreamy-creamy and buttery-smooth bokeh.

And the autofocus?

Surprisingly fast autofocus for a lens without linear motor in it. I mean, I used it initially on my Fujifilm GFX100S, and my first reaction was to read on the lens front element if there is really not “LM” (linear motor) written on it. I was very positively surprised. Having had experience with the GF80mmF1.7, I can say the GF55mmF1.7 is a significant step up compared to it.

Sure, Linear Motor lenses might still be faster. But shooting with the GF55mmF1.7 won’t be a frustrating experience in terms of autofocus. Actually quite a pleasing one it was for me.

I have also made a tracking test using the Fujifilm GFX100II and GF55mmF1.7. I will share the results in the second part of the review where I talk about the Fujifilm GFX100II, because I need to talk about settings, test conditions to put the results in proper context. So watch out for that one coming soon.

Two problems!

  1. The depth of field is very shallow. Used on my GFX100S, I had images where the top of the eyelash was in focus and the eye pupil itself not (see sample below). If you are going to shoot it wide open it certainly will help to have the best autofocus possible. And the best autofocus possible you get is with the GFX100II.
  2. True story: after my third “wow” while I was testing it and reviewing the images, my wife said: “but you are not going to buy it, right?” So now we have a problem. A problem that hopefully a nice dinner in a fancy restaurant and a couple of flowers will be able to solve.

Overall Conclusion

Not the lightest lens on the world, but it is also not too big for an f/1.7 lens. Well balanced overall with my GFX100S.

At f/1.7 it is so sharp that, true story, my wife complaint when she saw the images because she could notice every single little imperfection of her skin.

They say Bokeh is subjective, but this one is objectively very good.

Fujifilm said during X Summit that they use the aspherical lens manufactured with ultra precision resulting in the reduction of axial chromatic aberration and onion ring effect. it is also their first GF lens with 11 aperture blades for near perfect circular aperture.

If you love the versatility of the 40mm-ish full frame equivalent focal length, then this is the one!

And look, I own the Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5 and love it for its fantastic portability. But versatility comes not only from size, but also from speed. And at f/1.7 the GF55mmF1.7 opens up other possibilities in terms of low light performance and subject separation that make it just more suitable and flexible for more use cases.

I can totally recommend this lens if all you want in your life is the humble need for optical perfection in your images :D.

That’s at least my impression after 30 minutes of use. I had no time to test chromatic aberration, focus breathing and what not. So if those are critically important things for you wait for further reviews. Although what I’ve read so far is that also chromatic aberration is well controlled and Fujifilm actually emphasised during launch at the X summit the “reduction of axial chromatic aberration” and “less color fringe“.

Samples

Down below I will share three samples. All taken at f/1.7 using the Fujifilm GFX100S.

  • Sample 1 + Crop = shows how impressively sharp the performance is at f/1.7
  • Sample 2 + Crop = shows how shallow the DOF is and how that can lead to slightly out of focus images
  • Sample 3 = enjoy the smooth bokeh background

Get Yours

And the Rest of the New Gear

BREAKING: This is the Name of the New Film Simulation Coming September 12

According to our trusted sources (thanks!) that the new film simulation coming September 12 will be called REALA.

The Reala film stock (sold with the name Reala Ace and Reala Superia and discontinued in 2012), was a aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers and it was Fuji’s first film with 4th layer technology for exceptional color accuracy, especially in fluorescent lighting (no greenish cast). The 4th layer technology would make also the 400H film so popular.

The original film was very loved by wedding photographers and seems to be ready to make its comeback in form of a new film simulation.

Let’s hope it will find its way in as many older Fujifilm cameras as possible. But so far I have no rumors about any firmware updates in this regard.

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
GFX100II Rumors & More

Follow FujiRumors on

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Which Film Simulation Would You Like to Get Next?

We have shared the rumor that Fujifilm will launch a new film simulation on September 12.

So the question now is: which film would you like to get on Fujifilm cameras in digital format with the next film simulation*?

It does not have to be an original Fujifilm film stock, but it can be inspired by film of any brand.

Just note that if Fujifilm would use a competitors’ film stock as base for the new film simulations, for legal reasons they  would change the name into something else.

For example, Classic Chrome is inspired by Kodak emulsions as Fuji insiders explained us here.

So, feel free to let us know in the comments down below what you’d like to see next.

*usually film simulations are inspired by film emulsions (Velvia & Co), or by certain photographic movements, as it was the case for the “American New Color” inspiration for Nostalgic Negative (full story here).

Subscribe to our newsletter and join 4,653 other subscribers.
*Please also check your spam folder if you don’t get the confirmation mail. And mark the mail as “non-spam” to see the future newsletter.