Fujifilm published a new episode of their secret development story.

This time they talk about Fujinon lenses, more precisely about AF motors, lens perfection vs lens character and also about optical image stabilization.

They also explain why they removed the OIS switch on some lenses, and that the notion that you should always turn it off when shooting on a tripod is no longer accurate.

This is something we already said in the past, but Fujifilm goes a bit more in depth about it today. However, this is all automatically Google translated by YouTube, so while I did my best to try to get it summarized for you guys (with my son trying to climb on me while I was reading and typing), if any FR-reader has some skills in Japanese and would like to sum it up better for us, feel free to do so and share your recap in the comments down below or via email at fujirumor@gmail.com.

• Red Badge lenses: great image quality and fast autofocus. Also weather resistant
• red badge lenses represent Fujifilm’s highest technical level, flagship lenses
• first red badge lenses where Fuji’s constant f/2.8 zooms
• then came the XF200mmF2, and extraordinarily amazing lens
• XF50mmF1.0 emphasis is on smooth bokeh rather than on ultimate resolution
• the new 18mmf/1.4, 23mmF1.4 and 33mmF1.4 focus on resolution
• Fujifilm tries to give lenses a different character, based on their purpose of use [and as the Sigma CEO said, making a perfect lens is way easier than making a lens with character. Which is why I LOVE my good old XF35mmF1.4 R – see it in action here in Barcelona]
• then Fujifilm explains what the various markings on the lens mean
• R for aperture ring, LM for linear motor, OIS for optical image stabilization and WR for weather resistance
• autofocus speed is getting faster and faster
• there are also other AF motors, like stepping motors, DC motors etc [Fuji Guy Billy elaborated them all very nicely here]
• you have to place the AF motor in a way that it won’t create shake in the lens
• linero motor is the smoothest and fastest AF motor option [and of course it has its downsides too, as Fuji Guy Billy explained here]
• some Fujinon lenses have lost the OIS switch (for example the XF70-300mmF4-5.6 and the the XF16-80mmF4)
• usually it is recommended to switch off OIS when shooting on a tripod
• but on some lenses Fujifilm now recommends to keep OIS turned ON when shooting on a tripod
• but honestly, the time when it’s better to keep OIS on or OFF when shooting on a tripod is not so easy to determinate and it’s actually quite complicated
• Fujifilm has developed a system where the camera will decide if it is better to keep optical image stabilization ON or OFF
• please let the camera decide how to deal with OIS
• Fujifilm did remove the physical OIS switch on the lens to make sure it is the camera to take the decisions [but you can always turn it off in the menu, if you want to have control over it]

You can see the full video down below.

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How can I start this article.

Maybe like this.

I was solo hiking through Eastern Europe. In my bag, a tent, food, water, a few clothes. And my DSLR gear.

One morning I woke up very early at the top of the Popluks mountain in Albania, left my tent and enjoyed the sunrise all alone on the mountain peak. It should have been my last day on one of the best kept secrets in Europe, the Albanian Alps. Next stop: a 12 hours long hike all the way to Montenegro through lonely mountains and valleys of rare beatuy.

And I tell you this: when I arrived at my destination, the town of Gusinje in Montenegro, I was exhausted and I promised myself: I need to travel lighter. I need lighter gear.

So I went mirrorless.

Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, you name it, I tried them all. But it became soon clear to me that I was not only looking for lighter gear, but also for gear that I had fun to use.

And exactly in that moment of my photographic journey, 11+ years ago, Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X series. Then, 10 years ago, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was announced, introducing the X mount in the photography world.

And that was it. That was exactly what I was looking for.

The rest is history. I fell in love. I needed to share this love. I started FujiRumors.

So I wondered, how can we sum up this long Fujifilm X journey (which is basically just as long as my personal journey with Fujifilm) best?

Well, since Fujifilm is celebrating 10 years of X mount this year, I thought I could make a list of what I consider the top 10 cameras of this Fuji-decade. But, shall it be allowed to me, I will start with the X100, which is technically older than 10 years. But I think you’ll agree it makes sense to add to this list.

Attention: we are not (only) talking about the most successful cameras, but also about what I consider the most important ones, beyond the success they had (or not).

1. Fujifilm X100 – the original
   That’s the camera that started it all. And it gave us a clear indication on which way Fujifilm would go: great looking cameras with manual controls and overall vintage feel.
2. Fujifilm X-Pro1
   This was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Iconic. Beautiful. The start of X-mount.
3. Fujifilm X-T1
   If you ask me, my heart, I’d say X-E1 (as I love the X-E series). But that line was never a huge seller. The real first big success for the Fujifilm X mount was the Fujifilm X-T1. It was the first camera that was able to go a bit more mainstream compared to X-Pro1 and X-E1.
4. Fujifilm X-T10
   The X-T10 was a huge hit and helped Fujifilm to break through mid-range market in a way the X-E line could not. A very successful series for Fujifilm, started by X-T10.
5. Fujifilm X-H1
   True, it was not a big success, but it set the base for a platform that will earn lots of success in future. That’s why I put it on the list. Guys, just wait to see what a beast the Fujifilm X-H2 will be, and then you’ll agree with me. Be patient, May isn’t that far anymore.
6. Fujifilm X-T3
   A mega success for Fujifilm that not even the release of the Fujifilm X-T4 could stop. According to my knowledge, Fujifilm’s all time best seller.
7. Fujifilm X100V
   Announced 8 years after the original X100, it was a terrific success for Fujifilm and it brings a much needed redesign of the lens as well as an “invisible” tilt screen. It’s my biggest GAS temptation along with these 2 more Fujifilm items. And please, don’t trigger my GAS further in the comments. I have a marriage to take care of ;)
8. Fujifilm GFX50S
   Enter medium format: Fujifilm’s first digital medium format camera with a sensor about 70% fuller than full frame. Now that we arrived at the Fujifilm GFX100S, which is even smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras out there, we can say that the GFX50S (hence skipping full frame) was an incredibly smart move by Fujifilm.
9. Fujifilm GFX100S
   It has to be on the list, as it is such a terrific success for Fujifilm. Not even in their best dreams they’d have hoped for as many sales as the GFX100S generated. The only problem: Fujifilm has a hard time producing as many cameras as the market requests, yes, even now, 1 year after its announcement. And please, stop to say nonsense like “it should not have had IBIS” or stuff like that. This nonsense often comes from the same people praising OIS. So aren’t both, OIS and IBIS, serving the very same purpose. And more importantly, can’t you simply turn off both if you don’t like them?
10. Fujifilm X-Pro3
    Arguably the most controversial on the list, as this camera is designed for the niche and therefore was never planed to make massive sales. But here is the thing: while Fujifilm has indeed released the X-S10 and GFX100S with more “mainstream” oriented ergonomics, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 shows that Fujifilm cares also about niche and does not run only after the mainstream. They still want to offer all sorts of different photographic experiences by changing the ergonomics among various camera lines. So don’t panic guys, Fujifilm ain’t dropping retro at all. Whoever creates panic about this, is just out for clickbait. The X-Pro3 is Fuji’s statement for their continuing commitment to retro and vintage controls.

So that’s my list. Feel free to change and modify it as you want in the comments.

• Must Read for X100 Lovers – “Don’t Touch that Camera!” the Story About the Inspiration Behind the Fujifilm X100 Series Design

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Do you remember when back in 2020, photographers using Fujifilm X and GFX gear creamed off tons of prestigious awards at the World Press Photo Awards, including the top spots for the two most prestigious categories, World Press Photo of the Year and World Press Photo Story of the Year?

Well, Yasuyoshi Chiba, the winner of the World Press Photo of the Year, who took this amazing image with his Fujifilm X-H1, has now been nominated “Agency Photographer of the Year” by The Guardian.

Congratulations again to Yasuyoshi Chiba and make sure to check out his instagram here, where all the images shared so far are taken with the Fujifilm X-H1 and Fujifilm GFX100.

As for the images in this specific reportage from Tigray (Ethiopia), Yasuyoshi Chiba used his GFX gear with the one lens I dream to own for my GFX100S, the Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5.

For the full article check out TheGuardian here.

One more thing:

Yasuyoshi Chiba is planning to do photo exhibition of the images of Tigray from Ethiopia (and Sudan for refugees) in February and March, both at Fuji’s imaging plaza (below is info, in japanese though). Pictures at the exhibition are all taken by GFX100+GF50mm.

• Exhibition at Fujifilm Imaging Plaza – Toyko
• Exhibition at Fujifilm Imaging Plaza – Osaka

Some Fuji Pro Work:

• It’s a Triumph: FUJIFILM Wins Top 2 World Press Photo Awards and Even More… Despite not Being Full Frame ;)
• first interview – Alain Shroeder, winner of the World Press Photo overall stories category
• second interview – Luca Locatelli, 1st Prize for environment story in 2020 Word Press Photo Contest
• third interview – 2020 World Press Photo Winner Ricardo García Vilanova: “For my War Photography I use X-T3 and Only One Lens, the…”
• No Joke: Official JOKER Movie Images taken With Fujifilm X Series Gear ;)
• Mission Impossible: Official “Fallout” Photos Taken with Fujifilm X and GFX Gear
• Hollywoods’ Dunkirk Movie Official Photos Taken with Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF 18-135!
• Marco Urso Snaps Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Image with Fujifilm X-T2 and XF 50-140
• Fujifilm X-T1 Snaps World Wildlife Photography Image of the Year – Animal Portraits Award

Not enough? Well, then know that photographers using Fujifilm cameras also…

• won the world wildlife photography award (story here)
• made the cover of the TIME magazine (story here)
• won the World Photography Arts&Culture Award 2015 (story here)
• won the First Prize of the World Press Photo Category “Stories (stroy here)
• made the front page of the Wall Street Journal (story here)
• were good enough for God’s work (story here)
• captured America’s most hated man (story here)
• distracted a French presidential candidate during his interview (story here)

Hey Jared… are you really sure about that Fuji, LOL? ;)

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What You Did and How I’ve Tried to Honor it!

Let’s start by highlighting what you did in 2021 for FujiRumors:

• about 50,000 comments on FR-articles (about 130 comments a day)
• 151,680 votes in our polls

Your massive participation is the reason why Fujifilm reads us with greatest care, as proven multiple times such as here, here and here.

I did try to honor your massive participation by working as hard as I could, with the added challenge that this year I became father, which made working consistently on FujiRumors not always the easiest thing.

But I did try hard, and here are some numbers. You judge if that’s good enough to deserve your time and trust.

• 867 blog posts written in 2020 (average of 2.37 articles every single day of the year – weekends and “holidays” included)
• 83 rumors shared
• 92,8% correct rumors (rumor check here – but quite frankly, it’s more a 99% accuracy. I explained why in this article)
• about 18 messages written every day to those of you who contacted via fujirumor@gmail.com, Facebook and Twitter and Instagram Direct
• 560+ replied comments in the various FujiRumors articles
• 100% Free ;)

Phew!! :)

Most Read Article

• BREAKING: Fujifilm X-H2 Will Come in 2022 and be Worth the Wait

Most Read Non Rumor Article

• Fujifilm Releases Firmware Updates for GFX100/S (Blackmagic RAW), GFX50S/R, X-T4, X-T3, X-H1, X-Pro3, X100V, X-E4, X-T30

Most Read Guest Posts

1. Fujifilm Instax Wide Printer Concept – Note: Fujifilm listen to us and gave us the Instax Link Wide Printer (which also I ordered and I have received now)
2. The GFX 50 Series is an ISO-less Classic
3. The Perfect Exposure

Day with most Contacts

January 27 with the following articles (all this just a few hours after my son was born!):

1. Does Fujifilm Need Full Frame? Fujifilm GFX100S vs Sony A1 vs Canon R5 vs Nikon Z7II Specs Comparison
2. LIVE BLOG Starts NOW: Fujifilm GFX100S, GF80/1.7, X-E4, XF70-300, XF27/2.8II
3. Fujifilm X Summit WATCH LIVE – NOW on FujiRumors! – GFX100S, GF80/1.7, X-E4, XF70-300, XF27MKII
4. Fujifilm GFX100S has 16 Bit RAW and GF80mmF1.7 costs $2,299… or Setting Wrong Rumors Right (not Mine)
5. “Just Leak it!” or the True Story of the Fujirumors GFX100S Leaks ;)
6. New Firmware Updates for X100V, X-T30, and X-Pro3 Announced
7. Fujifilm launches mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100S”
8. Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens GF80mmF1.7 R WR
9. Fujifilm launches mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-E4”
10. Fujifilm launches “FUJINON XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR”
11. Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Most Clicked…

• Most Clicked Outgoing Link: SonyAlphaRumors
• Most Clicked Product: Fujifilm GFX100S at BHphoto
• Most Clicked FR social Media: FujiRumors on Facebook

Top 10 Articles of 2021

1. BREAKING: Fujifilm X-H2 Will Come in 2022 and be Worth the Wait
2. What We Expect to See from Fujifilm in 2021… and What Not!
3. Fujinon X Mount Roadmap 2021/2022 Updated with Latest Rumored Lenses
4. Fujifilm Releases Firmware Updates for GFX100/S (Blackmagic RAW), GFX50S/R, X-T4, X-T3, X-H1, X-Pro3, X100V, X-E4, X-T30
5. Fujifilm X-E4 Leaked: Images, Price and Press Release
6. While Sigma Sleeps, Tamron Confirms Three More Fujifilm X Mount Lenses Coming Next (11-20mmF2.8, 17-70mmF2.8 and ?)
7. BREAKING: No More Fujifilm X Series Camera Coming in 2021
8. BREAKING: Fujifilm X-H2 with 26 Megapixel coming 2022 (and Now the Big Question is…)
9. Fujifilm Product Timeline 2021/2022: About X-H2, GFX50SII, XF150-600 and More (And What Will NOT Come)
10. The Error Fujifilm is Doing (and Sony Not)

Fujifilm X-H2 Rumors Recap

Since apparently the topic of most interest also for 2022 is the Fujifilm X-H2, here is a recap of rumors we have shared so far in 2021.

• Fujifilm X-H2 coming 2022
• Fujifilm X-H2 will shoot 8K DCI/UHD
• Fujifilm X-H2 will cost less than $2,500 – and that’s a big deal
• Fujifilm X-H2 will be first X series camera to use new sensor and processor
• Fujifilm X-H2 with X-Trans sensor – any why this is good news – confirmed by Fujifilm
• 40 Megapixel sensor
• there will be 2 Fujifilm X-H2 cameras
• the two Fujifilm X-H2 cameras will have two different sensors
• one X-H2 has 40 megapixel, the other has another megapixel number
• second Fujifilm X-H2 will have 26 megapixel

And 2022…

… will be a whole lot of fun, trust me… just follow FR if you want to know more ;).

Social Media Boom

Our social media and pages have reached new heights compared to 2020.

• FujiRumors Facebook page – 66,250 followers
• FujiRumors Twitter page – 23,677 followers
• FujiRumors Instagram page – 15,812 followers

And also our facebook groups grew massively compared to 2020.

• Fujifilm X-T group – 68,300 members
• Fujifilm X100 group – 41,300 members
• Fujifilm Silm Simulation Group – 37,300 members
• Fujifilm GFX group – 30,300 members
• Fujifilm X-Pro group – 22,500 members
• Fujifilm X-H group – 16,700 members
• Fujifilm X-E group – 10,400 members
• Astrophotography with Fujifilm – 9,800 members
• Viltrox X mount lenses – 5,700 members
• Fujifilm X Mount Third party Autofocus Lenses – 4,700 members
• Fujifilm X-S group – 3,600 members