I’m getting a lot of images about the upcoming Fujinon XF 8-16mmF2.8 and XF 200mmF2, which I’m happy to share with all of you guys.
UPDATE: Fujikina Report at the Japanese site dc.watch (translation), also with hands on images on the latest Fuji gear, for example the GF250/4 here. (thanks Mistral)
And don’t forget… the big FujiRumors live blogging will continue NON STOP the whole day and bring you all the latest updates, reviews, hands on images and videos.
– The Fujifilm GFX is like your old SLR + example shots at Palle Schultz Youtube: “When you see the files that come out of it, there is really nothing to complain about. There is only one thing you can complaint about while using the GFX, and that is the photographer, because the GFX will show if the photographer is not good, but the GFX will help you to do the best that you can be. […] the files are so big, that you don’t want to fill up your hard disk too fast. So I slowed down, and I asked my models to slow down, and take fewer pictures, but better. With the GFX you concentrate more, and take that one picture that you want“. Check out also the AWESOME images at the end of the video (music in the background played by Palle Schultz himself)
– Potraits on FUJI GFX 50S, 120mm F4 Macro and 63mm F2.8 by Baljit Singh Deo at baldeo. Another set of stunning images.
Both, Palle Schultz and Baljit Singh Deo are members of our 10,200+ members strong Fujifilm GFX facebook group, share their work with the GFX 50s there and are always open to discuss it with the members. I really love to see how this group is growing together and how much enthusiasm there is for the GFX… and for photography in general.
We also offer a GFX tailored news/rumors stream at our Fujifilm GFX facebook page. You won’t miss a single GFX tidbit by following it.
Lenstip just shared their Fujinon XF50mmF2 WR review, and it’s an extremely positive one.
Pros:
handy but solid and weather-sealed casing,
brilliant image quality in the frame centre,
good image quality on the edge of the frame,
negligible spherical aberration,
low lateral chromatic aberration,
sensible coma correction,
negligible astigmatism,
sensible performance against bright light,
silent, sensibly quick and accurate autofocus on the X-T2 body.
Cons:
some problems with the longitudinal chromatic aberration,
visible vignetting on RAW files.
Conclusion: “An excellent lens – those words would be enough. Still, to make our summary more eloquent we have to add that for a very decent price you get a lens sensationally sharp in the frame centre, small, lightweight, weather-sealed and produced in Japan. It didn’t avoid some flaws but they aren’t very important and don’t change our assessment in any way. A round of applause, Fuji!”
And now also the XF50mmF2 can be found in stock, for example at AmazonUS. They also had the X100F and X-T20 in stock earlier today, but they sold out quickly.
CineD is giving an opportunity for 2 shooters to join their NAB 2024 team and win a set of X-H2S and XF18-120mm lens each (Worth $3,390). A 5 stars hotel for 4 nights and $100 allowance per day is also provided. What is not covered is a flight ticket or any other means of transportation. (So this initiative is best suited for those who were considering to go to NAB 2024 anyway). Check out all details at CineD here.
At the last CP+, the French Website Phototrend had the opportunity to talk to Japanese Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the X series and to Japanese Fujifilm manager Makoto Oishi about the GFX series.
Down below you can find a quick summary. For the full French version check out the articles at Phototrend here (X series) and here (GFX series). Plus a little rant at the end.
X series
Fujifilm can not confirm if X-Pro4 will arrive soon or not
X-Pro line is not stopped
X-T and X100 series do not satisfy all customers who want a “pure photography” experience
Fujifilm is studying different possibilities
feedback and expectations are high for the next X-Pro
X-E line is not stopped
sports photography is a difficult market
other brands are long established there and for Fujifilm it’s new terrain
Fujifilm can not confirm anything about eventual future lenses for sport photographers
Fujifilm has received great feedback about the latest autofocus system, but they will continue to improve
renewing older lenses is something that Fujifilm has in mind
XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 [admin note: will replace the XF18-55mmF2.4.8]
Fujifilm is not considering any option other than X-Trans for their APS-C cameras
its unique matrix offers the advantage of combining high definition and suppression of moiré and chromatic aberrations
for X100VI, Fujifilm has developed the smallest and thinnest IBIS unit to date
the X100VI IBIS wiring has been moved to the side – see here
IBIS system uses data from the image in addition to the gyroscope (motion blur is analyzed from the live-view image)
the grip of the X100VI is a tenth of a millimeter deeper than X100V for a better grip
GFX series
GFX100II market return (sales) is very good, not only among professional photographers, but also filmmakers and directors
GFX100II sales exceed Fujifilm’s expectations
GFX100S is still very popular because Fujifilm has lowered its price
GFX100S still very popular in some markets like China
professionals go for GFX100II, enthusiasts for GFX100S
Fujifilm never looked at its market share in medium format segment
other manufacturers have no announced so many new products, so Fujifilm thinks they are Nr.1
some expect a faster 50MP GFX. But Fujifilm thinks high definition is more popular
there are lots of FF cameras offering 50/60 megapixel, so offering 50MP now has become almost banal
Fujifilm focuses on improving the 100MP sensor performance
for professionals ergonomics are very important
first GFX cameras had dedicated dials but now they switched to a easier to operate PSAM dial layout
normally APS-C lenses are compact than FF and MF (hence also smaller AF motors)
but regarding telephoto lenses, size primarily depends on diameter and aperture. Regardless of whether it’s for APS-C, FF or MF, the fundamental construction of telephoto lenses, particularly on the front lens side, is the same
Fujifilm tries to make the GF500mm as small and light as possible to obtain faster autofocus
tilt-shift lenses are the most difficult to design
why not retro? High end high speed cameras need to be operated quickly, hence PSAM. Also good for hybrid shooters for video
Let me just say that I strongly, vehemently, vigorously and fervidly disagree with Fujifilm in regards to what they said why they stick with PSAM on their GFX lineup.
First: the GFX system is not know to be blazing fast and immensely popular among high end sports photographers. I actually feel the GFX system would be the ideal system to use a retro layout.
They will find out that one can operate their retro styled cameras exactly as any PSAM camera out there. It’s a marvellous and ingenious design that gives us photographer the best of both words: retro if I want to have fun shooting or want to actually operate the camera already before turning it on, and PSAM if one needs to make lots of adjustment all the time on the fly.
Retro Fujifilm cameras offer both options. PSAM cameras force you into one way to operate the camera.
And in my opinion not offering retro styled GFX cameras anymore is one of the all time biggest mistakes Fujifilm is doing.
C’mon Fujifilm, look at what is selling best in your X system. You’ll see that retro X cameras outsell PSAM cameras by very far. And Nikon had a colossal success with the Nikon Zf lately. It’s clear that in times where every camera is just so good, what people really look for is to have a different photographic experience thanks to dedicated vintage dials.
The joy of shooting sells better than any specs boost you can show off on paper.
An example?
The X100VI sells like hot cakes. The revolutionary global shutter ultra modern high speed blazing fast Sony A9III is selling way below Sony’s expectations (you could always find it in stock everywhere all the time because demand is not high… ask your local retailer).