Special Father’s Day Sale at BHphoto! You can save additional 4% on the top of the already great Fuji X Deals.

Lenses

XF 14mm (save $400): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 16mm (save $300): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
XF 18mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 23mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 27mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 35mmF1.4 (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 35mmF2 (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
XF 56mmF1.2 APD (save $400): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 56mmF1.2 (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 60mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 90mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
XF 10-24mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 16-55mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 50-140mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
XF 50-140mmm + 1.4xTC (save $349): BHphoto / AmazonUS
XF 18-135mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 100-400mm + 1.4xTC (save $349): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
XF 55-200mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline
XC 50-230mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
XC 50-230mm verII (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama

Camera

Fuji X-T1 Black or Graphite Silver (save $300) + Free VG-XT1* (save $200) : BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
Fuji X-T1 + XF18-55 (save $300) + Free VG-XT1* (save $200) : BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
Fuji X-T1 + XF18-135 (save $300) + Free VG-XT1* (save $200) : BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama

*Free X-T1 Vertical Hand Grip while supplies last

Fuji X-T10 body (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
Fuji X-T10 – XF18-55 (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
Fuji X-T10 – XC16-50 (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama
Fuji X-T10 + double kit (save $200): BHphoto / Adorama

Fuji X100T (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / FocusCamera / Pictureline

Go to Minute 20:00 of the video for Tony’s Prediction about the Mirrorless Future

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Out Of the Dark

Anyone out there, who, like me, switched to the X-system very early?

Then you’ll remember how in the first years, every financial Report of Fujifilm said the imaging division is losing money. In the first 2 years of existence, Fujifilm sold only 700,000 X-series cameras! (src- New York Times)… not really exciting numbers!

So we are all happy to read in the latest reports, that the X-series system, despite being still a niche, is selling better, and, along with the Instax World, is pushing Fujifilm’s imaging division into profits.

The New Lens Strategy

It was mainly the X-T1, to give Fujifilm hope that the dark times are over. But in the last months, there is also one lens, that is making Fujifilm very happy: the Fujifilm XF35mmF2 WR (which for a limited time costs only $299 at BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama)

The success of the XF35mmF2 WR was far beyond any expectation. I mean, who would have bet that it would become such a best seller, when there are already two faster and great X-mount primes covering that focal length, the XF35mmF1.4 and the Zeiss 32mmF1.8?

But it happened… the 35mmF2 is selling like hot cakes and therefore made Fujifilm rethink their lens strategy! Smaller & Cheaper… that’s where the money is!

So here is a Recap of what changed in Fuji’s Lens Strategy:

• SMALLER: the XF120mm will be dropped and Fuji will make a smaller and OIS-less XF80mm Marcro lens – Rumor here
• SLOWER: Fujifilm has no hurry anymore to release the XF33mmF1.0 – Post here
• WEATHER RESITANT: the upcoming small and cheap lenses will be weather resistant, just like the 23mmF2 – Rumor here
• CHEAPER: there will be a XF50mmF2 lens, basically a cheaper version of the XF56mm and Zeiss 50mm – Rumor here

And where is the 200mm, huh? Or something even longer? Or a nice tilt-shift lens? And why not step on gas and give us a prestige lens like the ultra-fast XF33mmF1.0 now?

The answer is easy: they won’t sell good. These are niche lenses within the already contained Fuji X-series market and will hardly give Fuji the same profits like the XF35mmF2 WR currently does.

The Final Mirrorless Battle

As you can see in the Video I’ve shared above, Tony Northrup is confident: some MILC makers will fall, but Fujifilm will Survive the Mirrorless Battle.

A battle, that is already going on, and made his first “victim”: Samsung! And you can bet that others will follow in the next few years.

Will the next one be the Micro Four Thirds system, as Kai from DigitalRev thinks here? Or maybe even Fuji itself, if they can’t make the big breakthrough and finally go mainstream? And how sustainable is Sony’s business strategy? Will they really be able to keep up developing cameras and lenses for APS-C, Full Frame and maybe even Medium Format all at the same time? And how competitive will Canikon’s mirrorless offer be in future?

I don’t know what will happen, but if lenses like the 35mmF2, 23mmF2, 50mmF2 will help Fujifilm to grow and make more profits, then let them come… the mirrorless battle just started, and the more X-shooters there are out there (and the more they invest into the system), the brighter Fuji’s future will be.

Our source was spot on (thanks). Just as rumored here, the New Fujifilm Firmware Updates have just been released.

Go to the Fuji Support Page here and download the firmware for your cameras/lenses.

CAMERAS

X-Pro2, X-Pro1, X-T1/X-T1 GS, X-T10, X-E2S, X-E2, X-E1,

• Enhances the accuracy of Manual focus adjustment
• X-Pro2 Only: The phenomenon below that occurs on rare occasions is fixed. –
  Horizontal lines appears on LCD or EVF when Auto-rotate playback.
  TURN OFF THE CAMERA AND TURN ON AGAIN.” message is displayed right after shooting.

LENSES

XF35mmF2 R WR, XF90mmF2, XF10-24mmF4, XF16-55mmF2.8, XF18-55mm, XF18-135mm, XF50-140mmF2.8, XF55-200mm, XF100-400mm , XC16-50mm, XC50-230mm

• Enhances the accuracy of Manual focus adjustment
• Improvement of OIS function
• Addition of compatibility with “XF2 X TC WR”

Top 7 Things You  Need for Your Summer Travels

The summer break is near. Here are Top 7 Things I consider essential for travelling!

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NUMBER 1

CHARGING SOLUTION! While travelling, it’s handy to have multiple batteries with you…. batteries that need to be charged after a long day of shooting. I highly recommend you to grab the PowerCube (Winner of the Red Dot Award). This little cube allows you to charge your batteries, notbooks as well as smartphone and tablets using just one single wall socket, since it provides 4 additional outlets and 2 USB ports!

PowerCube: USA:  AmazonUS, BHphoto, [shoplink 45755 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] CAN: AmazonCA EU: [shoplink 45755 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], AmazonDE, AmazonUK, AmazonITA, AmazonES, AmazonFR

Coupled with this little Adapter, that helps you to get rid of all the cables, you will get rid of all the charging problems.

For the Best Third Party Batteries check out this Blog Post.

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NUMBER 2

TRAVEL TRIPOD: There are many options, and the choice is not easy. How much should you pay for it?

If you are not that kind of guy, who worries about gear getting stolen, then just grab the ultimate travel tripod, the Gitzo Carbon Travel Tripod… build to last forever. But there are cheaper options, that still do their job just fine.

BHphoto has an excellent overview on Travel Tipods here. I’ll list the best option (Gitzo) and a more affordable one (Manfrotto). I personally use the Sirui T-025x and I consider it fantastic value for the money. Feel Free to add your own suggestion in the comments.

• Gitzo GK1555T-82TQD Series 1: USA: AmazonUS, BHphoto, [shoplink 46012 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Adorama CAN: AmazonCA EU: [shoplink 46012 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], AmazonDE, AmazonUK, AmazonIT, AmazonES, AmazonFR
• Manfrotto BeFree Compact Travel Aluminum Alloy Tripod: USA: AmazonUS, BHphoto, [shoplink 45757 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Adorama CAN: AmazonCA EU: [shoplink 45757 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], AmazonDE, AmazonUK, AmazonIT, AmazonES, AmazonFR

And after the Fujifilm EF-X500 delay (report here), we now have another very nice flash for the Fuji X-system, that has been postponed: the Nissin i60!

It was originally planed to hit the market in mid June (report here), but has now been postponed to late July, according to BHphoto. But maybe that’s a bit too optimisitc. Nissin officially said the Sony Version will be available in August (via SonyAlphaRumors).

Product Highlights

• Nissin Air 2.4 GHz Radio TTL System
• Compatible with Fujifilm TTL
• Guide Number: 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
• Zoom Range: 24-200mm (16mm with Panel)
• LED Video Light; Color LCD Screen
• Tilts Upward 90°
• Rotates Left & Right 180°
• Recycle Time: 0.1-5.5 Seconds
• Slow, High-Speed, 1st & 2nd Curtain Sync
• Runs on 4 AA Batteries or External Pack