Fujifilm X-E3 Review and Some Considerations for X-E4

The Fujifilm X-E3 just hit the market, gets great reviews (including the Gold Award at dpreview), but of course no camera on earth is perfect. So Kevin Mullins already has some considerations for the Fujifilm X-E4… you will find it all in the X-E3 roundup down below… enjoy it.

Fujifilm X-E3: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, FocusCamera EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore

Fujifilm Keeps Struggling: X-S20 and X100VI Orders Stopped (Again) in Japan and More Manufacturing Struggles (Instax Wide 300 included)

Fujifilm keeps struggling with the manufacturing of their gear… over and over again.

Just in February, orders for the Fujifilm X-S20 resumed in Japan after an extended period of unavailability. However, recent reports indicate that the camera is once again not available for order.

Also the Fujifilm X100VI is experiencing order suspensions in Japanese stores, despite only recently becoming available for purchase on March 28th.

And this is just the top of the iceberg.

The Fujifilm X-T5 was unavailable for many months in Japan.

Cameras like the Fujifilm X-E4 have been unavailable for most of the time, which makes me wonder why Fujifilm even bothered launching it considering that they discontinued the X-E4 before even being able to ship out lots of units that people actually had on order. The only ones happy with this situation are those who are reselling it at a higher price than its original MSRP.

Lots of lenses also suffered the same shortage (and still do), such as the lovely XF27mmF2.8 R WR and the versatile XF70-300mmF4-5.6.

Also Instax suffers, with Fujifilm announcing the suspension of orders for the INSTAX WIDE 300 in Japan.

Look, not all companies get all things right all the time. And Fujifilm has done (and is doing) its errors too.

But arguably the biggest error that they have done in the last 4 years is not being able to figure out how to ramp up production and make sure to actually be able to deliver products that people order.

Sure, Fujifilm has looked into solution, but they were all insufficient.

Dear Fujifilm: there is no “cheap” solution like Blockchain or whatever. If you want to sell more, you need bigger production capability and more workers. That’s it.

via asobinet (X-S20) via digicame-info (X100VI)

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Fujifilm to Launch Three Cameras within First Half 2024 – But the Biggest Release is Another One ;)

Best News First: the Biggest Release is…

Yes, we are going to talk about the three cameras. But first you need to know this.

There is one release in just a couple weeks that will overshadow everything else Fujifilm will launch.

Well, at least for me.

Because my second son will be “released” in the next couple of weeks, too :)

But don’t worry guys.

There shouldn’t be any schedule conflict with the X Summit on February 20 (unlike with my first sons’ birth, when Fujifilm made its mega announcement literally just hours after he was born and I had to live blog right after I came home sleepless after his birth).

So I am ready to cover it all non-stop here on FujiRumors.

* NOTE: if on Feb.20 you decide to pre-order the X100VI using our affiliate links, FujiRumors will invest the earnings in diapers :)

Big 2024 Start Confirmed

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Fujifilm X100VI Coming with with REALA ACE Film Simulation… and About Reala Ace Being Possible only with GFX100II Sensor

The Fujifilm X100VI will be Fujifilm’s first APS-C camera to feature the new REALA ACE film simulation.

Some of you might think that’s an obvious rumor. But others might think it can’t be true.

And the reason why some might think it can’t be true, is because when the Fujifilm GFX100 II was launched, Fujifilm engineers said this during the X summit about the new Reala Ace film simulation:

The new GFX100II sensor is the best fit Reala Ace. Without this sensor, we are not able to realize REALA film simulation in it

But according to our sources, what Fujifilm said is not true. Or maybe Fujifilm just used a very unlucky and confusing formulation.

Because Fujifilm is able to realize Reala Ace also without the Fujifilm GFX100II sensor and the first camera (besides GFX100II) to have it will be the Fujifilm X100VI.

Maybe it would have been better phrased if Fujifilm would have said like back then during the Fujifilm GFX100S and Nostalgic Negative launch:

For nostalgic negative, Fujifilm needs large sensor. It can’t be implemented simply to APS-C. Fujifilm needs more time to develop Nostalgic Negative for the APS-C system.

Now let’s cross fingers that Reala Ace will come via firmware update also to all other 5th generation Fujifilm cameras.

Film Simulation Articles

Watch the Video for Great Landscape and Sunrise on the Dolomites

Fujifilm X100V Discontinued at Several Stores: Giving Up on X100V Delivery and Getting Ready for Fujifilm X100VI?

Fujifilm Gives Up on X100V

Japanese stores are usually the first to mark items as discontinued or in general giving us indications on what’s happening with certain gear.

The X-T4, X-E4, GFX100, XF56/F1.2 and much more gear got first marked as discontinued in Japan before anywhere else on the world.

And today we get another significant hint: many stores in Japan have now completely delisted the Fujifilm X100V from their stores, such as Map Camera, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera. Some stores mark it as “we finished sale“.

It looks like Fujifilm has at this point just given up delivering all those Fujifilm X100V people have still on order, at least in Japan.

And it’s not the first time: the same thing happened with the Fujifilm X-E4, where lots of people had one on order, patiently waited to get it shipped, but then out of nowhere Fujifilm canceled all orders and discontinued the X-E4.

The Last Samples

In USA the Fujifilm X100V is still listed at stores.

At Amazon you can find some samples in stock (at the time of this post), but at a higher price.

But I guess it won’t take long at this point that also US stores will mark the Fujifilm X100V as discontinued.

A Bad Move?

The X100V is huge missed opportunity for Fujifilm. They could have made tons of money with it, but just were incapable of manufacturing enough sample to meet even a small fraction of its massive demand.

To me it looks like Fujifilm just gave up on shipping the X100V at this point.

My guess (not rumor) is that they decided to use all the parts they have still available for X100V and re-use whatever they can of those pieces for the manufacturing of the Fujifilm X100VI (for example the lens, which is the same on both cameras).

I am not sure this is a smart move: I mean, give up on lots of money you can make right now in the hope to make money with another model in future. The best solution would have been to just finally solve that chronic parts issue, which other manufacturers seem to have fixed but Fujifilm still struggles a lot with.

Cosina Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical Lens Announced – First Look and Samples

Cosina has just announced the Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical lens, which will be released in February exclusively for Fujifilm X mount. It comes with electronic contacts (but no AF). Full product page below.

Definitely in line in terms of looks and feel with the lovely Voigtländer ULTRON 27mm F2.

Usually the first to get new Voigtländer lenses for shipping is Voigtlander USA Distributor CameraQuest, which should list this lens for sale soon at their Amazon Storefront page.

There is already a first look with sample images available at fujifanboys here.

Full Product Page + Compatible Fujifilm Cameras

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A Look at Fujifilm 2024 :: It’s Over in 2023 :: Managers Talk Kaizen and X-E Line Future :: Gear Shipping Struggles and More :: Top 10 October Articles

Here are the top 10 articles for October.

  1. Fujifilm 2024: A Look Ahead Between Rumors and Speculations (X-Pro4, X100R, X-E5, X-T40, New XF Lenses, GFX Future)
  2. Fujifilm Manager: The End of Entry Level (X-E line?), X100V Successor, APS-C and GFX Full Frame Alternative, Market Share and More
  3. Fujifilm Manager Talk Kaizen, Telephoto Lenses, Why not Full Frame, X-E series Future, X100 Line and More
  4. RUMOR: Fujifilm X100V Successor Coming with a “New” Lens in Early 2024
  5. It’s Over my Friends: No More X or GFX Related Announcements This Year
  6. Fujifilm Digital Camera Sales Suspension Notice and Fujifilm Japan Apology
  7. SIGMA 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary: Ultra Compact Wide Angle Zoom for Fujifilm X
  8. Fujifilm X-E4 Second Hand Price Higher than Original Launch Price
  9. The Latest X Series Reviews: Sigma 10-18mmF2.8, Fujinon XF8mmF3.5, Fujifilm X-S20, X-H2, X-H2S, X-T5
  10. EXCLUSIVE: This is Fujifilm’s Next XF Lens!

For personal reasons I was not able to make videos this month, nor to really work full power on the rumors and the blog in general. Sometimes life has other plans and sets other priorities.

Good news: an important medical check just a few days ago went well, so now it’s time for me to crawl out of my hole and gain back the energy to give you guys what you deserve: rumors!

So stay tuned… I am back ;).

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm Manager: The End of Entry Level (X-E line?), X100V Successor, APS-C and GFX Full Frame Alternative, Market Share and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

The French website Phototrend had the opportunity to interview Franck Bernard, Director of the imaging division at Fujifilm France. You can read the full interview here and the summary below.

  • Fujifilm GFX100II and the new GF lenses were well received
  • Fujifilm’s strategy is to grip full frame between their APS-C and Medium Format bodies
  • When asked if X-H2S is popular among sports photographers, the manager said that the road is long. It’s not only a question of having the best product, but also of having the entire ecosystem
  • Overall market share in France? As far as hybrid cameras goes (full frame excluded), Fujifilm is market leader with 26% over the last 12 months
  • X-T5 is the best seller followed by X-T30II and X-S20/X-S10
  • the photo market is sustainable and will always remain so
  • smartphones accelerate the demand for cameras because at some point people will want to use a real camera for better quality
  • it’s too early to talk about an X100V successor
  • It has now been 3 years since the X100V was released and Fujifilm does not have a fixed renewal cycle forcing them to change bodies every three years
  • the demand for X100V is still high
  • “If we have decided to stop entry-level products such as X-T200 or X-E4, it is because it is not promising as a market“
  • but Fujifilm wants to keep more affordable models in the lineup (see X-T30)
  • third party lenses can have negative effect on Fujinon lens sales, but Fujifilm thinks they have the quality to compete with Sigma, Tamron and Co
  • Fujifilm is neutral in regards to third party lenses. They don’t oppose nor push them and they respect them

I’d like to make some considerations.

Fujifilm X-E Line

The French manager hinted that they dropped the X-E line, but that pretty much does not fit with the hints recently a Japanese Fujifilm manager gave us here. And also Fuji Guy Billy mentioned here the X-E line as a line that would continue (unlike X-T***, X-A* lines, which btw were just Fujifilm branded Xacti cameras since a long time anyway, as we reported here).

Fujifilm X100V successor

No, it’s not too early to talk about it.

Third party Lenses

The French Fujifilm manager said they are neutral towards third party lenses. Although I remember Fujifilm managers inviting Sigma managers and talking about Sigma lenses for example here. So this gives me the impression Fujifilm is quite positive overall towards third party lenses.

The French manager said they think they have the quality to compete with third party lenses. This depends. The newest third party lenses from Viltrox & Co are quite phenomenal for the price. Maybe here and there they might not match the quality of the top of the line most modern Fujinon XF lenses, but there are quality options also from third parties.

The real and most important factors, for me, to use as much as possible native Fujinon lenses are two:

  • lots of third party lenses do not have an aperture ring
  • color consistency among Fujinon glass. And since a Film Simulation are a big deal for me, I like Velvia & Co to look consistent across the various lenses I use. There are for example third party lenses, like my manual focus Samyang 12mmF2, that are very lovely, but the colors they give me are not the ones I consistently get with my Fujinon lenses.

These are for me the two main reasons why I mostly stick with Fujinon XF and GF glass, although I own third party lenses for both systems, too.

My Personal Gear

Voigtländer NOKTON 50mm f/1.2 Available for Pre-Order

The Cosina Voigtländer 50mm f/1.2 is now available for pre-order at BHphoto here.

The Fujifilm cameras that support the electronic contacts with this lens are:

  • X-H2S
  • X-H2
  • X-Pro3
  • X-T5
  • X-S20
  • X-S10
  • X-H1
  • X-T4
  • X-T3
  • X-T2*
    *When using the X-T2, the aperture value can be displayed in Fno by changing the aperture value display setting from TNo to FNo in the body settings.
  • X-T30
  • X-T30II
  • X-E4

Not Supported Cameras

  • X-T1
  • X-T20
  • X-T10
  • X-T200
  • X-T100
  • X-Pro2
  • X-Pro1
  • X-E3
  • X-E2
  • X-E1
  • X-M1
  • X-A7
  • X-A5
  • X-A3
  • X-A2
  • X-A1

List of Voigtländer lenses for Fujifilm:

Additional Details

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Fujifilm GFX100 II Look Up Table (LUT) Input Device Transform (IDT) for F-Log for F-Log and F-Log 2 Now Available

Overview

This LUT file and IDT file is to edit the movie data below when the data is edited by a movie editor on your PC or Mac.

<F-Log 3D-LUT file / F-Log IDT file>
* F-Log movie data recorded with GFX100 II, GFX100S, GFX100, X-E4, X-S10, X-S20, X-T30 II, X-T30, X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-T5, X-Pro3, X-H1, X-H2S, X-H2 and X100V
<F-Log2 3D-LUT file / F-Log2 IDT file >
* F-Log2 movie data recorded with GFX100 II, X-H2S, X-H2, X-T5 and X-S20.

Download

F-Log 3D-LUT file / F-Log IDT file / F-Log Data sheet

Last updated: 9.12.2023
F-Log_LUT_E_Ver.1.26.zip [11.8MB]
*Decompress the “F-Log_LUT_E_Ver.1.26.zip” file and launch “.cube” file from a movie editor.
Last updated: 9.12.2023
F-Log_IDT_Ver.1.00.zip[8.0KB] 
Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log_DataSheet_E_Ver.1.1.pdf [192KB]

F-Log2 3D-LUT file / F-Log2 IDT file / F-Log2 Data sheet

Last updated: 9.12.2023
F-Log2_LUT_E_Ver.104.zip [2.5MB]
*Decompress the “F-Log_LUT２_E_Ver.1.04.zip” file and launch “.cube” file from a movie editor.
Last updated: 9.12.2022
F-Log2_IDT_Ver.1.00.zip[8.0KB]
Last updated: 6.16.2022
F-Log2_DataSheet_E_Ver.1.0.pdf [120KB]

The Latest GFX Gear