News is news, so I share it. But I wrote a very informative piece about these awards in the past. So, if you want to read how the business around (some of these) awards goes, check out this article.
Fujifilm wins the internationally prestigious Red Dot Design Award with 23 products
– In recognition of good design quality and functionality in products of various business fields – High precision lens film for inkjet printing is awarded the “Innovative Product Award,” given to products with outstanding innovation potential
DPReview published a list of 5 reason, why Fujifilm won’t make a full frame X100 camera.
A larger sensor would add size and weight, mitigating a major X100 selling point
Such a product would cost a lot to develop and manufacture
The result would be a very expensive camera – reducing its potential audience
A move to full-frame would annoy and worry existing loyal Fujifilm APS-C customers. Also, if Fujifilm announces any full frame camera, could look like a massive vote of no confidence in APS-C
The risk of cannibalization within existing lineups is too great
And what about a medium format X100 then? DPR writes:
So might Fujifilm build a medium-format X100? There’s an argument to be made that it makes sense in a way that full-frame just doesn’t. Medium format would offer an increase in potential image quality over full-frame (albeit relatively modest – about 2/3EV), a significant leap in image quality over APS-C, it’s a major part of Fujifilm’s brand identity, and the larger format is a key differentiator for Fujifilm compared to competitive manufacturers.
Well, I won’t enter the argument about the “relatively modest” advantage of the Fujifilm GFX over full frame. This is a thesis DPR started pushing back in 2017, and FujiRumors comprehensively answered it in the article “DPReview Recommends 3 Full Frame Cameras Combined over 1 Fujifilm GFX“. Also, in the meantime something called Fujifilm GFX100 hit the market, with the newest sensor technology.
For the rest, the whole 5 reason list makes sense. Check out the full in-depth article at dpreview.
And one could also add one more ;)
full frame offers a “relatively modest” advantage over APS-C, and also has a couple of disadvantages over APS-C, that you can read here
Popular photography industry insiders, claimed that APS-C is the actual sensor size sweet spot. Keep in mind, they said “sweet spot“, not “automatically the best tool for everybody“.
And to be clear: we apply the conversion to the f-stop, only to indicate the equivalent shallow depth of field, and not the light gathering capabilities of the lens itself, which remains the one mentioned on the lens (with the consequences we told you here).
We also find a lovely Fujinon GF 30mm f/3.5 lens, which Fujifilm says is meant for street and landscape photography, be very sharp and also focus fast.
Above you can see a size comparison provided by Fujifilm. The Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 is 20% smaller and will weight under 800g, as opposed to the GF110mm f/2, which weights 1010g.
The picture above also shows the GF80mm f/1.7 mounted on the Fujifilm GFX100.
Fujifilm gave us some indications on what the differences between both lenses are.
The Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 will have a very creamy and softer bokeh compared to the one on the Fujinon GF 110mm f/2. Different bokeh quality for different tastes.
Also, due to its more compact nature, the Fujinon GF80mm f/1.7 is good for outside and active shooting, whereas the GF110mm f/2 instead is better suited for studio.
I decided to compare the Fujinon GF80mm f/1.7 to its closes in terms of focal length, the Fujinon GF110mm f/2 and the GF63mm f/2.8.
One of the ways to deal with the waiting, is to just read and watch everything X-T4 related. Luckily I manage 4 languages, so I have lots of content to enjoy :).
I will happily share with you some of the content I check out myself, and here is a next X-T4 roundup.
Down below you’ll see:
and interview with a Fujifilm manager, who talks about X-T4 and among the other says that the improved AF tracking was made possible “by using color and shape information to be able to track something moving“
did Camera Conspiracies find the prefect camera? He compares IBIS with the Sony A6600 and the Panasonic G85.
Gerald Undone first look
Linus Tech Tips (10 mln subs) launched a new separate channel, where his main videographer Brandon reviews X-T4
The Art of Photography talks about X-T4 video capabilities
Forged in the North short Fujifilm X-T4 handheld video
Cinema5D mini documentary “Arisa” shot entirely on X-T4. Interesting to note: he experienced autofocus issues in very low light when shooting F-Log. He contacted Fujifilm, who recommended him not to use continuous AF and F-Log in very low light conditions.
Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fuji_Rumors (@fuji_rumors) am
Back in mid January, I wrote this article, where I told you that my best friend asked me to photograph his wedding.
Well, actually not his entire wedding.
There is an official photographer, but he will stay only until dinner. He will then leave, and my friend asked me if I can cover it from dinner onwards.
So I asked you…
… in order to be ready for the shoot, any tips and tricks, also from a gear point of view?
The article received a massive response with over 230 comments.
I did read them all, but was not able to reply to all of them, as then all the mega buzz started for the X100V announcement and the Fujifilm X-T4 rumors. Not to talk that January is always extremely busy also at school, and now in February I started a video project, which takes lots of time, too.
So I thought I post one big response article now, that touches three main points: the gear, how I should relate with the official photographer and something that came unexpected for me: the risk to destroy my friendship.
The CP+ in Japan has just been canceled due to the coronavirus. You can read more here.
Also, a FR-reader informed me (thanks), that after many years, Fujifilm will not be at the WPPI wedding & portrait show in Las Vegas. I checked, and indeed they do not show up in the exhibitors list. There will, though, a Fujifilm rep at the B&C Camera booth.
I still remember, when back in August 2017, I shared a rumor, that many of you thought is wrong, but it turned out correct: Fujifilm will remove the D-Pad from the Fujifilm X-E3.
Since then, many Fujifilm cameras saw the loss of the D-Pad:
As you probably know by now (if not, do your homework and check back the X100V live blogging ;) ), the Fujifilm X100V has a new XF23mm f/2 lens, that definitely delivers a significant improvement over the previous lens, which was designed for the 12 megapixel original X100.
Finally Fujifilm updated it. And they did a pretty damn good job.
One of the burning questions in the Fujifilm community, is if Sigma (and other third party lens manufacturers), will at some point in time offer Fujifilm X mount lenses.
Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki touched this topic a couple of times, and here is what he said among the others:
read here – Fujifilm Customers Would be Our Ideal Customer, but Fujifilm Does Not Disclose Their Protocols
So it seems Sigma passed the ball to Fujifilm. It’s up to Fujifilm to offer cooperation. But Fuji’s official response is:
read here – Fujifilm does not need to share X mount protocols with third-parties, since we offer already lots of glass
So, Fujifilm isn’t making things easier for Sigma, to offer X mount glass.
Now, in an interview published a couple of days ago, the Sigma CEO was asked the Fujifilm X mount lens question again. And his answer is as follows:
I am aware of this kind of demand from customers. One of our missions is to support as many systems as possible, so I’d like to support also Fujifilm X mount, but our engineering resources are limited, so we need to prioritize projects, depending on the demand from the customers. I’d like to make Fujifilm X mount lenses, but right now I have many other projects I need to prioritize.
It would be nice if Fujifilm would make life to Sigma easier, by sharing their protocols. But as the situation is now, I think we can put any dreams for Sigma X mount glass aside.
But the ranking might be “drugged”, as the silver Fujifilm X100V will ship 1 month earlier than the black Fujifilm X100V. So people might have grabbed the silver one, to get it earlier.
And now my theory:
I find some Fujifilm cameras look better in silver, whereas others in black. I never knew why. But one day I got the illumination, and I found the answer.
Rangefinder styled Fujifilm cameras with optical viewfinder look better in silver (such as X100V), whereas Fujifilm cameras without optical viewfinder look better in black (such as X-E3).
Of course this is just my personal taste. But I noticed this pattern in my taste. Don’t know if it’s the same also for you.
With that said, frankly both colors look awesome on the Fujifilm X100V.