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Using Firmware 4

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Using Firmware 4

by Rico Pfirstinger

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Today, Fujifilm announced another major firmware revision for the X-T1: Version 4 introduces a new autofocus system with zones and object tracking based on pattern recognition. It’s also faster and more accurate, and it’s easier to use. Over the past weeks, I was able to gather practical experience with several work-in-progress versions of what’s coming in late June. I am happy to share these experiences in this article.

U.S. workshop is happening!

Before we begin, I’d like to respond to more than two dozen inquiries I have received regarding the proposed Fuji X Secrets workshops in Santa Barbara, CA. Here’s the deal: It’s happening! There will be a 2-day workshop on the weekend of July 18 and 19 at the offices of Rocky Nook (my publisher), and those of you who have already contacted me via email will get a heads-up to register before everyone else. For the best possible learning effect, only 8 places will be available, so if you haven’t already contacted me to express your interest, now is your last chance to do so. You can find out more about my workshops and my contact information here.

Minor and major improvements

Firmware 4 offers several improvements with regards to usability, such as exposure compensation in manual mode with Auto-ISO, expanding the T setting on the shutter dial to cover the full range of available shutter speeds (30s – 1/32000s), getting rid of the macro button (you may want to reassign the button to select the new AF modes), displaying finer gridlines that obscure less of the actual scene, or replacing the term Silent Mode with something we can actually understand.

However, the most significant innovation in firmware 4 is the new autofocus system: It includes improved single-point focussing, introduces new zone focussing and finally offers “real” subject tracking over the entire sensor area. Click here for an overview of what’s new in firmware 4.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

See Fuji’s Future through the FujiRumors Crystal Ball: Huge 2015 Rumor Overview, Facts Check and Reliability Rating!

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Many of you asked me to introduce a FR1 to FR5 rating system like on all the other rumor sites, but I honestly don’t like rumor ratings. Here is why:

As you might know, in 2014 I’ve shared 74 correct rumors (82% hit rate). Many of them came from new or anonymous sources. So, just because a rumor comes from a new/anonymous source, it doesn’t mean it is wrong or has a low credibility.

Sure, I receive also plenty of fake rumors shared by people, who apparently do not like FujiRumors for some reason, but I was able to debunk almost all of them… so all those fake rumors luckily never went online (it would be a long, fun list to publish one day)!

Also, consider that many rumors have been shared several months (and even over a year) before the real product hit the market. For example, FR-sources shared already in July 2014, that the X-PRO2 will feature a 24MP sensor (and I’m confident that this rumor is correct).

Such Super Early Leaks can often be a problem for FR, because products that were really in Fuji’s plans at the moment when the rumor was shared, were dropped by Fuji later on (see X70, dual card slot for X-T1 and more). So it happens that correct rumors turn out to be wrong at the end… sh*t happens ;) .

That being said, I understand your need of a rating within this rumor jungle. Therefore, once or twice a year, I sum up all the rumors and try to order them according to their reliability. The list includes also rumors shared in 2014 which are still not verified.

This is also the occasion for me to say a BIG THANK YOU to all sources, who shared right rumors in the past years. I think 82% is an good hit rate for a rumor site, and it would not be possible without your amazing help…. we are all looking forward to hear more from you :) .

cheers,
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN

HIGH RATING

– Fujifilm X-PRO2 coming “late 2015“ (shared 13 January 2015)
– Fuji X-PRO2 will be 4K capable
– X-PRO2 will have new processor EXR III (shared on March 10)
– Fujifilm X-PRO2 will have 1/8000 mechanical shutter speed
– A New X-camera will be Announced in May
– X-PRO2 with APS-C sensor
– No more X-PRO1S, all R&D placed into the X-PRO2
– Fujifilm Flash will come in spring 2015, guide no. 50 and wireless control
– New Fuji flash with remote communication, HSS etc. available within late 2014 early 2015
– Fujifilm X-T10 to be announced Mid-May
– X-T10 announcement May 18
– The mysterious new entry-level? A cheaper version of the Fujfilm X-T1 coming this year (shared 12 January 2015)
– Downspec’d Fujifilm X-T1 to be called… Fujifilm X-T10
– Fujiiflm X-T10 – No weather sealing & smaller EVF
– Fujifilm X-T10 coming late spring/early summer
– Fujifilm X-T10: Some Design Changes over X-T1, SLR shape, Black and Silver version for the same price!
– Fujifilm X-T10 to be announced in May
– Fujifilm X-T10: Body Price between 700 and 800. Kit with 16-50 or 18-55! No dedicated PASM dial.
– ** FIRST FUJI X-T10 IMAGE LEAKED ** SEE NOW the Worldwide FIRST IMAGE of the Fujifilm X-T10!
– Two small dials under the X-T10 Drive and Shutter dial: One to enable flash, and one to switch to Full Auto Mode (with scene recognition)

MEDIUM RATING

– X-PRO2 Sync Speed faster than 1/180th
– X-PRO2 with 24MP
– New Firmware with Improved AutoFocus for X-T1 coming in May (probably 11th of May)
– Fujifilm X-T1 Better AutoFocus coming in May with Firmware Ver. 4.0
– Fuji Flash made with METZ, ABC grouping, off shoe TTL
– X-T10 no ISO dial, EVF size about the same of X-E2, build in flash, kit lens will be an XC lens
– Fujifilm X-T10 will feature a Function Dial (CH, CL, BKT…) instead of ISO-Dial!
– Fuji X-T1 Firmware ver. 4.0 to be announced in May but released in June!

LOW RATING

– XF 90mm will come in July
– Fujifilm plans a Super Fast F/1.0 lens!
– X-PRO2 version with bigger sensor ( ≈ 1.3x crop), compatible with existing lenses
– Fuji working on bigger sensor camera. Some XF lenses already able to cover bigger sensor
– X-PRO2: available around “this time next year” with more than 16MP (the rumor was shared in late August 2014 by an anonymous source with nick name)
– X-PRO2 priced about 20% to 30% more expensive than the X-T1
– X-PRO2 will feature a dual SD card slot.
– X-PRO2 with tilt screen
– Sigma is looking at the X-system, but they still have to decide which lenses produce and when to launch them (shared 1 DEZ 2014).

THE FACT CHECK 2015

NOTE about the 2015 rumor Fact Check. I have made 2 lists. A “fair list” and an “unfair list“. The fair lists consist in all the rumors shared by different sources at different times, each of them could have been right or wrong. On the other hand, in the unfair list I put everything into the same pot. It’s not fair towards the work of my sources, but I share it out of a pre-emptive self-defense from those who want to put every into the same pot.

THE FAIR LIST

CORRECT RUMORS IN 2015
80% correct rumors

1. XF 16-55mm f/2.8 WR to be announced on January 6th
2. XF 16-55 will cost about £900/1000 (price £949)
3. X-A2 with 180° tilt screen for selfies
4. Fujifilm X-A2 to be announced January 15th
5. Fujifilm XQ2 coming January 15th
6. Lensbaby lenses for X-Mount coming this Spring – rumor confirmed by lensbaby at the their forum
7. NEW ROADMAP to be released NEXT WEEK :: will include XF 120mmF2.8 1:1 Macro, 35mmF2, 1.4x teleconverter and 100-400
8. eXtended X-deals :: Save up to $200 on X-cameras and XF-lenses until March 28!
9. SUPER-DEAL on the XF 18-135 starting on April 12 (save $300)
10. XF 16mm to be announced this week: It will weigh 375g, have a filter size of 67mm, a Focus range from 0.15m to ∞ , 13 elements 11 groups, 9 (rounded diaphragm opening) 1/3EV (22 steps).
11. eXtended version: Fuji X-deals will run until May 30 … Save up to $400!

WRONG RUMORS IN 2015
20% wrong rumors

1. Fujifilm should present a flash system for X series at the CES
2. Lightroom with X-T1 tethered support coming in February (shared 8 January 2014) – NOTE: a plug-in for Adobe tethered shooting was announced in February, but since I said a dedicated Adobe solution will be “released” in February, I consider this a wrong rumor.
3. Next Version of Lightroom will support X-T1 tethered shooting (shared 7 January 2014) – NOTE: a plug-in of Fujifilm was offcially announced on February 26th.

THE UNFAIR LIST

CORRECT RUMORS IN 2015
80% correct rumors

1. XF 16-55mm f/2.8 WR to be announced on January 6th + cost about £900/1000 (price £949)
2. X-A2 with 180° tilt screen for selfies and to be announced January 15th
3. Fujifilm XQ2 coming January 15th
4. Lensbaby lenses for X-Mount coming this Spring – rumor confirmed by lensbaby at the their forum
5. NEW ROADMAP to be released NEXT WEEK :: will include XF 120mmF2.8 1:1 Macro, 35mmF2, 1.4x teleconverter and 100-400
6. eXtended X-deals :: Save up to $200 on X-cameras and XF-lenses until March 28!
7. SUPER-DEAL on the XF 18-135 starting on April 12 (save $300)
8. XF 16mm to be announced this week: It will weigh 375g, have a filter size of 67mm, a Focus range from 0.15m to ∞ , 13 elements 11 groups, 9 (rounded diaphragm opening) 1/3EV (22 steps).
9. eXtended version: Fuji X-deals will run until May 30 … Save up to $400!

WRONG RUMORS IN 2015
20% wrong rumors

1. Fujifilm should present a flash system for X series at the CES
2. Lightroom with X-T1 tethered support coming in February (shared 8 January 2014) – NOTE: a plug-in for Adobe tethered shooting was announced in February, but since I said it will be “released” in February, I consider this a wrong rumor & Next Version of Lightroom will support X-T1 tethered shooting (shared 7 January 2014) – NOTE: a plug-in of Fujifilm was offcially announced on February 26th.

Push the READ MORE button for the updated 2014 rumor check

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X-T10 to be announced in May (SRP) – POLL: How Much Should it Cost?

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PRE-ORDER XF 16mmF1.4 WR: USABHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / PCHstore
Rico’s FIRST LOOK at the XF 16mmF1.4 (German Version)

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A source, who was right in the past (thanks), confirms this rumor: Fuji will announce an new X-camera in May. According to the source, it will be long rumored Fujifilm X-T10 (first rumor about this camera shared on January 12).

Will it be a winner? I guess much depends on the price. The regular price of the X-T1 is of $1300 (but you can find Super Deals on the X-T1). So what would be the right price for this rumored X-T10?

The Most Underestimated Fujifilm Lens is? (max. 2 selections)

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SUPER DEALS: X-T1 + 18-135 (save $400) at BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / PicturelineXF 18-135 (save $300) at BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline

HOT BODY DEALS: X-T1 Black Body (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaX-T1 Graphite Body (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaX-E2 + 18-55 (save $100): BHphoto

HOT LENS DEALS: XF 50-140mmF2.8 WR (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama  – XF 18mm (save $200):  AmazonUSXF 60mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 23mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 56mm (save $160): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 56mm APD (save $150): BHphotoAmazonUS / AdoramaXF 14mm (save $117): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 10-24mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 27mm (save $50): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 35mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 18-55mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 55-200mm (save $102): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama

Here is the rumored specs list (SRP = source right in the past / NeS = New Source)

– Name: X-T10 (SRP + NeS)
– cheaper version of the X-T1 (SPR + NeS)
– announcement in May (SRP)
– no weather sealing (SRP)
– smaller EVF (SRP)
– same sensor of X-T1 (NeS)
– coming late spring/early summer (SRP)
– SLR form factor (SRP)
– available in black and silver for the same price (SRP)

stay tuned,
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FUJI X-SHIRTS available here in USA and here in Europe & CO.
Learn more about the
100% Fair Trade Charity X-shirts here.

X-PRO2 with bigger sensor ( ≈ 1.3x crop), compatible with existing lenses (New Source – Grain Of Salt)

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The rumor comes from a new source, so take the mandatory grain of salt… especially since I haven’t heard about it from any of my trusted sources until now.

The source confirms what dc.home forum member joofei said here: there will be an X-PRO2 with a bigger sensor. It will have more or less a 1.3x crop factor and all the existing Fujinon lenses will be compatible with it.

Reminder: joofei said there will be two X-PRO2 versions: one with 24MP APS-C sensor and one with 25-27MP APS-X sensor.

After the previous APS-X rumor, FR-reader Axel did a little measuring and put different sensor sizes into the X-mount.

„There is room for more sensor w/o pushing the corners too far out. They can probably go up by 2 mm w/o trouble and with a change in aspect ratio they can go up by 3mm in each dimension – with a square format 22-24mm can be achieved. 21 mm fits right now but 24mm would probably be near the limit and show up in the corners with some lenses. The cool thing is that with a small up-scaling they have a bigger sensor AND 100% 4K video in a near APS-c size sensor by cropping. It has to be faster to dump the unused pixels instead of dealing with scaling.“

SUPER DEALS: X-T1 + 18-135 (save $400) at BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / PicturelineXF 18-135 (save $300) at BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline

HOT BODY DEALS: X-T1 Black Body (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaX-T1 Graphite Body (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaX-E2 + 18-55 (save $100): BHphoto

HOT LENS DEALS: XF 50-140mmF2.8 WR (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama  – XF 18mm (save $200):  AmazonUSXF 60mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 23mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 56mm (save $160): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 56mm APD (save $150): BHphotoAmazonUS / AdoramaXF 14mm (save $117): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 10-24mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 27mm (save $50): BHphoto / AmazonUSXF 35mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 18-55mm (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / AdoramaXF 55-200mm (save $102): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama

PRE-ORDER XF 16mmF1.4 WR: USABHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / PCHstore
Rico’s FIRST LOOK at the XF 16mmF1.4 (German Version)

(TS= trusted source / NeS =New Source / AS = Anonymous Source / SRP = source who was right in the past / OS = other sites)

– APS-C sensor (TS + AS + AS)
– 24MP sensor (AS) – More than 16MP (AS)
– 1/8000 of a second mechanical shutter speed (TS)
– dual SD card slot (NeS)
– coming late 2015 (TS + AS)
– coming September / October (OS + OS)
– tilt screen (AS)
– WiFi (AS)
– Non organic ASP-C X-Trans sensor (OS)
– X-PRO2 version with about 1.3 crop factor compared to FF  (NeS)
– Price about 20% to 30% more expensive than the X-T1 (AS)
– 4K video (TS + NeS)
– Faster Processor EXR III (TS)
– smaller than X-PRO1 (OS)
– Sync Speed faster than 1/180th

FUJI X-SHIRTS available here in USA and here in Europe & CO.
Learn more about the 100% Fair Trade Charity X-shirts here.

RUMOR: Fujifilm plans a Super Fast F/1.0 lens! (New Source)

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First take the Grain of Salt… and then you can start dreaming ;)

According to a New Source, Fujifilm is working on a Super Fast XF lens, that will have a widest opening of F1.0. The source says that the specs are not final until now, but the focal length planed at the moment is around 30mm.

Consider that it looks like we are in the early stages of development of this lens, so there might be some changes in the specs (if this rumor is true at all… remember, grain of salt)

The fastest XF lens available until now is the 56mmF1.2 (now $150 off!), which delivers sharp results all over the frame even at its maximum aperture. So Fujifilm has definitely the know-how and potential to design a lens that delivers astonishing results even at F/1.0.

What would be your ideal focal length for such an über-fast F1.0 lens?

stay tuned for more rumors,
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XF 16mmF1.4 WR PRE-ORDER: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / PCHstore
Rico’s FIRST LOOK at the XF 16mmF1.4 (German Version)

FUJI X-SHIRTS available here in USA and here in Europe & CO.
Learn more about the 100% Fair Trade Charity X-shirts here.

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Lightroom 6 will come on Tuesday!

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It seems that this time, the rumor shared first here on FR was correct: Lightroom 6 will come on Tuesday, April 21. There is a teaser about an imminent launch of “something BIG” at lightroomkillertips. Scott Kelby doesn’t expressly say it’s LR 6, but it’s very likely that we will soon see the rumor confirmed… and see if Adobe has improved the X-Trans demosaicing.

XF 16mmF1.4 WR PRE-ORDER: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / PCHstore
Rico’s FIRST LOOK at the XF 16mmF1.4 (German Version)

FUJI X-SHIRTS available here in USA and here in Europe & CO.
Learn more about the 100% Fair Trade Charity X-shirts here.

Anonymous source says the XF 90mm F2 will come in July and be “Fujinon at its best!”

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An anonymous source (with nick-name) just shared with us the following rumor: the XF 90mm F2 will come in July.

The source also claims it had the opportunity to see some samples taken with a prototype circulating in the US and says it is “Fujinon at its best. Probably best XF prime!”

I remind you that Fuji Guy Greg said to BigHeadTaco here that it will be weather sealed.

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INTERVIEWS: X-PRO2: “We need more New Technologies!” X100S: “No More FW Updates!” 2x converter “Could come!”

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Time for another series of interviews with Fujifilm Managers… let’s start with the main points in the one imaging-resource had with Makoto Oishi from the Sales & Marketing Division, Optical Device & Electronic Imaging Products Division.

4K:”Currently, our X-Trans CMOS II [sensor] cannot realize 4K videos because it has a smaller number of pixels, like 16-megapixel. Also, if we [want to] realize 4K video, the sensor itself should have much faster reading speed.”

I remind you that our trusted Japanese source confirmed a few weeks ago, that Fuji’s plans are to make the X-PRO2 4K capable.

X100S firmware: “While we have provided firmware upgrades for the X100S many times, now we have the X100T, we’re finished, no firmware upgrades [for the X100S] anymore.”

Frankly disappointing, if true. I can understand that they hold on with the FW release, since the X100T is relatively new, and a new X100S firmware would probably influence negatively the sales… but on the long term Fuji must update the X100S. X100S owners are a VERY important part for Fuji’s success, so they deserve an update. At least Classic Chrome… David Hobby himself said here to have used it on his X100S… so why not all the other X-shooters too?

X-PRO2: “But if we launched an X-Pro, we’d need more new technologies, and we’re still developing and investigating. Especially the new devices like the processor or sensor, we’re still preparing.”

There is more to read at imaging-resource, for example about the gyro sensor used for the OIS in the 50-140. A technology missing in the 16-55… and in another interview at fujifilm-blog another manager (Mr Soga, the man responsible for the lens roadmap) explains the true reason for the lack of OIS: it’s not about size, it’s not about costs… it’s about IQ at the wide end (16mm)! He says:

OIS needs to move the lens inside to compensate for camera shake and as a result can cause loss of resolution in the edges of the image. In long zoom lens such as the XF50-140mmF2.8, the angle of view is narrow enough to not show this negative effect of OIS in the edges. However, the angle of view of the XF16-55mm, when set to the widest setting, is large enough for OIS to affect resolution at the edge of the image. Considering this trade-off, because we wanted this zoom lens to start wide at 16mm and F2.8, and we wanted to best edge-to-edge quality throughout the entire zoom range, we decided to not employ OIS.”

Mr. Soga also confirms that teh XF 35mmF2 will have faster focussing and “we may create a 2x converter in the future although this has not been confirmed.”

Read more at imaging-resource and fujifilm-blog.

DPR Hands-On Photos with all lens prototypes + XF 120mmF2.8: “You can expect a lot from this lens!”

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Fujirumors’ window to CP+: DAY 3
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Dpreview posted some hands on photos will all the unreleased lenses in the roadmap… and some information:

XF 35mmF2: faster AF than the 35mmF1.4 – weather sealing not confirmed – available last quarter of 2015
XF 120mmF2.8: will have OIS – WR still unconfirmed –  focus limiter – available 2016… and I can’t see any tripod mount in the pictures
XF 16mmF1.4: coming soon – AF speed similar to 23mmF1.4
XF 100-400: not the final design

I repost also an updated version of the new roadmap. In the previous versions there was a bit of confusion, because Fujifilm ordered the lenses from left to right according to their focal length, and not their estimated release time… making the time indication much more vague. Well, now in this roadmap, you can see the lenses ordered more clearly, this means with the horizontal position showing the release time.

So we can see that:

XF 16mmF1.4 & XF 90mmF2 should come in the first half of 2015
– XF 35mmF2 somewhere around next fall (right in time for the X-PRO2??)
– XF 100-400 early 2016
– XF 120mmF2.8 1:1 Macro around spring 2016

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FujifilmXworld published another teaser of the unreleased lenses. This time it’s about the big brother of the XF 60mmF2.4.

XF Lens has the half macro lens XF60mmF2.4 R and recently added macro extension tube in the lineup. And we will soon have the 1:1 Macro lens XF120mmF2.8 R Macro as the latest addition.
This lens will be like a big brother of XF60mm, and XF60mm has the highest resolution capability among any XF lenses, so you can expect a lot from this lens. Start counting days for the release in 2016.”

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Sweet Fuji ;) –  via fujixseries Japan

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FIRST SAMPLES taken with the Fujifilm XM-FL Filter Lens Cap + More images of the New Lenses

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image taken with the XM-FL filter lens cap. Courtesy of dslrmagazine (translation)

Fujirumors’ window to CP+: DAY 2

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The Spanish site dslrmagazine (translation) had the opportunity to take some shots with the Fujifilm XM-FL Filter Lens Cap (officilly announced here, price around $90). It includes full size JPEGs.

Over at the Japanese site dc.watch you can find some more images of the new lenses. You want see nothing really new compared to the set of images shared yesterday. But it’s funny to see the big 16-55 mounted on the selfie X-A2… and the a cut of the 16-55 and 50-140.

There is also another high-res image of the upcoming lenses, spotted by FR-reader DIS. You can clearly see that the 90mmF2 is not marked as “Weather Resistant”, although Fuji Guy Greg said that it would be weather resistant. To know more about, check out this post.

XF 16-55 courtesy of dc.watch

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High Res Image at cdn3.vox-cdn

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