A Beautiful Film Simulation Recipe, Fujifilm X-T6 Talk, X-Pro4 Truth, the X-M5 Surprise and More – Best of 2024

Unless the rumor of the century drops today and leads to an unprecedented spike in traffic, then we are basically done with 2024 and we can look back at which were the most read articles in 2024.

  1. Fujifilm to Launch Three Cameras within First Half 2024 – But the Biggest Release is Another One ;)
  2. Surprise: Fujifilm X-M5 to be Launched in Second Half of 2024
  3. Fujifilm’s New Camera Coming with New Sensor Size (Never Used Before by Fujifilm)
  4. Fujifilm X-T6 in 2024? Let’s Talk about it!
  5. Fujifilm X-Pro4: Here is the Truth!
  6. This Recipe is Taking the Fujifilm Community by Storm – Classic Cuban Neg
  7. Fujifilm X-E5: The Truth!
  8. List of Fujinon XF Lenses that Get Maximum Benefit from Fujifilm X-H2 (and X-T5) with 40 Megapixel Resolution
  9. Watch Out Fujifilm: Ricoh GRIV Coming First Quarter 2025 and Monochrome Version to Follow Later On
  10. Forget About Fujifilm X-Pro4, X-E5, GFX100SII, X-T40, X80 & Co: the Only Camera Coming February 20 is the Fujifilm X100VI
  11. Fujifilm X-Pro4 not Coming in 2024: The End of Line or the Beginning of Something Very Special?
  12. Fujifilm’s Half Frame Camera has a 1″ Sensor
  13. Fujifilm X-Pro4 (X-Pro5?) Coming with Improved Hybrid Viewfinder (and What I Hope it Will be)
  14. Fujifilm Launches Dedicated Fujifilm Film Simulation Website
  15. CONFIRMED: Fujifilm X100VI Announcement on February 20 (and More?)

Did FujiRumors get it right?

I am surprised to see such a high interest for the Fujifilm X-M5.

A bit less surprising is to see film simulation content on the top of the ranking, especially with Classic Cuban Neg, which has quickly become a Fujifilm users favorite.

This article of 2022 still gets great views, too.

I hope you enjoyed checking out FujiRumors in 2024. And if you want, stick around also in 2025, because I have the feeling it could be a very interesting year.

Love you guys!

Fujifilm UK Manager on Niche Products Expansion, Instant Gratification with Film Simulations, Adapting to Market Habits and More

Part 2 of the interview Fujifilm UK manager Theo Georgiades went online (part 1) and can be read at amateurphotographer here.

In short:

  • Focus on reaching a new audience, including younger people and first-time photographers (hence not only younger people)
  • Quality straight out of camera is a bigger thing now
  • Instax and Film Simulations are so popular because many people want instant results
  • we’ve had film simulation for the last 10 years but it’s really taken off since 2023 with our recent cameras
  • New generation consumers exhibit different shopping behaviors.
  • Earlier camera launches (e.g., X-T1, X-T2, X-T3) led to corresponding spikes in lens sales.
  • Current buyers of camera kits seem content with the included equipment, showing less interest in additional lens purchases.
  • Smartphone generation tends to prefer owning one or two lenses.
  • Lens popularity now depends on the user type and the camera launched (e.g., 70-300mm X-Mount and primes remain popular).
  • Fewer people purchase multiple lenses upfront compared to earlier trends.
  • New users typically start with their camera and kit lens, investing in additional lenses over time.
  • Adapting to these new market habits is essential for the brand.
  • The X-M5 has gained popularity among new audiences, unlike earlier X-M or X-A models, which performed modestly in regions like the UK but thrived in Asia.
  • Traditional users often prefer cameras with viewfinders, like the X-T50 or X-S20, while newer audiences, such as content creators and step-up smartphone users, are accustomed to shooting via screens.
  • Shifts in shooting preferences, like not needing a viewfinder, have removed previous barriers, enabling product diversification.
  • This evolution allows Fujifilm to cater to a wider audience and explore niche features in future products.
  • Increasingly, people are gravitating toward dedicated devices like Instax, X Series, or GFX, moving away from reliance on smartphones to avoid distractions.
  • A new film camera? The manager has 25 years of experience with Fujifilm and has learned to “never say never”
  • Film photography is experiencing a significant resurgence, evidenced by increasing film sales.
  • Film cameras are gaining popularity
  • But businesses must differentiate between long-term opportunities and short-term trends.
  • Fujifilm continues to leverage its Instax range of instant film cameras and printers to meet market demand.
  • The GFX line was launched in 2016 with the goal of diversifying Fujifilm’s offerings.
  • The aim was to grow the medium format market, which had become stagnant, while also challenging the full-frame market.
  • The quality of video from the GFX sensor has continuously improved.
  • GFX remains a key focus for Fujifilm, and the company is excited about its future.
  • Fujifilm is committed to pushing the GFX line further and not becoming complacent (hence also GFX Eterna announcement)

I guess the part that got me pumped the most was when he talked about “becoming more adventurous with niche features in the coming years“.

We got hint of some of those “adventures” already:

And we have a Fujifilm X-Pro4 (or X-Pro5 or X-Pro6) that takes so much time to come, and this makes me think it could come with some “adventurous niche features” too.

Yes, I know. If I was in charge of Fujifilm, the company would go broke within a few months, because I am really just mostly drawn into their niche product lines. And I have zero interest in hybrid cameras, as my Fuji’s don’t shoot video at all. But in order to survive as a camera company, Fujifilm does have to offer more mainstream products too and “adapt to the market”. So I guess I have to put my heart in peace and accept that part of the R&D goes into products and features that I don’t care about (for example, I do not have any interest in the upcoming GFX Eterna).

But if adapting to the market helps Fujifilm to survive and maybe even thrive, than so be it. It’s just good to know that Fujifilm does not lose its soul and keeps niche products and features on their roadmap.

Fujifilm X-Pro6 in 2026 with 6th Generation Platform? Let’s Talk About it!

We told you that there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 or Fujifilm X-Pro5 in 2025.

The fact that it takes so long made many in the comments to this post speculate that Fujifilm might just skip the 5th generation platform and use the 6th generation platform for the Fujifilm X-Pro6.

And not only some of our readers, but also guys with excellent connections to Fujifilm such as Gordon from Cameralabs in the Petapixel podcast and Ritchie from FujiXWeekly speculate that Fujifilm will skip the 5th generation and go straight for the 6th generation with the X-Pro3 successor (X-Trans VI and X Processor 6).

Now, this goes against the pretty much only thing we have heard officially from Fujifilm about the next X-Pro, which is what Fujifilm Guy Billy said.

Billy said that he can see the X-Pro getting the 5th gen specs, but the reason for the wait was that it had to be something very special.

My take?

I try to avoid speculations in this matter, because I know it matters so much to many. Which is why I will stick to rumors. And for now, I have no rumors about the Fujifilm X-Pro4, X-Pro5 ro X-Pro6 (or however it will be called), except for the fact that it won’t come in 2025 but Fujifilm is working on an improved hybrid viewfinder.

Of course the fact that it takes so long for the X-Pro3 successor to come opens up the possibility for an X-Pro on 6th generation steroids. Or maybe Fujifilm will keep the 5th gen platform as suggested by Fuji Guy Billy, but look into other ways to make it “special”, with new ergonomic solutions, some of which we could see first on the Fujifilm GFX100RF as we rumored here.

But whatever it is, I will not make any speculations right now, because people tend to mistake my random speculations for solid rumors and then turn mad on me if those speculations do not materialize. That’s OK for me most of the time, but not in regards to the Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor.

But you guys can loosen your fingers, open your mind, and type all your thoughts and speculations in the comments below.

Top Fujifilm (Related) Gear 2024 – VOTE

Top Gear 2024

So we told: there are no more Fujifilm announcements in 2024

Maybe we might still get some third party manual of even autofocus lenses (maybe the X mount version of this lens here for example), but they’d come so late in the year that I prefer to include them in the 2025 list anyway.

The list includes only Fujifilm cameras and Fujinon or third party autofocus lenses (no manual focus), which are:

  1. Fujifilm X100VI
  2. Fujifilm X-T50
  3. Fujifilm X-M5
  4. Fujifilm GFX100S II
  5. Fujinon XF 16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II
  6. Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR
  7. Fujinon XF 500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
  8. Fujinon GF 500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
  9. Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 X
  10. Sirui Aurora AF 85mm f/1.4 X
  11. TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 X
  12. Meike AF 55mm f/1.4 X
  13. Meike AF 33mm f/1.4 X
  14. Brightin Star AF 50mm f/1.4 X
  15. Sirui Sniper AF 16mm f/1.2 X
  16. Sirui Sniper AF 75mm f/1.2 X

VOTE BELOW

My Top Fujifilm Related Product of 2024 was... (max. 1 Pick Only)

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Fujifilm Q2 FY2024 Financial Results: Revenue and Profits Soar also Thanks to Strong Digital Camera Sales

The Fujifilm Q2 Financial Results (July-September 2024) have just been shared.

It’s yet another great report for Fujifilm’s imaging division.

Imaging:

  • Strong sales of instant photo systems and digital cameras boosted revenue by 11.0% year-over-year to JPY126.5 billion and operating income by 29.2% year-over-year to JPY33.7 billion.
  • In the Consumer Imaging business, steady sales of the “instax™” instant photo systems drove revenue higher.
  • In the Professional Imaging business, revenue rose due to the strong sales of the latest models in the GFX and X series of digital cameras, which were released in June 2024, as well as the models released in the previous year.

In the Imaging segment, consolidated revenue amounted to ¥257.2 billion (up 17.4% year-over-year). Consolidated operating income amounted to ¥66.2 billion (up 33.8% year-over-year).

In the consumer imaging business, steady sales of the instax instant photo systems drove revenue higher. In September 2024, we launched the smartphone printer instax mini Link 3, which can print smartphone images on card-sized instax film. We will continue to expand the world of the instax instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing.

In the professional imaging business, strong sales of digital cameras contributed to higher revenue. In June 2024, we launched the latest mirrorless digital camera models, FUJIFILM GFX100S II of the GFX series and FUJIFILM X-T50 of the X series, and two new lenses. We will continue to deliver products that appeal to digital camera users and the film industry with the GFX series, which offers overwhelmingly high image quality in a large format, and the X series, which offers the best balance between image quality and size. In addition, in September 2024 we launched the FUJINON HZK14-100mm, the third lineup in the Duvo lens series and the first wide-zoom lens in the series, which produces cinematic looks with beautiful bokeh and offers broadcast lens operation.

via Fujifilm

LIVE BLOG: Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6 Reviews and Pre-Orders Now

Fujifilm X Summit Launch Blog
(refresh for latest updates)

Now Real:

Pre-Orders

Official Fujifilm Info

First Looks

  • BH Explora – FUJIFILM Announces Creator-Friendly X-M5 Camera and X Series Lenses
  • gizguide – X-M5 introduction
  • thephoblographer – Fujfilm launches X-M5 and new lenses

Pre-Orders

↓ Launch Videos ↓

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Fujifilm Launches “FUJINON Lens XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II”

Fujifilm Launches “FUJINON Lens XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II”
– The new large-aperture standard zoom lens offers improved descriptive performance
– 37% lighter than its predecessor
– New function “Smooth aperture control” suited for movie recording

October 14, 2024

TOKYO, October 14, 2024 – FUJIFILM Corporation announces the launch of the “FUJINON Lens XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II” (XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II) globally from end of November 2024. The lens is a new lineup of the “XF lens” interchangeable lens lineup for the mirrorless digital camera X Series that offers outstanding image quality and compact size and weight.

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Fujifilm Launches “FUJINON Lens XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR”

Fujifilm launches FUJINON Lens XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR

– A Masterpiece of Super-Telephoto Lenses That Redefines Mobility
– Combining Pinnacle Optical Performance and Compact Design in the XF Lens Series, Making Dream Super-Telephoto Photography More Accessible

TOKYO, October 14, 2024 – FUJIFILM Corporation announces the launch of the “FUJINON Lens XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR” (“XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR”) globally from end of November 2024. The lens is a new lineup of the “XF lens” interchangeable lens lineup for the mirrorless digital camera X Series that offers outstanding image quality and compact size and weight thanks to its unique color reproduction technology.

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October 14 X Summit: Beyond New Gear, Fujifilm’s Spotlight on Design Might Steal the Show

If I should point out one single thing that really intrigued me to follow the just announced Fujifilm X Summit on October 14, then it’s the highlight Fujifilm put into the “Design” aspect of the event.

I mean, all the new gear is nice and good. But it could be the design aspect to really steal the show, just as it did in the past.

But let’s go with order.

The X summit on October 14 will take place at the Fujifilm’s design center “Clay Studio” in Tokyo.

Fujifilm said in the launch video:

The theme of the X Summit is “design”. From product design to engineering design, we will deliver new information to you from a design perspective. You won’t be disappointed with the X summit.

This theme opens up a lot of exciting possibilities.

Fujifilm could give us rare insights into how they develop and produce new gear, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their design philosophy and processes. From the initial concepts for a new product to the real-life challenges they encounter during development, all the way through to final production.

Now that alone would be very interesting to me. But I am a nerd for such things. And by the way, the best insight in terms of Fujifilm gear manufacturing we got so far is this one here.

But we could get more than that.

We might even see mockups or future concept designs that showcase Fujifilm’s vision for the evolution of their product line and maybe even get development announcements.

It happened already in the past, when Fujifilm displayed the moduar GFX design concept, or they made the Fujifilm X-Pro3 development announcement, or when they displayed the first design concepts and mockups of the Fujinon XF33mmF1.0.

They even showed us early GFX concepts including an X-T styled GFX (which btw showed us the hidden LCD screen concept half a year before the X-Pro3 development announcement) and much more.

And whenever Fujifilm has showcased potential design concepts for the future, those ideas have consistently overshadowed the actual products announced at the event.

Who knows, maybe we will even get first design hints to the Fujifilm TX-3 panoramic camera possibly coming in 2028 or the fixed lens GFX scheduled for 2025.

Emphasizing design could provide us with valuable insights into the direction Fujifilm plans to take with its future products.

But whatever Fujifilm will show us, this focus on design has the potential to be the most captivating part of the event.

I, for one, can’t wait to see what Fujifilm reveals, as I have a strong feeling it will satisfy my inner nerd and tech enthusiast… and who knows, maybe even give us a glimpse into the good stuff to come in future ;).

FR-Reader Wishlist Corner: The One Thing Where Leica Q3 Beats Fujifilm X100VI and More Firmware Wishes

FR-reader Wishlist Corner

Recently we published a bunch of gear/hardware related wishes we have received from the Fujifilm community.

Now it is time to share a bunch of firmware wishes.

by Oli

Here is a link to my blog post about my experiences with the X100Vi and the WCL as a “poor man’s Leica Q”.
I guess you might be able to read German: shashindo.de/fuqi/ (google translated).

There is actually ONE reason why the Leica Q3 is “better” than the Fujifilm X100VI: The handling of the metadata!

Leica writes the crop focal length and crop pixel size in the metadata!
It’s too bad that Fujifilm doesn’t also set the crop focal length in the metadata!
It would also be nice to find the name of the custom setting (aka film simulation) here in the EXIF data. Well, you can still have wishes…

Thought you might be interested ;-)
Or in case you do have access to Fuji Development department somehow, maybe you can drop this there… :-D

by Keith

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