We recently posted this story, about a Canon shooter, who tried Fujifilm for the first time, and there was so much she loved about it (starting from the fun using Fuji and the inspiration that comes with it), but one thing she missed: the bokeh she had with her Canon f/1.2 lenses.
So I thought to dedicate an own article to the “bokeh-discussion”, starting from two youtube videos below, that I have summed up for you.
And to give it all are more light and fun touch, I’ll share also the recent Camera Conspiracies video :).
I just remind you, that for the ultimate bokeh Fujifilm is going to release the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0.
fujirumors.com – Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 Accurate Size Comparison with XF 56mm f/1.2 and XF 50mm f/2
Fujifilm built a reputation for bringing continuous improvements to its products, a process frequently referred to as ‘Kaizen’.
In 2019, however, we saw major firmware updates from almost every camera company except Fujifilm.
So now Chris and Jordan ask, “What happened to Kaizen?”
Especially now, that the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is out with many major improvements (and the same sensor/processor of X-T3), many hoped for a big firmware update that will bring the X-Pro3 goodness also to other cameras.
But Chris remembers, that delaying the firmware love for the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30, is also a way to protect Fujifilm X-Pro3 sales for a little bit longer.
And guys, honestly, Fujifilm is a company that at the end of the day has limited resources and has to make profits.
So I understand if they delay their firmware, and I am fine to wait a little bit longer to get my firmware love. It’s a compromise: Fuji makes more money, and I still get what I want, just a bit later.
And as a long time Fujifilm lover (and blogger), I remember this discussion popping up so many times already.
In fact, back in 2015 I wrote this article, where we discuss the future of Kaizen already, as already back then, people were worried that Fujifilm abonded their Kaizen philosophy. Of course all discussions ended, once Fujifilm released again several huge updates.
The point is, there can’t be updates all the time and non stop. Sometimes, it just takes a bit longer.
Sure, it was not a great 2019 Fujifilm Kaizen year, but I am confident that in 2020, we will be able to “download a new camera” again ;).
As you know, I am a teacher, and usually it’s me, who has to judge and give votes to others.
But not today, as it’s time for our yearly 2019 rumors check, and to see if I did my homework well or not.
Also, there will be an accuracy rating of those rumors, that still could not be verified.
Keep in mind, there could be further rumors before the end of the year, in which case I will update this list!
Ready? Cool, so let’s start,
But be warned: I will be incredible severe to myself, as I will include in the wrong rumor section, rumors that were actually correct at the time of sharing, but just turned out wrong because Fujifilm changed plans.
It’s the case for example of the new lens roadmaps. In fact, just a few days after our rumor, top Fujifilm manager confirmed here, that indeed there would have been new roadmaps in 2019, but 2019 is now ending, and nothing came. So I was wrong, but so was the top Fujifilm manager.
Recently Viltrox disclosed the official price in Chinese Yuan of the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4… and it’s a very aggressive one!
Now we have new images of the Viltrox 33mmm f/1.4 and Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 mounted on the Fujifilm X-T3. You can see them below.
The lenses were originally scheduled for release in 2019, but as we reported here, there will be a delay surely for the 33 and 56. The only lens that could still make it for 2019, is the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4, but there is a big “maybe” here.
The latest specs and images about all three upcoming Viltrox lenses can be found in this article.
With 4 cameras and 4 lenses released in 2019, Fujifilm has a little bit slowed down, if we compare it to the Fujifilm year 2018 (7 new cameras and 6 lenses) and to the Fuji year 2017 (4 cameras and 8 lenses).
Popular youtube photographer Thomas Heaton is a Canon 5D MK IV shooter and hardcore Lightroom user.
And yet, it happens that he was attracted by the Fujifilm system, because:
I have purchased a new Fujifilm XT3 and I am changing the way I make videos and take photographs when hiking. My camera gear was always too heavy and in this video I test out a lightweight photography set up which should help me when putting in those long miles.
So he got himself a Fujifilm X-T3 and brought it with him on his trip to Nepal. How did it perform?
prior to the start, he had concerns with battery life, weather sealing, reliability…. turns out the X-T3 worked absolutely flawless!
batteries not even an issue. He filmed and photographed for a whole day with 1 battery
he hiked on very dusty mountains roads, also with non weather sealed lenses, but he never found dust on his sensor, even if he changed lenses on the field
however, the non weather sealed lenses got dust inside the lens elements, but that’s “kind of to be expected, but it never affected the images“
very cold temperatures, but no problem, flawless. He is impressed
it’s the hardest trip he has ever done. Everything is a challenge. Also photography was very challenging
And now to the post processing part.
Thomas is an Adobe aficionado, and the last thing he wants, is to spend money and time on another software. However, upon recommendation, he downloaded a free Capture One trial.
And just as many of us, he experience his little wtf moment ;).
In fact, his landscape images look so much better in Capture One (he says about 30% better compared to Lightroom), and his Fujifilm APS-C files ended up looking like his Canon full frame files!
a photo he took of a monkey, he likes the results in LR more
then he compares a landscape image in LR and C1, and while he was slightly disappointed with the LR images, he starts laughing when he sees the C1 image and says “the image in Capture One is fantastic“
images in Capture One are cleaner, sharper, and they look like better files… it looks like a Canon 5D MK IV file!
he is not paid by Capture One, he actually does not want to use Capture One, but it just looks so much better. He does not want to purchase Capture One, but he might to have to.
after seeing the results, maybe next week, you will see a new lens roadmap
But 2019 is ending, and personally I have a hard time to believe Fujifilm will update the roadmap at the end of December, right during the biggest holiday season in many parts of the world.
Sure, I hope they will, but chances are that this time Fujifilm will wait longer than usual.
What we can surely say, is that back in September 2019, Fujifilm did plan to release a new roadmap this year (as the manager confirmed it), but for some reason they might have postponed it.
Sadly I can’t give you more answers and details than what is published here in this article. One lens that will surely come next, is this one rumored here.
That’s currently the most exhaustive answer I can give on this topic, to all of those, writing me emails.
In my opinion, the Fujifilm GFX100 pushed the boundaries in its class (MF) much more than the Sony A7rIV did in its class (FF), and therefore the Fujifilm GFX100 deserves to be called camera of the year.
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