Viltrox TNP-W235 Battery for Fujifilm Coming Soon (and About the Advantage of Using Original Fujifilm Batteries)

Viltrox is going to launch its own NP-W235 third party alternative battery for the Fujifilm X and GFX system, called TNP-W235, as reported at the Chinese Weibo account 独立摄影师联合会.

So far this year the best selling gear on FujiRumors was the new SmallRig NP-W235 (which I own too).

The Viltrox TNP-W235 seems to use the same interface with a built-in USB-C port for direct charging and also the same power (2400 mAh).

The options in terms of third party batteries are substantial and often also of respectable quality.

The two brands I personally use as NP-W235 replacement:

However (and that’s valid also for other companies as far as I know), if you use third party batteries in your Fujifilm cameras, and that third party battery is cause of a problem (for example it swells up and gets stuck in the camera), then, even if your camera is under warranty, you won’t get the problem fixed free of charge. On the other hand, if you use the original battery, for as long your battery is under warranty, every problem caused by the battery itself to the camera will give you access to free warranty repair.

That’s why, if you want to go the 100% safe route during the time you camera is under warranty, you might want to stick with original batteries, so if any problem happens caused by the battery, it will be fixed under warranty.

In all my years using third party batteries, I had my first third party battery fail last year, where my Patona swelled up in my X-E3 and I had to fiddle around to get it out,

Battery Articles

Essential Accessories

Fujifilm GFX100 II X Lab Development Story

Fujifilm has shared their Fujifilm GFX100 II centric X Lab episodes.

All Japanese. Google struggles to translate. It’s a pain…

A pain you don’t have to go through. It’s enough if I went through it and summed it up for you.

X Lab Episode 40

  • after using the GFX100S (small and lightweight compared to the original GFX100), the developers knew they wanted also the new flagship GFX100II to be smaller and lighter
  • usually flagship cameras have an integrated battery grip. Fujifilm wanted to make sure that it does not “lose its dignity” as flagship camera even if it has no integrated battery grip
  • the original GFX100 being bigger also gave more design freedom
  • Fujfiilm designed the optional grip in a way that, when attached, it sticks very rigidly to the body (it has a little hook on the border of the grip that snaps into the camera body for solid integration)
  • main target are professionals
  • when designing, 3 Fujifilm designer held a design competition to develop and 3D print several concepts
  • they also interviewed photographers to ask about the various concepts
  • 11 degree tilted top plate
  • Bishamon-Tex texture with tradition Japanese pattern inspired by Bishamon tortoise shell
  • people in the factory initially had problems to apply the new Bishamon texture to the camera
  • coating that does not scratch
  • larger top screen that displays differently if you are in video or stills. Especially the video display has been significantly revised

X Lab Episode 41

  • 9.44mDot and 1.0x magnification EVF
  • designed in a way that even if you move the eye away from viewfinder, the image will not get distorted. That’s not mentioned in the specs, but is something engineers have put lots of effort into creating
  • if for users the EVF is too big, you can make the EVF image smaller in the settings. Might be useful for example for people who wear glasses
  • initially they designed the GFX100II with fixed EVF to keep it more compact, but they listened to people and realized it was quite loved by photographers to have the tilt EVF option
  • full size HDMI and Ethernet port
  • Ethernet port has quite an impact on the internal design of the GFX100II. It would be complicated to implement it on the X-H cameras.
  • The IBIS Unit had to be redesigned in order to fit in the Ethernet port
  • they struggled until the end to decide where to put the headphone jack, at the end due to space constraints they decided to put it on the grip side
  • grip is designed slightly more inwards towards the top
  • they needed to redesign the tilt mechanism of the screen to make it compatible with the cooling fan
  • created as a piece of equipment to be used by professionals
  • refinements on the buttons, the mode dial etc.
  • better placement of the MCS focus switch (easier to reach and operate with thumb and also with gloves)

X Lab Episode 42

  • First Fujifilm GFX50S was a mid-range machine and it took long to arrive to that shape (admin note: remember the protruding back)
  • they decided for medium format sensor (admin note: the true story on how they decided to go medium format instead of full frame can be read here)
  • medium format cameras up until then were very expensive and for business use
  • Fujifilm wanted to create a camera that can be used also by the general public
  • biggest factor was size and weight of GFX50S
  • Fujifilm wanted to make it as small as a full frame DSLR
  • the most important thing about designing the GFX50S was how to make it easy to hold in the hands, so they spent a lot of time talking about the grip
  • they argued also on how wide it should be to assure enough space between grip and a large lens, so that you can still handle it nicely without a large lens getting in the ways of your fingers
  • so they cut the side of the GFX50S and inserted several thin plates to make it larger and saw how much wider it had to be (see image here)
  • GFX100 there were a lot of challenges to overcome
  • First GFX with IBIS (and X-H1 was first X series with IBIS)
  • integrated battery grip allowed to put batteries on the bottom
  • once the GFX100 was done, Fujifilm thought they needed a way to make it smaller, and to make the shutter mechanism smaller (admin note: that takes a lot of space in the camera)
  • they created the GFX100S
  • smaller motors (see GFX100S shutter vs GFX50R shutter in this image)
  • smaller shutter allowed it to keep IBIS, a smaller IBIS unit
  • they also used a smaller and yet powerful battery, the NP-W235
  • smaller shutter, smaller IBIS and smaller battery made the GFX100S possible
  • GFX100II is undoubtedly a flagship model
  • optional battery grip allows for 3 batteries total
  • Fujifilm wanted to offer a great photographic experience
  • 3 function buttons placed conveniently behind the shutter release button
  • top LCD has evolved to match the needs of photographers: larger, more pixels, changed shape to match the UI and just overall improved ease of use

X Lab Episode 43

  • they talk about the design of the grip again across various GFX models
  • they talk about the amazing resolution starting from the original GFX50S
  • initially models didn’t like it, because too much resolution, but then Fujifilm added the Skin Smooth Effect

Get Yours

Original Videos

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Fujifilm 2024: A Look Ahead Between Rumors and Speculations (X-Pro4, X100R, X-E5, X-T40, New XF Lenses, GFX Future)

2023 is Done

We just told you that there will be no more Fujifilm announcements in 2023.

And since in terms of new gear we are done for this year, lots of people started asking me what is coming in 2024.

Now, I am working on it, and we have shared already something.

For example we told you that the next XF lens to come is the replacement of this lens here.

More rumors will follow.

But as you know, on FujiRumors we will not make up a single rumor just to make traffic, nor share anonymous rumors we receive in which I don’t trust.

We prefer to share less rumors, generate less traffic, make less money, and value your time with less, but accurate rumors.

But until more rumors drop, I thought we could also make one single article where we talk about the current state of the rumors and also make speculation on what could or we would like to come in 2024.

2024 – A Look Into the Future

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

It’s Over my Friends: No More X or GFX Related Announcements This Year

Yes I know.

I am aware that in the first half of 2023 Fujifilm has registered a camera with the code name FF230002.

And I am aware that never before Fujifilm needed more than 4/6 months to release a camera after its registration has been spotted.

This is why 99,9% of people out there are so sure there will be another Fujifilm announcement this year.

Maybe in November, as that’s a great month to launch new gear (Fuji’s most important camera has been launched November last year for example).

But this ain’t gonna happen, according to our sources.

In fact, we have been told (thanks!!!), that as far as 2023 goes, this was it. There is no new gear coming in 2023.

I mean, yes, the two GF tilt shift lenses still have to hit the market. But of course our sources mean that there won’t be any further announcements this year.

This means that we will also NOT get the next Fujinon XF lens that we already rumored a couple of weeks ago, in 2023.

So all we got (and will get) in 2023 is:

  • Fujifilm X-S20
  • Fujifilm GFX100II
  • Fujinon XF8mmF3.5
  • Fujinon GF55mmF1.7
  • Fujinon GF30mmF5.6 Tilt Shift
  • Fujinon GF110mmF5.6 Tilt Shift

Some great stuff dropped in 2023 for both systems, but certainly there was more to rejoice for GFX users rather than X series users this year.

But before the X series users start moaning, just a quick reminder on what we got in 2022:

  • Fujifilm X-T5
  • Fujifilm X-H2
  • Fujifilm X-H2s
  • Fujinon XF 30mmF2.8 Macro
  • Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR
  • Fujinon XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8
  • Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4

Sure, we always wish for more. But over the last 2 years I think we can agree that there has been quite some decent stuff for both systems.

And what about 2024?

Well, for that, my friends, you’ll have to follow FujiRumors.

Rumors, that will be shared exclusively for you here on FujiRumors.

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

The Mystery of the Third Registered Fujifilm Camera for 2023 – A Possible Answer! (Speculation, not Rumor)

In 2023 we have so far spotted three Fujifilm registrations, with 2 items still to come

  • FF220002 = Fujifilm X-S20
  • FF230001 = very likely Fujifilm GFX100II
  • FF230002 = yet unknown

We know for sure that one of the yet to be released items will be the Fujifilm GFX100II.

So what could be the second one?

I’ve read all sorts of speculations, from the Fujifilm GFX50R successor, the Fujifilm X-Pro4, Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-T6, Fujifilm X-T40, Fujifilm X80, Fujifilm X-H3, Fujifilm X-H3S, Fujifilm X100VI or X200 and more.

But those “rumors” appeared also ahead of the X Summit on May 24, and of course none of it materialized.

Here on FujiRumors we avoid to share fakes for traffic and SEO. That’s why all we rumored so far for 2023 were the X-S20 (code name FF220002) and the Fujifilm GFX100II (probably the FF230001).

So yes, there is still one piece of gear, the FF230002, that should come this year. But which camera will it be?

Again, I have absolutely no rumors about other cameras coming in 2023, so an idea came to me:

What if it’s not a camera?

What if it’s something else?

Because keep in mind that these registrations don’t say anything about “cameras”, but about gear that uses some sort of WiFi/Bluetooth frequencies.

So here is the thing.

One of the gear registered in the past was the FF210004, which is not a camera, but the vertical file transmitter grip FT-XH, which unlocks the camera-to-cloud feature on these Fujifilm X-H cameras.

So, with that in mind, and given the lack of rumors for another camera coming in 2023, I see three options:

  1. Fujifilm will launch a new camera with the code name FF230002 in 2023, but FujiRumors simply does not know about it yet
  2. Fujifilm will launch a new camera with the code name FF230002 in 2024
  3. Fujifilm will launch an X-H alike file transmitter grip along with the GFX100II on September 12, and the grip has the code FF230002

Now, I don’t have rumors about any GFX100II file transmitter grip, but I have rumors about the GFX100II having an optional (and not integrated) battery grip, which could make option 3 likely.

Sure, also option 1 and 2 are still open. Especially if on September 12 the GFX100 II will come without any file transmitter grip.

But as we documented here it usually takes Fujifilm not more than 4 months (in two cases only it took them 6 months) to launch a camera after the registration has been spotted. And since the FF230002 registration appeared back in June here, the likelihood of a 2023 launch is very high.

And sure, there can always be a surprise camera. Maybe scheduled for launch later this year, maybe in November (X-T5 was launched in November too). I am just a rumor site and don’t claim to always know everything that will happen in the Fujifilm world. But maybe you remember the famous Fujifilm camera roadmap shared by Fuji Spain, in which they displayed two “disruptive” cameras coming for 2023. Well, if that roadmap was accurate, then the X-S20 and GFX100II would be those cameras and we can’t expect anything else coming this year.

But if that was the case, if nothing else would not come in 2023, then don’t worry, because as we already told you, the start into 2024 will be bombastic ;).

Fujifilm X100V Successor in Early 2024 :: X Summit on September 12 :: New Firmware :: Oppenheimer Fujifilm :: Disney X100V and More – Top 10 July

Here are the top 10 posts for July. And hold on tight, because August will be very hot ;).

  1. Fujifilm X100V successor coming in early 2024
  2. Oppenheimer Movie Photos Taken with Fujifilm X-H1 and These XF Lenses
  3. New Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T4, X-T3, X-T30 and X100V
  4. New Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-S20, GFX100S, GFX100, GFX50SII and GFX50R
  5. Fujifilm X100V Limited Disney Edition Launched
  6. Fujifilm X100V Successor Coming Early 2024: The Hottest Name Speculations (and Vote Your Favorite)
  7. Sony A6700 Announced and it Makes the Fujifilm X-S20 Look Even Better ;)
  8. Fujifilm Announces Plan to Deal with Parts Shortage Issue
  9. Fujifilm X Summit on September 12: What Camera are You Hoping for to Come? VOTE NOW
  10. Firmware Suggestions, Lens Wishes and More – FR-readers Wishlist Corner

As far as the videos goes, since I was on travel I’ve shared them from all over Italy

You can see the videos below, also ranked by views and you can check out my YouTube channel here.

LEAKED: Trusted Source Unveils When Fujifilm X100V Successor Will Come

Fujifilm X100V Replacement

Amazon Prime Deal Pages

We told you yesterday that you should not expect the Fujifilm X100V replacement to come in 2023, hence it is not one of the two registered Fujifilm cameras (FF230001and FF230002).

Today we confirm it and we have received permission from sources to tell you this:

The Fujifilm X100V replacement will be announced in early 2024!

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

RUMOR: No Fujifilm X100V Successor in 2023 (X200, X100VI or X100W-hatever)

Everything is Possible (almost)

FujiRumors broke the rumors:

But we also know one more thing. Fujifilm two registrations filed so far: the Fujifilm FF230001 and FF230002.

Now, assuming that one of the two will be the Fujifilm GFX100 replacement, this leaves all possible options open for the second one.

Well, not really all options. I mean, I simply can’t see a Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3s coming in September, as those cameras are hardly 1 year old (or less).  And also not the Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-S30.

But other than that, we can hope for:

  • a Fujifilm X-T5s with 26MP stacked sensor of X-H2S
  • a Fujifilm X-Pro4 maybe with some curious solutions as many hope for example a monochrome sensor
  • a Fujifilm X-E5 which is not a dead line according to Fujifilm managers
  • the long awaited Fujifilm X-T40
  • the much wished Fujifilm X80 or Fujifilm XF20
  • the revival of Fuji’s entry level cameras with the Fujifilm X-T300, Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-A30 or Fujifilm X-M2
  • less likely in my opinion the Fujifilm GFX100S successor, Fujifilm GFX50R successor or Fujifilm GFX50SII successor, as I can’t see Fuji launching two GFX cameras on the same day (they never did that in the past, but never say never)

And in fact, I asked you to vote on which camera you’d like to get on September 12 and you can see the results here.

X100V successor is NOT possible

At this point you’ve noticed something: there is no Fujifilm X100V successor (X200, X100VI, X100 whatever it will be called) in the list.

Why?

Well, because despite being one of your top wished cameras (second only to another camera), and despite fake rumors already being shared about the X100V to come on September 12, I can now tell you with 110% certainty that there will not be any Fujifilm X100V replacement coming in 2023.

Trust me on this guys. No X100V successor in 2023.

I guess Fujifilm has no hurry at all to come out with a successor, given the fact, explained by Fujifilm managers, that if the world would stop to order X100V today, it would still take them 3 months to be able to ship all X100V orders placed until yesterday.

Seen from this perspective, the biggest problem of the Fujifilm X100VI (or whatever) is the terrific success of the X100V.

Feeling Lucky?

“I feel lucky and will click the links to see if the X100V is in stock” :)

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups

RUMOR: Fujifilm GFX100 Replacement Coming September 12

NOTE: in the video above you will see me and my GFX100S in action in one of the most colorful pieces of nature + see some images I took with it

I’ve told you that the next Fujifilm X Summit will take place on September 12.

The question is: what will come on that day?

Well, I can now tell you that, for sure, we will get the long rumored Fujifilm GFX100 replacement.

Again: we are talking about the Fujifilm GFX100 replacement (so the successor to this camera here), and not the replacement to the GFX100S, GFX50R or any other GFX camera.

I don’t have indication about anything else to come at this point, but I will make sure to update you as soon as I have solid information.

What I am 100% sure of, though, is that in the next few weeks and months, there will be LOTS of rumors on FujiRumors. I mean, really LOTS of rumors ;).

So, if you want to have a fun time, then stay tuned on this blog and also on the FujiRumors YouTube channel.

Did I already tell you there will be LOTS OF RUMORS? ;)

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm X Summit on September 12: What Camera are You Hoping for to Come? VOTE NOW

So, we just leaked the date of the next Fujifilm X Summit, which will happen on September 12.

Now I am curious to know what you guys are hoping for to come.

That’s why I have now launched a survey that includes plausible, less plausible and borderline impossible options.

I’ll not include 110% impossible cameras, which would be for example a Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3s, as those cameras are hardly 1 year old (or less). Or the Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-S30.

What we will inlcude are the Fujifilm X-T5s (X-T5 with 26MP stacked sensor of X-H2S), Fujifilm X-Pro4, Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-T40, Fujifilm X100V successor (X200, X100VI, X100 whatever), Fujifilm X80, Fujifilm XF20, Fujifilm X-T300, Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-A30, Fujifilm X-M2, Fujifilm GFX100 successor, Fujifilm GFX100S successor, Fujifilm GFX50R successor and Fujifilm GFX50SII successor.

I will give you two options to vote on, because Fujifilm has so far registered two yet to be released cameras.

Have fun voting :)

On September 12 I would like to Get the Following Cameras (max 2 votes)

View Results

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups