The Rise of Selfie Screens, The Myth of Them Being Better for Video and About Pleasing Youtubers instead of Customers

2020 Trend

These days everybody is making its list of the best and worst gear 2020, as well as best and worst trends of 2020.

And it’s on the latter one, the “trends”, that I would like to focus on today.

Because it is clear: one of the hot trends in the photography industry is putting selfie screens on cameras.

And guys, we have to talk about it!

I Am NOT a Selfie Screen Hater

To be clear: I do not hate selfie screens.

And in fact, during the various COVID-19 lockdowns, I often have to teach online and record my lessons, and the selfie screen is a true blessing!

A fully articulating screen is not the photography-evil of our times. It still works fine, it’s still flexible, and I have rather rapidly learned to accept it on my Fujifilm X-T4, sometimes even to love it (especially during my online lessons).

So, if you are one of those, who loves the fully articulating screen, I get it. Maybe I don’t love it as much as you do, but I could totally accept a selfie screen on cameras like the future Fujifilm X-H2 for example.

But….

But it’s getting a bit out of control, with selfie screens just popping up on so many cameras, that we have to talk about it.

And why is this happening?

Tony Northrup
“Selfie Screen? Pleasing Youtubers is Higher Priority than Pleasing Customers”
Vs.
Jonas Rask
“I have no count as to how many shots I missed becauseof the Selfie Screen”

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Fujinon XF Wildlife Photography Lenses Needed, Base ISO 100, Firmware Wishes and More – FR-Readers Wishlist Corner

Here is another roundup of wishlist shared by the FR-community to me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com.

Previous Wishlist Episodes:

Because it touches the wish expressed by Michel, Willy and Kenneth, I invite you to check out also our big Fujinon XF wildlife photography survey and other long telephoto primes articles we have previously shared (list below).

Overall, there seems to be a strong wish by the FR-community for longer primes.

But we know the stellar Fujinon XF200mm f/2.0 did not sell well, and hence it’s obvious that Fujifilm is now a bit reluctant to invest further in long lenses.

But keep in mind, the XF200mmF2.0 comes with a 1.4x teleconverter designed specifically for this lens, which transforms the XF200mmF2 lens basically in a 280mmF2.8 lens. So, with 1 single lens, here is what you get:

  • XF 200mmF2.0 = full frame 280mmF2.8 (f/2.8 DOF equivalent)
  • XF 280mmF2.8 = full frame 420mmF4.2 (f/4.2 DOF equivalent)

If you want to, you can check out our previous “long telephoto primes” related articles.

I also got many wishes regarding future cameras, but since this roundup is already hefty enough, I will share the “camera-wishlist” at a later point.

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FR-readers Wishlist Corner

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Top 10 August Posts: Leaving Sony FF for Fuji X, Mysterious New Fuji X Camera, The Power of Fuji Colors, Why No Full Frame and More

Here are the top 10 posts for August:

  1. Global Shutter: 120+ MP for Fujifilm GFX120 and 31 MP for Fujifilm X-H2?
  2. This Professional Landscape Photographer Explains Why he is Leaving SONY Full Frame for FUJIFILM APS-C
  3. Fujifilm Manager Explains Why Medium Format and Not Full Frame, Talks About Fixed Lens GFX, X-Trans MF Camera and More
  4. RUMOR: Fujifilm to Release a New Mid-Range Camera that is NOT an X-T30 or X-E3 Successor (Mysterious new Fuji)
  5. Hungry for Fujifilm X-H2, Visions for X-T5, Hopes for X80, Modular Fujifilm GFX, Monochrome and More – FR Readers Wishlist Corner
  6. LIVE NOW: Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Beta Tester Shows First Sample Images
  7. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Should Fujifilm put a Full Frame Sensor in the GFX G-Mount?
  8. BREAKING: Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 Announcement on September 3 and cost $1,500
  9. The Power of Fujifilm Colors: See Pure Fuji Colors in Action at our New Fujifilm Film Simulations Group
  10. LEAKED: Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 Press Text – World’s First F1.0 Autofocus Mirrorless Lens!

Bonus Posts:

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The Rumor Year 2019: The Right, the Wrong and the Still to Come!

The Rumor Year 2019

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.

  • 52 rumors shared
  • 14 rumors still to be verified
  • 34 correct rumors out of 38 verifiable rumors
  • 4 wrong rumors out of 38 verifiable rumors
  • 89,4% correct rumors

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Rumor Overview with Accuracy Rating

HIGH RATING*
* 75% to 99% correct

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Laowa 9mm F2.8 Review by Jonas Rask: “This Lens is Pure fun, Fun, FUN!”

A busy day… shared earlier today on FujiRumors:

  • Click here: Kai Reviews Fujifilm X-H1: “In Stills, Focus Sticks on Subject Like Glue, Quite Phenomenal”
  • Click here: Fringer Smart Adapter Pro: Sigma 150-600 on Fujifilm X-T2 PDAF Autofocus Video Demo (Firmware 1.40)
  • Click here: LOL: Fujifilm Already Sells Fujifilm X-H2… Fixing Bugs with New Cameras Instead of Firmware Updates Like Sony? ;)
  • Click here: Hurry up! Save up to $50 on Fuji gear sold on eBay!
  • Click here: Steelsring Smart Adapter Firmware Update for Canon EF to Fujifilm X (ver. 1.07) and Canon EF to Fujifilm GFX (ver. 1.06)
  • Click here: Alien Skin Exposure X3 adds Fujifilm X-H1 Support and Fujifilm Film Simulations Profiles
  • Click here: Don’t Skimp on the Grip

Laowa 9mm F2.8 Review:

UPDATE: Venus Optics is now taking pre-orders on their latest lens, the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D (zero distortion). The first 100 people buying this lens will get a set of 49mm filters (ND 1000 + CPL +UV ) for free. First comes first, so order now to be high on waiting list. The lens is not yet available at BHphoto & Co.

Jonas Rask just published his Laowa 9mm F2.8 Review… and it comes with tons of stunning samples at jonasraskphotography.

Here some excerpts:

  • absolutely tiny and stelar build quality
  • rectilinear lens, nice straight lines right to the corners
  • It is really sharp in the 3/4 central part of the frame, but it loses a little bit of sharpness towards the edges, there’s also a fair bit of vignetting when shot at f/2.8
  • some gorgeous sun stars
  • vibrant colours and some great contrast
  • this lens is pure fun, fun, fun!
  • It’s such and amazing performer, especially when you take the small size into account.
  • suggest retail price of $499
  • Easily one of the most usable lenses I’ve ever mounted on my X-series system (And I have mounted A LOT over the years!)

Don’t forget to check out all the fantastic samples Jonas Rask took with this lens at jonasraskphotography.

The Laowa 9mm F2.8 will be soon available for pre-order at VenusOptics, AmazonUS, BHphoto and Adorama

There is also a review of the Sony E-mount version at thephoblographer and an Interview/Review about the Laowa 9mmF2.8 Lens with lens designer Dayong Li at fujilove.

TODAY ONLY:

This one runs today only: You save 15% on eBay.com when using the promo code “PSPRINGTIME” on checkout (max $50). This is valid also on all Fuji gear (Click here).

Fujinon XF 8mm F2.8, XF 10mm F2.8 and XF 15mm F2.8 Patents Spotted

New Fujifilm patents surfaced on the web. They are for the following Fujinon lenses:

  • Fujinon XF 8mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon XF 10mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon XF 15mm f/2.8

Probably just variation of patents shared in the last 10+ years, such as:

The patents have been spotted by the Japanese website asobinet.

And remember, Fujifilm has also patented this foldable smartphone, so that one has to come soon, too :).

More seriously: Fujifilm recently said they have 10 lenses currently under study. Look up at those to see a more realistic list of lenses that might come at some point.

Fujifilm Patent Details

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Wasabi NP-W235 and NP-W126S with Integrated USB-C Charging Port

Given the success of the Smallrig NP-W235 Battery with integrated UBS-C charging (best selling accessory of 2023), it was just a matter of time until other brands would offer their own versions of it.

So we got first the Viltrox NP-W235 with UBS-C charging port and now also the Wasabi NP-W235 with UBS-C charging port.

However, Wasabi is also offering the Wasabi NP-W126S with UBS-C port.

Top Selling Accessories 2023

  1. Smallrig NP-W235 Battery (I own this battery too)
  2. Fujifilm NP-W235 original battery
  3. Huipuxiang X-T5 Screen Protector
  4. SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B
  5. SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I

Cosina Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical Lens Announced – First Look and Samples

Cosina has just announced the Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical lens, which will be released in February exclusively for Fujifilm X mount. It comes with electronic contacts (but no AF). Full product page below.

Definitely in line in terms of looks and feel with the lovely Voigtländer ULTRON 27mm F2.

Usually the first to get new Voigtländer lenses for shipping is Voigtlander USA Distributor CameraQuest, which should list this lens for sale soon at their Amazon Storefront page.

There is already a first look with sample images available at fujifanboys here.

Full Product Page + Compatible Fujifilm Cameras

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Say (Soon) Goodbye to the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 Rebate (and all X/GFX Deals are Gone too)

The Fujifilm X and GFX deals expired in USA.

What’s left are some sweet deals on Fujifilm X mount Sigma and Tamron lenses, including a rebate on the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8, which was the best selling Sigma X mount lens of 2023.

The deal on the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 ends tomorrow. No time indication is given on when the other third party lens deals will end.

Mixed Deals

Third Party AF lenses

Manual Focus Lenses

All Fujfiilm EUROPE Deals – End January 18

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Viltrox NP-W235 Orders Available Now

The brand new Viltrox NP-W235 battery is now available for order at BHphoto here.

The Viltrox NP-W235 battery is also listed at Amazon here (two pack here), but you can’t place your order yet.

In 2023, the best selling accessory on FujiRumors was also a third party NP-W235, and it was this one of Smallrig.

Some NP-W235 options: