Wake Up, Fujifilm: Ricoh GR IV Pre-Orders Soar, Monochrome on the Way – Where’s the X80 and X-Pro Monochrome?

Ricoh GR IV: The New and The Monochrome

Our sources told us already last year that the Ricoh GR IV would come in 2025. Well, technically we told you it would come earlier in 2025, and in fact the Ricoh GRIV was disclosed a couple months ago already. But it was only a development announcement. The full announcement just happened yesterday. So yes, I still regard this as a wrong rumor (development announcement is not a full announcement), but at the same time I trust the source.

Well, at this point we remind you that according to the same source, Ricoh is also planing to launch the Ricoh GR IV monochrome. It was originally planed for 2025, but I would not be surprised if there would be a delay due to the huge pre-orders the GRIV is getting right now.

Fujifilm – Wake Up

Yes, the Ricoh GR IV is now here and it enjoys absolutely stellar pre-orders.

At this time Fujifilm has not really a camera to compete with the Ricoh GR IV, because the Fujifilm X100VI might share the fixed lens concept with it, but for the rest I think it appeals to other people: those who appreciate a viewfinder, tactile controls, vintage aesthetic, whereas the Ricoh GR IV is all about being as portable as possible.

The true competitor would be the Fujifilm X80, but Fujifilm has so far never bothered to give the Fujifilm X70 a second chance (the Fujifilm XF10 is not the X70 successor). And in my view that’s an error. The Ricoh GRIV proves that pocketable and powerful fixed lens cameras are enjoying a revival, and Fujifilm is missing out on it.

So, dear Fujifilm, come out with the Fujifilm X80 as quickly as you can!

And while it’s true that the Ricoh GRIV pre-orders are great, I dare to predict that the Ricoh GRIV M (Monochrome) will match or even exceed those pre-orders.

Look, initially I was skeptical about a Monochrome Fujifilm. But after I have seen how even the Pentax K-3 III monochrome DLSR sold like hot cakes (so much so that they had to suspend pre-orders as we reported here), I concluded that the market for monochrome cameras is far from being saturated.

In short: I think Fujifilm should launch the Fujifilm X80 and a monochrome Fujifilm camera (possibly an X-Pro monochrome).

What do you think about it?

RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 adds Fujifilm GFX100RF Support and X-E5 Compatibility is “Under Preparation”

RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 ver. Ver.8.1.18.0 – download here
The software update Ver.8.1.18.0 incorporates the following issue:

  • “RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX” becomes compatible with the new GFX100RF camera

NEWS: RAW FILE CONVERTER EX3.0″ compatible with FUJIFILM X-E5 is under preparation.

Full List of X and GFX Price Increases Starting August 30

Earlier today we reported how Fujifilm said to some news outlets that prices for certain Fujifilm gear will go up on August 30.

Well, I think we can now share the full list of price increases that will come into effect August 30.

Not all X cameras and lenses will get a price increase. What’s not in the list below is safe.

On the GFX front, pretty much everything will get a price bump.

The biggest price jump (+30%) will go to all sorts of Fujifilm accessories, which I guess are still all made in China.

Of course that’s for now just a rumor. All I can say is that last time we were spot on with the list of price increases. It does not mean that we will be also this time, but it might explain why I am confident enough to share it.

Venus Optics Laowa AF 200mm f/2.0 for Fujifilm X and GFX Leaked

Venus Optics will launch the Laowa AF 200mm f/2.0 soon. It will initially come for EF/E/Z mount, but the Fujifilm X and GFX version should follow, according to reports shared at the Chinese social media account 独立摄影师联合会 here, via mirrorlessrumors.

If accurate, this would be the first third party autofocus lens for the Fujifilm GFX system.

Laowa 200mm f/2.0 specs:

  • Full Frame autofocus lens
  • Less than 1,6kg
  • Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon EF and future Fuji X and GFX mount versions coming

Fujifilm Italy Says There Won’t be Any Lower Resolution GFX-RF and No Conversion Lenses for Fujifilm GFX100RF

Today I was listening to an older podcast with Fujifilm Italy about the Fujifilm GFX100RF.

It was an overall interesting podcast that I invite you to listen if you are fluent in Italian (link below).

But for the purpose of this article I would just like to highlight two things that have been said by the Italian Fujifilm manager.

  • no lower resolution Fujifilm GFX-RF coming
  • the X100VI has the Fujifilm WCL-X100 and TCL-X100 converision lenses, but Fujifilm won’t make any conversion lenses for the GFX100RF (the manager did sound absolute sure about this)

I can only hope that third parties will jump in and offer conversion lenses, just as they did with the Fujifilm X100VI, where we have various third party conversion lenses:

You can listed at the podcast at Discorsi Fotografici here.

Sony RX1rIII vs Fujifilm GFX100RF vs X100VI Specs Comparison – GFX100RF Looking Like a Bargain and X100VI Like a Steal?

Sony has just launched the Sony RX1rIII fixed lens camera.

Now, for the full specs comparison (vs X100VI and GFX100RF) you can check out the dedicated BH comparison page. Frankly, I trust B&H more with reliable specs rather than asking AI to do that ;). But let me highlight some RX1rIII specs:

Sony RX1R III

  • $5,098
  • no IBIS and no OIS
  • 61 MP
  • 2.36m-Dot EVF
  • no joystick
  • has film looks called “film 1”, “film 2”, “film 3”
  • no mention of weather sealing

Well, at that price, it makes the Fujifilm GFX100RF look like a bargain, which also has no IBIS or OIS, but offers a 5.76m-Dot EVF, 100 megapixel, weather sealing, joystick and it costs $4,899.

And the Fujifilm X100VI looks like a steal, as you can get it for $1,599 and it comes with IBIS, 3.69m-Dot EVF, hybrid viewfinder, joystick, weather sealing (if used with filter)  and 40 megapixel.

The main advantages for the Sony RX1RIII are the autofocus and the f/2 lens, even though that makes the lens bigger which might be a negative for those, who look for ultimate portability.

In my view, the Sony RX1R III is a very welcome and much-needed addition to the fixed-lens camera market. Sony made a smart move by reviving this line, especially given the growing popularity of fixed-lens cameras. That said, I still believe Fujifilm offers the more refined and well-rounded option overall—though the Ricoh GR series remains a compelling and tempting alternative.

Fujifilm X-H2 IR and GFX100II IR Infrared Cameras Launched

Fujifilm already offers the Fujifilm X-T4 infrared camera and the Fujifilm X-T1 infrared camera.

And back in May 2024 the Fujifilm X-H2 and GFX100II IR also appeared inside the Fujifilm X App, as we reported here.

Well, now it is finally official, as the Fujifilm X-H2 and GFX100II infrared cameras are officially listed by Fujiilm. Full details below.

Product Details

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Don’t Hope for Fujifilm X-Pro4 in 2025 :: GFX Eterna in September and More – Mid-2025 Rumor Check

So far in 2025, we’ve had two X Summits, three brand new Fujifilm camera announcements, two X-mount lenses, and even a couple of new Instax cameras.

That’s quite a gear-packed year already!

And with all that gear also came plenty of rumors.

So let’s take a moment to look back and see how accurate we’ve been so far in 2025 thanks to our sources:

  • 59 rumors shared so far in 2025
  • 1 rumor still to be verified
  • 56 correct rumors out of 57 verifiable rumors
  • 1 wrong rumor
  • 1 rumor not in ranking
  • 98.25% correct rumors

What’s left in terms of rumors for 2025?

Well, not much actually. Which is why below I insert also rumors shared back in 2024 that still have to be verified, such as this X-Pro4 release info rumor and Fujifilm TX-3 rumors. All ranked by reliability.

Rumor Overview with Rating

HIGH RATING*
* 75% to 99% correct

  1. GFX Eterna full announcement in September (shared June 4)
  2. X-Pro3 successor not coming in 2025 (shared December 16, 2024)

MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct

  1. Fujifilm Panoramic Digital Camera currently discussed by Fujifilm (not final decision yet) for release in 2028 (shared May 6, 2024)
    NOTE: I know that this is highly trusted, so they are discussing it. I just don’t rank it higher because this would otherwise give the impression that FujiRumors said this camera will come for sure. And in any case it is still 4 years away, so plans can change.
  2. Fujifilm TX-3 Digital Panoramic Camera: Fujifilm Debating Between Bayer or X-Trans Sensor (shared September 2, 2024)
  3. Next X-Pro coming with improved hybrid viewfinder (shared September 3, 2024)

MEDIUM LOW RATING*
*25% to 49% correct

  1. nothing

LOW RATING*
*1% to 24% correct

  1. nothing. I mean, it could be the longest list considering the number of fakes I got also in 2025. But we don’t like to bother our readers with fake stuff like others do.

THE MID-2025 CHECK

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Fujifilm Launches GFX Challenge Grant Program 2025 – Bring Your Vision to Life and Win up to $10,000

➔ Top Fujifilm GFX Community – Join 41.5K fellow GFX Shooters

Fujifilm has officially launched the GFX Challenge Grant Program 2025, offering photographers and filmmakers around the world a unique opportunity to bring their creative visions to life.

It’s always great to see Fujifilm investing directly in the photographic community—supporting not just gear, but the people and stories behind the images.

Below is the full press release with all the details on how to apply.

➔ Top Fujifilm GFX Community – Join 41.5K fellow GFX Shooters

Press Release

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Fujifilm Patents Full Frame 40mm F2, GF 20mm F2.8 (GFX) and XF 15mm F2.8 (APS-C)

A bunch of patents have now been published and have been reported by the Japanese website asobinet.

Based on the info provided, it is mainly it’s about:

  • Fujinon GF 20mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon 40mm f/2 – for Full Frame

You know my take on patents. I mean, I am still waiting for that lovely foldable Fujifilm smartphone ;).

Just saying… take them with a grain of salt.

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