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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Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6 Preorders Start Oct.14 at 10:00 AM New York Time

this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time

Some are contacting me and ask me: when exactly will it be possible to preorder the gear that will be announced on soon?

Well, in the Fujifilm world it usually works like this: there is the X summit and 1 hour after the X summit started pre-orders are open.

This means:

  • X Summit starts at 9AM New York time
  • Pre-orders start at 10AM New York time

Down below you’ll find the links to several stores in which you can pre-order the gear on October 14 at 10AM New York time. But of course there is always also your local store to check out, too.

And no, these are not real product pages of BHphoto, just renderings I did of what you’ll very soon see there. But they serve as a reminder of the prices in USD we expect for each new gear. We also have the price in € and £ here.

this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time
this is a rendered page, not real page. The real product page will be online Oct.14 at 10AM New York time

BREAKING: Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II, and XF500mmF5.6 Pricing Revealed in £/€

Here is the price of the upcoming gear in £ and €.

We notice a couple of interesting things:

  • I find the Fujifilm X-M5 gently priced. Even with kit lens you don’t go beyond the 1K mark in £ and €.
    Keep in mind: the Fujinon XC15-45mm has OIS, so you get optical stabilization with this combo
  • despite being basically twins (with slight differences in terms of weight and size as we can see from the press release), the Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 is a bit more affordable than its G mount counterpart, the GF500mmF5.6 which costs £3,499 in UK and €3,899 in Germany.
  • at launch, the original Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 did cost £1,099 in UK and €1,299 in Germany. The new version will come with a slight price increase in Europe (+£50 more in UK and +€50 more in Germany)

Pre-Orders Open Oct. 14

The Future of Fujifilm’s Autofocus Could Be Revealed with the X-M5 on October 14

Fujifilm said they are aware of the “comments” of the Fujifilm community regarding the latest autofocus issues and they promised firmware updates to fix that.

The fix will come in November for their flagship Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2 and GFX100 II cameras, but also other fifth generation cameras such as the X-T5, X-S20 and “more”  will get firmware updates this year, as Fujifilm officially said here.

Sure, it takes time. But to a certain degree I can understand that.

Fujifilm knows they have to get it right this time, so they’re likely testing the firmware more rigorously than ever, which is surely costing a lot of time and money.

But the big question is: how well will the autofocus firmware really work?

Well, maybe we might not have to wait until November to see these autofocus improvements in action.

In fact, we could get our answers as early as October 14 with the launch of the Fujifilm X-M5.

Why?

Well, Fujifilm has been aware of the autofocus issues for months now. They already began addressing them with a firmware update back in June. Since then, they’ve continued working on the improvements, so the firmware must have evolved significantly from the June version.

And I’d not be surprised if the first camera to actually incorporate the enhanced autofocus capabilities won’t be the X-H2s, X-H2 and GFX100II in November, but the Fujifilm X-M5 coming on October 14.

After all, why not equip the brand-new Fujifilm X-M5 with the most up-to-date firmware available, especially since it’s a fresh release that requires a new firmware anyway? And maybe that’s also  why Fujifilm has published a X-M5 teaser poster where they write big “fast autofocus“.

If that turns out to be the case, if the X-M5 is indeed the first camera to feature the new AF algorithm, then by October 14, we’ll already have a glimpse of how well the latest autofocus firmware performs.

I guess that’s one more excellent reason to follow the X Summit on October 14 at 9AM New York time.

Market Share 2023: Fujifilm 430,000 Units Sold and 6% Market Share

Nikkei has published the global sales number and market share of digital stills and video cameras sold in 2023. The numbers are based on data from CIPA and JEITA and have been reported by the Japanese website dclife.

Here are the numbers for 2023:

  1. Canon … 3.34 million units (46.5%)
  2. Sony … 2 million units (27.9%)
  3. Nikon … 810,000 units (11.3%)
  4. Fujifilm … 430,000 units (6.0%)
  5. Panasonic … 260,000 units (3.6%)
  6. OM Digital … 180,000 units (2.5%)
  7. Ricoh Imaging … 60,000 units (0.8%)

Nikkei writes that the decline in the global market share of digital cameras is slower than before, and the demand for high-performance mirrorless cameras is increasing. Nikkei says “high-performance mirrorless is strong, and the market is recovering“.

This is more in less in line with the market share given to us by Techno Research System, which is limited to mirrorless cameras, though.

  • Canon 41,2%
  • Sony 32.1%
  • Nikon 13.2%
  • Fujifilm 8%
  • Other brands 5.5%

Considering that Fujifilm has no dedicated video camera, nor DSLRs in offering, it is safe to assume that the vast majority of the 430,000 units are X and GFX camera sales. Not sure if the (almost dead) Fujifilm Finepix line is included in the list, but even if it would, it would be a negligable number.

Let’s put context to these numbers.

In 2023, Fujifilm launched 2 cameras

Moreover, in 2023 Fujifilm kept struggling to produce and ship what they had announced in previous years.

The list could go on forever, but bare with me if I stop it here to avoid to turn this article into a rant.

All I’ll say is that the number, 430K, is way below of what Fujifilm could have shipped if only they figured out a proper way to produce more gear rather than relying on creative, flawed and no-cost solution like using blockchain to improve parts procurement.

They did not increase production (except now for the X100VI). They did not hire more workers. They did not expand factories. They just accepted things as they are and so we got to absurd situation like the one of the X-E4, which was launched in January 2021. I noticed the X-E4 in stock only once in October 2021 and then it was mainly out of stock everywhere until it got discontinued in 2023 while tons of people still had one on pre-order.

The Fujifilm CEO calls this a “normal” situation, but I have not seen other brands struggle as much with deliver as Fujifilm. Sure, it’s not all Fuji’s fault, as nobody could have thought that Fujifilm’s popularity would expload like this. But the years passed, and Fujifilm failed to adjust to the new high demand.

Anyway… it is what it is.

Fujifilm sold 430,000 cameras in 2023. But it could have been easily twice as much if they’d have been able to ship their gear properly worldwide.

Lady Gaga with Fujifilm X-T3, Apple and Microsoft United by Fujifilm Love, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas using Fujifilm and More – Famous X Shooters and Fuji in Ads

Famous X Shooters and Fujifilm in Ads

It’s been a long time that I have not done a “famous X Shooter” roundup and a roundup of Fujifilm gear used in ads.

Today I am going to catch up with it by delivering a rather big one :).

Thanks to everybody who has passed what they’ve spotted around!

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, a renowned American singer, recently starred in a T.V. commercial where she is seen using a Fujifilm X-T3 camera! The commercial is for Nurtec ODT, a migraine medicine. You can see the full ad on YouTube here (screenshot above)

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Fujifilm Manager CineD Interview: Talking X100VI, the Need for Strong Competitors, In Camera Editing… and Internal Memory Storage?

Fujifilm US Manager Victor Ha had an interesting interview with CineD.

The interview is 1 hour and 20 minutes long. I strongly recommend you to watch it all. But if you are in a super hurry right now, here are the main takeaways:

X100VI Success

  • a lot of the X100VI success has to do with luck and timing
  • but also a lot of if has to do with the fact that the camera has gone through 5 generations
  • a lot of people want to make high quality images. Sometimes they are not really photographers, but artists in other areas, chefs, or a different profession or something that requires high quality imaging
  • in today’s world, no matter which you profession you are in, you do need a certain level of image quality that could exceed the phone
  • a large number of people who bought the X100VI are new to the Fujifilm brand
  • traditionally the X100 line always was also a camera that was grabbed by people who have other brands
  • customer base has expended a lot into first time buyers, first time users, first time camera owners
  • the X100VI is also a great product
  • all these things came together
  • Fujifilm has a great reputation in providing tools that are response to feedback of customers, and also balance it with what the market wants and what’s possible technologically
  • X100VI is special because it is a combination between esthetics, design, tactile feel
  • photographers (image makers) are moving towards the desire of having dedicated devices. You want to spend a certain amount of time engaging with a device where you can look through a viewfinder and there won’t be notifications popping up
  • the job of camera manufacturers is to create devices that offer the best image quality possible in different sensor sizes and from entry level to professional market
  • when asked about features like in-camera editing, Victor says the thought of it makes him sick. First, because the JPEG’s coming out of his camera are the best in the business. And there are some options in-camera like push and pull etc (admin note: via the internal RAW converter), so Fujifilm has at some degree on-device editing
  • Fujifilm wants to offer users different ways to get images off the camera, and that’s evolved in the last couple of years (Camera to Could, new XApp, etc)
  • but Fujifilm’s first mission is to provide the best image quality possible. For that you need a good lens, a sensor, processor, image science etc.
  • Fujifilm is very pleased in seeing how Camera to Cloud is being adopted and they see continuous growth and more users try the service
  • C2C is used by photographers and videographers
  • WiFi congestion interfere and create problems with Camera to Cloud
  • internal memory storage? Victor Ha says he would be reluctant to that. He was taught that it’s important to have physical backups. Also, in some cases taking a file from the card can be easier than getting it from the cloud. And taking the files through a cable when you do not have a reader is easier than pulling the card.
  • manufacturers must understand that they need to offer different ways to get files off from the camera, not just one
  • Victor is currently on a trip through Europe with his GFX100SII (+GF50mm and GF80mm) and shooting also street photography with it is very satisfying
  • he did not use GFX so much before, but during this trip he got in deep love for that camera
  • [when asked what if Hasselblad, now owned by DJI, comes out with an attractive MF camera] of course Fujifilm pays attention what other competitors are doing. Victor hopes that competitors come out with tools that challenge their tools.
  • he believes that Fujifilm’s tools will always win in the end because “we have great fans, we have great image science, great colors, great optics“
  • the industry needs to grow and make better tools. Fujifilm needs competition
  • Without a vibrant and strong industry, lots of things will go away and nobody wants that

There is more to the interview, so make sure to check it out in full.

Just a few quick comments:

As far as in camera editing goes, for me the internal RAW converter is one of the big reasons why I stick with Fujifilm (Sony for example does not offer it as far as I know). Because truth be spoken: for hard core editing nothing beats the RAW file and a proper editing software. But I am often around with busses and trains to do my day hikes, and one of the things I love is when, on my way back from a long day of shooting, I can sit in the train, go through the images and pass some time having fun editing the images with the internal RAW converter. By the time I am home, I might have already edited enough images to a point that I feel completely happy with it and I can upload them on my phone and share them… and of course without the need of edit them later on with an editing software.

In the interview they talk about having kind of Lightroom like controls directly in camera, like on the Zeiss ZX1, but personally I think that’s an overkill. I’ll just use my computer for more heavy editing. I prefer to have the simplicity and immediacy of the internal Fujifilm RAW converter to do quick adjustments.

As for the internal storage, I think that would be nice to have, if that would allow for even faster writing speeds over a CFexpress Card, but only if there would still be a memory card slot for a backup. I probably would be too scared to go on vacation with internal storage only, and maybe get my files corrupted 1 or 2 weeks into the holiday. So Victor Ha makes a great point when he talks about having a backup solution somehow.

Camera to Cloud on the other hand sounds like a great idea that faces some real life challenges when it comes to the transmission of those files. I don’t know if any of you uses it. If so, please let us know your experience with it.

EISA Awards Fujifilm X100VI as Best Compact Camera

You know what I think about these awards. And if you don’t know it, read this article.

In short: they are meaningless.

So meaningless, that usually I write sarcastic articles about them.

And the point now came in which I thought I should not even talk about these awards anymore here on FujiRumors.

However, I also noticed that every time I post about them, there are quite a few out there who in the comments on social media rejoice about Fujifilm winning an award.

And who am I to take away such an easy and genuine joy to people. It’s a messy world that needs more joy, not less.

So, let’s be happy and celebrate the fact that EISA declared the Fujifilm X100VI the best compact camera.

via EISA

What’s Hiding Behind Fujifilm’s “Minor Bug” Fixes?

Every time I report about a new firmware update, I get asked (such as here): what’s hiding behind the mysterious phrase “fix of minor bugs“?

That’s a legit question, also considering that, in rare occasions, updating the firmware can actually introduce new bugs (this happens with every brand, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Co. They all struggle with that).

So why update the firmware for a minor thing if your gear works just fine?

Well, unless your gear has a specific issue that the firmware update addresses, it’s generally a good idea to wait a bit before updating. Just to see if some issues come up with the new firmware.

I don’t do that, honestly. I update immediately. But I also don’t photograph weddings or do professional work with my gear (oh well, except for this wedding, but that one I shot for free).

And yet…

even if the firmware addresses a “minor bug”, I strongly recommend to update anyway sooner or later..

Why?

Well, because sometimes the bugs are not really “minor”.

For example: in 2020 Fujifilm released a firmware also for X-T4 and it gave us a “minor bug fix”. At that time I was in holiday in Southern Italy and I took some time to try to find out what it really fixed. Well, it turned out the minor bug fix was actually a major one, as it drastically reduced the exposure stepping in video.

This was a major complaint and a major bug fix, but Fujifilm did hide it behind the phrase “fix of minor bugs“.

Other times, the “minor bug” might be better called an “embarrassing bug fix”. In fact so embarrassing, that Fujifilm (but that’s valid also for other brands) doesn’t want you to know what it is, hence they don’t elaborate on that.

For example, I think it was the X-Pro1 that got a “minor bug” fixed, but what it really fixed was that the focus point worked “mirrored”, so if you moved the AF box to the bottom right of the frame, the camera would actually focus on the top left of the frame.

This is why ultimately I always recommend to update your gear, even if Fujifilm calls it just a smaller bug fix.

If you want, wait a couple of weeks and then see if there are reports here on FujiRumors or in Fuji Forums about problems with the firmware. And if there aren’t, update! What Fujifilm calls “minor” might not really be that minor in the end.

And in any case remember: if for some reason a firmware would break certain features of your camera, Fujifilm will release a free follow-up firmware fix and don’t charge you $700+ like Sony :D.