Fujifilm published its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2021 (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022).
Great sales for the Instax products and a special mention also to the strong performance of digital cameras, especially the Fujifilm GFX100S. Down below all the details.
Topaz launched the new update on Gigapixel AI. It is also on sale until February 18.
🤖 Improved face refinement pipeline
Gigapixel AI will now do a much better job detecting human faces more often and delivering more realistic results. Tiny background faces especially should see a noticeable improvement in quality.
🖥️ Significant image quality improvements with Windows GPU
You’ll notice much better image quality across all models in Gigapixel AI when using GPU-powered Windows machines.
🧠 Reduced memory usage
We’ve streamlined how we cache and utilize image data through the entire editing pipeline, resulting in less memory usage and faster importing and exporting of image files.
⚙️ Lots of usability improvements and bug fixes
We’ve improved the post-processing resize algorithm, optimized how we compress JPG, PNG, and TIFF files when exporting, and squashed a bunch of annoying bugs.
Some FR-readers located in USA are a bit annoyed by the new trend of Fujifilm to offer cashback mail-in rebates instead of instant rebates (like the lastet GF lens deals with up to $500 savings).
Now, here in Europe cashback deals are the norm, but I can understand that for a customer getting the rebate instantly makes life a bit easier.
So why is Fujifilm USA following the steps of Europe?
Well, the reason is probably rather simple.
As you know, the Japanese fiscal year ends on March 31. Before that date, Fujifilm wants to show up in front of investors with the best sale figures possible.
One way to “improve” the numbers is to offer cashback deals, because:
This is probably also why Fujifilm writes that if you buy your discounted GF lens today, you will need up to 8 weeks to get your refund processed and delivered (hence you’ll get your money back in April, after the Japanese fiscal year is over).
Sure, then, in 2022, they will have to pay back the money and this will influence their next fiscal report. But that’s a problem for the following year. A problem that gear like the Fujifilm X-H2 will take care of, which hopefully for Fujifilm will sell very well. And if not, there is still the option for more cashback deals.
Look, if this helps Fujifilm, I am fine with it.
It’s really not that big of a deal to mail Fuji the invoice and the serial number and then wait a few weeks to get your money back. I literally just mailed them my latest purchase 3 days ago. Easy and smooth process.
Latest Deals per Category
GFX Gear
Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3.
X Gear
Buy within March 27 and submit your claim by April 26.
Dan Bailey is an official Fujifilm X photographer as well as author of several books such as:
Well, in order to celebrate the 10 years of Fujifilm X mount, Dan started sharing his personal X series journey, which started with the Fujifilm X10.
It is a very passionate, honest and captivating tale about how he stumbled on the X series and how his love for this system grew over time.
I feel that the passion in telling his journey encapsulates nicely what it means and how it feels to be an X shooter.
the journey of my son starts early, too
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
We told you regarding the upcoming X mount Sigma lenses, that we don’t believe they will suffer the same faith of the X mount Zeiss Touit Trinity.
The main reason: the Zeiss Touit X lenses were more expensive than their Fujinon XF counterparts but did not offer a better image quality that would justify the price jump.
On the other hand, the Sigma X mount lenses will come in at a sensibly lower price tag than their Fujinon XF competitors and probably at the same time offer a very good image quality, too.
Well, today I’d like to go a bit more in depth and compare also some of the other specs thanks to the very useful B&H Photo comparison tool.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN vs Fujinon XF16mm f/1.4 R WR
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN vs Fujinon XF33mm f/1.4 R LM WR
Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN vs Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 R
Given the gentle price and probably also the great performance, I believe the Sigma X mount lenses could potentially be an attractive option for many Fuji X shooters.
What I believe could be the biggest “deal breaker” is not that they are too close to existing Fujinon lenses, but that all the Sigma lenses mentioned above do not have an aperture ring, which is something many of us love and consider a key part of the Fuji X shooter experience.
At least for me it’s like this, so much so that I sold my original XF27mmF2.8 to get the new XF27mmF2.8 R WR just to have an aperture ring on the lens.
But other than that, I am happy Sigma joins the X mount with whatever lenses they want and I look forward to more in future.
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I tried, but I failed.
And I failed in less than 48 hours.
I am afraid too many of you guys know what I talk about: try to resist to G.A.S!
It all started February 1st, when Fujifilm launched new deals here in Italy (and all over Europe). And to my surprise, the deals included one of my top 3 Fujifilm items on my 2022 wishlist.
Less than 48 hours after the launch of deals, I found myself at my local photography store, my credit card flying over the sales counter and in my bag a box containing the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.
And don’t worry, my wife approved this purchase… now all I need is her to approve also my other two Fuji-dreams gear 2022, meaning this camera and this lens ;).
Here is why I bought it, and I am so excited about this lens.
As you know, last year I bought into the Fujifilm GFX system by treating myself with a Fujifilm GFX100S and Fujinon GF32-64mmF4.
My main application for this wonderful combo is landscape photography.
So how is that working out?
Well, my go-to bag for hiking is my Camslinger Outdoor. I love the practicality of it to a point, that I won’t buy gear (for landscape photography) that does not fit in there. And despite having a sensor about 70% larger than full frame, the GFX100S with GF32-64mmF4 still fits!
So, for me, this combo is compact enough, and I can easily make my usual 4 to 6 hours hike with the GFX100S and GF32-64 on my hips.
Why do I say this?
Because I want to make clear that I don’t perceive the GFX100S with GF32-64 as too big for the purpose of landscape photography, especially considering what it is: a 100 megapixel medium format system that I can carry around all day on my hips. It’s frankly amazing.
But while it is a surprisingly compact combo for the purpose of landscape photography, the GFX100S combined with the GF32-64mmF4 is not small enough for my taste to bring it with me for more casual shooting, may it be for my street photography or to document my family life.
By getting the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5, though, the whole combo gets substantially smaller and lighter, making it much more portable and easier to pick also for casual photography.
And to be clear: my well-equipped APS-C system is and remains king when it comes to flexibility, performance and value for money. I still take my X system with me on hikes, on my travels, on my day trips with family and I also blindly trust it in crucial moments like when I had to photography my first wedding.
But owning the GF50mmF3.5 simply gives me more options and opportunities to pick up my GFX100S more often if I want to.
I am very happy with my purchase and I can’t wait to use use it comprehensively starting with this weekend.
We (my family and me) are probably going to the town of Sirmione this Saturday. I have never been there and can’t wait to test my new lens in such a wonderful little lake town.
Here are the top 10 articles for January.
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We already told you that Sigma will launch three X mount lenses soon.
Well, according to our sources, the the lenses will be:
Sadly the Sigma 18-50mmf/2.8 DC DN won’t be included in Sigma’s X mount lens launch offering, but let’s hope it will follow at a later stage.
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It was Fujifilm’s biggest mistake in 10 years of X mount, but they finally fixed it in 2020: they opened X mount to third party autofocus lens manufacturers.
Since then, we got quite some new AF lenses and you can see the most updated list of X mount AF lenses here.
And latest since the Sigma CEO himself said that they are “thinking on how to satisfy Fujifilm customers“, we can be sure that Sigma is joining the X mount too.
Well, today FujiRumors can give you a few more details.
According to our sources, Sigma will start its X mount adventure by launching three (3) X mount autofocus lenses.
Here on FR we did launch a huge Sigma X mount wishlist survey in the past and your top three overall wishes were these ones.
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This month marks the 10th anniversary of the X mount system, so DPRTV takes a fresh look at the Fujifilm X-Pro1, the system’s first camera, to see how it holds up a decade late.
NOTE: we are talking X Mount MILC cameras, not X series cameras in general. The X line started of course with the original Fujifilm X100.
Gosh, what memories came up to me, after all this time.
For example when Jordan highlights how bad the video quality of the X-Pro1 is. True, but when Fujifilm removed an X-Pro1 firmware because of a bug on the video side of things, 99,9999% of X shooters owning an X-Pro1 were like “what, this thing can shoot also video?”
Or all the the glory and struggles related to Fujifilm’s new X-Trans design. Lots of myths and fakes had to be debunked in this regard.
Look, I was always honest to look at the advantages of Bayer vs X-Trans and vice versa, but at the end I am very happy that the Fujifilm X-H2 will have an X-Trans sensor (at least one of the two). And I am not alone, as the vast majority of you guys is happy about this too.
And yes, Kaizen, that’s something the X-Pro1 got lots of. But on the contrary of what many think, still today Fujifilm leads the pack when it comes to updating their cameras. I elaborated it more in depth here.
But most importantly, the joy to use a Fujifilm camera is still the same, also after 10 years. In fact, Chris seems to have loved to shoot the X-Pro1 even more now as opposed to when it came out 10 years ago.
So, with all that said, here is are DPRTV’s impressions after shooting the X-Pro1 again 10 years later.
Little curiosity: I find it cool that Chris took all the pictures using the original XF lens trinity launched along with the X-Pro1.
X-Trans Related Articles
Celebrating Fujifilm…
Long live the glorious Fujifilm X-Pro line.
How can I start this article.
Maybe like this.
I was solo hiking through Eastern Europe. In my bag, a tent, food, water, a few clothes. And my DSLR gear.
One morning I woke up very early at the top of the Popluks mountain in Albania, left my tent and enjoyed the sunrise all alone on the mountain peak. It should have been my last day on one of the best kept secrets in Europe, the Albanian Alps. Next stop: a 12 hours long hike all the way to Montenegro through lonely mountains and valleys of rare beatuy.
And I tell you this: when I arrived at my destination, the town of Gusinje in Montenegro, I was exhausted and I promised myself: I need to travel lighter. I need lighter gear.
So I went mirrorless.
Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, you name it, I tried them all. But it became soon clear to me that I was not only looking for lighter gear, but also for gear that I had fun to use.
And exactly in that moment of my photographic journey, 11+ years ago, Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X series. Then, 10 years ago, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was announced, introducing the X mount in the photography world.
And that was it. That was exactly what I was looking for.
The rest is history. I fell in love. I needed to share this love. I started FujiRumors.
So I wondered, how can we sum up this long Fujifilm X journey (which is basically just as long as my personal journey with Fujifilm) best?
Well, since Fujifilm is celebrating 10 years of X mount this year, I thought I could make a list of what I consider the top 10 cameras of this Fuji-decade. But, shall it be allowed to me, I will start with the X100, which is technically older than 10 years. But I think you’ll agree it makes sense to add to this list.
Attention: we are not (only) talking about the most successful cameras, but also about what I consider the most important ones, beyond the success they had (or not).
So that’s my list. Feel free to change and modify it as you want in the comments.
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