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.
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 ;).
I am Happy I Failed :)
Here is why I bought it, and I am so excited about this lens.
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.
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.
FUJIFILM Corporation has identified a firmware incompatibility between specific X and GFX series cameras listed below. This incompatibility can result in macOS users being unable to directly access files if they were initially saved to SDXC memory cards in-camera.
To address this anomaly, Fujifilm is creating a firmware patch, which is expected to be available for free download by X Series and GFX System users soon.
In the interim, please review the following information carefully for further information and recommended next steps.
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.
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).
Fujifilm X100 – the original
That’s the camera that started it all. And it gave us a clear indication on which way Fujifilm would go: great looking cameras with manual controls and overall vintage feel.
Fujifilm X-Pro1
This was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Iconic. Beautiful. The start of X-mount.
Fujifilm X-T1
If you ask me, my heart, I’d say X-E1 (as I love the X-E series). But that line was never a huge seller. The real first big success for the Fujifilm X mount was the Fujifilm X-T1. It was the first camera that was able to go a bit more mainstream compared to X-Pro1 and X-E1.
Fujifilm X-T10
The X-T10 was a huge hit and helped Fujifilm to break through mid-range market in a way the X-E line could not. A very successful series for Fujifilm, started by X-T10.
Fujifilm X-H1
True, it was not a big success, but it set the base for a platform that will earn lots of success in future. That’s why I put it on the list. Guys, just wait to see what a beast the Fujifilm X-H2 will be, and then you’ll agree with me. Be patient, May isn’t that far anymore.
Fujifilm X-T3
A mega success for Fujifilm that not even the release of the Fujifilm X-T4 could stop. According to my knowledge, Fujifilm’s all time best seller.
Fujifilm X100V
Announced 8 years after the original X100, it was a terrific success for Fujifilm and it brings a much needed redesign of the lens as well as an “invisible” tilt screen. It’s my biggest GAS temptation along with these 2 more Fujifilm items. And please, don’t trigger my GAS further in the comments. I have a marriage to take care of ;)
Fujifilm GFX50S
Enter medium format: Fujifilm’s first digital medium format camera with a sensor about 70% fuller than full frame. Now that we arrived at the Fujifilm GFX100S, which is even smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras out there, we can say that the GFX50S (hence skipping full frame) was an incredibly smart move by Fujifilm.
Fujifilm GFX100S
It has to be on the list, as it is such a terrific success for Fujifilm. Not even in their best dreams they’d have hoped for as many sales as the GFX100S generated. The only problem: Fujifilm has a hard time producing as many cameras as the market requests, yes, even now, 1 year after its announcement. And please, stop to say nonsense like “it should not have had IBIS” or stuff like that. This nonsense often comes from the same people praising OIS. So aren’t both, OIS and IBIS, serving the very same purpose. And more importantly, can’t you simply turn off both if you don’t like them?
Fujifilm X-Pro3
Arguably the most controversial on the list, as this camera is designed for the niche and therefore was never planed to make massive sales. But here is the thing: while Fujifilm has indeed released the X-S10 and GFX100S with more “mainstream” oriented ergonomics, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 shows that Fujifilm cares also about niche and does not run only after the mainstream. They still want to offer all sorts of different photographic experiences by changing the ergonomics among various camera lines. So don’t panic guys, Fujifilm ain’t dropping retro at all. Whoever creates panic about this, is just out for clickbait. The X-Pro3 is Fuji’s statement for their continuing commitment to retro and vintage controls.
So that’s my list. Feel free to change and modify it as you want in the comments.
Must Read for X100 Lovers – “Don’t Touch that Camera!” the Story About the Inspiration Behind the Fujifilm X100 Series Design
Well, today, 20th of January, we have to celebrate another important milestone: Fujifilm turns 88 years old today.
Few companies had a more exciting journey with incredible heights and lows like Fujifilm. But even in the darkest hours, they always found a way out of it.
Fujifilm has proven to be a creative and innovative company also with the Fujifilm X series.
At the time Fujifilm started to offer mirrorless cameras, there were already lots of other MILC systems out there from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus etc.
Fujifilm did join more or less at the same time with Samsung. And while I remember the huge marketing effort Samsung did to become popular with their MILC system and some groundbreaking cameras like the Samsung NX1, Samsung failed, whereas Fujifilm succeeded.
As opposed to Samsung, Fujifilm did not deliver cameras with groundbreaking specs nor did they spend tons of money into marketing their cameras. What they focused on was to look for what was missing for us photographers, and that was reasonably priced cameras that looked great, had lots of dials for manual controls and were fun to use.
The whole system was designed for a niche that appreciated feel, form, function and fun over mere specs.
So, the Samsung NX1, which tried to compete with Sony & Co in terms of specs (and it did beat them at that time) failed, whereas Fujifilm carved out its niche. A niche that grew over the years, also thanks to more mainstream cameras like the X-S10 and GFX100S, so that it now became the third most sold mirrorless camera system.
Look, I run FujiRumors since 10 years now, and the X system had been called dead since ever by all possible influencers. Every time a new full frame camera came out, many influencers said sensor size matters and hence APS-C is dead. And when Fujifilm launched a system with a 70% fuller sensor than full frame, the same influencers rushed out to scream that suddenly sensor size does not matter, and GFX will die.
And despite all death predictions, here we are, alive, healthy and strong. Maybe too strong, as the only real problem Fujifilm has at the moment, is to deliver what people order.
88 years of Fujifilm. 10 years of X mount. 5 years of Fujifilm GFX.
And trust me, Fujifilm intends to celebrate all this in a big way. Don’t miss the mega X summit in May 2022 and well before that all the rumors here on FujiRumors. We have something exciting to tell you.
5 years ago Fujifilm’s decision became obvious to all of us: unlike everybody else, we are going to skip full frame, build up the best APS-C system in the known universe and offer as an alternative to full frame a medium format mirrorless system. The result: the Fujifilm GFX system.
And well, the Fujifilm GFX series turns 5 years old today.
It all started with the launch of the original Fujifilm GFX50S on January 19 and the slogan “The Game has Changed”.
I remember at that time lots of skeptical comments, especially by influencers who believe that only full frame matters.
But looking back, I guess much of that skepticism has dissipated by now, given that Fujifilm is now offering medium format mirrorless cameras (GFX100S) that are smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras (Panasonic S1 series) and offer more megapixel at a more affordable price than some full frame mirrorless cameras (Sony A1).
Sure, all the cameras we mentioned above have other strengths, such as video or speed, but all I want to say is that the Fujifilm GFX series is finding a solid ground on which to flourish.
So here we are, 5 years, 5 GFX cameras and 13 lenses later (with more to come) to celebrate a wonderful system that has a terrific potential for the future, as I explained here.
Today you should be happy as a Fujifilm X and GFX shooter, and I tell you why.
The latest BCN data* shows that Fujifilm was able to pass Sony and hence placed itself on the second spot behind Canon in the Japanese digital camera market. It’s the first time since 19 years that Fujifilm was able to grab the second spot.
So what pushed Fujifilm suddenly so high?
Well, it’s not the X or GFX series, but mainly the Instax Mini EVO that boosted the market share for Fujifilm. Sure, those are technically speaking also digital cameras, but they belong to the Instax family.
Another homerun for Fujifilm, but not in the ranking as it is not a camera, is the Instax Wide Printer, which I also got for myself and truly enjoy (I’ve waited YEARS for this!)
And I remember how Fuji Guys said in the early days of the X series adventure, that the massive cash Fujifilm makes with Instax products is also partially used to fuel the development of their digital X series cameras.
So the tremendous success for Instax is a good news also for us Fujifilm X and GFX shooters, especially considering that also Instax struggled to sell back in 2019 and in 2020.
This sharp recovery of Instax, mainly thanks to the Instax Mini EVO (which is indeed Fuji’s best looking and most vintage operating Instax camera), but also thanks to the Instax Mini LiPlay and Instax Wide Printer and more, brings fresh money into Fujifilm’s camera segment, which ultimately can be used also for the X and GFX series development.
Money, that is much needed, as this year will be a fantastic Fujifilm year, with the Fujifilm X-H2 introducing the 5th generation X series cameras in May 2022, which hopefully will come not only with great new hardware, but also with a huge computational photography boost.
*BCN collects data of about 40% of the Japanese electronics and online stores.
The Fujifilm X-T3 WW (WorldWide) is an X-T3 without charger. By removing the charger and simplifying the shipping progress into different countries, Fujifilm is able to save some money. Savings, that Fujifilm passes to us customers by making it a terrific deal to buy.
TEAC announced the development of TASCAM XLR Audio Adapter for Fujifilm Mirrorless Cameras back in August. A firmware update coming soon will make the Tascam CA-XLR2d-F compatible with Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10 and GFX100S.