Japanese Fujifilm Managers: X-Pro and X-E line Not Stopped, X-Trans is Here to Stay, PSAM vs RETRO, GFX Sports Photography and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

At the last CP+, the French Website Phototrend had the opportunity to talk to Japanese Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the X series and to Japanese Fujifilm manager Makoto Oishi about the GFX series.

Down below you can find a quick summary. For the full French version check out the articles at Phototrend here (X series) and here (GFX series). Plus a little rant at the end.

X series

  • Fujifilm can not confirm if X-Pro4 will arrive soon or not
  • X-Pro line is not stopped
  • X-T and X100 series do not satisfy all customers who want a “pure photography” experience
  • Fujifilm is studying different possibilities
  • feedback and expectations are high for the next X-Pro
  • X-E line is not stopped
  • sports photography is a difficult market
  • other brands are long established there and for Fujifilm it’s new terrain
  • Fujifilm can not confirm anything about eventual future lenses for sport photographers
  • Fujifilm has received great feedback about the latest autofocus system, but they will continue to improve
  • renewing older lenses is something that Fujifilm has in mind
  • XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 [admin note: will replace the XF18-55mmF2.4.8]
  • Fujifilm is not considering any option other than X-Trans for their APS-C cameras
  • its unique matrix offers the advantage of combining high definition and suppression of moiré and chromatic aberrations
  • for X100VI, Fujifilm has developed the smallest and thinnest IBIS unit to date
  • the X100VI IBIS wiring has been moved to the side – see here
  • IBIS system uses data from the image in addition to the gyroscope (motion blur is analyzed from the live-view image)
  • the grip of the X100VI is a tenth of a millimeter deeper than X100V for a better grip

GFX series

  • GFX100II market return (sales) is very good, not only among professional photographers, but also filmmakers and directors
  • GFX100II sales exceed Fujifilm’s expectations
  • GFX100S is still very popular because Fujifilm has lowered its price
  • GFX100S still very popular in some markets like China
  • professionals go for GFX100II, enthusiasts for GFX100S
  • Fujifilm never looked at its market share in medium format segment
  • other manufacturers have no announced so many new products, so Fujifilm thinks they are Nr.1
  • some expect a faster 50MP GFX. But Fujifilm thinks high definition is more popular
  • there are lots of FF cameras offering 50/60 megapixel, so offering 50MP now has become almost banal
  • Fujifilm focuses on improving the 100MP sensor performance
  • for professionals ergonomics are very important
  • first GFX cameras had dedicated dials but now they switched to a easier to operate PSAM dial layout
  • Fujinon GF 500 mm f/5.6: it’s time for Fujifilm GFX to approach wildlife and sports photography
  • normally APS-C lenses are compact than FF and MF (hence also smaller AF motors)
  • but regarding telephoto lenses, size primarily depends on diameter and aperture. Regardless of whether it’s for APS-C, FF or MF, the fundamental construction of telephoto lenses, particularly on the front lens side, is the same
  • Fujifilm tries to make the GF500mm as small and light as possible to obtain faster autofocus
  • tilt-shift lenses are the most difficult to design
  • Fujifilm started to develop its GF tilt shift lenses back in 2019
  • why not retro? High end high speed cameras need to be operated quickly, hence PSAM. Also good for hybrid shooters for video

Let me just say that I strongly, vehemently, vigorously and fervidly disagree with Fujifilm in regards to what they said why they stick with PSAM on their GFX lineup.

First: the GFX system is not know to be blazing fast and immensely popular among high end sports photographers. I actually feel the GFX system would be the ideal system to use a retro layout.

Second: maybe Fujifilm should watch my video so they learn how to operate their own cameras.

They will find out that one can operate their retro styled cameras exactly as any PSAM camera out there. It’s a marvellous and ingenious design that gives us photographer the best of both words: retro if I want to have fun shooting or want to actually operate the camera already before turning it on, and PSAM if one needs to make lots of adjustment all the time on the fly.

Retro Fujifilm cameras offer both options. PSAM cameras force you into one way to operate the camera.

And in my opinion not offering retro styled GFX cameras anymore is one of the all time biggest mistakes Fujifilm is doing.

C’mon Fujifilm, look at what is selling best in your X system. You’ll see that retro X cameras outsell PSAM cameras by very far. And Nikon had a colossal success with the Nikon Zf lately. It’s clear that in times where every camera is just so good, what people really look for is to have a different photographic experience thanks to dedicated vintage dials.

The joy of shooting sells better than any specs boost you can show off on paper.

An example?

The X100VI sells like hot cakes. The revolutionary global shutter ultra modern high speed blazing fast Sony A9III is selling way below Sony’s expectations (you could always find it in stock everywhere all the time because demand is not high… ask your local retailer).

Make sure to read/watch below:

Fujifilm Displays 10 Lenses “Under Study” and Talks X-Pro, X-E, GFX-R and Fixed Lens GFX Future

With all the talk about the Fujifilm X100VI in these days, we can now report also something interesting for those of you, who are not into the X100 line (thanks to Mistral!).

In a session with journalists, Fujifilm shared 10 lenses that were “under study” and also talked about future X/GFX cameras, as reported by the French website lesnumeriques here, who also is to credit for the images.

10 Lenses “Under Study”
(Images at the Top of the Article)

Fujifilm did display 10 lenses currently “under study” by Fujifilm. But please guys, don’t take this as any sort of “roadmap”, for the reasons I’ll explain below.

  • Super-Telephoto Prime lens XF 400mm or longer
    – 100-110mm diameter
    – 240-280 length
    – weight 1,300-1,400g
  • XF120mmF2 (in between XF90mmF2 and XF200mmF2)
    – Size 140-160mm
    – 90-110mm diameter
    – 900-1,000g
  • Super Wide-angle Fast Lens for Astro Photography
    – Size 80-100mm
    – 70-80mm diameter
    – weight 400-600g
  • XF 23mm Pancake
    – size 20-40mm
    – 60-65mm diameter
    – Weight 80-100g
  • Super Zoom Lens XF 16-200mm
    – size 120-140mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 600-800g
  • Tele-Photo Zoom Lens at F4
    – size 120-130mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 500-700g
  • Compact Wide Zoom Lens at F2.8
    – size 70-90mm
    – 60-75mm diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Fish-Eye Lens
    – size 50-60mm
    – 55-70 diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Affordable Thin Standard Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – size 30-40mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 100-130G
  • Affordable Wide Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – Size 40-50mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 130-170g

It’s not the first time that Fujiflm gave us a list of “lenses under study“. It happened also back in 2019, when they even wanted us to vote on those lenses (as they wanted the journalists to vote on the lenses we display today). And if we look at the list, except for some MKII lenses, not much on that list ever materialized in a real product.

So don’t take it as a solid indication on anything.

Future X Cameras

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X Summit February 20 :: Fujifilm GFX25 Rumors :: Fujifilm X-T6 Talks :: My Biggest Fujifilm 2023 Disappointment and More – Top 10 December Articles

Here are the most read articles for December.

  1. What to Expect from Fujifilm in 2024 (and What Probably Not)
  2. Fujifilm 2024: A Look Ahead Between Rumors and Speculations (X-Pro4, X100R, X-E5, X-T40, New XF Lenses, GFX Future)
  3. Fujifilm GFX25: High-Speed 25.44MP, 12fps, Oversampled DCI 4K/60p (no Crop) and the Return of a Wrong Rumor
  4. Fujifilm X-T6 in 2024? Let’s Talk about it!
  5. I was WRONG about Fujifilm X100V Successor – RUMOR CORRECTION
  6. These are the 17 New Autofocus Lenses we Got for Fujifilm X in 2023
  7. Capture One offers FREE Fujifilm RAW Converter for Fujifilm Users
  8. LEAKED: This is the Date of the Next Fujifilm X Summit
  9. My Biggest Fujifilm Disappointment of 2023
  10. Best Selling (Fujifilm related) Gear 2023

Runner Up

Honorable Mentions

100% Rumors Only at our YouTube Channel

Fujinon GF14-20mm Coming – Really?

FujiRumors mock-up
FujiRumors mock-up

Fujinon GF14-20mm

A long list of “rumored” Fujifilm gear “leaked” on the web and we reported here.

I instantly warned you about a lot of inaccuracies in that list. Wrong stuff that we started to correct.

The first one to be unveiled as wrong is the Fujifilm GFX25.

Anyway, there was another piece of gear on that list, that intrigued people: the Fujinon GF14-20mm.

So let me put it this way:

The best I can say about it for now, is that none of our sources is aware of such a lens.

I don’t call it a “wrong rumor” simply because there is a difference between our sources saying something is fake (GFX25) and our sources saying they are not aware of certain gear.

But the fact that already the GFX25 rumor is wrong (and more on that list will be proven wrong), could be an indication that pretty much anything “leaked” on that list has to be taken with a grain of salt and it’s probably just a compilation of guesses and speculations wrapped into a more tasty rumor package to give it more credibility. I am NOT saying E8M made it up, it is likely that somebody else made it up and passed it to E8M, who then shared it. That’s the way guys try to convince you to publish wrong info.

Anyway, I have to be accurate when I report what our sources say. And they tell me they have no information about such a lens.

For me, this means that I have zero hopes for an eventual GF14-20 to come in 2024 and I am also not overly optimistic to see one in 2025. And if it never comes, I would not be surprised either.

If you need to go wide, your best option for a long time will be the Fujinon GF20-35mm f/4.

What will come for sure though, is what is on the roadmap: the Fujinon GF500mmF5.6 and the GF Power Zoom lens.

GF Lens Patents

The Future of Fujifilm in Patents (X and GFX gear). Filtered below you find the GFX gear related patents.

Fujifilm FF240001 Registration Found (3rd Unreleased Product): The Rumors Go Wild with Fujifilm GFX25, GFX100SII, X-Pro4, X100 and More

On the Chinese Weibo (linked below), the patent for a third unregistered Fujifilm camera has surfaced, the FF240001.

So we are now at a total of three registered cameras that have yet to be released.

  • FF230002
  • FF230003
  • FF240001

From here all possible speculations start and you can read them down below.

How do I know these are just made up speculations and not rumors?

Well, because there are so many errors I will have to correct ;). In short here are the “rumors”.

  • What they say is Sure (+ Possible)
  • 4 to 6 cameras coming in 2024
  • GFX100SII with X-T5 retro style body and no 8K video and lack of many video functions
  • X100V successor almost done. 40 MP biggest possibility
  • Highly Reliable
  • X-Pro4 updated to X-T5 performance with normal flip screen. But another source it has still the mini-LCD on the back. New film simulation
  • X100V with IBIS and OIS and 160MP High resolition mode
  • Generally Reliable
  • X100V with 50mm mode (20MP resolution)
  • 2024 is the year of GFX, with GFX100SII and several GF lenses with good focus performance
  • GFX25 coming mainly for video shooting (multiple sources confirm this)
  • Basically Impossible
  • GFX200 with 200 Megapixel
  • X-T40 ready to be released with 40 megapixel
  • No Reliability Rating
  • X-E series update in summer 2024
  • GF 14-20mm coming
  • 2x TC for GFX

But hey, it’s online. Let’s have fun even if it’s just made up stuff :).

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

BREAKING: Fujinon XF16-50mm Coming to Replace XF18-55mm f/2.8-4

We already told you that the next XF lens that Fujifilm will launch will be the replacement to the Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4.

And we also told you here not to expect an XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 MKII.

In fact, according to our trusted sources, the XF18-55 replacement will be an XF16-50mm lens.

I know what you think.

You think “that sounds more like the replacement to the Fujinon XC 16-50mm“.

But no, it’s not, because the replacement to the Fujinon XC16-50mm is already out and it’s this lens here.

And more importantly, the XF18-55mm production will be stopped once the XF16-50mm is out, making the 16-50mm effectively the replacement to the XF18-55mm as the main kit lens.

Personally I am happy to see it going a bit wider (16mm vs 18mm).

And while some might not be happy about the slightly shorter long end, consider that the XF18-55 is not a lens capable, wide open, to resolve all 40MP of the latest APS-C X series cameras. If the replacement, the XF16-50mm, turns out to be sensibly sharper than the 18-55, then you might lose some zoom range on the long end, but you’ll be able to compensate in part for that by being able to crop in more and still get a nice clean, sharp image.

I have no solid information on the aperture range.

As soon as I have more details on this lens (but also other upcoming XF lenses), I will inform you here on FujiRumors.

Follow FujiRumors on

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

New Firmware for Fringer EF-FX Pro III, EF-GFX Pro, NF-FX and NF-GFX

Fringer has released a couple of firmware updates.

Fringer adapters can be ordered at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

List of Smart Adapters

Firmware Details & Download Links

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm BLACK FRIDAY Starts NOW with Massive Rebates on X and GFX Cameras and Lenses

Before we start with the black Friday Fujifilm deals, maybe some of you will remember Michal Krause.

He is the fellow FR-reader who wrote one of the most successful and appreciated guest posts here on FujiRumors (with LOTS of great images!)

Well, Michal has launched the English version of his book: Capture One Effectively – The Complete Guide to Capture One Pro 23.

You can read more details about the ebook at this page here.

Black Friday

Fujifilm has currently a huge black Friday sale running in USA.

You can check out the full list of deals at B&H here.

The deals include rebates on the X-H2 and X-H2S and lots of lenses.

Probably on their lowest price ever the XF50mmF1.0, the XF150-600mm, the XF200mmF2 as well as other lenses.

X Cameras

BONUS OFFER: Purchase a qualifying X Series body (X-H2, X-H2S, X-S10) or kit product along with a LEXAR 2000X 256GB SD Card and receive $100 off the combined purchase price!

X Lenses

GFX Gear

Fujifilm Patents Fujinon XF 18-300mmF3.5-6.5 OIS, XF 16-200mmF3.5-6.5 OIS and XF 16-150mmF4-6.5 OIS

A few months ago we wrote a dedicated article about “Fujifilm patents”, where we dig deep into every single patent ever registered since the existence of the Fujifilm X series.

And we saw: out of 67 patents, not a single one became a real product until now.

I made this huge effort to go through 10+ years of articles on FujiRumors and find every single patent ever shared, because I noticed the tendency by many in the X shooter community to take such patents as rocksolid indication of what is Fujifilm will launch in future.

My goal is to Invite you to take these patents for what they are: products that in 99,9999% of the cases will exist only on paper.

With that said, today we have three more patents to add to the list as they have been spotted by the Japanese website asobinet.

  • Fujinon XF 18-300mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS

Given the lovely Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, I see no urgency for the Fujinon XF 18-300mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS.

  • Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS

The Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS might be a bit too close to the Fujinon XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR and one of my favorite X mount lenses, the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

  • Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS

Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS could be the only that could make sense to me as a meaningful addition to the X series lineup.

But forget patents, follow the rumors.

And the rumors say, that the next XF lens we will get is the replacement of this lens here.

Patent Details

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

My Experience with the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 – Crafted to Trigger GAS

On Saturday, Fujifilm had one of its Italian Roadshow gear presentation in the lovely town of Trento just 30 minutes car drive away from my home.

Much to my surprise, they already had the Fujifilm GFX100II and the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 R WR there for testing. And I could test it for about 30 minutes only.

Now, initially I wrote an article that contained both, my GFX100II and my GF55mmF1.7 first impressions.

But I decided to split it up in two parts for one reason: the launch of the Fujifilm GFX100II has overshadowed what I believe is a true gem of a lens: the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7.

So much so, that I believe Fujifilm should have given this lens a separate launch date.

But that’s how it is.

And that’s why FujiRumors wants to bring the GFX system world into the right balance again by giving the wonderful Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 the space it deserves.

So, here are my first impressions without GFX100II distraction.

Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 R WR – Perfection Achieved

INSANE!

I shot everything at f/1.7.

The reason?

It was so sharp wide open, that I was scared to stop down and to hurt my eyes with even sharper images (if that is even possible).

The good thing?

If you need to take a rest from all that sharpness, then just look at the background of the image and enjoy a massive relaxation for your eyes thanks to a wonderful, dreamy-creamy and buttery-smooth bokeh.

And the autofocus?

Surprisingly fast autofocus for a lens without linear motor in it. I mean, I used it initially on my Fujifilm GFX100S, and my first reaction was to read on the lens front element if there is really not “LM” (linear motor) written on it. I was very positively surprised. Having had experience with the GF80mmF1.7, I can say the GF55mmF1.7 is a significant step up compared to it.

Sure, Linear Motor lenses might still be faster. But shooting with the GF55mmF1.7 won’t be a frustrating experience in terms of autofocus. Actually quite a pleasing one it was for me.

I have also made a tracking test using the Fujifilm GFX100II and GF55mmF1.7. I will share the results in the second part of the review where I talk about the Fujifilm GFX100II, because I need to talk about settings, test conditions to put the results in proper context. So watch out for that one coming soon.

Two problems!

  1. The depth of field is very shallow. Used on my GFX100S, I had images where the top of the eyelash was in focus and the eye pupil itself not (see sample below). If you are going to shoot it wide open it certainly will help to have the best autofocus possible. And the best autofocus possible you get is with the GFX100II.
  2. True story: after my third “wow” while I was testing it and reviewing the images, my wife said: “but you are not going to buy it, right?” So now we have a problem. A problem that hopefully a nice dinner in a fancy restaurant and a couple of flowers will be able to solve.

Overall Conclusion

Not the lightest lens on the world, but it is also not too big for an f/1.7 lens. Well balanced overall with my GFX100S.

At f/1.7 it is so sharp that, true story, my wife complaint when she saw the images because she could notice every single little imperfection of her skin.

They say Bokeh is subjective, but this one is objectively very good.

Fujifilm said during X Summit that they use the aspherical lens manufactured with ultra precision resulting in the reduction of axial chromatic aberration and onion ring effect. it is also their first GF lens with 11 aperture blades for near perfect circular aperture.

If you love the versatility of the 40mm-ish full frame equivalent focal length, then this is the one!

And look, I own the Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5 and love it for its fantastic portability. But versatility comes not only from size, but also from speed. And at f/1.7 the GF55mmF1.7 opens up other possibilities in terms of low light performance and subject separation that make it just more suitable and flexible for more use cases.

I can totally recommend this lens if all you want in your life is the humble need for optical perfection in your images :D.

That’s at least my impression after 30 minutes of use. I had no time to test chromatic aberration, focus breathing and what not. So if those are critically important things for you wait for further reviews. Although what I’ve read so far is that also chromatic aberration is well controlled and Fujifilm actually emphasised during launch at the X summit the “reduction of axial chromatic aberration” and “less color fringe“.

Samples

Down below I will share three samples. All taken at f/1.7 using the Fujifilm GFX100S.

  • Sample 1 + Crop = shows how impressively sharp the performance is at f/1.7
  • Sample 2 + Crop = shows how shallow the DOF is and how that can lead to slightly out of focus images
  • Sample 3 = enjoy the smooth bokeh background

Get Yours

And the Rest of the New Gear