Sigma CEO Confirms Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 for Fujifilm X mount Coming End of 2022 (Probably December)

It’s a known fact since February 2022 that Sigma plans to release the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X mount within this year.

And FujiRumors already reported how Sigma USA gave a more precise timeline: the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 for X mount will be released in December.

But all those statements were made back in early 2022.

So has something changed? Did the parts shortage or the price increase on those parts due to inflation change the plans at Sigma and possibly even delayed the lens?

Well, I am happy to report that Sigma is still on track to release the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 for X mount within this year.

This has in fact just been confirmed by the Sigma CEO himself, who in the latest Sigma Stage talk video confirmed that the lens is scheduled for “end of 2022 release“.

A little good news for X shooters.

Now let’s hope that they will also keep it gently priced as the Sony E mount version.

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Fringer EF-GFX Pro Smart AF Adapter Firmware 1.30 Released

Fringer EF-GFX Pro Smart AF adapter firmware 1.30 has been released.

In additional to ordinary updates like being compatible with more lenses, a new function is added, i.e., in-body vignetting and distortion correction support. The adapter firmware 1.30 has embedded with the correction profile for the following lenses.

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Fujifilm GF Lens Deal Launched – save up to $500

We already reported about the XF lens deals and GFX camera bundle deals.

But just hours after we reported about it, Fujifilm added another deal to their system: GF lens mail-in rebates with up to $500 savings.

GF Lenses (Mail-in Rebate*)

*once you have received your gear, you can submit the form and claim your money back at this page (until August 31 by 5PM ET)

GFX Bundle Deals (Instant Rebate)

X Lenses (Instant Rebate)

X Bundle Deals (Instant Rebate)

DEAL ALERT: Save BIG on Fujifilm XF Lenses (up to $1,000 off) and GFX Gear (Up to $1,650 off)

Fujifilm has launched new deals on X and GFX gear. Down below the full list:

X Gear Savings

Lenses

Bundle Deals

GFX Gear Savings

X-ProF, (Re)designing the Perfect Camera :: Fujifilm X-T5 Wishlist :: X80 with 40mm Lens :: Fujifilm GFX 50R II :: FR-Readers Wishlist Corner

FR-Readers Wishlist Corner

Here is another roundup of wishlist shared by the FR-community to me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com.

Previous Wishlist Episodes:

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Fujinon XF400mm f/4 and Fujinon XF550mm f/5.6 Patents Surfaced

There is a lack of long and fast primes in the Fujinon world. A lack on the market, but not on paper, as Fujifilm has patented a few of them:

Now we have new additions in terms of patents, as Fujifilm patented:

  • Fujinon XF400mm f/4
  • Fujinon XF550mm f/5.6

Particularly the Fujinon XF400mm f/4 seems interesting to FujiRumors readers, as it won our huge telephoto primes survey.

99% of patents remain forever on paper. But it’s good to know Fujifilm keeps looking at long prime options.

Down below you can find the details on both lenses.

If you want to, you can check out our previous “long telephoto primes” related articles.

The Fastest Growing Fujifilm Group

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New Firmware for Fringer EF-GFX, EF-FX and NF-FX Smart AF Adapters Released

Fringer has released firmware updates for several of their Fringer AF adapters.

Down below you can find the full details and download links.

Fringer adapters can be ordered at B&H Photo, AmazonUS and Adorama.

Fringer Adapter Firmware

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New Fujifilm and Topaz Deals…. or Why Fujifilm Prefers Mail-In Rebates over Instant Rebates (like the new up to $500 GF Lens Deals)

Topaz Deal

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.

Fujifilm Deals

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:

  1. Fujifilm launches deals shortly before the fiscal year ends
  2. the deals boost sales
  3. customers initially pay full price for their gear
  4. Fujifilm will show up in front of investors with better sales numbers (it will result as if Fujifilm sold all their gear at full price)
  5. once the yearly financial report is out they will start to refund customers

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.

NEW DEALS: Save up to $500 on Fujinon GF Lenses and Freebies with XF/XC/MKX Lenses and X-T4 Purchase

Well, now it’s your turn to try to resist to GAS ;). I failed in less than 48 hours and grabbed a discounted Fujinon GF50mmF3.5 here in Italy.

The latest temptations you shall try to resist better than I did are:

The gear that gives you access to the deals is:

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.

Deal Details

These are mail-in rebates (except for GFX50R). So buy your gear now, submit your claim and then you’ll receive your money back in form of a pre-paid MasterCard (for the GF lens deals) or get your freebie (for XF/XC lens deals).

BHphoto has all the instruction on how to submit your claim next to each item in offer: just click “rebate available” and then “view details“.

Similar deals run also in Europe here.

RUMOR, NEWS and COMMUNITY

Fujifilm GFX50SII Free Try Before You Buy in USA

Fujifilm USA is launching a free “try before you buy” program for the Fujifilm GFX50SII.

The retailers that participate are listed below after the list of latest X and GFX deals.

GFX Gear

Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3. BHphoto has all the instruction on how to submit your claim next to each item in offer: just click “rebate available” and then “view details“.

X Gear

Buy within March 27 and submit your claim by April 26.

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