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.

• 25% discount on Mask AI
• 25% discount on Adjust AI
• 25% discount on DeNoise AI
• 25% discount on Video Enhance AI
• 25% discount on Sharpen AI
• 25% discount on Gigapixel AI
• 25% discount on JPEG to RAW
• 25% discount on Utility Bundle
• 25% discount on Creator Bundle
• 25% discount on Topaz Studio 2

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

• Buy Qualifying GF Lens and Get a Prepaid Mastercard Worth Up to $500
• Free Fujifilm Lens Protective Filter – with Fujinon MKX, XC or XF Lens Purchase
• Free Saramonic Microphone – with purchase of Fujifilm X-T4 body or kit
• Save $1,500 on Fujifilm GFX50R

GFX Gear

Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3.

• GF 30mmF3.5 – save $300
  BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
• GF 50mm F3.5 – save $200
  BHphoto  / AmazonUS  / Adorama
• GF 63mmF2.8 – save $300
  BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS
• GF 32-64mmF4 – save $500
  BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
• GFX 50R – save $1,500 (instant rebate – no cashback)
  BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Moment

X Gear

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

• Buy any Fujinon XF, XC or MKX lens and get a Free Fujifilm Lens Protective Filter
• Buy Fujifilm X-T4 body or kit and get Free Saramonic Microphone

Dan Bailey is an official Fujifilm X photographer as well as author of several books such as:

• FUJIFILM X Series Unlimited: Mastering Techniques and Maximizing Creativity with Your FUJIFILM
• Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography
• Going Fast With Light

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.

• Video 1: Getting the X10, enjoying its power, its colors (and enjoying shooting JPEG instead of RAW) and travel/work with it
• Video 2: Falling in love with X-Trans, its advantages, getting in touch with Fujifilm, why APS-C and first experience with the Fujifilm X-E1
• Video 3: not yet online, but all indicates that he is going to cover one of Fuji’s most important camera of all times which made him sell all his Nikon gear

I feel that the passion in telling his journey encapsulates nicely what it means and how it feels to be an X shooter.

• Top 10 Most Important Fujifilm Digital Cameras of All Time
• Top 10 Features of Modern Fujifilm X/GFX Cameras that Actually Have their DNA in Older Fujifilm Cameras

the journey of my son starts early, too

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fuji_Rumors (@fuji_rumors)

Did you ever wonder why Fujifilm cameras are so fun to use?

The short answer could be: because (unlike other brands – as SonyAlphaRumors itself admits) Fujifilm has a massive photographic culture that they cherish and honor also in their newest cameras.

• A LOVE Letter to FUJIFILM in Times of Mirrorless Wars

Well, inspired by our recent article about the top 10 digital cameras since the launch of the X mount, FR-reader Patrik Roos decided to make a real all time top 10 list looking at the entire Fujifilm heritage.

With one important distinction, though.

He did not simply pick 10 cameras, but indentified 10 aspects of older Fujifilm cameras that form the basis for the current Fujifilm mirrorless offering.

So, what do our modern X and GFX cameras have in common with older Fujifilm cameras? Patrik will answer this for you down below.

Related Articles

• Top 10 Most Important Fujifilm Digital Cameras of the Past 10 Years
• Happy Birthday: Fujifilm Turns 88 Years Old Today
• Fujifilm X-H2 Announcement in May and Celebrating 10 Years of Fujifilm X Series
• Celebrating 5 Years of Fujifilm GFX Series
• The Error Fujifilm is Doing (and Sony Not)

guest post by Patrik Roos – Repair service Svensk Cykelservice – repairs mostly bikes but also cameras on demand

I have had a look at some of the features that make up the DNA of the current X and GFX lines and have tried to pinpoint the Fujifilm cameras that introduced those ideas into the Fuji realm. I decided on these 10 points that together form the basis of what the current Fujifilm mirrorless systems are:

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).

1. 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.
2. Fujifilm X-Pro1
   This was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Iconic. Beautiful. The start of X-mount.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 ;)
8. 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.
9. 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?
10. 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

Follow FujiRumors on Patreon, Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed, Youtube, Flipboard and Twitter

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!)

So what, who cares? It’s just Instax?

Well, not really.

As you know FujiRumors is 10 years old already, so I have a long memory on what happened and what was said in the past.

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.

• Instax Mini Evo: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama
• Instax Link Wide Printer: AmazonUS, BHphoto, Adorama
• Soft Case for Instax MINI EVO: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama
• Instax Mini Stone Gray Film: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama

via bcn via digicame-info

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fuji_Rumors (@fuji_rumors)

In 2022 we will have for sure a very wild ride here on FujiRumors.

But before we jump on the 2022 rumor-rollercoaster, let’s look back at how things went in 2021.

And I tell you this: I will be BRUTAL to myself, because out of the 5 wrong rumors, I personally consider only 1 really wrong. Why? Well, read my notes at the bottom of the article and I think you’ll agree with me.

Note: if you wonder where the “Sigma X mount lenses coming in 2021” rumor is, well, that was a rumor we shared back in 2020, hence it is not in this list. The rumor however has been sort of confirmed a few months later by Sigma itself, who literally wrote on their social media “we may see some X mount Sigma lenses in 2021“. And after tons of teasers, even the Sigma CEO himself confirmed X mount glass is coming. Sure, I consider this a wrong rumor shared in 2020, but it is clear to me that once again it’s the parts shortage that forced Sigma to adjust their schedule.

With that out of the way, here is the 2021 rumor check:

• 83 rumors shared in 2021
  
• 13 rumors still to be verified (all rumors with high reliability)
• 65 correct rumors out of 70 verifiable rumors
• 5 wrong rumors out of 70 verifiable rumors
• 92,8% correct rumors

Rumor Overview with Rating (about Gear coming in 2022)