2020 Rumor Check: What’s Right, What’s Wrong and What’s Still to Come (with Reliability Ranking)

One or two times a year, I like to look back on the rumors we shared here on FujiRumors, and see if I delivered accurate content or not.

Plus, I will share the remaining rumors that should materialize in 2021 with reliability ranking.

Let’s check it out:

  • 90 rumors shared in 2020 so far
  • 1 rumor still to be verified and 2 rumors not in ranking (details below)
  • 82 correct rumors out of 90 verifiable rumors
  • 5 wrong rumor out of 90 verifiable rumors (most of the the wrong rumors were acutally right at the time of sharing. You’ll understand if you check out the details below.)
  • 91% correct rumors

Rumor Overview with Rating

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Fujifilm X-E4 still with 26 Megapixel X-Trans sensor (and Why I’m Happy with That)

Fujifilm X-E4

I noticed some speculation in the comments, on whether the Fujifilm X-E4 might introduce a new sensor generation.

But nope, it’s not going to happen. Fujifilm will put the 26 megapixel X-Trans sensor in the X-E4.

And quite frankly, despite it being 2.5 years old, it is still packed with Sony’s latest and greatest technology: phase detection pixels all over the sensor, back-side illuminated, copper wiring for even faster readout. It’s the best sensor Sony has to offer without going into more exotic (and expensive) terrain with stacked sensors (Sony A9 series), which allow even faster readout, but decrease dynamic range.

Yes, Sony has a 43 megapixel APS-C sensor in offer, but maybe that’s a bit of an overkill for APS-C. In my opinion the sweet spot for APS-C is somewhere around 32/35 Megapixel. It would allow for 8K video recording, be still supported by Fujinon glass and just offer a nice balance between file size, details, dynamic range, costs and just overall performance. For 50+ megapixel, it is probably better to go with the GFX system anyway.

As you can imagine, I am working on more details regarding the Fujifilm X-E4. If I have anything new, I’ll you know on FujiRumors soon.

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Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0: Meet the “Worst” Lens of the Year that Many Want and Love ;)

XF50mm f/1.0 – Worst Lens 2020?

Recently DPRTV declared the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 the worst lens of 2020.

Of course this generated a heated debate. And today we are going to discuss this in a dedicated post.

Now, I think we can all agree that the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 is not the sharpest Fujinon lens. But I doubt anyone would seriously expect that from an f/1.0 lens.

I think Jonas Rask described this lens best, when he wrote:

The images coming from XF50mm f/1 R WR has those exact same undefinable traits that makes me love my XF35mm f/1.4 so much. The sharpness that is sharp, yet not overly sharp. A flattering kind of sharpness that seems more rounded, organic and less digital/clinical.

[…]You know that “magic” that everyone is referring to when talking about the old XF35mm f/1.4? […] The focus on making a character lens instead of a “perfect” lens. And that is EXACTLY what the XF50mm f/1 R WR is. A lens full of character, but not a perfect optical creation.

But being not the sharpest, does not mean that it is unusable soft at f/1.0.

On the contrary, many other reviewers praise it for its sharpness all over the frame already at f/1.0.

Let’s Look More at the Worst Lens of the Year

Now also ivanjoshualoh joined the discussion, with his article “Meet the Worst Lens of 2020“. He shows samples taken at f/1.0, and quite frankly, for being at f/1.0, I think that they look totally fine. You can see one of his samples at 200% magnifications in this instagram post and you can check out his full article here.

In the B&H Explora Top 10 Mirrorless lenses list for 2020, the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR grabs the second spot right after the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM. Read the full list here.

Another one comes from abiggercamera, who also took at look at his XF50mmF1.0 and shared his thoughts in this post.

Last but not least, the first customer reviews at AmazonUS and BHphoto here are also pretty positive.

What is Happening?

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The Rise of Selfie Screens, The Myth of Them Being Better for Video and About Pleasing Youtubers instead of Customers

2020 Trend

These days everybody is making its list of the best and worst gear 2020, as well as best and worst trends of 2020.

And it’s on the latter one, the “trends”, that I would like to focus on today.

Because it is clear: one of the hot trends in the photography industry is putting selfie screens on cameras.

And guys, we have to talk about it!

I Am NOT a Selfie Screen Hater

To be clear: I do not hate selfie screens.

And in fact, during the various COVID-19 lockdowns, I often have to teach online and record my lessons, and the selfie screen is a true blessing!

A fully articulating screen is not the photography-evil of our times. It still works fine, it’s still flexible, and I have rather rapidly learned to accept it on my Fujifilm X-T4, sometimes even to love it (especially during my online lessons).

So, if you are one of those, who loves the fully articulating screen, I get it. Maybe I don’t love it as much as you do, but I could totally accept a selfie screen on cameras like the future Fujifilm X-H2 for example.

But….

But it’s getting a bit out of control, with selfie screens just popping up on so many cameras, that we have to talk about it.

And why is this happening?

Tony Northrup
“Selfie Screen? Pleasing Youtubers is Higher Priority than Pleasing Customers”
Vs.
Jonas Rask
“I have no count as to how many shots I missed becauseof the Selfie Screen”

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Photography Books for X Mas

With the X mas season approaching, I thought it could be interesting to share some gift ideas gravitating around photography books. Feel free to drop your suggestion in the comments.

Overall Best Seller on Amazon

  • Humans by Brandon Stanton
    Reviews:
    – “One of the most influential art projects of the decade.” ―Washington Post
    – “Profound interviews and signature stunning photography.” ―Newsweek

Top rated trilogy by Henry Carroll:

Thames & Hudson Photofile, a mini collections from names like Bill Brandt, Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Josef Koudelka and others (thanks Dough).

Fujifilm related books:

Other Recommended Photography Books

The Top Selling Photography Books on Amazon:

Top 10 Posts for November: SIGMA Lenses for Fujifilm, the X-Pan Rebirth of X-Pro1, Film Simulation Recipe Cards, XF27mmF2.8 MK II and More

Here are the top 10 posts for November:

  1. The X-Pan Rebirth of Fujifilm X-Pro1
  2. This Guy Designed Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipe Cards to Download and Print
  3. Sigma Says DC DN Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount will Hopefully Come in 2021
  4. Fujifilm X-H2, X80, GFX100V, X-Pan, Monochrome and More – FR-Readers Wishlist Corner
  5. Fujinon XF27mm F2.8 MK II Coming Early 2021 with Fujifilm X-E4
  6. Fujifilm X-E4 Coming in First Quarter 2021
  7. Tokina ATX-M 23mmF1.4 and 33mmF1.4 Pre-Order Available Soon and Release on December 11
  8. Fuji Guys Switching To Fujifilm Guide (and Finally They Explain it!)
  9. Fujifilm Introduces FUJIFILM GFX100 IR (Infrared) Version Large Format Mirrorless Digital Camera
  10. Fujifilm Manager Talks Full Frame Market Shift (and Why Fuji Sticks with APS-C), WR Versions of Older Lenses, Market Situation & More

Top Runner Up News

Top “Personal” post

Holiday Deal Pages

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DPReview 2020 Gear Awards: Canon Dethrones Sony, Fujifilm X-S10 Triumph but did they Forget the GFX Lenses?

Best Gear 2020

DPReview awarded the best gear of 2020.

Lots of what they say makes sense, but I don’t really agree with everything. For example, the Fujifilm X-T4 is second in the mid-range ranking behind the Canon R6, which costs $800 more. For me, the Fujifilm X-T4 is so much better value for money.

Worth to notice, Canon grabs some of the most prestigious top spots, which in the past were usually in solid Sony hands.

And to me totally unsurprising: the little and affordable Fujifilm X-S10 is not only the best entry level camera, but it also grabs the second spot as overall top product 2020.

I am saying it since I’ve shared the first rumors: Fujifilm is doing lots of things right with the X-S10. If you don’t need weather sealing or 2 SD card slots, it’s by far the best value for money camera you can buy.

Last but not least the glorious Fujifilm X100V, frankly without any competition in the fixed lens compact camera segment.

What I do not get is the lack of any GFX lens. Not only the Fujinon GF30mm f/3.5 or Fujinon GF45-100mmF/4 have not been awarded, but they did not even enter the shortlist of candidates.

In my opinion the GF lenses would have highly deserved a top spot. But I guess the GFX system is not really on DPR’s radar due to rather limited market share, and it’s easier to award gear that is also a big hit at the box office.

Let’s go through the list.

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Fujinon XF27mm F2.8 MK II Coming Early 2021 with Fujifilm X-E4

Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 MK II

It had to happen this way!

According to our trusted sources, Fujifilm decided to launch the Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 MK II along with the Fujifilm X-E4. Both will be announced in early 2021.

This makes a lot of sense, as the XF27mm pancake prime is the perfect fit for a camera so small and portable as the X-E series.

I own both, the X-E3 and XF27mmF2.8, and I am looking forward to both, the X-E4 and XF27mmF2.8 MK II.

Will I buy both?

I don’t know yet.

I am so happy with my X-E3, that the X-E4 needs to have a couple of new nice features in order to convince me to get rid of my X-E3 for the X-E4. A simple tilt screen (please no selfie-stuff), a combined ISO/shutter dial as on X100V and X-Pro3, all the latest film simulations and autofocus algorithm… give me all that, and it will be hard for me to resist to it.

The new XF27mmF2.8 MK II instead needs just one thing: an aperture ring! Give me that, and I am all-in!

And even though I have no additional rumors about the XF27mmF2.8 MK II for now, I will probably sell my current 27mm just before the new one hits the market and the old one inevitably loses value.

It’s an act of faith: Fujifilm originally planned the XF27mmF2.8 to come with an aperture ring (as you can see in images we share in the past), and I have faith (no information, just faith) that Fujifilm will put the aperture ring back in the new 27mm.

DO NOT PANIC

Yes, I know, when Fujifilm released the latest X mount roadmap, the XF27mmF2.8 II was not included in the list of new lenses.

But you might have missed it, how, ahead of the new X mount roadmap, I warned you here: the XF27mmF2.8 MK II is coming, but won’t be on the new roadmap.

You don’t have to, but I strongly invite you to trust me: the XF27mmF2.8 MK II is coming, and today we know it will come along with the X-E4.

Trust me, guys ;)

Black Friday

Black Friday officially starts on November 27, but it looks like Amazon was rather impatient, and already put its Black Friday pages live.

 

 

The Power of Fujifilm Colors: Why I LOVE Fuji Colors and See Them in Action at Our Film Simulations Group

I don’t know you, but when I look at an image, the first thing I notice is not how sharp it is at 400% magnification or how grainy it is at 12800 ISO.

Nope!

What first grabs my attention are subject/composition and colors. Those are the main “WOW” factors for me.

And while for the first one (subject/composition) no Fujifilm camera can help you and it’s totally up to the photographer to compose a pleasing image, when it comes to colors, Fujifilm cameras can be quite a good support for us photographers, and certainly they are for me.

Since I switched to Fujifilm (after a long journey searching for “my” system), I have quite radically changed (and speed-up) my editing-workflow thanks to Fuji’s film simulations.

I still shoot RAW+JPEG, I still adjust exposure, add sharpening here and there and make some other tweaks. But the more film simulations Fujifilm was releasing over the years, the less I found myself in the need to laboriously edit the color part of my images in order to set the right mood.

Not to talk of all those times, when the JPEG is just right out of the box, and I don’t adjust anything at all.

So yes, for me, Fujifilm film simulation make a whole lot of difference and are one of the main reasons why I love Fujifilm.

In order to celebrate Fujifilm colors, I recently launched the Fujifilm Film Simulation group, which has reached 10+K members in a very short time.

In this group, images can be edited in all their parts (sharpening, shadow/highlight recovery etc), except for colors. The colors must come purely out of your Fujifilm camera (or be applied in post in Capture One / Lightroom).

It is also allowed to share images that use custom presets, which means take a film simulation and fine tune its settings in-camera (increase contrast, add grain etc), creating your own receipts to store as custom profile inside your Fujifilm camera. Those are very fun to try out!

Now, since I am in total lockdown again (see me here chilling with my dog and cat at home), I have a bit more time this weekend and I decided to use it to go though the images at our Fujifilm Film Simulation group and pick out some of the most liked shots for you.

You’ll see images taken with all kind of film simulations, but you’ll notice that Classic Chrome and Classic Negative turn out to be the most shared and liked ones (or receipts derived from those film simulations).

But also ACROS, Velvia, Provia and one of my favorites, Astia, are also present down below.

Feel free to check out the images below and to join the group if you want.

NOTE: if you join the group and share images, do not forget to tell us which film simulation you used in the description of the image.

I wish you a fantastic weekend,
Patrick

Film Simulation Images Roundup

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FUJIFILM X100F now Discontinued and in Closeout

The Fujifilm X100F was a huge success.

It sold stronger than any of its predecessors leading to biblical long waiting times for pre-ordered cameras to be finally shipped (same destiny the XF50mmF1.0 faces today).

But it looks like you won’t find it for sale for much longer.

In fact, as listed at Adorama here, the Fujifilm X100F is now marked in “Closeout”, indicating that once the stock is cleared, they won’t get any more samples.

All this means just one thing: the Fujifilm X100F is discontinued!

That’s of course inevitable, since the X100F got a wonderful successor with the Fujifilm X100V.