Fujifilm Wins at RedDot and TIPA Awards 2024

Fujifilm wins awards.

I love particularly one category this time: “best Polaroid camera”, won by…. the Polaroid I-2. Must have been very though for Polaroid to win that one!

TIPA CAMERA AWARDS

TIPA LENS AWARDS:

RedDot AWARDS

Fujifilm GFX100SII Announcement in Around 6 Weeks

I have received word by an anonymous source (thanks), that the Fujifilm GFX100SII will be announced in “around 6 weeks”.

Let’s do the math: the message has been sent to me on April 8, so 6 weeks later would mean the announcement should happen around May 20.

But since words matter: the source said “around” 6 weeks. So it could happen on May 20, but it could also happen a few days before or after that.

Thanks to the anonymous source for letting me know about it.

IMPORTANT 1:

  • I am receiving anonymous rumors these days that did not go online (yet):
    – some of the rumors I have received are wrong
    – with other rumors I have conflicting reports and I need a bit of time to verify who is right
    – some rumors are completely new to me and I’d like to take a bit of extra time to try to get them verified. If I won’t be able to verify them in a reasonable time, they will go online anyway, but with the disclaimer to take them with a grain of salt

IMPORTANT 2:

Chat 100% anonymously with FujiRumors on Signal – Scan QR Code below – full instructions here

Fujifilm X-T50 is Coming :: The Hard Life of Scalpers :: The Special X-Pro4 :: Firmware Updates & More – Top Articles in March

Here are the top 10 articles for March.

  1. I am Sorry Scalpers, But Fujifilm USA Cares: Large Number of Limited Edition X100VI Order Canceled and Raffle Announced
  2. Fujifilm X100VI Shipping Schedule: Next Batch is Coming, Regular 2-Week Shipments in First 2 Months and Future Delivery Plans
  3. The New Kit: Fujifilm X-T50 to be Announced Together with XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8
  4. Fujifilm Firmware Updates for X-T4, X-T3, X-S10, X-T30II and GFX50SII
  5. Fujifilm X-Pro4 not Coming in 2024: The End of Line or the Beginning of Something Very Special?
  6. There Will NEVER be a Fujifilm X-T40, because it Will be Called Fujifilm X-T50 ;)
  7. Fujifilm X-Pro4: Here is the Truth!
  8. Fuji Guy Billy: “I Can See the Fujifilm X-Pro Moving into 5th Gen, but it Needs Something Special”, Talking X100VI, X-T40, Future Lenses & More
  9. Fujifilm X100VI (vs X100V and Co) Dynamic Range Test Debunks Myth that Higher Megapixels Mean Lower Dynamic Range
  10. 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

IMPORTANT

Top Videos

The New Kit: Fujifilm X-T50 to be Announced Together with XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8

Well, I guess that after all the rumors we saw this one coming. But at least now it is official in terms of “rumors”.

The Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 will be announced together with the Fujifilm X-T50.

So the Fujifilm X-T50 will be the first camera to be offered bundled with the new Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8.

The Next X Mount Lens 

5th Generation X Gear

5th Generation GFX Gear

There Will NEVER be a Fujifilm X-T40, because it Will be Called Fujifilm X-T50 ;)

Most people and all websites are calling the successor to the Fujifilm X-T30II the “Fujifilm X-T40“.

However, according to our sources, there will be no Fujifilm X-T40, because the X-T30II successor will be called Fujifilm X-T50.

That makes sense to me, because it belongs to the 5th generation Fujifilm cameras (with 5th generation processor, AF goodness etc).

And yes, I know. The X-H2, X-H2S and X-S20 are also part of the 5th generation Fujifilm lineup, and yet they don’t feature the numeral “5” in their names. However, transitioning directly from X-H1/X-S10 to X-H5/X-S50 would likely have been too big of jump. In this case, it makes sense to maintain the “2” designation, indicating the second generation of this series.

So, from now, shall we call it the Fujifilm X-T50.

The Fujifilm X-T50 will be the next APS-C camera that Fujifilm will launch.

5th Generation X Gear

5th Generation GFX Gear

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LEAKED: Fujinon XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR Additional Images

There is this wonderful little lens in the Fujinon lineup that has brought huge joy to many of us (me included).

In fact, I’ve taken some of my all-time favourite images with it.

But it’s time for this lens to retire.

In fact, we have already shared that a replacement will come. And thanks to our sources we could also share the first leaked images a couple of months ago as well as some nice specs.

Of course we are talking about the new kit lens that is going to replace the glorious XF18-55: the Fujinon XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8

Well, now we can leak a new set of images brought to us a source, who has shared accurate rumors in the past. (THANKS AGAIN!!!).

You can see the new images in this article below.

At the last X summit, Fujifilm did tease the lens, but did not share images nor specs. All they told is was that it will be “beyond the ordinary kit lens“. Certainly optically it will be superior to the XF18-55mm (and capable of resolving 40MP), but it will come also with features we usually find on higher end lenses, such as the internal zoom (that’s a rumor, Fujifilm has not disclosed this detail).

Remember:

Fujifilm X-Pro4 not Coming in 2024: The End of Line or the Beginning of Something Very Special?

There is a Future…

As we told you from a beautiful lake before jumping into ice cold water: there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 in 2024.

Sadly many interpreted it as me saying that there will never be any Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor ever.

But as I told you from an ugly parking lot while waiting for my car to get fixed, I think that Fujifilm will never discontinue the X-Pro line, because it is a very prestigious line for Fujifilm. It was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and as such it is symbolically very important for Fujifilm.

And recently Fuji Guy Billy seemed to confirm that a Fujifilm X-Pro3 replacement with 5th generation goodness will come. It will just take a bit of time.

And he also said: it has to be something very special.

… and it’s Very Special?

So if all the 5th generation goodness is ready, why does it still take so long?

Well, let’s see some possibilities

  1. SIMPLE ANSWER: there is parts shortage. Fujifilm decided to use those parts for cameras that are more successful (X100VI, X-T5, etc), and the Fujifilm X-Pro4 must wait until the peak demand for those cameras is over
  2. BILLY’s PATH: Fuji Guy Billy said the X-Pro4 has to be something very special. Could it be a new design experiment (for example a screen-less camera). A monochrome or XPan sensor? Will they get rid of the mechanical shutter and go for a 26MP stacked sensor? Anything else that could make it “special”?

I personally hope that the result of this long wait will be a monochrome Fujifilm X-Pro. But again, that’s just a mere and random wish of mine (no rumor).

Feel free to let us know what your best guess is in regards to what’s going on with the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 and why it’s taking Fujifilm so long.

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:

You Can Now Chat Anonymously with FujiRumors via SIGNAL

Many of our sources use the rumor box to contact me anonymously.

And despite it being a great tool available to sources, it has one downside: I have no way to contact sources in case I have any questions or, as it was the case with the source who shared the X100VI images with us, to ask if I am allowed to share a rumor.

So upon recommendation of a FR-reader, I set up a Signal account, which will allow communication with sources to be 100% anonymous, but at the same time I will be able to write back if I have any questions (such as asking permission to share the rumor or simply exchange information to double check things).

So from now on if you want to contact me, you can do it also via Signal.

It is 100% anonymous because:

  • while you need your phone number to register, your phone number is not shared with me or anybody else who does not have your phone number already (that’s the default setting of Signal). You can set it up also that not even the people who already have your phone number can see it on Signal
  • you can use the nickname you want to contact me

If you want to get in touch with me using Signal

Signal can be downloaded on your Phone, but you can use it also on your desktop (it’s required that you have the App installed on your phone already). You can check out details here.

In case any source, who contacts me anonymously via rumor box using a nickname, would like to have direct and anonymous contact with me, feel free to do it via Signal.

And of course, you can also contact me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com and via PM on other social media (facebook & Co). Those are not anonymous, but it does not change anything, because only I’d know who you are and my top priority in any case and always is to keep all my sources 100% anonymous anyway.

Thanks for everybody who considers to help me out with the rumors, no matter in which way you’ll choose to do that.

Have a great day,
Patrick

Fujifilm X100 Line Turns 13 Years Old Today – Vote the X100 Camera You Own(ed) or Pre-Ordered

The original Fujifilm X100 was released on March 5th, 2011, hence exactly 13 years ago.

And no better way to celebrate this anniversary for Fujifilm than launching their all time most successful camera, the brand new Fujifilm X100VI.

I thought it could be fun to launch a little survey, where you tell us which X100 camera you currently own, or have owned in the past… or even which one you have on pre-order. So if you pre-ordered the X100VI, you qualify as an X100 owner.

Which X100 Camera do You Own + Did You Own + Have on Preorder?

View Results

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