DPReview asked camera manufacturers to pick their most significant piece of gear of the last 25 years.
Here is what the various brands picked:
Fujifilm: the original Fujifilm X100
The Fujifilm managers explains to DRP:
“That was the first camera when we stepped up from selling point-and-shoot, entry-level compact cameras. Smartphones were becoming popular and demand for point-and-shoot cameras was declining so fast. But we were determined to continue and to grow in this industry, so we thought very hard, how can we change our business model. This was our first attempt to do that, using the APS-C-sized sensor. X100 was a huge success, which gave us confidence. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the X100,” he says Fujifilm’s “If that failed, we would have been in a very difficult position.”
Nikon: Nikon Z9 Sony: Sony RX1 and Sony G Master lenses Tamron: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD Sigma: Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art and 18-35mm F1.8 Art OM System: Olympus Camedia C-2000 Zoom Canon: Canon EOS Digital Rebel Panasonic: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Out of curiosity I have listed my top 10 picks in the survey below and you can vote what according to you was Fuji’s most significant camera. However, I’ll add the Fujifilm X100VI to the survey due to sheer incredible and historic success it is having.
Must Read for X100 Lovers – “Don’t Touch that Camera!” the Story About the Inspiration Behind the Fujifilm X100 Series Design
NOTE: Some of the option I’ve put in the list might be controversial. But before you start to flame on me, check out in the reasoning behind my choices in this article. After that you can flame :).
Fujifilm X Webcam Ver.2.2.0 – download here The software update Ver.2.2.0 incorporates the following issue:
Compatibility with “macOS 14 (Sonoma)” is added
Note: Please download this installation software to update your application if you use “FUJIFILM X Webcam” with macOS14 or later.
RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0
RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 Ver.8.1.15.0 – download here The software update Ver.8.1.15.0 incorporates the following issue:
Applicable models for the “RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX” are added.
Applicable Model : FUJIFILM X100VI
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!
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
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.
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).
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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).
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