What’s Next From Fujifilm? … and First 2017 Rumor Check (100% Correct Rumors)

Two or three times a year, I feel like I need to put a bit of order in the whirlwind of rumors, and give you guys a well-ordered overview of the rumors shared so far this year by FujiRumors.

It’s also the opportunity for me to check back the accuracy of all the rumors I’ve shared this year.

So high time for some facts:

  • 229 blog post published so far in 82 days (2017)
  • 36 rumors shared in 82 days (2017)
  • 12 rumors still to be verified
  • 24 correct rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
  • 0 wrong rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
  • 100% correct rumors

Sure, there are still 12 rumors that have to be verified, not all will be correct (because they are wrong or Fujifilm will change plans), but I’d say of the 12 remaining, I wouldn’t be surprised if most are correct.

A big hug goes to all sources, from the most anonmyous to the most trusted one, who decided to help me to find the right path in the fake rumor jungle and to put excitement in the Fuji world by sharing accurate rumors. You make being an Fuji shooter even more fun :-)

Also, thanks to everybody, who spotted some interesting Fuji related news/rumor/deal/review on the web, and took his/her time to drop me an email with the link to it. Much appreciated… and feel free to keep it up.

thanks to all,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

HIGH RATING*
* 75% to 99% correct

  • Fujifilm X80 Coming Second Half of 2017 (shared February 20)
  • Trusted Source Confirms: “Fujifilm Developing Ultimate APS-C X-camera. Based on X-T Design. Price Not Yet Set, but Most Expensive X” (shared 14 March)
  • Instax Goes Hybrid: Fujifilm INSTAX Square SQ10 Will have a Micro SD Card Slot (shared 16 March)
  • First LEAKED Image of the Fujifilm Instax SQ (not SQ10). Film Only (shared March 17)
  • Instax Square SQ10 with USB-Charging (shared March 18)

MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct

  • Fujifilm X100F Allows You to Change ISO Value with Command Dial (Probably Coming to X-Pro2 via Firmware) (shared January 16) – NOTE 1: X100F part is correct. To see if it comes also to X-PRO2. NOTE 2: The firmware announcement of March 23 says that this feature will come via Firmware, but only to X-T2. This sounds very strange to me. Could be an error of Fujifilm. I’ll wait for the firmware to come out, and if indeed the X-Pro2 does not get this feature, move this rumor in the wrong rumors section
  • Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 No Longer on Fujifilm’s Internal Roadmap … GAME OVER for Fuji’s Super Fast Lens? (shared January 30)
  • Fujifilm Plans Fujinon XF 18mm F2 Mark II Lens (shared February 9)
  • Profoto and Miltiblitz support for GFX (shared February 26)
  • Fujifilm (Currently) Planing a Fujinon XF200mm F2 (shared March 2)

MEDIUM LOW RATING*
*25% to 49% correct

  • Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR will Be The Next X-mount Lens Launched after the XF80mm Macro (shared January 25)
  • Fujifilm Working on the Ultimate $5,000+ APS-C X-Trans X-series Camera (also for Video) (shared March 3)

LOW RATING*
*1% to 24% correct

  • This could actually be by far the longest section…. I’d just need to publish all the fakes ;) .

THE FIRST 2017 CHECK

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm Manager: GFX & X-T2 Demand Higher than Expected :: Fujinon 200/2.8 or 200/2 :: Fujifilm X-E3 :: X-T2 Kaizen & More

These are busy days for journalists at the CP+ in Japan, and the next interview with Fujifilm Managers just hit the web, this time again with Mr Makoto Oishi. Some excerpts:

  • “We’ve sold more X-T2’s than we ever expected.”
  • X-T2 shipping problems due to Kumamoto earthquake. But “from this year we’re in a better position and we have enough stock.”
  • The request to control ISO on X-T2 via FN button/command dial instead of dedicated dial is something that Fujifilm “should consider” to add “maybe a firmware upgrade“
  • “GFX more demand than we expected“
  • “When we announce our new telephoto prime we also need a higher performance body”.
  • “We’re still thinking about the focal length and the aperture. There’s a big difference between a 200mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/2 – they’re totally different.” – NOTE: a rumor of last year, February 2016, said 200mmF2.
  • X70 was successful last year and Fujifilm wants to keep small fixed lens compact cameras in their lineup – NOTE: X80 Rumor
  • X-E3: “With the strong demand for X-E series cameras we have to think seriously about the future lineup.” NOTE: Check out this X-E3 rumor

Full Interview at amateurphotographer

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, CalumetDE AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm X-T2: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / BestBuy / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Iridient X-Transformer 1.0 Beta 1 for Windows Available

irirfi

It was a long wait, but here it is, the public Windows Beta version of Iridient.

Download here Iridient X-Transformer 1.0 beta 1

** Quick review: Iridient X Transformer (beta) at aevansphoto **

This software is currently “public beta” meaning that it is intended to be functionally complete, but has only been subject to minimal internal testing. This beta version may contain errors and may not function as well as the final release will. The image processing and adjustment settings should be close to finalized, but there may be further fine tuning to processing and/or adjustment settings during beta testing that could alter image quality prior to final release. I do not recommend using or installing beta versions of this software in a business critical setting.

Iridient X-Transformer is a utility that can be used to convert Fujifilm RAF images to DNG format using Iridient Digital’s high quality RAW processing algorithms. Much of the core RAW processing, sharpening, noise reduction and lens corrections featured in this program are shared with Iridient Developer a more full-featured RAW processor that is available for macOS.

The Iridient RAW processing routines have been in active development for over 12 years for use in Iridient Developer and have been optimized and refined over the years for the best possible image quality. Iridient Developer is widely regarded as one of the highest quality RAW processors available.

This program converts Fujifilm’s proprietary RAF image data to the openly specified DNG image format. The DNG format was created and is publicly documented by Adobe. They have detailed information regarding the format on their website here:
Adobe DNG information

The key RAW processing stages that can be applied by Iridient X-Transformer during conversion to DNG include:

    • Interpolation or demosaic processing. This transforms the camera sensor’s X-Trans or Bayer color filter information to produce a full color RGB image. This processing is always applied by Iridient X-Transformer and cannot be disabled or undone. There are two interpolation options, one for a more detailed rendering and a second smoother, lower artifact version. The algorithms are identical to the latest “detail+” and “smooth” options in Iridient Developer 3.1.2.
    • Sharpening. Iridient X-Transformer features advanced sharpening based on the very highly regarded “Iridient Reveal” sharpening algorithms featured in Iridient Developer. Sharpening is optional and can be adjusted (low/med/high) or disabled.
    • Automatic lens corrections for distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting. Corrections are based on native Fujifilm lens information specified in their RAF metadata. The lens correction stage is optional and lens correction information can also be passed on through DNG opcode metadata and left to later processing stages or ignored altogether. The lens correction processing in Iridient X-Transformer uses the same high quality resampling algorithms as Iridient Developer.
  • Color and luminance noise reduction. The noise reduction processing in Iridient X-Transformer shares much in common with the latest noise reduction available in Iridient Developer and is specifically optimized for RAW image processing. Noise reduction is optional and can be adjusted (low/med/high) or disabled.

Iridient Developer 3.1.2 Update Released :: Fixes Lens Vignetting Correction Issue for Fuji X Cameras

irirfi

Brian just released Iridient Developer 3.1.2.

This release fixes an issue with automatic lens vignetting correction for Fuji X models. It potentially would overcorrect (too much lightening) in the extreme corners with some lenses and aperture settings. This update also addresses a few cosmetic issues with some toolbar icons with latest macOS Sierra 10.12.1 release and adds support for additional new RAW camera models.

The Fujifilm X-A3 is now supported.

Iridient Developer 3.1.2 can now be downloaded here:
http://iridientdigital.com/products/iridientdeveloper_download.html

And the full release notes are available here:
http://iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper_history.html

Iridient Developer 3.1.1 Adds Fujifilm X-T2 Support!

irirfiIt was a long wait, but it’s finally here: Iridient Digital just addes support for Fujifilm X-T2 cameras! You can download it here.

Major Fuji related changes include official support for the X-T2 plus Brian now improved automatic hot pixel removal for the X-Trans cameras. There were some cases with the X-Trans models, where hot pixels could show up in groups or clusters sometimes and these groups could evade the old automatic hot pixel removal filter. Anyway should be much more robust with catching these hot pixel clusters now.

Full change log can be viewed here:
http://iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper_history.html

Rico’s Fuji X-workshop in Thailand
only 1 space left for English / only 2 spaces left for German

What Camera Should a Beginner Buy? :: CaptureOne 9.1.2 Released :: X-Pro2 Reviews & More (miXed zone)

Full List of Today’s Gold Box Deals
AmazonUS, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonUK

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

X-Pro2 Review Trinity at thistonybridge
Walking with the X-Pro2 for the fist time at thistonybridge / X-Pro2 is getting under my skin at thistonybridge / A jolly Good slapping thistonybridge

In the Field: Photographing Duke Riley’s ‘Fly By Night’ with the Fujifilm X-Pro2 at BHphoto / Eric Bouvet en Laponie (X-Pro2) on youtube / X-Pro2 Maximizing the image quality of Fuji’s X-Pro2 at aboutphotography-tomgrill / Fuji X-Pro2 Field Test Part II at imaging-resource / X-Pro2 + 100-400 Bull Roughing Up a Rodeo Bullfighter Video at Joe Ng youtube / French X-Pro2 review at jd-photos (translation) / Streets of Budapest with the X-Pro2 at gaborimages / The Three Worst Things and the Three Best Things about the Fuji X-Pro 2 at jlwilliams / The monochrome battle! – Fuji X-Pro2 vs. Olympus Pen F vs. Panasonic GX85 at mirrorlessons / A Quick and Dirty Fuji X-Pro2 Review at zanderwhite / Fuji X-Pro2 and X100T: Toy lens comparisons at macfilos / Six Months with the X-Pro2 at macleancomms / Long Term Impressions at billfortney / Going over to the dark side with the Fuji X-Pro2 at aboutphotography-tomgrill / Start to an Olympic Summer at tskrljphoto / Riding In The Rain at littlebigtravelingcamera / Fuji X-Pro2 real-world hands on review at Maarten Heilbron youtube / Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Field Test: Costa Rica at photographyconcentrate / Review & testing of Fuji X-Pro2 at Zed ProMedia youtube / Nightskies with the Fuji X-Pro2 at floriansphotographs /

Other X-series cameras

Meet Winston. The most unusual thing I ever photographed: Product photography with the Fuji X-T1 at tomleuntjensphotography / X-T1: London Underground at briansolomon / Underwater Test Shots with the X-T1 at macleancomms /

X100/S/T + X70

Going Wider with the Fujifilm X100T and WCL-X70 at brettsimison / Remote Control Street Photography with the Fuji X100T at strongfoto / X70 Review at anthonythurston / X-T1: Rural street photos, rapeseed fields and stormy skies at marccooper / Berlin in leisure time… at wolfgangmayrhofer / X100T Review at tigzrice / Fuji X100T: A Wedding Photographers Review at particlenews /

Lenses

X-mount lenses

Night Photos With The Fuji XF 100-400 at findingrange / Photographing Some Boats With The Fuji XF 100-400mm at findingrange / 100-400 Review at lenstip / The New Fujinon 2x Converter at macleancomms / The Fuji XF 2X TC at fujixphotoworkshops / Review: A day at the zoo with the Fujinon XF100-400mm super telephoto lens at photoxels / Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR Review at fujix-pectations / Lens Review: Fujifilm FX 18-55mm F2.8-4 Zoom Lens – Not your average kit lens at fujix-pectations / 27mm review at johncaz / Which Fuji Normal Prime NSFW at ipcloud / A wider angle with the Fujinon XF16 at tomleuntjensphotography / 100-400 review at amateurphotographer / Fuji 35 f2 v. 18-55 at ipcloud /

other lenses / Adapter / Extension Tubes

XF 56mm & XF 90mm with Fujifilm MCEX-11/-16 Extension Tubes at markusrack / Ohh… The Helios! at rasve /

Jpeg / RAW / Converters

Capture1 9.1.2 released here… nothing Fujifilm specific / Fuji compressed raw support for the Fuji X-Pro2 in AccuRaw and PhotoRaw at chromasoft / Aurora HDR Update Brings X-Pro2 RAW Support & Performance Improvements at photohangout / Fuji X-E1 + Iridient Developer + Lightroom + QuickLux2 at thomasfitzgeraldphotography / X-Pro 2 Diary: Part 3 – The Current State of Raw Converters at thomasfitzgeraldphotography /

Travel X / Switch (or not) to the X / Fuji X for Weddings

The Sunrise Country with Fujifilm at sebastianboatca / Is the Fujifilm X-T1 Ready for Weddings? at cameraninjablog / Heading to Europe – What’s in my Bag? at misha.gallery / Bali High’s at thesoftsaddle / Wild Mustang at thesoftsaddle / Fuji cameras – 20+ weddings in… at gwls.photium / Fuji x100T, A Wedding Photographers Review at geneoh /

Acessories / Flash / Bags

Fuji X-T1 & Bowens Streamlite 530 Portraits at derekclarkphotography /

a bit of everything

selfie

What camera should a beginner buy? at thedigitaltrekker

Night Photography – 12 Essential Techniques at sebastianboatca / Fujifilm X Cameras: Understanding the ‘ISOless’ Sensor at adambonn / Win A Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 25 (Contest ends June 5) at cameraswithoutmirrors / Tutorial: Bath shot by Damien Lovegrove at Fujifilm youtube / Fuji X Passion Magazine at fujixpassion / Weekend Stock Trip to New York City at xshooters /

Iridient Developer 3.1 adds support for Compressed RAW Fuji X-Pro2 Files!

irirfi

Brian just released Iridient Developer 3.1. This update includes support for compressed RAF images from the X-Pro2!!

This update also includes a workaround for an issue introduced in the Mac 10.11.4 update recently released by Apple which affects the Highlights and Shadows (Neighborhood Adaptive) adjustments and a few other changes and bug fixes, plus support for all the latest RAW camera models.

Iridient Developer 3.1 can now be downloaded here:
http://iridientdigital.com/products/iridientdeveloper_download.html

Fuji-Humors: “Ken Rockwell portraits are so lifelike, they have to pay taxes” & more + LuLa Video Review Blooper!

To Make Video Reviews isn’t easy at all – via LuLa

_ _ _

Today I just want to share a good laugh with you… nothing more :) . So time for a bit of FujiHumors… and enjoy your weekend!

Ken Rockwell is the Chuck Norris of Photography

FXF member calinandra69 knows it: Ken Rockwell* is the Chuck Norris of photography. Why? Well, here are just some of my favorites… but there is a lot more to read at our Forum here.

– Rockwell portraits are so lifelike, they have to pay taxes
– Ken Rockwell never focus, everything moves into his DoF
– Ken Rockwell’s shots are so perfect, Adobe redesigned photoshop for him: all it consists of is a close button.

And these are just 3 out of 34 of them… click here and enjoy a genuine laugh!

* I have nothing personal against Ken Rockwell. I share this just for fun. I hope Ken demonstrates the same sense of humor of Chuck Norris :)

HOT (!!!) USA DEALS

HOT (!!!) EUROPE DEALS

Bildschirmfoto 2015-09-26 um 13.20.16

FORBES says: “The Fuji X-T10 is a Superb choice. A genuine Pleasure to use. It will rekindle your Joy of Photography”

photo t10_zpsbdga4ssv.jpg

Fuji X-T10 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama EU: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonFR / WexUK / AUS: Camerapro

Please don’t blame me, if reviewers out there write such enthusiastic things about the Fuji X-T10. I just report on FR what others say about it. I’ll work hard to find a review that finally says the X-T10 is crap.

But since then, they all seem to be extremely happy with the Fuji X-T10. Recently TheVerge declared the Fuji X-T10 the best mirrorless camera you can buy for under $1000, dpreview loves it more than the Sony A6000, the Nikon D5500 or the O-MD E-M10, and finally today it’s Forbes that says about the Fuji X-T10 here:

“Picture quality from the X-T10 is everything you’d expect from Fujifilm and I personally love the film simulation modes and the choice of dynamic range. […]

I’d say the Fujifilm X-T10 is a superb choice of camera […]. Fujifilm is currently my favourite camera range because the models are built to be really usable and I love Fuji’s colour modes and superb optics.

The Fujifilm X-T10 may be a little small for people with large hands, but for the rest of us it’s the perfectly affordable mirrorless camera that’s a genuine pleasure to use and consistently turns out superb images that will rekindle your joy of photography.”

And now please go those crappy sites like dpreview, TheVerge and Forbes and tell them in the comments that they are just brainless Fuji fanboys ;-) !

USA DEALS

The deadline for this US deal is September 19. Here is the whole list of savings:

CAMERAS

X-T1 + 18-55 (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
X-T1 Black Body (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
X-T1 Graphite Body (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline

LENSES

XF 16mmF1.4 WR (save $150): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 56mmF1.2 APD (save $300): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 56mmF1.2 (save $100): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 14mmF2.8 (save $200): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 23mmF1.4 (save $150): AmazonUS  / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 50-140mmF2.8 WR (save $150):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 10-24mmF4 (save $150):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 35mmF1.4 (save $200):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR (save $150):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 27mmF2.8 (save $200): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 18mm (save $150): AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 60mm (save $200):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 18-135mm (save $150):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 55-200mm (save $150):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline
XF 18-55mm (save $100):  AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline

EUROPEAN DEALS