So, we just reported that Fujifilm will launch a fixed lens Fujifilm GFX camera in 2025.
And while many might hugely rejoice at this news, others remained a bit sceptical, as you can see for example in the comments here.
Why?
Because we recently reported that Fujifilm is currently spending ZERO money and time into the development of the Fujifilm GFX100R. Which means that even if they’d start today to develop the GFX100R, we would probably not get it before 2027, since Fujifilm explained in the past they need about 2/3 years to develop a camera.
So what some now wonder is: wouldn’t it have been better to develop the GFX100R with interchangeable lenses rather than a fixed lens GFX camera?
Personally I still have to make up my mind about this one.
I mean, if I look at the X series, I simply could not imagine it without the X100 line. And why not, a fixed lens GFX version could also become an iconic and much loved line in the GFX system.
And always looking at the X series line, the X-E line sells much worse than the X100 line. If that would apply also to the GFX series, a fixed lens GFX camera would outsell the GFX100R.
So for now, from a mere business point of view, I believe Fujifilm does well to come out with a fixed lens GFX camera as soon as possible.
But at the same time, as an X-E lover (rangefinder with interchangeable lenses), I’d also love to see the GFX100R.
So my final vote?
I vote fixed lens GFX, just because I think from a business point of view it is the better choice for Fujifilm. But I hope this does not come at the expense of the GFX100R being delayed for too long or even worst, the GFX-R line being canceled.
Photons to Photos has published its dynamic range results for the Fujifilm GFX100II.
As to expect, the GFX100II now takes the lead as the mirrorless camera that will give you the highest dynamic range with a slight boost over the Fujifilm GFX100S due to an optimized sensor design, as we explained here.
So, if you want to have a bit more margins in terms of dynamic range, the Fujifilm GFX100II is the way to go. And all this by delivering substantially more megapixel over its high resolution full frame competitors.
There are only 3 digital cameras that are better than the GFX100II listed on Photons to Photos:
Phase One IQ4
Phase One IQ3
Hasselblad H6D-100c
But the above are not mirrorless cameras. And they are huge, heavy and cost more than my car.
You can access the comparison we made above at this link (and also make your own one).
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).
The Fujifilm X100VI will be Fujifilm’s first APS-C camera to feature the new REALA ACE film simulation.
Some of you might think that’s an obvious rumor. But others might think it can’t be true.
And the reason why some might think it can’t be true, is because when the Fujifilm GFX100 II was launched, Fujifilm engineers said this during the X summit about the new Reala Ace film simulation:
The new GFX100II sensor is the best fit Reala Ace. Without this sensor, we are not able to realize REALA film simulation in it
But according to our sources, what Fujifilm said is not true. Or maybe Fujifilm just used a very unlucky and confusing formulation.
Because Fujifilm is able to realize Reala Ace also without the Fujifilm GFX100II sensor and the first camera (besides GFX100II) to have it will be the Fujifilm X100VI.
For nostalgic negative, Fujifilm needs large sensor. It can’t be implemented simply to APS-C. Fujifilm needs more time to develop Nostalgic Negative for the APS-C system.
It’s Christmas time. Time for wishlists and dreams.
And here on FujiRumors this means wishing and dreaming of gear that, if not this year, Santa Claus will hopefully make find us under the Christmas tree for 2024.
So here is a selection of wishes that I have received from FujiRumors community and that I now I am happy to share with all of you. Feel free to let us know if there is something among it that you’d really love to get.
One of the questions is how accurate the Fujifilm GFX100II eye autofocus is.
A kind source decided to answer this question, and passed me an internal Fujifilm slide about the Fujifilm GFX100II, which shows that, for portraits and coupled with the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7, Fujifilm has calculated a 97% autofocus accuracy.
This is of course for portraits. We are not talking about the accuracy when tracking any athlete running at full speed or something like that.
But I guess the most realistic scenario for the combination GFX100II and GF55mmF1.7 is anyway portraits or not really fast moving subjects (people at a wedding etc).
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