DPReview New vs Old XF 56mm f/1.2 Studio Test – Not Sufficient Difference to Justify Switch to New 56 for Lab Test

When DPReview published their studio lab test of the Fujifilm X-H2, they used the old Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 R for their test.

But as Fujifilm has openly said, the Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 R is not capable of taking full advantage of all the 40MP edge to edge also at maximum aperture. Fujifilm writes:

The list specifies our selection of lenses that have high resolution performance from edge to edge at maximum aperture, allowing you to fully experience all that the 40MP sensor has to offer. Lenses not listed will also allow you to experience the improved resolution performance of the 40MP sensor.”

To be clear: all Fujinon lenses will experience a sharpness boost. But not all will be able to resolve all the 40MP even wide open across the entire frame.

Many rightfully asked DPR to re-test the studio lab scene using the new Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 R WR, and so they did. Their conclusion:

Our interpretation is that there is a slight contrast benefit to the use of the new 56mm F1.2R WR vs. the non-WR lens; in the widget above we’ve tried to highlight the area of greatest difference. In our judgment the difference is not sufficient, at the aperture value the test scene is shot at, to justify breaking consistency with previous Fujifilm models tested in our setup.

This isn’t a comment on the new lens: we’d expect to see greater differences at wider apertures, and we’ve found the autofocus performance to be improved over the older version. But neither of these are pertinent to the selection of our standard Fujifilm test lens, so we’ll stick with the original 56mm F1.2R for now, to maintain perfect continuity in the studio comparison feature our site provides.

It shall be noted at this point that DPR used the lenses at f/5.6 on Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujifilm X-H2.

I find it a pity that they won’t change the lens. At f/5.6 the performance might be similar in the center, but as you can see from the screenshots I have shared above (or here and here), in RAW I see an sensible advantage for the new Fujinon XF56mm f/1.2 R WR. I think they could just simply use the new lens for testing going forward.

But we appreciate DPR going the extra mile and testing it on the new XF56mmF1.2 R WR. If you don’t shoot wide open a lot and don’t mind slightly softer corners, then the original Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R is still a great option (especially now that it is super discounted).

You can access the DPR comparison studio lab test here.

RUMOR: This Will be Fujifilm’s Next X Series Camera

We are 23 days into 2023, and today we will drop for you the first rumor of the year.

According to information we have received, the next Fujifilm X series camera to come will be the Fujifilm X-S20.

It’s trusted stuff, so go out and spread the word ;).

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed, Youtube, Flipboard and Twitter.

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Rumors and Discussions

BCN Ranking for Cameras and Lenses – the 5.9% Fujifilm Niche

BCN has published their rankings for 2022 sales in Japan.

Cameras:

Fujifilm is out of every ranking except for fixed lens cameras, where it snaps the third position.

Lenses:

Fujifilm had a sales share of 5,9% in terms of lens sales.

Remember:

Biggest market research data available on the internet so far says that Fujifilm’s overall camera market share in 2021 was of 5,9% (if we include sales of DSLR cameras). So far no data for mirrorless cameras only has been published.

Surprised?

Anyone surprised? Well, I am not. Fujifilm has always played the niche game and while they did grow significantly when one looks at the mirrorless market only (third largest manufacturer ahead of Nikon in 2020), the way Fujifilm approached the camera market with the design of their cameras kind of “forced” them into a niche.

The Future

The very recently launched Fujifilm X-T5 will have the main responsibility in 2023 to push sales for the X series and possibly grow the market share. Although I believe the Fujifilm X-H2s has such a big potential (as the latest firmware has shown) that if Fujifilm covers is further with firmware Kaizen love, it could become (if it isn’t already) a very serious option for all those looking for an ultra-performing stacked sensor camera with PSAM layout.

And sure there will be more cameras and lenses coming in 2023, which I hope will contribute to expand Fujifilm’s market share.

But while there is surely still some growth potential, Fujifilm will very likely never get to the crazy numbers of Sony and Canon (which btw are the two companies manufacturing their own sensors and Fujifilm called this their strategic advantage).

But personally I have never had any problem to be part of a niche. Because I have lots of fun in this niche. We might be only 5.9%, but we have 100% love for photography. A love, that Fujifilm can support better than any other brand thanks to the way they design their cameras.

BCN Ranking Camera – BCN Ranking Lenses

The Latest and Greatest Roundup (at least until April X Summit 2023) – X-H2s Snaps DPR Reader’s Award 2022 and More

Here is a roundup about the latest and greatest Fujifilm gear.

It will be the latest and greatest only for a few more months, as the next Fujifilm X Summit has been announced for April 2023. And we know Fujifilm launches new gear on those summits.

But until then, let’s enjoy what it available now in terms of 5th generation Fujifilm cameras and latest lenses:

So here is a roundup.

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IN STOCK: Fujifilm TG-BT1 Tripod Grip

The brand new Fujifilm TG-BT1 Tripod Grip is right now in stock at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

The TG-BT1 allows you to record movies, take photographs, or adjust zoom on compatible power zoom lenses (XF 18-120mmF4 + XC 15-45mmF3.5-5.6) while holding this Bluetooth tripod grip.

It is compatible with the following cameras: Fujifilm X-T5 and X-T4, X-T3, X-T30 II, X-T30 and X-S10

Fujifilm Firmware Updates for X-H2s (Improved Subject Detection and Tracking), X-H2, FT-XH File Transmitter Grip and XC15-45


Fujifilm has released firmware updates for the following gear:

Down below all the details and download links.

Rumors and Discussions

Firwmare Details

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EXPLAINED: How the Fujifilm X-H2S Predictive Autofocus Works and Why 20fps Will Give You Higher Accuracy than 40fps

I see myself in need to share this follow up article to our previous follow up article to this original article.

If you missed the previous episodes, here is an ultra compressed summary:

  • guy gets 61% sharp images at 40fps shooting birds when testing the Fujifilm X-H2s – read here
  • people complain that 61% is not that much, as Sony cameras tested by the same guy get 85-90% accuracy
  • FujiRumors explains that 61% of 40fps results in more sharp images than 85% at 20fps – read here
  • FujiRumors claims that at 20fps the hit rate on X-H2s would be even higher
  • people call me out on this and say:
    – it’s BS: slower frame rates won’t improve accuracy, as the AF calculations speed remains the same (120fps)
    – people say I speak random stuff and ask me to prove it

So let’s get nerdy ;)

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Tricky Numbers, or How 61% AF Accuracy on Fujifilm X-H2s are Better than 85% Accuracy on Sony A9

I posted an X-H2s autofocus test made by a German guy specialised in Wildlife photography, and translated it for you here.

The particular thing about his test: he set up a dedicated “bird tracking test track“, which basically allows him to compare the various cameras for bird tracking under comparable conditions.

On his test track, he got the following results for the Fujifilm X-H2s.

  • 30 out of 49 = 61% tack sharp images
  • 33 out of 47 = 70% tack sharp images

Some people were disappointed by those numbers, especially when compared to the 85-90% hit rate of stacked Sony cameras.

But percentage alone is not the whole story. You have to factor in the frames per second into the equation.

So let’s do just that (taking the worst results he got with X-H2s – 61%)

  • Fuji X-H2s: 61% of 40 images per second = 24 sharp images per second
  • Sony A9: 85% of 20 images per second = 17 sharp images per second
  • Sony A1: 90% of 30 images per second = 27 sharp images per second
  • Sony A7IV: 50% of 10 images per second = 5 sharp images

Conclusion:

In his test, when every camera is shot at its maximum burst, the X-H2s will give you more sharp images than any other camera, except for the Sony A1.

If you want to get 3 additional sharp images per second (27 instead of 24), then you have to spend $4,000 more and get the very expensive Sony A1.

My take:

I want Fujifilm to beat any other brand in terms of sharp images per second. So I am not happy with the result of the X-H2s. I want a hit rate of 80%+ at 40fps.

And I also want an even smarter autofocus and the camera to match in terms of AF smartness in this case is the new Sony A7rV.

That’s why I am not completely satisfied and I want firmware, Fujifilm… more firmware in 2023!

Tracking Birds with Fujifilm X-H2S vs Sony Stacked Cameras (Best Test I Have Seen so Far)

The German Youtube channel AmazingNature Alpha (who shoots a lot with Sony cameras), tested the Fujifilm X-H2s autofocus with the XF200mmF2 and the XF150-600mmF5.6-8.

Now, there are lots of autofocus tests for wildlife out there. But what sets this one apart from all the others? Well, I’ll tell you below.

Before we dive into it, here are few considerations he makes.

NOTE: it’s in German, so you get it “Patrick-translated” below.

Gear Used

General Considerations:

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TESTED: Sirui 1.25x Anamorphic Adapter on Fujifilm X-H2 and XF33mm f/1.4

Let’s catch up with a piece of gear that I can’t remember I have ever talked about: the Sirui 1.25x Anamorphic Adapter.

As far as I can see it is available at Amazon since October 2022, but the Japanese guys at Mapcamera, who have now shared a test of the adapter on a Fujifilm X-H2 with XF33mmF1.4 lens, say that it will be available only this month.

Anyways, it’s something I have not talked about so far, so here is how it works.

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