Fujifilm Managers Interview: IBIS in Smaller X-T Body is Necessary, XF Video Lenses, Why No Full Frame, XF 33mm f/1.0 and More

Fujifilm Managers Interview

The French site Phototrend interviewed Fujifilm Managers Shinichiro Udono, Jun Watanabe and Takuya Noguchi at CP+ in Japan. Here are the key points of the interview. For the full interview check out phototrend (google translated).

Hybrid Market

  • hybrid market had already reached 48% of annual sales (in value)
  • in the second half of 2019, the hybrid market has already exceeded the 50% mark
  • the managers think in 2020 year it we will be around 55 or 60%
  • Fujifilm launched first hybrid in 2012
  • now Fuji has already has 31 XF lenses + 10 GF lenses (roadmap lenses included), so the Fuji system is well established in relation to new entrants, both in terms of lenses and a very wide range of products

Why many lenses close or same in focal length (for example XF35mmF1.4, XF35mmF2 and XF33mmF1.0)

  • we want to offer different options to photographers, not only in terms of focal length, but also according to the shooting style. That’s why we have many fixed focal lengths with different focal lengths and apertures. It’s our concept

XF Cine Lenses

  • when Fuji launched X-Pro1 seven years ago, focus was on still images, hence lenses for stills
  • Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR and Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR zoom lenses are very good lenses for video
  • maybe in the future Fujifilm will offer XF zoom and prime lenses with a mechanism optimized for video shooting
  • The current Fujinon MKX lenses cover alreary most of the needs of professional videographers
  • Fujifilm thinks of making XF lenses with better video performance, and not more MK lenses

Fujifilm X-H2, IBIS in Fujifilm X-T3

  • with the XH series, Fujifilm targets professional users, while with the XT series they focus on enthusiasts
  • IBIS: Fuji does not want to compromise on image quality so they need a bigger package for now to get excellent image quality and image stabilization
  • IBIS is currently not possible in cameras of size of Fujifilm X-T3
  • But in the future, Fujifilm believes that it is necessary to offer IBIS technology on more compact cameras (X-T line).
  • Fuji X-H1 size is not only due to IBIS, but because Fujifilm wanted to create larger body with better grip and ergonomics for Pros. Even without IBIS, the X-H1 would have the same size/style

Full Frame Fujifilm?

  • we do not really know what’s in our customers’ heads (laughs). But in our case, we also have the GFX medium format camera system
  • we believe that the combination of medium format and APS-C is the best option
  • Canon, Nikon or Sony offer great full format products
  • Fujifilm had an internal discussion on the sensor format they had to use
  • they did a lot of simulations with engineers. They decided not to go FF, because APS-C allows for a smaller system, also lenses are smaller and lighter
  • Fujifilm is a photography company and they really want customers to take more photos. If the camera is bigger and heavier, they will not necessarily want to take it all the time with them and we do not want that
  • we want our customers to take their camera everyday and enjoy photography. This is the concept of our APS-C system
  • but Fujifilm knows that some customers want a system with a higher resolution and a larger sensor. For them, we have a system with a larger sensor than the full format and it’s the GFX

Fujifilm X-T30

  • Fuji does not intend to stop X-T20 production. The X-T20 will be sold cheaper than the X-T30

Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0

  • the goal is to deliver a lens with the most beautiful bokeh effect
  • at f/1.0, the manual focus is very difficult and that’s why we made this lens with autofocus
  • we already had this idea in mind, but we needed the technology to integrate an autofocus system on such a bright lens

Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel and GFX50R

  • the GFX100 will have much faster autofocus than current GFX50S and GFX50R
  • it will have IBIS
  • Our development team is working very hard on IBIS, because the sensor is much larger and it is very difficult to control the movements of the sensor
  • 4K 30p without cropping
  • GFX100 target are professional photographers, especially in the world of fashion, advertising and portraiture. But since this camera is faster, we may be able to extend the audience
  • Fujifilm GFX 50R sales are bigger than expected. Many advanced amateur photographers are buying the GFX 50r, especially for landscape or street photography

Modular GFX (Report & Images & Videos Here)

  • The modular GFX body was of course only an idea, there was no technical research on how we could achieve this result
  • For the moment, we have no plan to develop a modular GFX. But once we have the right technology to produce this type of device, maybe we will consider that option
  • Fujifilm was surprised by the huge reaction there was about the modular GFX. Some customer misunderstood, and thought it’s an actual prototype and future product

Kaizen Firmware

  • software technologies evolve on a daily basis, and new features are developed
  • we are always looking for the benefit for the consumer, it’s our way of thinking
  • when a new feature is developed for latest sensor/processor, it is very hard to bring it to cameras with older sensor/processor. It requires much more complex work. It’s not impossible, but it depends on situatuin and development resources

Market Trend

  • SLR market, each year this market will shrink, by 10 to 20%
  • Fujifilm is in the hybrid market for 6 to 7 years, it’s a good thing more manufacturers are coming up with more products because it creates a strong message for the hybrid with customers

A few product images from the interview below.

 

Fuji Guy Billy: No More Kaizen for X-T20, Fujifilm Works with Adobe, X-T30 Great Vlogging Camera, Autofocus Motors Compared and More

FujiLove Podcast

The second episode of the Fujilove podcast with Fuji Guy Billy just went online (episode 1 here).

It’s a one hour talk, and assuming not many of you have this time right now (you are once again reading FujiRumors at work, right? ;) ), I have summed it up all in practical and compact key points for you. Once you have more time, listen to it all here.

Adobe, Worms, X-Trans and Alternatives

  • Adobe’s new enhance detail feature addresses the worm effect, which appears especially in shadow areas zoomed in at 400%
  • worm effect is an Adobe X-Trans interpretation problem
  • other options are: free Fujifilm X RAW Studio, in camera RAW converter, free Capture One Express for Fujifilm
  • Fujifilm tries to work close with Adobe to try to provide best possible understanding of the X-Trans files

Necessary to upgrade from X-T20 to X-T30 for landscape photography?

  • X-T30 has latest technology
  • X-Processor 4 and X-Trans 4 BSI sensor much faster readout. That’s great for video (less rolling shutter for example)
  • on the photo site, X-T20 and X-T30 are comparable
  • if you are happy with X-T20 image quality, Billy does not recommend to upgrade for landscape photography
  • most improvements are for sports autofocus tracking and video
  • X-T20 is at its maximum potential, so you probably won’t see much updates to it anymore for better AF system etc.

by FujiRumors: let’s hope this does not mean the Fujifilm X-H1 is also at its maximum potential, since it uses the same sensor/processor of the X-T20

Should people get the wide aperture lenses f/1.2-f/1.4 or the f/2 series of lenses?

  • depends on needs
  • for low light, professional portraits and for shallower DOF, get the fast aperture lenses
  • f/2 are great for travels, compact and lightweight
  • Newer cameras like X-T3 improve autofocus also on the f/1.2 and f/1.4 lenses

Lenses for Video: Stepping vs Linear Autofocus Motor

  • Fujifilm made big steps in video department
  • when using AF in video, the f/2 lenses are better since they use quiet and fast AF stepping motors. AF moves smoothly
  • downside: stepping motors do not have the strength to move heavier glass fast enough. For faster glass you need the linear motor with higher torque capabilities
  • higher torque is great for stills, but you don’t want such fast AF movements during filming, where you want smooth and gradual focusing
  • Fujinon MKX lenses: manual focus only lenses, hence no focus breathing. They are sharper than XF16-55mmF2.8 and XF50-140mmF2.8
  • for family, friends, vlogging, Billy choses the f/2 lenses

Autofocus Motors Compared: Stepping vs. Linear vs. DC coreless vs ultrasonic

  • Billy says the 56mmf/1.2 is equivalent to 85mmf/1.2 in terms of 35mm field of view. It is very fast and hence has big glass elements the AF needs to move
  • autofocus motor options are:
    – stepping motors
    – linear motors
    – DC coreless motors
    – ultrasonic type of motors
  • Each of these 4 motors has Pros and Cons
  • XF56/1.2 has a DC coreless AF motor, because stepping motor is not strong enough to move big glass quickly, unless a much bigger stepping motor is designed, which would make lens very big
  • DC coreless motor allowed the XF56/1.2 to be smaller and still have enough power to move the glass elements
  • problem with DC coreless motors is that they do not move as smoothly and consistent as stepping motors
  • XF35/2 uses a stepping motor, because lens elements are small and light. Silent and smooth
  • linear motors are bigger than stepping motors, but silent and smooth like stepping motors, so great for video. Some Fujinon lenses have even 4 linear motors inside
  • AF motor choice depends on the prupose on the lens: is it mento for video or stills? Is it a fast aperture lens? Should it be compact?

Camera Corner – Fujifilm X-T30 and X-T3

  • Fujifilm X-T30 has lots of features of X-T3
  • X-T3 was best hybrid camera of 2018 according to many sites
  • X-T30 offers great value feature-wise and takes over lots of features of X-T3
  • 30 fps with no EVF blackout, great video functions like internal F-log
  • X-T30 is a fully featured camera
  • Fujifilm cameras look beautiful, and also design and controls is reason to buy a camera
  • in the Fujifilm system, you don’t sacrifice image quality if you buy a $1,200 or $1,800 camera. Strategy is to use same sensor/processor for same image quality

Lens Corner – XF16mm f/2.8

  • XF16mm f/2.8 falls into the f/2 compact lens lineup. Small, fast AF, weather sealed, excellent IQ with nice detail and a great minimum focus distance
  • 16/28 Is scary good in terms of quality for its price
  • XF16mm f/1.4 is different type of beast. More control over DOF and more flexible in low light, but Billy thinks Fujifilm will sell much more XF16/2.8 lenses than 16/1.4, because it’s great value
  • for small camera bodies like X-T30, the f/2 and f/2.8 lenses are great combo
  • 16/2.8 is also a good lens for vlogging, still some nice shallow DOF

Tip Corner – Movie silent control

  • movie silent control is found in X-H1, X-T3 and X-T30
  • movie silent control gives you independent control from your dials. Just tap on the back of the screen and from there use touch controls to change ISO, f/stop, Shutter Speed
  • even better than touch: use the joystick to change movie silent control settings
  • movie silent control allows for independent video/stills controls
  • on X-T30, you can set one of the function buttons to turn ON/OFF movie silent control

Will X-T and X-H get flip out screen in future? X-T30 for Vlogging?

  • Billy hoped for an X-T30 with flip-out screen and hopes for it to come to X-T/X-H line in future
  • X-T100 with selfie screen has different design, and it’s actually wider camera than X-T20/30, because there needed to be room for the selfie screen hinge
  • with HDMI output you can use external monitor to see yourself
  • It comes down to costs and design. Changing the design raises costs
  • Top concerns of vloggers:
    1 – Am I in the frame? With wide 16mm lens or XF18-55 you don’t have to worry about not being in the frame
    2 – Is the camera still recording? X-T30 has tally light
    3 – Am I in focus? Eye AF on X-T30 is huge improvement.
  • X-T30 is very good vlogging camera. It has also a low rolling shutter
  • Selfie screen can be distracting. Billy used X-T100 for vlogging, and he tends to look at the flip-out screen instead of looking at the lens

Accessories and Software

App Improvement

  • Updated App coming around X-T30 launch date [March 20]

That’s all folks, and don’t forget to follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter :)

X-T Rumors, News and Community

Unconfirmed Speculations: Fujifilm Working on Ultimate Fujifilm X Sports Camera – Should Fujifilm Really Make it? (POLL)

The Ultimate Fujifilm X

Michael The Maven published his full Fujifilm XF200mm f/2 video review. He praises this lens a lot and says it’s a step above anything Fujifilm has ever made so far.

In fact, he says the XF200mmF2 is so spectacular, that it does not make sense mounted on any current Fujifilm camera.

This is why he speculates that Fujifilm will release a professional APS-C flagship sports camera in not so distant future aimed to compete with the Sony A9.

Déjà-vu anyone?

Back in early 2017 (rumors of March 3, March 14 and April 14), we told you how Fujifilm was planing “the ultimate Fujifilm X“, a feature packed APS-C hybrid stills/video camera with IBIS, that could cost around $3,000 (if not more).

However, Fujifilm hesitated if such a camera would be successful, hence vastly revised the project (rumors of July 12, July 17 and July 24).

The result was the Fujifilm X-H1, an ergonomically fantastic camera with IBIS and a new ninja-shutter, but with the core specs and battery of the Fujifilm X-T2.

Rumors and Poll

Let me say it clearly: I have no indication at the moment that would allow me to say with confidence that Fujifilm revived plans for the ultimate Fujifilm X. Hence I can in no way confirm Michael’s speculation.

All that is sure is that Fujifilm had such plans in the past (2017), and Fujifilm can put that same project on the “to-do” list anytime again, just like it happened with the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0, another project Fujifilm froze in for a few years, and then revived later on (also thanks to the pressure the FujiRumors community made).

Coincidence wants that a few days ago FR-reader Nathan contacted me with a survey suggestion, that fits perfectly into today’s article. Nathan wrote:

“I would like to purpose a simple survey for your readership. Should Fujifilm create a Fujifilm X-T3Pro to compete with the Sony a7000“

IMHO, a Fujifilm X-H2 with latest technology and bigger battery below $2,000 (vertical grip included) would be more than enough to satisfy the needs of wildlife and sport photographers and there is more urgent need for something like the Fujinon XF400mm f/4 to attract more of them into the X system.

But let me know what you think in the comments down below and feel free to vote the survey on if you would you like (or not) Fujifilm to revive plans for the ultimate feature packed (and expensive) Fujifilm X.

Should Fujifilm make and expensive "ultimate Fujifilm X" hybrid stills/videos sports flagship camera

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Fujifilm X-H1 with XF 33mm f/1.0 vs Panasonic S1 with Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 Size Comparison

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.0

Today I was curious to know how the Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 would compare in terms of size to the brand new full frame Panasonic S1 with Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4.

So I grabbed one of the real life pictures of the XF33mm f/1.0 I took at Photokina 2018 and made an approximate comparison.

If the final production XF 33mmF1.0 will have the same size of the mock-up I have seen at Photokina, then the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 will be smaller than the Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4.

Let’s hope it will also be cheaper, since the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 comes with a hefty price tag.

When it comes to camera bodies, the Panasonic S1 is noticeably bigger than the Fujifilm X-T3, X-H1 and also other full frame cameras like the Sony A7III.

My guess is that the bigger body is needed for proper heat dissipation to allow 4K/60 and avoid overheating. This is probably also the reason why no Sony A7 camera currently offers 4K60p.

But despite the larger body, the Panasonic has still to do compromises in terms of 4K/60P compared for example to the Fujifilm X-T3.

  • Fujifilm X-T3: 4K/60 with only 1.18x crop without line skipping
  • Panasonic S1: 4K/60 with 1.5x crop (basically APS-C size)
  • Panasonic S1R: 4K/60 with line skipping

In our article about the several advantages of APS-C sensors over full frame, we explained how smaller sensors are faster to read out, hence generate less heat and allow for features like the blackout less EVF at 30fps continuous shooting, and, in this case, a better 4K/60 readout.

The Fujifilm X-H1 has no 4K/60, but this is a limitation that comes from the older and slower X Processor Pro.

So, every sensor size has its advantages. It’s now up to Fujifilm to fully take advantage of them. And I expect especially the Fujifilm X-H2 to raise new standards and be a clear step ahead of the competition.

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

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

Belgian Store Teases FUJIFILM MYSTERY EVENT on March 30

Fujifilm Mystery Event

Belgian store Art & Craft is teasing a “Fujifilm Mystery Event” on March 30 on their facebook page here.

“We can not say anything about it yet, but we promise you: it is worth a visit! Photographer & Fuji Ambassador Ioannis Tsouloulis will be ready that day to explain the whole event & answer all your questions.”

FujiRumors broke the news that the Fujifilm X-T30 will be announced on February 14, so March 30 could eventually be the shipping start. And before you start again: nope, Fujifilm X-H2 is not coming that soon.

Or it could be something completely different, from the rumored major Fujifilm X-T3 firmware update to not yet rumored Fujifilm gear.

Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter

Dedicated X-T Zones