Sigma CEO Expresses Interest in Fujifilm GFX Support: “If We Want to Master Optics, We Need to Support Medium Format”

image courtesy: sigma-sein.com
image courtesy: sigma-sein.com

In an interview to Petapixel, Sigma’s CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, has expressed personal interest in supporting medium format cameras with the company’s lenses.

While Sigma has focused on building its lens lineup for full-frame mirrorless cameras, Yamaki acknowledges the growing popularity of medium format cameras and the potential for third-party lens manufacturers to enter this market.

Although there are currently no official plans to support medium format, Yamaki stated that it is his personal hope, and he emphasized the need to carefully assess the market and demand.

Here are the relevant quotes from the article:

I [am] personally very much interested in supporting medium format. Again, it’s a small market, but I have some interest.

[…]

So right now we don’t have such plan, but if Sigma wants to be a master of optics, I think we need to support medium format. But that’s just personal hope. But I need to carefully look at the market and demand

Fortunately, the CEO’s personal opinion holds significant influence, perhaps more than any other within the company. These statements indeed inspire optimism.

Additionally, it is now evident that Fujifilm has not restricted the G-mount to third-party manufacturers. If this were the case, Sigma would have publicly expressed their concerns, just as they did previously when they complained about Fujifilm not permitting them to produce X mount lenses.

It’s only an issue of market share. And luckily the Fujifilm GFX (and also Hasselblad X system) market share is growing.

You can read the full article at PetaPixel here (image from sigma-sein.com)

Fujifilm GFX100II: That’s the Name of the BEAST Coming on September 12

Finally we can stop calling it the “Fujifilm GFX100 replacement”, or speculate around with names like Fujifilm GFX150 or exotic ones like Fujifilm GFX100+.

Finally the beast has a name.

And the name is Fujifilm GFX100II.

And it’s coming to dominate charts and hearts ;).

Mic drop.

NOTE: the image above is AI generated and does not show the real camera

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
GFX100II Rumors & More

Follow FujiRumors on

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm X Summit on May 24 at 9AM (GMT) – 5AM New York Time

A little update:

We already told you that Fujifilm officially confirmed our previous rumors and announced the Fujifilm X Summit for May 24 in Bangkok.

If you wonder at what time it will take place, then here it is: it will be at 9AM GMT which should be 5AM New York Time and 11AM Berlin Time.

FujiRumors has so far rumored two cameras and one lens.

Maybe some of this (or something else) will drop on May 24. In any case we can be sure there will be surprises (as it is with every X summit). So definitely stay tuned on FujiRumors for the live blog.

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

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm Announcements: X Summit BKK on May 24, New Firmware for 12 XF/GF Lenses and FujiKina on May 27

Fujifilm has released a video where they finally announce what FujiRumors is telling you since a weeks: there is no Fujifilm X Summit in April, but it will take place on May 24 (as we told you) in Bangkok. Fujikina will take place on May 27 also in Bangkok.

This is what they say in the video.

  • they talk about the new firmware updates for X-H2 and X-H2s (Frame.io integration)
  • they announce new firmware for XF/GF lenses that reduces focusing noise with certain linear motor AF lenses, smoother aperture operation and improved focus tracking performance during zooming
  • GFX Grant Challenge program updates
  • Fujifilm X Summit in Bangkok announced for May 24
  • Fujikina Bangkok on May 27

FujiRumors has so far rumored two cameras and one lens.

Maybe some of this (or something else) will drop on May 24.

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

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm GFX100 Discontinued at Some Stores in Japan

Fujifilm GFX100 Discontinued

In Japan, the first stores are marking the Fujifilm GFX100 as discontinued, as reported by the Japanese website asobinet.

The Fujifilm GFX100 was launched back in 2019 and it was definitely revolutionary for its time, with a backside illuminated 102 megapixel sensor and IBIS, giving medium format speed and flexibility unseen until then in the digital medium format world.

But then…

… on January 27, 2021…

… just one day after the birth of my son…

… Fujifilm launched the glorious Fujifilm GFX100S: much smaller, much cheaper, much better ergonomics (in my opinion) than the GFX100.

The GFX100S was pretty much superior under every aspect to the GFX100, so much so that Fujifilm USA launched arguably their all time best advertising about the GFX100S with the subtle admission that there is almost not point in buying the GFX100 anymore (in addition to give FujiRumors a shout-out ;))

Sales for the Fujifilm GFX100 plummeted after the GFX100S announcement and since 2+ years it hardly sells anymore.

Miraculously, though, Fujifilm still kept producing it (albeit in very limited numbers) and in fact you can find it still in stock pretty much everywhere in USA and Europe. But it seems that this is going to change soon, as Japanese stores are starting to inform their customers that there won’t be any new shipments for this camera.

Fujifilm GFX Gear