Japanese Fujifilm Managers: X-Pro and X-E line Not Stopped, X-Trans is Here to Stay, PSAM vs RETRO, GFX Sports Photography and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

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
  • Fujinon GF 500 mm f/5.6: it’s time for Fujifilm GFX to approach wildlife and sports photography
  • 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
  • Fujifilm started to develop its GF tilt shift lenses back in 2019
  • 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.

Second: maybe Fujifilm should watch my video so they learn how to operate their own cameras.

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).

Make sure to read/watch below:

Fuji Guy Billy: “I Can See the Fujifilm X-Pro Moving into 5th Gen, but it Needs Something Special”, Talking X100VI, X-T40, Future Lenses & More

Vistek just hosted a Fujifilm X Summit After Show with Fuji Guy Billy.

They talk of course mainly about the Fujifilm X100VI, but also about other stuff, such as which lenses Fuji Guy Billy thinks Fujifilm should do in future, he talks a bit about the Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 (which thanks to our sources we have leaked here) and also talked about what he thinks about an eventual Fujifilm X-T30II successor (which we started leaking here) and the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 (which we started leaking here).

Above you can see the whole 55 minutes video and below you get a summary:

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

Fujifilm X100VI Officially Recommended Accessories

I got a couple of questions on accessories for the Fujifilm X100VI.

Now, down below I will share the list of officially Fujifilm recommended accessories for Fujifilm X100VI.

Of course there are lots of third party accessories, and in most cases accessories for X100V will also fit X100VI. For example:

But for the purpose of this article we stick with what Fujifilm officially recommends and is also on the official compatibility list.

Officially Recommended X100VI Accessories

Lens accessories

Camera Case

Grip

Power supply

Body accessories

Supported memory card

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

Fujifilm X100VI Silver beats Black (on FujiRumors)

Just a curiosity.

Before the announcement of the X100VI, I asked you guys which colors you prefer for the Fujifilm X100VI: black or silver!

The result was basically a head to head race between black and silver.

But what did most of you guys really go for at the end?

Well, BHphoto marks the silver Fujifilm X100VI as #1 seller and the black X100VI as Top Seller.

So I have looked up the affiliate pre-orders you guys placed at BHphoto, and, at least here on FujiRumors, so far 58% of you went for the silver X100VI and 42%for the black X100VI. (and btw… thanks to everyone who decided to support FujiRumors by using our affiliate links).

Interestingly, WexPhotoVideo in UK contacted me and told me that in terms of FR-sales, the black version prevails with 61% over the 39% for the silver version.

Both cameras and colors are wonderful, so there is definitely no right or wrong choice. I guess the choice is between a bit more vintage touch (silver) and a bit more elegance and stealth (black).

Fujifilm X100VI Starts Shipping + Did You Preorder Multiple X100VI Cameras but Plan to Keep Only the Fastest-Shipped One? (POLL)

Fujifilm X100VI is Shipping

The Fujifilm X100VI has started shipping all over the world, so that right for February 28 it will be in your hands. This is reported now by many members of our vast X100 users facebook group.

And look, preorders for the X100VI are incredibly high, leading many, myself included, to doubt the prompt fulfilment of all orders.

But there is still hope :).

Among the 5 reasons I’ve listed in the article above, there is one, that I would like to investigate closer today.

I am quite sure that many placed X100VI preorders at multiple stores, intending to keep the fastest-shipped one and cancel the rest. This could lead to a notable reduction in waiting lists once the initial batch is dispatched

And to investigate this, I’m launching this survey (which is 100% anonymous, so just drop your honest answer). If you’ve preordered X100VI from multiple stores but plan to keep only the fastest-shipped one, let us know.

If indeed many placed multiple orders, don’t lose hope if stores indicate a prolonged wait for the X100VI. The waiting list could considerably shorten once the initial batches are released.

Regarding my X100VI pre-order...

View Results

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The Popularity is Insane

Despite the potential for numerous multiple orders, it remains undeniable that the Fujifilm X100VI holds the record as Fujifilm’s most successful camera in terms of preorders, surpassing all previous models by a significant margin. It likely outshines cameras from all brands over the past 15 years in the realm of preorders as well.

Now Fujifilm has it: the true mainstream camera, that will make Fujifilm popular in the entire world as the maker of excellent modern digital cameras. And I strongly believe also their interchangeable systems will profit from this immense new gained popularity. Because, as Fujifilm has openly stated on multiple occasions, the Fujifilm X100 series also serves as the gateway camera to the X system.

Anyways, I hope you are among the lucky ones who’ll get yours shipped quickly… and I wish you lots of fun with your beautiful X100VI camera!