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)

Sigma CEO:” Fujifilm GFX Users Would be Our Ideal Customers, but so far No Sigma GFX lenses Planed” and Sigma 10-18mmF2.8 DC DN

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

Sigma & Fujifilm

The French website Phototrend had the opportunity to interview Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki.

The Sigma CEO briefly talks about the new Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and a mention also goes to the Fujifilm GFX system.

Here is a quick summary mainly of the Fujifilm related stuff:

  • for 2-3 years (during Covid), high-end lenses were very popular
  • recently, perhaps because of inflation, people have begun to look for the right balance between performance, quality and price
  • I think that this trend will be even more marked in the coming years.
  • if the new Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 would have been designed as an ART lens, it would have been larger
  • but since it is a Contemporary lens, Sigma looked for the right balance between performance, weight and compactness
  • the 10-18 mm uses the camera corrections. This is one of the reasons why we were able to make it compact
  • in camera correction is very effective especially for distortion and vignetting. It is very difficult to see the difference [with an optical corrected lens] on a small image
  • if you print big, then the difference would be more noticable
  • If the lens has vignetting, the bokeh in the shape of a cat’s eye may be exaggerated
  • Thus, if customers are really concerned about the quality of the image, they should also care about the quality of the lens
  • currently no plans to offer lenses for the GFX system
  • GFX users would be ideal customers for Sigma, because they are professional or passionate photographers
  • But Sigma’s engineers are working hard on many projects, and Sigma’s resources are limited
  • making lenses for GFX is a possibility that the Sigma CEO would like to continue to explore
  • but so far no plans for GFX lenses from Sigma

The full interview, that covers much more, can be checked out in French at Phototrend here.

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

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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.

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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.

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