Fujifilm Managers Interview at DPR: “We Are Determined to Continue the X-Pro line” and About X100VI, AI and More

image courtesy: dpreview - full interview linked below
image courtesy: dpreview – full interview linked below

Japanese Fujifilm managers gave an interview to dpreview.

  • without the success of the Fujifilm X100, there would probably not be any Fujifilm X series
  • the success of the X100 gave Fujifilm confidence
  • It’s the younger generation (who currently uses smartphones) that will drive photography. There is huge potential there
  • Fujifilm must think about the differences between smartphones and real cameras and understand what could motivate younger generation to use cameras
  • smartphone connectivity is important. Joy and operability of using a real camera is important too
  • operability, image quality and quality of the product itself are important
  • they talk AI, subject detection that improved operability of cameras
  • AI might continue to provide benefit for autofocus
  • focus demand for video is different compared to stills. In video focus has to change smoothly at the speed set by the videographer
  • X100 will never have a flip-out screen, even though video features are enhanced. It’s a photography centric line
  • it’s useful for Fujifilm to have different ranges, also two lines like X-T and X-H line. It’s about finding the balance between these lines
  • Fujifilm is determined to continue the X-Pro line

You can read the full interview at dpreview here.

We remind you that Fuji Guy Billy recently said he expects the Fujifilm X-Pro4 to join the 5th generation platform, but that we will have to wait a little bit for that.

Read also:

X100VI In Stock Check

Fujifilm X-Pro4 not Coming in 2024: The End of Line or the Beginning of Something Very Special?

There is a Future…

As we told you from a beautiful lake before jumping into ice cold water: there won’t be any Fujifilm X-Pro4 in 2024.

Sadly many interpreted it as me saying that there will never be any Fujifilm X-Pro3 successor ever.

But as I told you from an ugly parking lot while waiting for my car to get fixed, I think that Fujifilm will never discontinue the X-Pro line, because it is a very prestigious line for Fujifilm. It was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and as such it is symbolically very important for Fujifilm.

And recently Fuji Guy Billy seemed to confirm that a Fujifilm X-Pro3 replacement with 5th generation goodness will come. It will just take a bit of time.

And he also said: it has to be something very special.

… and it’s Very Special?

So if all the 5th generation goodness is ready, why does it still take so long?

Well, let’s see some possibilities

  1. SIMPLE ANSWER: there is parts shortage. Fujifilm decided to use those parts for cameras that are more successful (X100VI, X-T5, etc), and the Fujifilm X-Pro4 must wait until the peak demand for those cameras is over
  2. BILLY’s PATH: Fuji Guy Billy said the X-Pro4 has to be something very special. Could it be a new design experiment (for example a screen-less camera). A monochrome or XPan sensor? Will they get rid of the mechanical shutter and go for a 26MP stacked sensor? Anything else that could make it “special”?

I personally hope that the result of this long wait will be a monochrome Fujifilm X-Pro. But again, that’s just a mere and random wish of mine (no rumor).

Feel free to let us know what your best guess is in regards to what’s going on with the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 and why it’s taking Fujifilm so long.

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 X-Pro4: Here is the Truth!

I’ll give it to you straight.

I’ll give it to you raw.

Because there is no better way to bring you rumors of this kind.

The long awaited and much anticipated successor of this camera here, the Fujifilm X-Pro4, will not come in 2024.

Could it come in 2025, or maybe 2026, or 2045? Will it ever come?

I don’t know. All I know is that we will not get it in 2024.

I have spoken.

And in the video above I will give you the best tip ever to deal with this rumor ;).