Fujifilm Factory Tour: Manufacturing Our Beloved Fujifilm Gear (GFX, X-T2, X-mount lenses, MK lenses more)

Fujifilm Factory Tour: Manufacturing Our Beloved X-gear :)

Hey guys,

A kind FR-reader (thanks) dropped me the link to a nice read for the weekend.

But before I share it, just allow me say a quick (but big) “thank you” to all FR-readers, who share with FR the interesting Fuji-stuff they find on the web.

You make it possible that FujiRumors is always the first to break the news and rumor, and also the first to share links in live bloggings and much more. I don’t know any other way to return you guys the favor you do to me, other than keep this blog running with enthusiasm, joy and dedication.

I’m so positive, motivated and full of energy like never before. So thanks so much to everybody for your help and support :)

And now to today’s story :-)

Jon Fauer had the pleasure to visit the Fujifilm headquarters, as well as the Fujifilm factory where the new cinema MK glass and the Fujifilm X-T2, Fujifilm GFX 50s and other X-mount lenses are made.

At the end they visit the very best place of all the tour… but read further below, to discover what it is :)

The tour starts at the Fujifilm Omiya Headquarters, where Jon talks with a Fujifilm manger about the Fujifilm GFX 50s. and especially about the new Cinema MK lenses, the MK18-55mm F2.9 and MK50-130mm T2.9. As we already reported here, X-mount version of the lenses will come by the end of the year 2017.

A curiosity, why Fujifilm called their new cinema lenses “MK” lenses:

“M for Movie, Manual, Mobility, Marvelous, Multiple-use! Also, perhaps it can be said that in Video you “take the shot.” In stills, you “take” a photograph. But in movies, you “make” a film. You are a film maker. So MK.”

Then they continue to the Fujifilm Taiwa Factory:

“More than 1,000 people work in the vast Fujifilm Taiwa Factory, assembling X-series and GFX cameras, components and other products. A new, dedicated area has been set up for a highly skilled team to build Fujinon MK lenses.”

Regarding the MK lenses, they say:

“The philosophy of the MK lenses is affordablity for independent productions. To keep the cost down and the manufacturing yield high, Fujinon has combined techniques from their experience in high-yield manufacturing (still cameras and lenses) and high-precision, high-end lens crafting. The trick seems to the their use of molded, composite lens barrels and mechanical sub-assemblies. Traditionally, these components have been milled on CNC machines from metal. Advantages of composites include speed of manufacturing, resistance to temperature variations in the field, and advanced structural possibilities.”

And what’s the best way to end a hard day visiting factories and interviewing Fujifilm managers? Right, get a good Whisky :). So the tour ends at the Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Sendai Distillery.

Check out the whole tour at filmanddigitaltimes (4.5MB PDF – 20 Pages)

enjoy your weekend ;)
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