Kase 200mm f/5.6 Lens for X/GFX Announced

Kase has announced the following lens for several mounts, including X and GFX mount:

  • Kase 200mm f/5.6 catadioptric lens

Kase products can be found at BHphoto and Amazon.

Main Specifications

  • Format: Full size
  • Mount: GF/X/RF/EF/E/Z
  • Focal length: 200mm
  • Aperture value: F5.6
  • Aperture blade:-
  • Lens configuration: 6 elements in 5 groups
  • Shortest shooting distance: 2m
  • Maximum shooting magnification: 0.11x
  • Filter diameter: 67mm
  • Size: φ71×116mm E-mount
  • Weight: 424g E-mount
  • Dustproof and splashproof:-
  • AF:-
  • Image stabilization:-
  • Other features:
    ・Nano coating
    ・Multi coating
    ・Aluminum lens barrel
  • Price: 3800-4200 RMB

Source Kase on Weibo

Fujifilm Patents Fujinon XF 18-300mmF3.5-6.5 OIS, XF 16-200mmF3.5-6.5 OIS and XF 16-150mmF4-6.5 OIS

A few months ago we wrote a dedicated article about “Fujifilm patents”, where we dig deep into every single patent ever registered since the existence of the Fujifilm X series.

And we saw: out of 67 patents, not a single one became a real product until now.

I made this huge effort to go through 10+ years of articles on FujiRumors and find every single patent ever shared, because I noticed the tendency by many in the X shooter community to take such patents as rocksolid indication of what is Fujifilm will launch in future.

My goal is to Invite you to take these patents for what they are: products that in 99,9999% of the cases will exist only on paper.

With that said, today we have three more patents to add to the list as they have been spotted by the Japanese website asobinet.

  • Fujinon XF 18-300mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS

Given the lovely Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, I see no urgency for the Fujinon XF 18-300mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS.

  • Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS

The Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS might be a bit too close to the Fujinon XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR and one of my favorite X mount lenses, the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

  • Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS

Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS could be the only that could make sense to me as a meaningful addition to the X series lineup.

But forget patents, follow the rumors.

And the rumors say, that the next XF lens we will get is the replacement of this lens here.

Patent Details

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

Mitakon 200mm f/4 1x APO Macro Lens Announced

ZY Optics has announced the Mitakon 200mm f/4 1x APO macro lenses for several mounts including Fujifilm GFX mount.

It should be available soon at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and it is available for order at ZYOptics.

Main Specs

  • 200mm focal length
  • Exceptional working distance
  • Aperture Range: F/4 to F/32
  • Manual Focus Design
  • Smooth bokeh
  • No chromatic aberration
  • 1x magnification

Press Release & Product Images

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

Mitakon Zhongyi Optics 200mm f/4 for Fujifilm X and GFX Coming Soon

Mitakon is soon going to announce the Mitakon Zhongyi Optics 200mm f/4 for several mounts including Fujifilm X and GFX mount. As reported by Camerabeta on the Chinese social media weibo here:

  • [Zhongyi Optical 200mm f/4.0 full-frame lens appears]
  • 11 pieces 7 sets of optical structures
  • 9 aperture blades
  • close focus distance is 0.48 meters
  • filter interface is 67mm
  • size: 75 x 186mm
  • weight is about 1300g
  • priced at 3,980 yuan (converted to $578)

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BREAKING: Fujifilm to Release Fujinon XF150-600mm f/5.6-8 (in XF200mmF2 alike Color)

Thanks to our sources, we can now report the aperture range of the Fujinon XF150-600, a lens that has been initially leaked here on FujiRumors back in January 2021 and Fujifilm officially disclosed in September 2021.

According to the information provided to us (thanks!), Fujifilm will release the Fujinon XF150-600mm f/5.6-8. Also, it will be similar in color to the Fujinon XF200mmF2.

Back in 2021 Fujifilm did provide us with some technical sketches about this lens and we used it to make a size comparison to the Fujinon XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 and the Fujinon XF200mmF2. You can see the size comparison here.

And to be clear, the image above is just a rendering based on the technical sketch of Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 provided to us directly by Fujifilm. So shape and size are identical to what Fujifilm already disclosed. We just have it rendered in white here and mounted a Fujifilm X-H1 camera.

More rumors are coming… stay tuned ;)

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Fujinon XF150-600mm and XF18-120mm Size Comparison with XF18-135 vs XF16-80mm vs XF200mm and More

What you see here is the most accurate size comparison possible based on technical sketches Fujifilm provided during the Fujifilm X summit that took place earlier today.

We compare:

Of course this is based on technical sketches, so don’t expect it to be 100% accurate, as things will change from here to the 2022. But so far, for a lens of that range, it does not look bad at all.

Also, if you read FujiRumors regulary, and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that the Fujinon XF18-135mm lens is one of my favorite lenses. You can see samples I took with the XF18-135 on my instagram here and here and here and even more. Well, at the Fujifilm X summit, which we covered in detail here, Fujifilm announced the Fujinon XF18-120mm.

So based on the technical sketched delivered during the event, I have made an accurate size comparison between the following lenses:

Yes, it is longer than the XF18-135mm, but keep it mind that we don’t know its aperture now, and that Fujifilm said during the Fujifilm X Summit that this will be lenses that are suitable also for video, so I guess they will be designed with minimal focus breathing, silent autofocus, clickless aperutre ring and other features that are needed for video creators.

But if you shoot stills mainly (like me), I guess the XF18-135 or XF16-80 are still the better pick for you.

Fujinon XF200mmF2 is BACK at BHphoto!

A few days ago, we reported how BHphoto pulled off the Fujinon XF200mmF2 from their website and notified customers that it has been discontinued.

I investigated this, and my sources told me that Fujifilm is right now manufacturing XF200mmF2 like crazy due to the $2,000 rebate and they have no plans to discontinue this lens.

Well, it seems that my sources were spot on. In fact, BHphoto just pulled back the dedicated XF200mmF2 page.

So all good. If you want this lens, you can get it with a huge discount now.

Fujinon XF200mmF2 Lens Removed from BHphoto but NOT Discontinued

Fujinon XF200mmF2 – Discounted but Not Discontinued

Ok, let me set something right.

BHphoto has completely removed the Fujinon XF200mmF2 R LM WR from their website. You’ll be redirected to a page that says: “The page your requested is no longer available. We have redirected you to a simlar page for your convenience.” I tried to check a google cached version of the page, and when I add the XF200mmF2 to the cart, it then tells me “some item(s) are no longer available at B&H“.

The situation is not much better at other stores. AmazonUS says here “Currently unavailable. We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock” and Adorama says here that it is “Temporarily On Backorder“.

According to a FR-reader, BHphoto is sending out emails telling customers that the XF200mmF2 is discontinued:

B & H has sent me an email saying that the fuji xf 200 mm f2 has been discontinued and they no longer carry it.

So what is happening? Is it really discontinued?

I did investigated this, and I can 100% safely say that the lens is not at all discontinued. So I do not know why BHphoto is not listing the lens anymore.

What I know is that given the worldwide $/€ 2K discount on the XF200mmF2, as to expect, the lens sold out almost everywhere. And I’ve warned you already back in May that such a discount is ridiculous for a lens that was already short on stock before this epic deal.

Now the inevitable happened: it’s out of stock basically everywhere and who knows when Fujifilm will be able to ship current orders.

So, if you are interested in this lens, place your order. You’ll get it at some point. Fujifilm is still manufacturing it and will for a long time. But you better arm yourself with patience.

The XF200mmF2 Problem

The Fujinon XF200mmF2 is arguably one of the very best lenses Fujifilm ever made.

As we reported here, when Fujifilm designed it, they didn’t care about size and price. All they wanted to achieve, was the best image quality and a fast autofocus.

But Fujifilm managers told us that it did not sell well. In fact, given the struggles the XF200mmF2 faced on the market, Fujifilm is wondering if it makes any sense at all to continue to develop and manufacture long prime lenses, that will just result in a loss of money for Fujifilm.

My guess is that people overall tend to prefer zoom lenses that cover that 200mm range, and there are quite some of them in the Fujifilm lineup (and more will come in future).

Sure, none of them is optically on par with the close to perfect Fujinon XF200mmF2, but they are all very decent lenses anyway and deliver an image quality that will be totally satisfactory for the vast majority of Fujifilm X shooters. And they all come for a significantly more affordable price tag.

What About the XF300mmF4 and XF500mmF5.6?

Speaking of long primes…

Back in March 2020, we reported about two Fujinon XF patents showing a Fujinon XF 300mmF4 and Fujinon XF500mmF5.6.

And although I am aware that some folks gave it as 110% certain that those lenses will come in 2021, we warned you in January 2021 that those lenses won’t come in 2021. And quite frankly I have no idea if they will ever come.

We invite you to check out or latest and most updated 2021/2022 rumored Fujifilm products timeline to see what is coming (and what not).

The Future Needs…

So what will the future bring?

Well, you might remember how back in 2019, Fujifilm launched a survey on which lenses we’d like to receive in future.

FujiRumors took 1:1 the lens suggestions Fujifilm made and made this poll out of it that saw 20,000+ people voting on it.

Guess what?

All the long telephoto prime lenses ended up at the very bottom of the ranking, showing that there is simply not enough interest for such lenses.

My take?

Well, I think the XF200mmF2 is maybe not long enough (although with the 1.4x TC it is basically an XF300mmF2.8 lens).

What  I believe could be worth Fuji’s R&D and become much more successful is a Fujinon XF400mmF4 lens. And with 1.4x TC you’d have a XF560mmF5.6 lens. That lens, I believe, could guarantee Fujifilm decent sales.

So, let’s hope Fujifilm won’t give up on telephoto prime lenses. They are needed. For a niche, sure, but definitely needed.

My New Lens Temptation Gets a Focus on Glass Episode: the Fujinon GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR

If you…

  • follow regulary FujiRumors
  • read more than just the headline

then you’ll know that not only I have a Fujifilm GFX100S on pre-order, and because in crop we trust, I pre-ordered also the Fujinon GF32-64mmF4, but for reasons I have briefly explained here, I am totally tempted by the Fujinon GF100-200mmF5.6.

I did handle the Fujinon GF100-200mmF5.6 at the store, and was surprised that it is actually so light, hence definitely portable for my hikes in the Dolomites.

However, I did put the purchase of that lens on hold, as in 2021 I already bought the XF80mm, XF27MKII, GFX100S and GF32-64, and it’s getting more and more tricky to convince my wife that we really need yet another lens.

And things have not become easier after Fujifilm launched a massive rebate on guess which lens? Exactly, the GF100-200!

For the sake of my bank account health I am still resisting, but Fujifilm keeps up fighting for my money, this time by dedicating their latest Focus on Glass episode to the Fujinon GF100-200mmF5.6.

Well, I’ve watched the episode, and here is what Fujifilm engineers and managers say about this lens:

  • Fujifilm wanted to make a tele-zoom suitable for handheld shooting
  • they needed to develop a smaller and lighter lens
  • at planing stage, they set their target at 1 kg
  • the lens has 5 stops OIS
  • this makes handheld shooting easier
  • Fujifilm hopes you will use this lens to take images that you have never experienced before with a 35mm format lens
  • with GF teleconverter it covers up to 221mm (35mm equivalent)
  • during the development tests, Fujifilm has conducted repeated toughness tests
  • it is a rugged lens while maintaining lightness and compactness
  • although it’s a zoom, resolution is superb and able to resolve the high megapixel of GFX cameras over the entire zoom range and even at f/5.6
  • in order to make the lens brighter and still have higher resolving power, a greater number of elements in the lens are required
  • but the more elements you use, the more the lens gets bigger
  • that’s why Fujifilm designed ever lens element to be as thing as possible
  • every effort to save size and weight was made
  • the engineer is proud of the final result
  • you can easily shoot handheld in places where you can bring a tripod
  • Fujifilm designed a small focus lock mechanism to fit in the lens
  • toughness test were contacted to overcome weaknesses on by one

But was is triggering my GAS more then what the managers and engineers said, is the photographers and their work shared inside that video. Definitely check it out in the video down below.

GFX Gear Savings in Europe

MEGA DEAL on Fujinon XF200mmF2 and More Coming also to USA (but It’s Ridiculous if You Ask Me)

The Mega Deals

Fujifilm Europe launched an absolutely stunning deal on the Fujinon XF200mmF2 with a €2,000 discount, as well as huge deals on other lenses.

I have been now told (thanks), that similar deals will start also in USA. The deals will include a massive rebate on the XF200mmF2, too.

I don’t know if also the Fujifilm X-T4 will be included, but the fact that there is a first $100 rebate popping up on the X-T4 body only, might indicate that the X-T4 will be included.

XF200mmF2 – Fit for Fujifilm X-H2

When Fujifilm developed the Fujinon XF200mmF2, they indication to engineers was simple: achieve best image quality, no matter what!

And I can tell you from my own experience with this lens, that you’ll get a ridiculous sharpness out of it. So now wonder it gets only 5 star ratings!

The XF200mmF2 is clearly underperforming on current Fujifilm cameras, and once the high resolution Fujifilm X-H2 drops on the market in 2022, it will finally unlock its full potential.

Considering the image quality and the fact that it comes with a newly designed 1.4x teleconverter, I always thought that 6K is actually a fair price for how it performs. And soon, with such a big rebate, I definitely call it a steal.

The Ridiculous Thing is…

Ok, so Fujifilm is going to drop a massive deal on the Fujinon XF200mmF2 all over the world.

But the ridiculous thing is that Fujifilm is launching a massive rebate on a lens, the XF200mmF2, that right now is mostly out of stock.

I mean, I’d understand if they’d launched a deal on a lens that is getting dust in the warehouses and they can’t get rid of. But adding a huge rebate on a lens that clearly is short on stock, well, I am afraid that will lead to biblical waiting times for those, who order it.

So, in any case, if you are interested in one, definitely order quickly as soon as the deals are available. At the moment there are some availabe at BHphoto here and one single sample at AmazonUS here.

EUROPE X/GFX DEALS

X Gear – ends June 30

GFX Gear – ends June 30