Fotodiox Crystal Replica of Fujifilm X-T (and More Cameras)

Fotodiox has launched a series of crystal camera replicas, which includes also a cyristal replica of the Fujifilm X-T.

At least they claim it’s an X-T replica, even though with that huge grip it looks more like a merger between a Sony, X-T and X-H camera.

Anyway, it’s said to withstand all the elements like rain, wind, lightnings, dust, fire. It’s only true enemy: gravity :D.

Fujifilm Deals in USA and Europe – An Overview

USA Deals – Instant Rebates

GFX Gear

X Series

EUROPE Deals – Instant Rebates

X-T50 + Lenses

GFX Deals

Note 1: in UK you can buy X-T50 body or any kit, you’ll save £210 if you add XF23mmF2 or XF50mmF2 to you purchase
Note 2: Amazon IT is an authorized retailer, but make sure it is shipped and sold by Amazon. Amazon UK is not authorized. Also Amazon DE is not listed as authorized, but I see the X-T50 deal anyway (so far) at Amazon DE at the same price of authorized dealers

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 AF Officially Announced

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 has now been officially launched for Fujifilm X mount.

Main Features:

  • Ultra-Light and Slim
  • Efficient Autofocus
  • Innovative Slide Cap Design with Firmware Upgrades
  • Exceptional Image Quality

Look, I love pancake lenses, but I’ll pass on this one.

If you have the budget, then I still recommend the Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 R WR, which has an aperture ring, is weather sealed, faster aperture, better ergonomics, still extremely compact, optically fantastic and capable of resolving 40MP… and the list of loves for this lens could actually go on forever.

Sure, it costs about $300 more than the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5, but it’s worth every penny if you ask me.

The problem? Good luck finding on in stock.

At BHphoto it’s out of stock, on Amazon you can find some second hand units (often overpriced), Adorama says they should have stock end of February, it’s on backorder at Moment and good luck finding it anywhere else.

And all of this a humble 4 year after announcement ;).

Fujifilm Q3 Financial Results: Professional Imaging Segment up 25.6% YoY

The Fujifilm Q3 Financial Results (October-December 2024) have just been shared.

We can see that Instax makes about twice as much revenue as Fuji’s professional imaging segment. That’s impressive, considering that at the same time the R&D investments for Instax products are significantly smaller than for the X and GFX system.

But also the X and GFX series are doing well, as “brisk sales of digital cameras continued to drive revenue growth” with a 25.6% YoY revenue growth.

Professional Imaging – Revenue ¥58.9 billion (up 25.6% YoY)

  • Digital camera sales grew mainly in China. Strong sales of the four models launched last year – X100VI, GFX100S II, X-T50 and X-M5– contributed to higher revenue.
  • Development of our filmmaking camera FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA, which features rich, true-to-life visuals through a large format sensor, is underway, with launch planned in 2025

Consumer Imaging – Revenue ¥110.6 billion (up 7.9% YoY)

  • Revenue increased driven by steady sales of the instax instant photo systems.
  • In addition to the instax mini 12, strong sales of new high-value added products, including the instar WIDE 400 wide format camera launched in July and Link 3, contributed to higher revenue.
  • The instax WIDE Evo, the high-end hybrid instant camera which offers versatile shooting expressions with its most extensive range of effects in the instax series, was launched today (February 6, 2025).

In the Imaging segment, consolidated revenue amounted to ¥426.7 billion (up 15.8% year-over-year). Operating income amounted to ¥115.0 billion (up 29.3% year-over-year). In the consumer imaging business, steady sales of the instax instant photo systems drove revenue higher. In September 2024, we launched the smartphone printer instax mini Link 3, which can print smartphone images on card-sized instax film. Sales grew steadily during the year-end sales season, along with the instant camera line-up. We will continue to expand the world of the instax instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing.

In the professional imaging business, brisk sales of digital cameras continued to drive revenue growth. In November 2024, we launched the FUJIFILM X-M5 mirrorless digital camera, the lightest in the X series. We also announced the development of our first-ever filmmaking camera, the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA. We will continue to feature outstanding image quality with the large format sensor in the GFX series and the best balance of image quality and size in the X series, providing attractive products for digital camera users and the film industry.

You can access all charts and details at the Fujifilm page here.