Fujifilm CEO Says Retro Cameras are Difficult to Mass-Produce, Gives Production Insights and Talks Brand Power

Recently Fujifilm published their (excellent) financial results for the imaging solution.

Now they have also published the Q&A sheet, where the Fujifilm CEO answers to a range of questions, including the production issues with Fujifilm cameras.

In short: there are the usual struggles with semiconductors, but in addition to that, he also explains that mass-producing retro-styled cameras is difficult, because the process of creating a classy design “is close to handmade“. Also, they misjudged the demand for Fujifilm X100VI. They doubled the production capacity, but that’s not enough. They are working to match the huge demand (as we already reported, production increase should be achieved by the end of this summer).

I find the part of the challenges with retro camera production particularly interesting. And I guess also why most brand either do not offer vintage styled cameras at all, or, if they do, they release them in significantly lower numbers compared to their more mainstream PSAM models.

And of course: what takes more time to produce is also more expensive to produce. So, from that point of view, it makes little sense for companies to release retro-styled cameras.

But what I love of Fujifilm is that not only they do offer them, but they offer quite a few of them.

In fact, as we could already see, Fujifilm offers more X series camera lines with Retro dials than with PSAM dials. The only problem is that some of them (X-E and X-Pro) do not get refreshed as often as the PSAM models, which therefore gives the impression that Fujifilm is offering more PSAM styled cameras.

But the Fujifilm X-E line will get a refresh, the Fujifilm X-E5 is coming next year. And you bet, there will also be a Fujifilm X-Pro4 at some point.

With that said, I leave you with the relevant transcript of the Q&A below.

Fuji’s Vintage Cameras

Q&A

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Camera RawX Provides Quick Look and Thumbnail Previews for Fujifilm RAW files in macOS Finder

Anogeissus Limited has developed a new app called Camera RawX.

Camera RawX provides support for Quick Look and thumbnails generations for Fujifilm compressed RAW files in Finder that are not natively supported by macOS.

I have purchased and installed the software on my Mac, and now, on my compressed RAW files, I can see thumbnails in Finder instead of just a generic icon and I can get a larger Quick Look at the RAW image by pressing the space bar.

Of course it does not just provide support for Fuji compressed RAWs, but also Nikon HE/HE* compressed RAWs, and many other RAW formats not supported by macOS.

You can check out Camera RawX at the Apple store here. We remind you that Anogeissus Limited also makes the AppolloOne software, which we have reported about in the past.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Camera RawX and I have paid full price for the software. I do not earn commissions if you purchase this software nor will I be compensated in any shape or form for reporting about it on FujiRumors. It’s just a nice little software that I think some of you might be interested in. Once installed, follow the simple set-up instructions. Done that, I had to restart my computer for the software to work.

Fujifilm Q1 FY2024 Financial Results: Strong Professional Digital Camera Sales Boost Revenue (+33,8%)

The Rise of Fujifilm…

Fujifilm has announced the financial results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 (April 1st, 2024 to June 30, 2024).

In short we can say the professional imaging division is growing strong with revenue up +33.8% compared to last year.

Always in terms of revenue, the professional imaging division (+33,8%) grew even stronger than the Instax division (+17.8%). Now the revenue difference between Instax and professional photography gear is of 18.5 billions of Yen (74.6 for Instax and 56.1 for X, GFX and Fujinon lenses) compared to the gap of 21.2 in 2023.

No wonder that the Fujifilm CEO called their photography business their new goldmine.

With all these great numbers, Fujifilm increased their imaging division financial forecast for 2024:

  • + 6.3% revenue (from 480 to 510 billions of Yen).
  • +12% operating income (from 100 to 112 billions of Yen).

Despite…

So all good and keep going like this, Fujifilm?

Well, not really. We will always find something to moan about. ;)

And particularly, it’s a pity to see that these wonderful data coming in despite Fujifilm having had much more trouble to ship their gear than any other brand.

I can only imagine how the numbers would have skyrocketed, if only Fujifilm would have been capable of matching the terrific demand there is for their cameras and lenses.

Dear Fujifilm:

you have to understand that meeting your sales targets is not enough. What you have to meet is the true demand for Fujifilm gear.

That’s why I can’t find huge joy in the numbers you’ve shared today: I keep thinking at the figures you could have achieved, if only you’d have been able to produce more gear with proper hard work and solid investments instead of trying out some creative solutions that brought no results.

The Report

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TTArtisan Super Mini Magnetic LED Light with Film Canister Look

TTArtisan has launched a cute little accessory, the TTArtisan Super Mini Led Light.

  • Magnetic cold shoe mount for quick and easy camera attachment
  • 3 Color temperatures: 6000K/4500K/3000K
  • CRI95+ ensures accurate color rendering
  • 45-minute charge provides battery life of approx. 80-160 minutes
  • Lanyard hole design for easy carring

At the moment you can find it at Amazon here (1 unit) and Amazon here (10 pack) and TTArtisan here. Keep in mind that if you order via TTArtisan store, you’ll have to pay import taxes (ships from China). Of course, at Amazon the price you se is the final one you pay.

We don’t need it… but oh boy is it cute!!! Not sure I will be able to resist to it once it shows up at my local Amazon.

Name MINI LED Light Power 0.5W
Color Temperature(±200K) 3000/4500/6000K Voltage 3.7V
Color Rendering Index CRI 95+ Capacity 300mAh
Angle Around 100° Charging Time Around 45 min
Distance Around 3 meters Charging Type-C
Luminance 250Lm Battery Life Around 80~160 min
LED Qty 15 Weight 20 gram (without Mount)
Size 2.9*4.4cm Material PC+ABS

Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash Announced

Godox has just announced the new Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash.

A curiosity: anyone out there who has used both, Godox and Profoto speedlights? Because my impression is that the Godox gear is a no brainer, but maybe there are strong arguments in favor of Profoto gear.

One that comes to my mind is that it seems Fujifilm cooperates more closely with Profoto, because certain bugs happen only with Godox gear and not with Profoto gear.

Key Features

  • One-Tap Sync with Optional X3 Trigger
  • Compatible with Most TTL Systems
  • 600Ws, 1/512 to 1/1 Power Output
  • Up to 360 Full-Power Flashes
  • Flash Duration: 1/220 to 1/11,760 sec
  • 1/8000 sec High-Speed Sync
  • 0.01-0.9 sec Recycling Time
  • 40W Bi-Color LED Modeling Lamp
  • Upgraded TFT Screen for Onboard Control
  • Includes Battery & Charger

Godox AD600Pro II
BHphoto – Amazon – Adorama