Fujifilm Early Fall GFX Deals, or When a $1,600 Rebate on GFX100S is Not Enough

Fujifilm has just launched their “Early Fall” deals.

The list of deals until now is very short. Here it is:

These are basically the same old deals on these items we have since months now.

Look, I own the GFX100S and in theory a $1,600 would be a great deal.

But there is one problem: there is camera out there called Fujifilm GFX100S II, which comes with a new processor and a superior autofocus, a better EVF and overall just a specs bump that I believe is worth the $600 you pay more for it compared to the rebated GFX100S.

The Fujifilm GFX100S (which I own), is still a wonderful camera. That’s why I think Fujifilm should just go crazy with it and offer it at $3,000!

Sure, they might not make a penny out of it, but at such a price, the GFX100S would be a crazy good deal and it would certainly bring lots of new users into the GFX system. Users who’d then buy lenses and eventually upgrade to more modern GFX bodies.

Listen to me, Fujifilm… just do it! Sell it for 3K! You’d see lots of Full Frame users getting tempted at that price ;).

So, at the end, do I recommend to buy the GFX100S at that price?

Well, these might seem a strange answer, considering it comes from a guy who is very happy with his GFX100S. But my answer is “no”. If Fujfiilm listens to me and offers it for 3K, then it would a no brainer to recommend. But as it stands now, if you really want to buy into the GFX system, then the probably best camera to get into it is the Fujifilm GFX100S II, or, if you want the ultimate GFX, then the GFX100 II.

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GFX Cameras

How To Quickly Access Your Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipes and About the Missed Film Simulation Dial Opportunity

We just reported about the dedicated Film Simulation Photowalks that Fujifilm USA has organized together with Fujifilm X Weekly.

Well, one more thing just came to my mind, and I thought it is worth to talk about it in this article.

To me, it seems that Fujifilm USA has (finally) understood how important film simulation recipes are for the Fujifilm community.

Sadly we can’t say the same of Fujifilm Japan, who is not putting any marketing effort into promoting film simulation recipes.

Sure, Fujifilm Japan did give us the film simulation dial on the Fujifilm X-T50, but the fact that you can’t assign a recipe to the FS1, FS2 and FS3 position to the dial shows that Fujifilm Japan has not yet understood the importance of recipes for us Fujifilm shooters.

I hope Fujifilm Japan takes a marketing lesson from Fujifilm USA and gives us a simple firmware update that allows us to assign recipes on the film simulation dial.

But with all that said: there is a quick way to access your recipes. You have to go through the C position on the dial and then you can select between 7 recipes that you’ve set. Fuji Guy Francis will run you through it quickly below.

That’s nice and good, but it would have been fantastic to have our favorite top 3 recipes set right on the dial (FS1, FS2, FS3) and accessible with a simple turn of the dial.

Instax Gets up to 25% Price Increase in Japan

Fujifilm Japan has announced an up to 25% price increase on Instax products.

The reason: raw materials cost more, hence the necessity to adjust prices.

For now the announcement has been made in Japan only, so I guess the increase will affect the Japanese market only. However, I’d not be surprised if an increase would follow also in other countries.

Press Release

Dear Valued Customer,

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage of Fujifilm products.

Fujifilm Imaging Systems Co., Ltd. will revise the shipping prices of some instax ™
“Cheki” [admin note: Checki is how Instax is called in Asia] products from August 1, 2024. We have been working to absorb costs by improving production efficiency and reducing expenses, but in response to rising prices of parts and raw materials, we will implement the following price revisions.

Price change date, applicable products and change (price increase rate)

Price change date Products Revision (price increase) rate *1
August 1, 2024 instax mini 12 Approximately 10%
instax mini 40 Approximately 10%
instax SQUARE SQ1 Approximately 8%
instax SQUARE SQ40 Approximately 6%
instax SQUARE Link Approximately 5%
instax Link WIDE Approximately 8%
instax mini 12 album Approximately 23%
Camera case for instax mini 12 Approximately 12%
Camera case for instax mini 40 Approximately 25%
Camera case for instax SQUARE SQ1 Approximately 25%
Camera case for instax mini Evo Approximately 24%

*1 This is the revision (price increase) rate for our shipping price.

Meike 33mm f/1.4 XF Autofocus Lens Now Available

The new Meike 33mm f/1.4 XF APS-C Prime lens is now available at BHphoot here and Meike here.

It should soon be listed also at Amazon here and Adorama here.

This is Meike’s 3rd autofocus lens for Fujifilm X mount.

And yes, I know we usually say “the more, the merrier”, and I agree with that.

But this focal length is already well covered and maybe it would be a good move by third party manufacturer to offer something different and not yet covered by other brands.

And maybe even more importantly: why not offer G mount autofocus lenses?

Meike 33mm f/1.4 vs…

Also promised to come for X mount are the Meike AF 16mm f/1.4 and Meike AF 23mm f/1.4.

All Meike X AF mount lenses

Fujifilm USA Teams Up with Fuji X Weekly to Offer Film Simulation Photowalks in USA

In the recent months, Fujifilm USA has (finally) fully embraced the film simulation recipe community by cooperating with Ritchie Roesch of Fuji X Weekly.

The latest result of this cooperation are the Film Simulation Photowalks that will take place in several cities across the USA in August.

So, if you live in one of the “photowalk cities”, feel free to join the photowalk.

All details can be found at this Fuji X weekly and this Fujifilm USA page.