Fujifilm X-Pro4 (X-Pro5?) Coming with Improved Hybrid Viewfinder (and What I Hope it Will be)

Today we have an update regarding the Fujifilm X-Pro4… or however it will be called, maybe even Fujifilm X-Pro5. That name would make sense, since Fuji Guy Billy said he can see the X-Pro line getting the 5th generation goodness, hence I think there is a possibility that Fujifilm could call it X-Pro5.

We have been informed by a source, who was right in the past (THANKS), that there will be an improved hybrid viewfinder on the X-Pro4/X-Pro5.

I don’t know yet what the improvement will look like. Is it just a higher resolution EVF? A larger viewfinder?

But what I really hope is the same what Thomas B. Jones said in his latest X-Pro5 whishlist video (see below in German): the return of the slot-in magnifiers.

So what’s that?

Well, if you are not familiar with the X-Pro line, up until the Fujifilm X-Pro2, the X-Pro line offered a slot-in magnifier for 0.36x and 0.60x magnification mode in the OVF.

This has been changed on the Fujifilm X-Pro3, which offers a fixed 0.52x magnification which is great if you are shooting with Fujifilm’s  23mm, 33mm or 35mm lenses (which most X-Pro users do).

However, with lenses like the Fujinon XF18mmF1.4, the image that hits the sensor is larger than the one that can be displayed on the OVF.

The return of the slot-in magnifier could solve this problem and make the XF18mmF1.4 the perfect match for the next X-Pro camera.

But again, I do not know what the change the hybrid viewfinder will have, nor if it will be something minor or major. But if I hear anything more, I will let you know here on FujiRumors.

Fujifilm TX-3 Digital Panoramic Camera: Fujifilm Debating Between Bayer or X-Trans Sensor

Here is a little update regarding the Fujifilm TX-3… and in case you missed the previous episodes:

To be clear, I call it the Fujifilm TX-3 not because it will surely be called this way (I don’t know the name yet), but because it is basically the digital successor the XPan/TX- series, the Fujifilm TX-1and TX-2 65×24 panoramic film cameras.

Anyway, the update is this one:

The options for such a sensor are currently two: a cropped medium format Bayer sensor or a doubled X-Trans sensor.

Or, in other words, the decision would be between a Bayer sensor (cropped GFX) or an X-Trans sensor (doubled APS-C sensor).

Let us know which one you’d go for in the survey below.

And the image above is a rendering made by Pavel which we shared in a dedicated article here.

My personal preference? Both layouts have their Pros and Cons (as we elaborated here). But since this would be a camera for stills, I’d ultimately go for X-Trans if possible. Optimized processing speed is not so relevant for a camera that is not really intended to shoot video or sports/action photography.

Last note: this is not a rumor in the sense that it gives you the final answer on Fujifilm’s decision. I can’t give answers to questions that not even Fujifilm Japan itself has yet answered. But I thought that this time I would anticipate this insight, not waiting for the final decision, but letting you know about the current state of Fujifilm’s decision making, because I am very interested in what you guys would want Fujifilm to use.

The Fujifilm TX-3 Digital Panoramic Camera Should Have

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RUMOR: Fujifilm X-M5 Coming with Film Simulation Dial

When the first rumor about the film simulation dial hit the web, I probably was one of the few to find it a good idea (for certain cameras).

I won’t elaborate why now, but I will refer you to this article here.

I understand that this dial is polarizing, but ultimately I got quite some feedback from readers who did start to use film simulations more often due to the fact that they have such quick and intuitive access to them thanks to the dial. So for some this dial is definitely welcome.

And today we can tell you this: the film simulation dial won’t be a one-time only experiment and therefore unique to the Fujifilm X-T50.

In fact, I have been told that also the upcoming Fujifilm X-M5 will feature the film simulation dial.

Now, I do not know how it will be implemented. The original Fujifilm X-M1 had a PSAM dial and an unmarked dial, so maybe the film simulation dial will replace the unmarked dial? I have no answer to this but I will let you know as soon as I can.

What is sure according to our sources: the film simulation dial is there.

But as much as I find the film simulation a good idea (for certain cameras) my top hope is that the Fujifilm X-E5 (yep, there will be one ;)) will have this dial here.

Sigma 100-400mmF5-6.3 Removed from Sigma’s X Mount Lens Offering Webpage

Back in September 2023 Sigma did announce the Sigma 100-400mm f/5.6.3 for Fujifilm X mount.

And until a few weeks ago, the lens was also always listed at the official Fujifilm X mount Sigma lens page here.

Well, as spotted by a fellow FR-reader (thanks), the Sigma 100-400mmF5-6.3 has now been removed from the Sigma X mount lens selection page.

There is still the dedicated product page up here, but as you can see from the screenshot above, the lens is out of stock for all mounts, except for L-mount, which is in low stock.

The question now is if Sigma is phasing out the Sigma 100-400mmF5-6.3 and if they plan to release a replacement in the near future.

I have no answer to any of these questions, but if there is anyone out there who has it, feel free to contact me.

Anyway, if you are interested in the Sigma 100-400mmF5-6.3, it is currently available with a $100 discount at BHphoto and if the removal from the Sigma website means anything, then this might well be the last units you’ll find new on the market.

It would be a pity if this lens would have been discontinued, since it is a great low budget alternative to the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.

Sigma X Mount Lenses

List of Sigma APS-C Lens Patents

What’s Hiding Behind Fujifilm’s “Minor Bug” Fixes?

Every time I report about a new firmware update, I get asked (such as here): what’s hiding behind the mysterious phrase “fix of minor bugs“?

That’s a legit question, also considering that, in rare occasions, updating the firmware can actually introduce new bugs (this happens with every brand, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Co. They all struggle with that).

So why update the firmware for a minor thing if your gear works just fine?

Well, unless your gear has a specific issue that the firmware update addresses, it’s generally a good idea to wait a bit before updating. Just to see if some issues come up with the new firmware.

I don’t do that, honestly. I update immediately. But I also don’t photograph weddings or do professional work with my gear (oh well, except for this wedding, but that one I shot for free).

And yet…

even if the firmware addresses a “minor bug”, I strongly recommend to update anyway sooner or later..

Why?

Well, because sometimes the bugs are not really “minor”.

For example: in 2020 Fujifilm released a firmware also for X-T4 and it gave us a “minor bug fix”. At that time I was in holiday in Southern Italy and I took some time to try to find out what it really fixed. Well, it turned out the minor bug fix was actually a major one, as it drastically reduced the exposure stepping in video.

This was a major complaint and a major bug fix, but Fujifilm did hide it behind the phrase “fix of minor bugs“.

Other times, the “minor bug” might be better called an “embarrassing bug fix”. In fact so embarrassing, that Fujifilm (but that’s valid also for other brands) doesn’t want you to know what it is, hence they don’t elaborate on that.

For example, I think it was the X-Pro1 that got a “minor bug” fixed, but what it really fixed was that the focus point worked “mirrored”, so if you moved the AF box to the bottom right of the frame, the camera would actually focus on the top left of the frame.

This is why ultimately I always recommend to update your gear, even if Fujifilm calls it just a smaller bug fix.

If you want, wait a couple of weeks and then see if there are reports here on FujiRumors or in Fuji Forums about problems with the firmware. And if there aren’t, update! What Fujifilm calls “minor” might not really be that minor in the end.

And in any case remember: if for some reason a firmware would break certain features of your camera, Fujifilm will release a free follow-up firmware fix and don’t charge you $700+ like Sony :D.