Fujifilm hold the first X summit at the GPP in Dubai, an event aimed to listen to customer feedback in the best Kaizen tradition and discuss about the Fujifilm future.
For example, Fujifilm asked people which X and GFX lenses they should make next and which firmware update should come next.
Sadly there was not much participation (hardly 50 comments), so let’s see what happens if I share the same polls here on FujiRumors, the only Fujifilm community that can collect several thousands of votes within a few hours ;).
You find Fujifilm’s future X and GF lens survey down below.
Big news: just as we rumored a few days ago, the Fujifilm X-T3 will get a major firmware update, centered on autofocus improvements. It will come in April. Fujifilm showed a video demo of the improvements, and it was fairly impressive. Better face and eye tracking.
Here is the entire 1 hour and 48 minutes video summed up in key points for you. You’re welcome :).
XF35mmF1.4 vs XF33mmF1.0: the XF 33/1 needs to be twice as big, since it needs to let in and correct twice the light
XF33mmF1 has more than twice lens elements than the XF35/1.4
to correct aberration on the XF33mm f/1.0 you need around 7-10 glass front elements
the XF35mmF1.4 has only 7 elements overall
the backside of the XF33mm f/1.0 has about 8 to 10 glass elements
overall the XF33mm f/1.0 has more than twice the lens elements
the 7 to 10 glass elements on the front of the 33/1 weight about 200 gram
challange is to move heavy lens elements precisely during autofocus
Toshi was not satisfied with the size of the lens, but he understands the challenges of developing it. However, he invites engineers to make it still as small and light as possible
XF16mm f/2.8 and XF 16-80mm f/4 working protoypes
XF16mmf/2.8 announcement soon
XF16-80mmf/4 will follow. Launch later this year. Lens feels really light
Future X and GF lenses
Fujifilm asks people which lenses Fujifilm should develop next – FujiRumors added the polls down below
Tilt shift lens is very likely to come next for G mount system
Zack Arias agrees with FujiRumors and he does not want a 35/1.4 MK II because he does not want the 35/1.4 magic to go lost
development costs of new lenses are very high
FUTURE GFX CONCEPTS and GFX CAMERAS – starts 59:39
GFX Concepts
Mirrorless should be free from all legacy
Fujifilm shows design mock-ups of GFX
they show a very small cubic and modular GFX, where you can attach a grip unit and viewfinder unit. So you can build the GFX according to your style (full video here and original full video here)
the modular GFX is just a mockup, but Fujifilm hopes it won’t take long to create such a small device
Medium format size can be reduced a lot, but there are challenges, for example a smaller shutter unit and better battery efficiency
with global shutter Fujifilm can make it smaller
The clear message here is: don’t worry, we are going to make the GFX system a whole lot smaller. So invest into GFX, and we will deliver you also a super-compact body one day.
GFX 100
Fujifilm shows a working prototype of GFX100 and they take a sample on stage, including pixel peeping
at 100MP the benefits of medium format shine, because it’s easier to design lenses that resolve 100MP for MF than for full frame or APS-C
hand-holdable medium format camera thanks to IBIS
GFX100 will cost around $10,000, but final decision has not yet been made
250+ total firmware updates made since the original X100 has been introduced
They show upcoming firmware of X-T3 with significant autofocus improvement. Better face detection, better tracking, better eye AF. Coming in April. Check it out in the video embedded above or on youtube at 1:28:35
Fujifilm also said they will give us the opportunity to switch between faces with the new firmware
survey about which firmware should come next
they official mention Kaizen as their philosophy
Q&A
Fujifilm is studying the rating system
Adobe X-Trans support: Adobe says that for them to get good results with X-Trans is difficult, it’s a lot of work. Fujifilm will support Adobe for better processing
People ask for complete Camera Remote App redesign
Fujifilm is working on improved camera remote app
There will be more X summits, and you can interact at slido here, and of course you will be the first to know, if you follow FujiRumors on Facebook, Instagram, RSS-feed and Twitter.
Modular GFX with Viewfinder and GripModular GFXModular GFX with GripGFX modularXF 33mm designValue of AngleValue of Angle ChartX-T3 April FirmwareFirmware Wishlist
We thought it is worth to dedicate to this mock up an own article, so that you can discuss it properly.
The message Fujifilm is sending is clear: we are going to make medium format small!
The arrival of the global shutter will help, since the shutter design is one of the challanges Fujifilm faces to minimize medium format. Then there is the battery life efficiency as well as the heat dissipation and more.
Also, a modular system allows for flexibility. For example you will be able to chose your grip size and attach it to the camera. Full video of the prototype in here our GFX facebook group.
And guys… that modular GFX100 I rumored on April 1st last year… the idea for that “joke”… well, now you know it ;).
If the final production XF 33mmF1.0 will have the same size of the mock-up I have seen at Photokina, then the Fujinon XF33mm f/1.0 will be smaller than the Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4.
Let’s hope it will also be cheaper, since the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 comes with a hefty price tag.
When it comes to camera bodies, the Panasonic S1 is noticeably bigger than the Fujifilm X-T3, X-H1 and also other full frame cameras like the Sony A7III.
My guess is that the bigger body is needed for proper heat dissipation to allow 4K/60 and avoid overheating. This is probably also the reason why no Sony A7 camera currently offers 4K60p.
But despite the larger body, the Panasonic has still to do compromises in terms of 4K/60P compared for example to the Fujifilm X-T3.
Fujifilm X-T3: 4K/60 with only 1.18x crop without line skipping
Panasonic S1: 4K/60 with 1.5x crop (basically APS-C size)
Panasonic S1R: 4K/60 with line skipping
In our article about the several advantages of APS-C sensors over full frame, we explained how smaller sensors are faster to read out, hence generate less heat and allow for features like the blackout less EVF at 30fps continuous shooting, and, in this case, a better 4K/60 readout.
The Fujifilm X-H1 has no 4K/60, but this is a limitation that comes from the older and slower X Processor Pro.
So, every sensor size has its advantages. It’s now up to Fujifilm to fully take advantage of them. And I expect especially the Fujifilm X-H2 to raise new standards and be a clear step ahead of the competition.
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