Japanese Fujifilm Managers: X-Pro and X-E line Not Stopped, X-Trans is Here to Stay, PSAM vs RETRO, GFX Sports Photography and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

At the last CP+, the French Website Phototrend had the opportunity to talk to Japanese Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the X series and to Japanese Fujifilm manager Makoto Oishi about the GFX series.

Down below you can find a quick summary. For the full French version check out the articles at Phototrend here (X series) and here (GFX series). Plus a little rant at the end.

X series

  • Fujifilm can not confirm if X-Pro4 will arrive soon or not
  • X-Pro line is not stopped
  • X-T and X100 series do not satisfy all customers who want a “pure photography” experience
  • Fujifilm is studying different possibilities
  • feedback and expectations are high for the next X-Pro
  • X-E line is not stopped
  • sports photography is a difficult market
  • other brands are long established there and for Fujifilm it’s new terrain
  • Fujifilm can not confirm anything about eventual future lenses for sport photographers
  • Fujifilm has received great feedback about the latest autofocus system, but they will continue to improve
  • renewing older lenses is something that Fujifilm has in mind
  • XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 [admin note: will replace the XF18-55mmF2.4.8]
  • Fujifilm is not considering any option other than X-Trans for their APS-C cameras
  • its unique matrix offers the advantage of combining high definition and suppression of moiré and chromatic aberrations
  • for X100VI, Fujifilm has developed the smallest and thinnest IBIS unit to date
  • the X100VI IBIS wiring has been moved to the side – see here
  • IBIS system uses data from the image in addition to the gyroscope (motion blur is analyzed from the live-view image)
  • the grip of the X100VI is a tenth of a millimeter deeper than X100V for a better grip

GFX series

  • GFX100II market return (sales) is very good, not only among professional photographers, but also filmmakers and directors
  • GFX100II sales exceed Fujifilm’s expectations
  • GFX100S is still very popular because Fujifilm has lowered its price
  • GFX100S still very popular in some markets like China
  • professionals go for GFX100II, enthusiasts for GFX100S
  • Fujifilm never looked at its market share in medium format segment
  • other manufacturers have no announced so many new products, so Fujifilm thinks they are Nr.1
  • some expect a faster 50MP GFX. But Fujifilm thinks high definition is more popular
  • there are lots of FF cameras offering 50/60 megapixel, so offering 50MP now has become almost banal
  • Fujifilm focuses on improving the 100MP sensor performance
  • for professionals ergonomics are very important
  • first GFX cameras had dedicated dials but now they switched to a easier to operate PSAM dial layout
  • Fujinon GF 500 mm f/5.6: it’s time for Fujifilm GFX to approach wildlife and sports photography
  • normally APS-C lenses are compact than FF and MF (hence also smaller AF motors)
  • but regarding telephoto lenses, size primarily depends on diameter and aperture. Regardless of whether it’s for APS-C, FF or MF, the fundamental construction of telephoto lenses, particularly on the front lens side, is the same
  • Fujifilm tries to make the GF500mm as small and light as possible to obtain faster autofocus
  • tilt-shift lenses are the most difficult to design
  • Fujifilm started to develop its GF tilt shift lenses back in 2019
  • why not retro? High end high speed cameras need to be operated quickly, hence PSAM. Also good for hybrid shooters for video

Let me just say that I strongly, vehemently, vigorously and fervidly disagree with Fujifilm in regards to what they said why they stick with PSAM on their GFX lineup.

First: the GFX system is not know to be blazing fast and immensely popular among high end sports photographers. I actually feel the GFX system would be the ideal system to use a retro layout.

Second: maybe Fujifilm should watch my video so they learn how to operate their own cameras.

They will find out that one can operate their retro styled cameras exactly as any PSAM camera out there. It’s a marvellous and ingenious design that gives us photographer the best of both words: retro if I want to have fun shooting or want to actually operate the camera already before turning it on, and PSAM if one needs to make lots of adjustment all the time on the fly.

Retro Fujifilm cameras offer both options. PSAM cameras force you into one way to operate the camera.

And in my opinion not offering retro styled GFX cameras anymore is one of the all time biggest mistakes Fujifilm is doing.

C’mon Fujifilm, look at what is selling best in your X system. You’ll see that retro X cameras outsell PSAM cameras by very far. And Nikon had a colossal success with the Nikon Zf lately. It’s clear that in times where every camera is just so good, what people really look for is to have a different photographic experience thanks to dedicated vintage dials.

The joy of shooting sells better than any specs boost you can show off on paper.

An example?

The X100VI sells like hot cakes. The revolutionary global shutter ultra modern high speed blazing fast Sony A9III is selling way below Sony’s expectations (you could always find it in stock everywhere all the time because demand is not high… ask your local retailer).

Make sure to read/watch below:

Fuji Guy Billy: “I Can See the Fujifilm X-Pro Moving into 5th Gen, but it Needs Something Special”, Talking X100VI, X-T40, Future Lenses & More

Vistek just hosted a Fujifilm X Summit After Show with Fuji Guy Billy.

They talk of course mainly about the Fujifilm X100VI, but also about other stuff, such as which lenses Fuji Guy Billy thinks Fujifilm should do in future, he talks a bit about the Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 (which thanks to our sources we have leaked here) and also talked about what he thinks about an eventual Fujifilm X-T30II successor (which we started leaking here) and the long awaited Fujifilm X-Pro4 (which we started leaking here).

Above you can see the whole 55 minutes video and below you get a summary:

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

You Can Now Chat Anonymously with FujiRumors via SIGNAL

Many of our sources use the rumor box to contact me anonymously.

And despite it being a great tool available to sources, it has one downside: I have no way to contact sources in case I have any questions or, as it was the case with the source who shared the X100VI images with us, to ask if I am allowed to share a rumor.

So upon recommendation of a FR-reader, I set up a Signal account, which will allow communication with sources to be 100% anonymous, but at the same time I will be able to write back if I have any questions (such as asking permission to share the rumor or simply exchange information to double check things).

So from now on if you want to contact me, you can do it also via Signal.

It is 100% anonymous because:

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If you want to get in touch with me using Signal

Signal can be downloaded on your Phone, but you can use it also on your desktop (it’s required that you have the App installed on your phone already). You can check out details here.

In case any source, who contacts me anonymously via rumor box using a nickname, would like to have direct and anonymous contact with me, feel free to do it via Signal.

And of course, you can also contact me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com and via PM on other social media (facebook & Co). Those are not anonymous, but it does not change anything, because only I’d know who you are and my top priority in any case and always is to keep all my sources 100% anonymous anyway.

Thanks for everybody who considers to help me out with the rumors, no matter in which way you’ll choose to do that.

Have a great day,
Patrick

Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 First Look by Fuji Guys

Instax Mini 99
BHphoto / Amazon / Adorama 

We have shared a couple of rumors about the Fujifilm Instax 99 already (the first one back in 2023!)

Well, the official announcement has not yet happened, but the Fuji Guys pulled the trigger a bit early this time and already published their first look. The video has now been removed by I will share screenshots below.

  • 6 color effects that you can select on the dedicated color effects dial (created by LED lights inside the camera)
  • there is an exposure dial to adjust image brightness
  • several modes can be selected with mode button: indoor mode (for low light), sports mode (increases shutter speed), double exposure (merge two images into one), bulb mode (for long exposures)
  • you can combine the modes with the color effects
  • self time
  • various flash options
  • 3 focus modes:
    – landscape modes (from 3 meters to infinity)
    – normal/portrait mode (from 0.6 to 3 meters)
    – macro mode (from 0.3 to 0.6 meters)
  • comes included with base grip with tripod mount
  • perfect blend of form and function
  • premium design

The Fuji Guys did not mention the price but we leaked it for you already here.

Instax Mini 99: BHphoto / Amazon / Adorama

Instax Mini 99 Coming Soon for $200 with in Camera LED lights for Creative Color Effects

not the real Instax 99, just a mockup I made
not the real Instax 99, just a mockup I made

You might remember how back in December 2023 we told you that Fujifilm would launch the new Instax Mini 99 (successor to the Instax Mini 90). Back than we told you:

It will come with some sort of “filter” that will create unique color and light combination effects never experienced before on any Instax camera such as light bleed effect, green hue effect, red light flare, purple hue and more.

Well, we now have been passed additional information (thanks… and thanks again :) ):

  • there will be six color effects
  • the color/light effects are created by LED lights inside the camera
  • there is also a vignette mode
  • price $200

Check out…