Clarification + Update Regarding the XF Lens Production Moving from Japan and China to Philippines

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XF18-55 made in Japan (old) and made in Philippines (new)
XF18-55 made in Japan (old) and made in Philippines (new)

Lens Production Moving to Philippines

Ok guys, I went through your comments regarding the “XF lenses made in Philippines” article yesterday here, and I perceived some confusion. So I thought I take my time to clarify a few things:

  • ↓ A source told me that Fujifilm is moving the production of SOME lenses to Philippines. The same source also said that, in the long-term, MAYBE it could be even ALL X-mount lenses, but it was not sure about this. This is why yesterday I wrote: “A kind source (thanks) informed me that Fujifilm is moving the production of some X-mount lenses (maybe even ALL X-mount lenses), to the Philippines.” ↓

So the sure thing is, that the production of some lenses is moving from other countries to Philippines. As we could see in the last few days here on FR, this is happening now with the XF18-135 and XF27mm (which are made in China).

But also XF lenses made originally in Japan, are now moving (or already moved) to the Philippines. For example, take a look at the image above. You can see how my personal XF 18-55 is made in Japan, whereas the XF 18-55 a FR-reader purchased recently in Austria is made in the Philippines. The reader told me that her 18-55 is of impeccable quality, as well as her X-T20, which is made in China.

So the source is right: Fujifilm is moving the production of some lenses (made in China or Japan) to Philippines.

The part my source could not tell me for sure, was, if it will affect all XF lenses in future. It’s a possibility, but it’s not sure yet. I will write an update as soon as I can.

  • ↓ Made in Philippines is not bad at all ↓

Some people perceived my blog post yesterday, as if I would be worried, that quality will suffer if lenses are made in Philippines. But I am not worried at all. As long as Fujifilm keeps the same quality standards as in their Japanese factories, to me, that’s not a problem. And let me add, also as long as Fujifilm treats workers well.

I mean, many of you will probably read this article on a Macbook, iPad or iPhone… which are all made in China. Do you perceive them as badly assembled?

So “made in Philippines” does not mean we lose any quality. Fujifilm sets the quality standard in their factories, and I am sure, wherever they make their lenses, they will be high quality.

  • the XF 18-135 and XF 27mm MK II that popped up on several stores is only because of product number change

My post yesterday was also mainly a response to all the MK II versions we saw popping up on stores worldwide. I wanted to inform you that you should NOT expect any new lens, but that only the product number changed.

Ok… these were the two main clarifications I thought I needed to make.

take care, and enjoy your weekend :)
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Notice of RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 2.0 powered by SILKYPIX (Ver.4.2.7.0) Installer Software Update

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[Photo]

RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 2.0 powered by SILKYPIX (Ver.4.2.7.0) Installer Software Update was disclosed in Fujifilm’s website on 5:00 am June 8th 2017(GMT). However, it has been found that the old version of the installer software was still disclosed from 5:00 am through 9:00 am at the day.

We apologize for your inconvenience which this may cause. If you download the software during the time frame, download the updated software from the website below and install it.

  • * To confirm the version of the software, boot the RAW FILE CONVERTER and click the Help tab to see the version information. If the version is not “4.2.7.0”, download and install it again.
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Fujifilm Accounting Irregularities Found also in Australia and Japan (say Media). Fujifilm Shares Fall more than 4% on 1 Day

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Back in April, we shared the news here on FujiRumors, that Fujifilm found some accounting irregularities at Fuji Xerox New Zealand. They immediatly launched an investigation and said that the yearly earnings reports will be published later than usual.

Today the international news agency Reuters said here that, according to media reports, accounting irregularities where found also in Australia and Japan.

After these media reports, just today (June 9, 2017) Fujifilm shares fall more than 4%.

There is still no official statement of Fujifilm. All Fujifilm told us today, is that they completed the investigations and on their website here they promised to release the earnings reports on June 12, along with the full text of the investigation report (first in Japanese, and an English summary at a later date)

Here is the full press text of Reuters:

Fujifilm Holding’s Corp’s shares fell more than 4 percent on Friday after a media report said accounting irregularities had spread to its Australian unit and to Japan.

By 0230 GMT, Fujifilm shares were trading 3.6 percent lower at a 7-month low of 3,983 yen.

Accounting problems have been found at Fuji Xerox Australia and in Japan, the business daily Nikkei said citing a source.

Losses could reach 30 billion yen to 50 billion yen ($272 million to $453 million), Nikkei added.

The report was not based on an announcement by the company, Fujifilm said in statement issued through the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Fujifilm had previously postponed its earnings announcement for the year ended March due to an accounting probe into questionable practice at Fuji Xerox New Zealand Ltd.

The panel, made up of outside accountants and lawyers, will report its findings to the company on Saturday, Fujifilm said.

The company said it plans to announce the findings along with the delayed earnings release on June 12.

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Good Bye Made In Japan: Fujinon X-Lens Production Moving To Philippines. New Product Number Reason for “NEW” 18-135 and 27

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Fujinon XF 27mm now made in Philippines
Fujinon XF 27mm now made in Philippines

shared by FR-reader Kris here

Good Bye Made in Japan

In the last 2 days, we have seen stores like AmazonUK saying that a new version of the XF18-135 and XF27 is coming.

Well… I have an update for you, that could explain why all these “new versions” pop up on stores.

A kind source (thanks) informed me that Fujifilm is moving the production of some X-mount lenses (maybe even ALL X-mount lenses), to the Philippines.

This has been also proven by a FR-reader, who shared with us the images of his XF27mm made in the Philippines. And by moving the lens production to another country, Fujifilm has changed the product number… hence now stores are listing it as “New”… but it’s just a new product number.

And when the Spanish store earlier today shared the XF27mm II “PH”, well, PH could stand for “Philippines”. But even if it does not stand for Philippines, it’s not really relevant at this point. Fact is (oh sorry, I should say “rumor has it”) that X-mount lens production is moving to the Philippines.

So… what once was made in Japan, or China (27mm) or Thailand, is now (or will soon be) made in Philippines, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as the quality remains the same (and let me add: also the fair treatment of workers… treat your workers well, and the products will be better, too)

For the complete picture: 27mm, 18-135, XC lenses and cameras like the X-M1 and so forth, are already made in China and Thailand. But the lens production is moving all to Philippines now… even the Japanese XF lenses.

As some of you might remember, I reported about Fujifilm opening factories for lens production in the Philippines back in 2013.

Fujinon X-mount factory in Philippines
Fujinon X-mount factory in Philippines
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New “Fujifilm XF 27mmF2.8 II” listed at Spanish Store

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Just yesterday I reported, how several stores are saying that a new XF 18-135 and XF27mm are coming.

Well, here is another one.

A Spanish FR-reader told me that his local store is listing both, the classic XF27mmF2.8 and a mysterious New XF27mmF2.8 II PH.

The specs listed at the store for both lenses are identical (so evidently copy & paste from the original 27).

Maybe all this means nothing… or maybe where there is smoke there is fire ;).

Anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to have a XF27mmF2.8 MK II with aperture ring, just like Fujifilm’s first XF27mm mock-ups displayed at official events years ago?

  • The American West & Route 66, shot with a Fujifilm X-T20 and a XF27mmF2.8 pancake lens at Rico’s flickr here…. I wonder if it’s the Mark I or Mark II :-)

take care, fellow Fuji shooters… and stay tuned for updates
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