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:

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These are the Three Cameras Fujifilm Will Launch in the First Half of 2024

click the image to see which 3 cameras will get replaced in first half 2024
click the image to see which 3 cameras will get replaced in first half 2024

The Trinity

We can now say with 100% certainty that

But after I’ve shared the rumor, I have noticed some misunderstandings. So let me address those first, and then we’ll talk about each of the three cameras

Is it All We’ll Get?

So, I told you that there will be three cameras, and that they will come in 2024.

But I didn’t mean to say that all we get in 2024 are these three cameras, and all of them will come in the first half of 2024 (as I see reported around on Forums etc).

I was referring to the fact that initially we told you that there will be “3 or more cameras” coming in first half 2024, and now we can be more specific and confirm that the number of cameras will be 3.

So to be clear I want to remark: I don’t know how many cameras will be launched in the entire year 2024. What I know so far is that there will be 3 cameras in the first half (the replacements of these models), and there will be potentially more cameras in the second half of 2024. But so far I have no rumors about it.

So there is still the second half of 2024 where Fujifilm could have potentially lots of time to please us with much more gear.

And I promise that after the imminent X100VI-centric X Summit I will try to find out more about it.

Anyway, let me quickly talk about each of the three cameras.

Camera 1

Fujifilm X100VI

The first one to come is of course the Fujifilm X100VI, which will see the light of the day tomorrow.

There is not much to guess around, as we have already leaked all the core specs here on FujiRumors.

Now all we have to do is to wait for the Fujifilm X Summit tomorrow and enjoy the launch and we will cover it on FR.

So, all you have to do, is to sit down, relax, and just follow FujiRumors.

Camera 2

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BREAKING: This is Fujifilm’s Next APS-C Camera (after X100VI)

 

Fujifilm’s Next APS-C Camera

It was a mystery for a long time.

But the mystery will find an end today.

Time has come for you to know which one will be the next mirrorless interchangeable lens APS-C camera that Fujifilm will launch.

And no, it will not be the Fujifilm X-Pro4, as everyone else is telling you.

In fact, we told you that the X-Pro4 is not even scheduled for 2024 (and I have no idea when it will come).

Don’t ask me why it takes so much time for Fujifilm to refresh the X-Pro4… or if there ever will be any.

But that’s a questions for another article.

What you need to know today, is the what the next MILC APS-C camera is that Fujifilm will launch.

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Fujifilm to Launch Three Cameras within First Half 2024 – But the Biggest Release is Another One ;)

Best News First: the Biggest Release is…

Yes, we are going to talk about the three cameras. But first you need to know this.

There is one release in just a couple weeks that will overshadow everything else Fujifilm will launch.

Well, at least for me.

Because my second son will be “released” in the next couple of weeks, too :)

Big 2024 Start Confirmed

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Forget About Fujifilm X-Pro4, X-E5, GFX100SII, X-T40, X80 & Co: the Only Camera Coming February 20 is the Fujifilm X100VI

What’s Coming

No, we will not hear anything about the Fujifilm X-Pro4 on February 20. Nothing.

And nothing also about the Fujifilm X-E5, or X-T40 or X-T300, or X80, or GFX100R.

The truth is this: the only camera to be announced on February 20 will be the Fujifilm X100VI.

I guess the Fujifilm X100VI is just too important for Fujifilm and it’s best that it does not get any distraction from other cameras on launch day.

Many of you guys might have seen it coming, due to the lack of rumors about other cameras.

But FujiRumors will make sure that the lack of rumors about other cameras will end soon ;).

Surprises?

But this does not mean we can’t get any surprises on February 20.

I still hope (no rumor) that Fujifilm will give us a new X mount roadmap, or makes major Kaizen firmware announcements, or they could even announce new lenses considering the fact that our sources said the X100VI is the only camera coming on February 20 (and we have leaked images of future XF lenses already months ago). But to be clear: as of now, I have not received information about other gear to come on February 20 (which does not mean it can’t come).

And Fujifilm has also teased a major XApp update, which hopefully might also be announced on February 20 (not a rumor, just a hope).

But they could also show us protoypes of gear to come.

As far as I can remember, at every X Summit something happened that I did not see coming, and I am confident that also this time we will get some surprises.

So definitely stay tuned on FujiRumors on February 20. We will cover it all, and you won’t miss anything.

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Personal Stuff

Fujifilm X100V Discontinued at Several Stores: Giving Up on X100V Delivery and Getting Ready for Fujifilm X100VI?

Fujifilm Gives Up on X100V

Japanese stores are usually the first to mark items as discontinued or in general giving us indications on what’s happening with certain gear.

The X-T4, X-E4, GFX100, XF56/F1.2 and much more gear got first marked as discontinued in Japan before anywhere else on the world.

And today we get another significant hint: many stores in Japan have now completely delisted the Fujifilm X100V from their stores, such as Map Camera, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera. Some stores mark it as “we finished sale“.

It looks like Fujifilm has at this point just given up delivering all those Fujifilm X100V people have still on order, at least in Japan.

And it’s not the first time: the same thing happened with the Fujifilm X-E4, where lots of people had one on order, patiently waited to get it shipped, but then out of nowhere Fujifilm canceled all orders and discontinued the X-E4.

The Last Samples

In USA the Fujifilm X100V is still listed at stores.

At Amazon you can find some samples in stock (at the time of this post), but at a higher price.

But I guess it won’t take long at this point that also US stores will mark the Fujifilm X100V as discontinued.

A Bad Move?

The X100V is huge missed opportunity for Fujifilm. They could have made tons of money with it, but just were incapable of manufacturing enough sample to meet even a small fraction of its massive demand.

To me it looks like Fujifilm just gave up on shipping the X100V at this point.

My guess (not rumor) is that they decided to use all the parts they have still available for X100V and re-use whatever they can of those pieces for the manufacturing of the Fujifilm X100VI (for example the lens, which is the same on both cameras).

I am not sure this is a smart move: I mean, give up on lots of money you can make right now in the hope to make money with another model in future. The best solution would have been to just finally solve that chronic parts issue, which other manufacturers seem to have fixed but Fujifilm still struggles a lot with.

Cosina Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical Lens Announced – First Look and Samples

Cosina has just announced the Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical lens, which will be released in February exclusively for Fujifilm X mount. It comes with electronic contacts (but no AF). Full product page below.

Definitely in line in terms of looks and feel with the lovely Voigtländer ULTRON 27mm F2.

Usually the first to get new Voigtländer lenses for shipping is Voigtlander USA Distributor CameraQuest, which should list this lens for sale soon at their Amazon Storefront page.

There is already a first look with sample images available at fujifanboys here.

Full Product Page + Compatible Fujifilm Cameras

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Fujifilm GFX50S II No Longer in Production and Fujifilm’s Biggest GFX Error Exposed

The first stores in Japan have started to mark the Fujifilm GFX50S II as no longer in production, as reported by the Japanese website asobinet.

No longer in production does not mean you won’t find samples anymore around tomorrow. It is more likely that there will be still stable stock for quite some months ahead.

And yet, this news induces me to share some thoughts about the GFX50SII and the GFX system overall.

The GFX50SII was launched back in September 2021.

During these two years, it was often sold with a $800 discount (as right now), showing that the GFX50SII struggled to sell nearly as well as Fujifilm hoped.

The main drawback: the GFX50SII used the old non BSI sensor of the original GFX50S (and the even older Pentax 645Z)  in times when Fujifilm already offered the GFX100 and GFX100S with modern BSI sensor and 100MP. I guess most people decided to go for the more modern and higher resolution models.

In my opinion, the GFX50SII could have sold much better if only Fujifilm would have kept the retro dials layout of the original GFX50S. It would have differentiated it much more from the rest of the lineup.

And overall, the lack of a proper retro styled cameras in the GFX lineup is one of the big mysteries of our time. It’s Fujifilm’s biggest error and an enormous missed opportunity. Especially in times where there is no significant development on the sensor area, the one thing that can really boost sales for a new camera is offering a different shooting experience, which in the GFX world would mean to offer something different than the usual PSAM layout.

Make no mistake: my Fujifilm GFX100S is giving me great joy and it is extremely easy to operate. That’s not the issue. But if Fujifilm would make the camera with exactly the same GFX100S specs but with an X-T layout, I would sell it and go for the Fujifilm GFX100T (imaginary name).

I hope somebody at the higher ranks of the Fujifilm Japan HQ is reading these lines (and they do, they even use FujiRumors surveys for internal meetings).

I know, Fujifilm, you consider PSAM the “safe” approach, as it is more mainstream. But unless you drop a 150MP GFX or a 100MP stacked sensor GFX, you will keep struggling to sell GFX cameras (or be forced to give them huge rebates).

If you decide to stick with the current 100MP BSI sensor (no matter how much you optimise its circuits, AD converters, microlenses, etc), then the best thing to do to create a camera that sells like hot cakes is to offer a different photographic experience. And that camera is called Fujifilm GFX100T or alternatively also the GFX100R.

Trust me on this Fujifilm. Do it, and we will throw our money at you… and my money will be the first to fly to your bank account.

Fujifilm Manager: The End of Entry Level (X-E line?), X100V Successor, APS-C and GFX Full Frame Alternative, Market Share and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

The French website Phototrend had the opportunity to interview Franck Bernard, Director of the imaging division at Fujifilm France. You can read the full interview here and the summary below.

  • Fujifilm GFX100II and the new GF lenses were well received
  • Fujifilm’s strategy is to grip full frame between their APS-C and Medium Format bodies
  • When asked if X-H2S is popular among sports photographers, the manager said that the road is long. It’s not only a question of having the best product, but also of having the entire ecosystem
  • Overall market share in France? As far as hybrid cameras goes (full frame excluded), Fujifilm is market leader with 26% over the last 12 months
  • X-T5 is the best seller followed by X-T30II and X-S20/X-S10
  • the photo market is sustainable and will always remain so
  • smartphones accelerate the demand for cameras because at some point people will want to use a real camera for better quality
  • it’s too early to talk about an X100V successor
  • It has now been 3 years since the X100V was released and Fujifilm does not have a fixed renewal cycle forcing them to change bodies every three years
  • the demand for X100V is still high
  • “If we have decided to stop entry-level products such as X-T200 or X-E4, it is because it is not promising as a market“
  • but Fujifilm wants to keep more affordable models in the lineup (see X-T30)
  • third party lenses can have negative effect on Fujinon lens sales, but Fujifilm thinks they have the quality to compete with Sigma, Tamron and Co
  • Fujifilm is neutral in regards to third party lenses. They don’t oppose nor push them and they respect them

I’d like to make some considerations.

Fujifilm X-E Line

The French manager hinted that they dropped the X-E line, but that pretty much does not fit with the hints recently a Japanese Fujifilm manager gave us here. And also Fuji Guy Billy mentioned here the X-E line as a line that would continue (unlike X-T***, X-A* lines, which btw were just Fujifilm branded Xacti cameras since a long time anyway, as we reported here).

Fujifilm X100V successor

No, it’s not too early to talk about it.

Third party Lenses

The French Fujifilm manager said they are neutral towards third party lenses. Although I remember Fujifilm managers inviting Sigma managers and talking about Sigma lenses for example here. So this gives me the impression Fujifilm is quite positive overall towards third party lenses.

The French manager said they think they have the quality to compete with third party lenses. This depends. The newest third party lenses from Viltrox & Co are quite phenomenal for the price. Maybe here and there they might not match the quality of the top of the line most modern Fujinon XF lenses, but there are quality options also from third parties.

The real and most important factors, for me, to use as much as possible native Fujinon lenses are two:

  • lots of third party lenses do not have an aperture ring
  • color consistency among Fujinon glass. And since a Film Simulation are a big deal for me, I like Velvia & Co to look consistent across the various lenses I use. There are for example third party lenses, like my manual focus Samyang 12mmF2, that are very lovely, but the colors they give me are not the ones I consistently get with my Fujinon lenses.

These are for me the two main reasons why I mostly stick with Fujinon XF and GF glass, although I own third party lenses for both systems, too.

My Personal Gear

Voigtländer NOKTON 50mm f/1.2 Available for Pre-Order

The Cosina Voigtländer 50mm f/1.2 is now available for pre-order at BHphoto here.

The Fujifilm cameras that support the electronic contacts with this lens are:

  • X-H2S
  • X-H2
  • X-Pro3
  • X-T5
  • X-S20
  • X-S10
  • X-H1
  • X-T4
  • X-T3
  • X-T2*
    *When using the X-T2, the aperture value can be displayed in Fno by changing the aperture value display setting from TNo to FNo in the body settings.
  • X-T30
  • X-T30II
  • X-E4

Not Supported Cameras

  • X-T1
  • X-T20
  • X-T10
  • X-T200
  • X-T100
  • X-Pro2
  • X-Pro1
  • X-E3
  • X-E2
  • X-E1
  • X-M1
  • X-A7
  • X-A5
  • X-A3
  • X-A2
  • X-A1

List of Voigtländer lenses for Fujifilm:

Additional Details

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