So, Photokina is over. The most important announcements have been done. So it’s high time to put some order in the remaining rumors.

But first some facts:

• 650+ blog post published in 2016 so far
• 101 rumors shared in 2016
• 13 rumors still to be verified
• 81 correct rumors (+1 one more correct, but not in ranking. Read why at the bottom of this post)
• 8 wrong rumors (but actually at least 4 of them were right at the time of sharing. It’s just Fuji that changed plans… that’s the risk I pay for sharing early rumors, and I accept that)
• 91% correct rumors shared so far in 2016 (and it would be at least 95+%, if Fuji wouldn’t have changed plans on some long term rumors)

And now… what to expect next!

I don’t think Fujifilm will launch much more in 2016… but surprises are always possible. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.

In 2017 we should see the X100F and the X-T20. And of course the Medium Format Fujifilm GFX will hit the market. It’s also rumored that Profoto will add flash support for X-series cameras. And maybe, so my hope (but not a rumor), after some small and compact weather sealed lenses (35, 23, 50, 80), Fujifilm will also work again on the long rumored 8-16, 33/1 and 200. NOTE: the 33/1 and 200 were rumored in 2015, so they are not included in the 2016 overview.

Sounds already now like a very interesting 2017… and I’m confident Fujifilm will surprise us with something more. Stay tuned on FujiRumors to find it out.

My deepest thanks goes to all sources, who helped me a lot and reached a level of accuracy that is almost scary for a rumor site… I really would like to hug you all :-)

Also, thanks to everybody, who spotted some interesting Fuji related news/rumor/deal/review on the web, and took his/her time to drop me an email with the link to it. Much appreciated… and feel free to keep it up. ;-)

HIGH RATING*
* 75% to 99% correct

– Fujifilm X100T Successor to be Released in 2017 (shared July 28)
– Profoto Will Add Support for Fujifilm X Cameras in 2017 (shared September 12)
– Fujifilm X-T20 Coming in 2017 (and not at Photokina) (shared Septmeber 17)
– Fujifilm X-Pro2 Firmware Coming October 6 (shared September 29)
– Fujifilm Will Release a Dark Grey Fujifilm X-Pro2, probably in 2017 (shared September 30)

MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct

– Fujifilm will develop a XF 8-16mmF2.8 WR lens! (shared 26 May 2016)
– Fuji X100T Successor still with 23mm lens!
– No X-E3 in 2016 (shared February 2, 2016)
– Fujifilm working on a XF200mm… F2 (!) lens (shared Feb.5 2016)
– Fujifilm Global Shutter Camera coming in 2018 (at the earliest) – (shared Mar 14, 2016)
– Fujifilm X-T1 will get one more (and final?) Kaizen Firmware Update This Year! (shared 13 Mai 2016)

MEDIUM LOW RATING*
*25% to 49% correct

– Fuji X100T & Kaizen Love? High Chance of Firmware 2.00 for Fuji X100T (shared February 11)
– The Fujifilm X100T Successor Will Be Called Fujifilm X100F (shared August 31)

LOW RATING*
*1% to 24% correct

Push READ MORE for the 2016 Rumor Check

Fujifilm GFX

Start Up Time Compared

The Hasselblad X1D has a nice, simple, slim & clear design. But is it also a workhorse? Well, Jörg Kampers shared at the Fujifilm GFX facebook group his hands-on feebdack (with Video):

Turn on, get a coffee, start shooting….. And this thing get’s so hot, that the coffee stays hot….. ONE focus point for now….really? The GFX starts up almost as fast as the X-T2, the viewfinder is bright and big. Yes, it’s no scandinavian design, but it works and will be able to adapt leaf shutter glasses !!!

On the contrary, as you can see in this video, the Fujfilm GFX seems to start up quite instantly… and it’s just a very early prototype.

GFX Thoughts & Hands On

• Out-of-focus thoughts about a new Fujifilm medium-format GFX 50S at olafphotoblog
• GFX Hands On in Dutch at gregtheulings (translation)
• Fujifilm GFX 50S Preview at photographyblog: “One of the main differences between the Hasselblad X1D and the Fujifilm GFX 50S is that the latter has a focal-plane shutter, allowing for shutter speeds as fast as 1/4000th of a second. It also means that the lenses can be made smaller, lighter and cheaper as they do “not need to have a built-in leaf shutter.”

Why Focal Plane Shutter (and no Leaf Shutter)

Why did Fuji chose the in body Focal Plane shutter over leaf shutter in lenses? Well, because the focal plane shutter has its advantages. Like popularphotography said:

• The focal plane shutter allows Fujifilm to adapt other lenses via adapter (leaf shutter lenses and regular lenses).
• The focal plane shutter allows faster shutter speeds wide open than leaf shutter lenses

Sure, it makes the camera bigger, but it adds also felxibility to the entire system. You can’t have it all… the market will decide, who made the better choice, Fujifilm or Hasselblad.

Always popularphotography reminds us how Hasselblad said that designing zoom lenses for Medium Fomrat cameras is very hard (that’s why, for now, the offer just primes). But Fujifilm will offer a zoom lens right from the start.

Oh, and in the video below, you can see it compared side by side with the Canon 6D.

I discovered and started following Palle Schultz’ work (and youtube channel) 4 months ago, after I saw him wearing one of my fair trade T-shirts at the Fujifilm Nordic “Behind the frame” Series… btw, we raised $3,500 for Free Education for kids in Cambodia.. ;).

Back to Palle Schultz: as an official Fuji X Photographer, he had access to the behind the scenes of the Fuji booth (and to the GFX), and he decided to document his stay at Photokina 2016 in his original video “Handheld Photokina 2016 Impressions” (filmed with X-T2). It’s a good way to close the 1 week Photokina marathon… no more interviews, no more talks… just video, music and editing by Palle himself.

I’ll share two more videos from his youtube channel below, “The biggest fail of the Fujifilm X-Pro2” and “Should you shoot RAW or JPG, with Fujifilm cameras?”

Fujifilm X-T2: BHphoto / Adorama/ AmazonUS

Amateurphotographer had a talk with Sony Manager Legend Kimio Maki, the creator of RX series and A7 series (so not really a Fuji Fanboy). It’s all about the A7 series and especially the Sony A99II (which I took some shots with at Photokina and shared the video with SAR here).

At the very end the Sony Manager says one sentence also regarding the Fujifilm X-T2, when amateurphotographer asked:

Q: Are fast-focusing mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm X-T2 a threat to Sony Alpha 7-series customers?
A: Yes. In terms of speed we have learned a lot from Fujifilm, Canon and other competitors. There’s still a lot more to learn of course and we don’t have the same kind of weapon right now. We have to create something new.

I wish the Fujifilm X-T2 would also ship as fast as it shoots ;)

As you might know, after my first day at Photokina I joined a Fuji X Photowalk… to relax a bit after a busy day. The organizer of the photowalk, wedding photographer Jörg Kampers, had the X-T2 with the XF 56mmF1.2.

Well, we were walking on the famous bridge towards the cathedral, when a runner came along. Jörg took his X-T2 with the 56mmF1.2 and shot a burst of images… wide open at F1.2. When we watched the images on the rear screen, I was just like “what the ****”… they where all in focus! Maybe Joerg was just lucky, or maybe he has particular sport photography skills, but I was really surprised by the performance of the X-T2. See by yourself and download the images on dropbox! – Thanks Jörg Kampers

Or maybe, those Fuji guys, who develop the Firmware, just got it right!

Fujifilm X-T2: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

cheers
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

NOTE 1: Sounds incredible, but this is what the Sony Manager confirmed indeed. He confirmed there is a threat coming from the X-T2 due to the faster AF. Don’t blame me for that.
NOTE 2: I don’t want to start the war: “Sony is better, no, Fuji is better”. But until now many accused us X-shooters to be “fanboys” when we said the X-T2 has awesome AF. Now a non-fanboy like a Sony Manager aknowledged that the Fuji X-T2 has really a fast AF. He even goes so far to say that, on the A7 series “we don’t have this weapon right now“. That said, Sony has awesome cameras, too. We all know that.
NOTE 3: A camera is not only AF speed. You may love Sony, or Fuji, or Olympus, or whatever based on the various aspects that are important for you

UPDATE: the kit in stock at Adorama

The Fujifilm X-T2 is available at eBayUS via Top rated and authorized Fuji Seller Kenmorecamara here. There is also still one left at AmazonUS (via third party seller Focus Camera – official Fuji Seller).

Moreover, I’ve heard from a FR-reader, that Adorama received some X-T2 boxes. They are now in the warehouse and Adorama should ship them today or tomorrow.

Posted earlier today:

• Fujifilm GFX dpreview Interview with Fuji Manager
• DigitalRev Fuji GFX First Look
• XF23mmF2 WR Shipping

Fujifilm X-T2: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Image courtesy: dpreview

2,000 members in just 24 hours!!! Join the Fujifilm GFX facebook group. Lot’s of live coverage and tidbits, questions and discussions about Fujifilm’s new MF camera!

Hands-on with Fujifilm GFX 50S at dpreview:

• The first thing that strikes you when you pick up the GFX 50S for the first time is its weight – or rather it’s lack of weight. Considering the size of its sensor, the GFX 50S is impressively small and light.
• The body is weather-sealed and build quality is superb
• The viewfinder is lovely, and at least a match for the excellent finder in the X-T2 in terms of clarity and size.
• impressively short flange-back distance
• Despite the obvious similarities to the imaging chips used in the Pentax 645Z and other cameras, Fujifilm is insisting that this is a new, Fujifilm-developed sensor

Image Courtesy: riflessifotografici (images only)