Top 3 Cameras Fujifilm Should Make for Instant Success (X and GFX)

We recently told you that Fujifilm is preparing a huge start in 2024:

Now, of course most of the talk and speculations in our previous articles was gravitating around successors to existing camera lines.

And it makes a whole of sense to focus on refreshes of current cameras, nothing prohibits us to dream big and think and completely different cameras.

So what I will do is to share three cameras that I think would turn out to be an instant and massive success for Fujifilm.

And I am not talking of weird and risky concepts. I am talking of cameras that would sell very well for sure in my opinion.

So, let’s go through them and let me think what you think about.

Also, feel free to drop your own ideas in the comments.

Top 3 Cameras Fujifilm Hasn’t Made Yet

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Sirui Sniper 23/33/56mm F1.2 Review and Sirui Sniper 16mmF1.2 and 75mmF1.2 Coming Soon

CineD has reviewed the brand new Sirui Sniper f/1.2 series of lenses that can now be backed at Indiegogo, as we reported here.

In short we can say: it has its flaws (quite a few of them), such as lack of sharpness wide open, visible chromatic aberration, not ideal bokeh, jittery IBIS (communication problems with the camera) and what not.

So it is far from an optically perfect lens.

However, it has definitely its character and CineD liked working with it, because it has its peculiar identity (something we often don’t find in optically “perfect” lenses).

Or, as the Sigma CEO said here “it’s easier to make a perfect lens, than a lens with character” [Note: which is why I LOVE my good old XF35mmF1.4 R – see it in action here in Barcelona]

You can look the video above and read the article at CineD here.

New Firmware for Fringer EF-FX Pro III, EF-GFX Pro, NF-FX and NF-GFX

Fringer has released a couple of firmware updates.

Fringer adapters can be ordered at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

List of Smart Adapters

Firmware Details & Download Links

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Fujifilm GFX100 II: The Truth about ISO 80 and the 30% Increased Dynamic Range

ISO 80 and Dynamic Range

We have just covered the talk about the the new sensor of the Fujifilm GFX100II and the up to twice readout speed.

At the end of that article, when I listed the reasons why to get the GFX100II instead of the GFX100S, I wrote the GFX100II has 30% (or 1/3rd of a stop) better dynamic range.

And since I noticed this is another thing that some people struggled with, I decided to elaborate now more in depth.

After testing the dynamic range, Jim Kasson (linked below) agreed that yes, dynamic range is increased, but not by 30%. Jim says:

At ISO 80 those folks at Fujifilm have dropped all the data below the nominal black point, slicing off the left half of the histogram, and cutting the measured read noise in half of what it would normally be. […] You’ll still get slightly improved FWC — but I don’t measure the claimed 30% improvement — and decently low read noise. So it’s an improvement, but not a huge one.

Now, whatever Fujifilm does in terms of software, that has been measured by Jim and I won’t argue that. And it is true that this does make ISO80 dynamic range look crazy good.

But what Fujifilm at the end of the day said, is that there is a 30% dynamic range increase.

What does this mean?

Well, 30% expressed in stops means about 1/3rd of a stop improvement. As a reference, 1 stop increase means doubling the amount of light you let in on the sensor.

So the misunderstand is simple: if the GFX100S has let’s say 14 stops DR, it does not mean that Fujifilm claimed the GFX100II has 18 stops dynamic range (+30%), but 14,3 stops of DR (+1/3). And moreoever, in the X summit the 30% increase is mentioned in the video section of the summit, and Fujifilm has not been clear if it applies also to stills.

What I can say, is that 1/3 DR increase for stills what a Fujifilm rep told me personally during a Fujifilm event. He told me Fujifilm Italy made its own measurements once they got the camera from Japan, and at base ISO they noticed a 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop DR increase.

Now, why did Fujifilm say 30% instead of 1/3rd of a stop, even though they mean the same?

Well, I guess it just sounds better saying 30% rather than 1/3rd of a stop, but of course it can create confusion.

So yes, at base ISO the new Fujifilm GFX100II will give you the better dynamic range over the GFX100S. Also Jim confirms this. But not by a very large margin. Fujifilm says it is 1/3rd of a stop for video, and Fujifilm Italy told me they measured that too for stills.

Jim Kasson Articles:

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Fujifilm GFX100 II Engineers and The Truth About the “New” Sensor and “Up to Twice” Readout Speed

Fujifilm GFX100II

Over the past few weeks, many have contacted me asking why I don’t talk about the reports that claim:

  • the Fujifilm GFX100 II sensor is not new
  • the Fujifilm GFX100 II does not read out at twice the speed and faster readout speed is achieved only with software tricks, meaning dropping down at 12 bit when in 8 fps mode

The answer is simple:

When Fujifilm published their first Fujifilm GFX100II development story episodes, they said they would talk about the GFX100II sensor in future episodes.

This is why I decided to wait, hear Fujifilm’s position, and then write an article that is as comprehensive and complete as possible.

And I am happy I waited, because in the 5th X Lab episode dedicated to the GFX100II, we get some helpful insights in the inner workings of the sensor (full episode with summary below)..

But before we dive into it, let me express my admiration for Jim Kasson’s brilliant work in analyzing the inner workings of the GFX100II and to Petapixel for bringing his findings to the attention of the larger public.

I decided to wait for more details coming from Fujifilm before reporting about it, but maybe they would not have disclosed those in such detail, if Jim would not have done his great work, and Petapixel made a huge buzz out of it.

The Truth in a Nutshell

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Fujifilm GFX100 II X Lab Development Story

Fujifilm has shared their Fujifilm GFX100 II centric X Lab episodes.

All Japanese. Google struggles to translate. It’s a pain…

A pain you don’t have to go through. It’s enough if I went through it and summed it up for you.

X Lab Episode 40

  • after using the GFX100S (small and lightweight compared to the original GFX100), the developers knew they wanted also the new flagship GFX100II to be smaller and lighter
  • usually flagship cameras have an integrated battery grip. Fujifilm wanted to make sure that it does not “lose its dignity” as flagship camera even if it has no integrated battery grip
  • the original GFX100 being bigger also gave more design freedom
  • Fujfiilm designed the optional grip in a way that, when attached, it sticks very rigidly to the body (it has a little hook on the border of the grip that snaps into the camera body for solid integration)
  • main target are professionals
  • when designing, 3 Fujifilm designer held a design competition to develop and 3D print several concepts
  • they also interviewed photographers to ask about the various concepts
  • 11 degree tilted top plate
  • Bishamon-Tex texture with tradition Japanese pattern inspired by Bishamon tortoise shell
  • people in the factory initially had problems to apply the new Bishamon texture to the camera
  • coating that does not scratch
  • larger top screen that displays differently if you are in video or stills. Especially the video display has been significantly revised

X Lab Episode 41

  • 9.44mDot and 1.0x magnification EVF
  • designed in a way that even if you move the eye away from viewfinder, the image will not get distorted. That’s not mentioned in the specs, but is something engineers have put lots of effort into creating
  • if for users the EVF is too big, you can make the EVF image smaller in the settings. Might be useful for example for people who wear glasses
  • initially they designed the GFX100II with fixed EVF to keep it more compact, but they listened to people and realized it was quite loved by photographers to have the tilt EVF option
  • full size HDMI and Ethernet port
  • Ethernet port has quite an impact on the internal design of the GFX100II. It would be complicated to implement it on the X-H cameras.
  • The IBIS Unit had to be redesigned in order to fit in the Ethernet port
  • they struggled until the end to decide where to put the headphone jack, at the end due to space constraints they decided to put it on the grip side
  • grip is designed slightly more inwards towards the top
  • they needed to redesign the tilt mechanism of the screen to make it compatible with the cooling fan
  • created as a piece of equipment to be used by professionals
  • refinements on the buttons, the mode dial etc.
  • better placement of the MCS focus switch (easier to reach and operate with thumb and also with gloves)

X Lab Episode 42

  • First Fujifilm GFX50S was a mid-range machine and it took long to arrive to that shape (admin note: remember the protruding back)
  • they decided for medium format sensor (admin note: the true story on how they decided to go medium format instead of full frame can be read here)
  • medium format cameras up until then were very expensive and for business use
  • Fujifilm wanted to create a camera that can be used also by the general public
  • biggest factor was size and weight of GFX50S
  • Fujifilm wanted to make it as small as a full frame DSLR
  • the most important thing about designing the GFX50S was how to make it easy to hold in the hands, so they spent a lot of time talking about the grip
  • they argued also on how wide it should be to assure enough space between grip and a large lens, so that you can still handle it nicely without a large lens getting in the ways of your fingers
  • so they cut the side of the GFX50S and inserted several thin plates to make it larger and saw how much wider it had to be (see image here)
  • GFX100 there were a lot of challenges to overcome
  • First GFX with IBIS (and X-H1 was first X series with IBIS)
  • integrated battery grip allowed to put batteries on the bottom
  • once the GFX100 was done, Fujifilm thought they needed a way to make it smaller, and to make the shutter mechanism smaller (admin note: that takes a lot of space in the camera)
  • they created the GFX100S
  • smaller motors (see GFX100S shutter vs GFX50R shutter in this image)
  • smaller shutter allowed it to keep IBIS, a smaller IBIS unit
  • they also used a smaller and yet powerful battery, the NP-W235
  • smaller shutter, smaller IBIS and smaller battery made the GFX100S possible
  • GFX100II is undoubtedly a flagship model
  • optional battery grip allows for 3 batteries total
  • Fujifilm wanted to offer a great photographic experience
  • 3 function buttons placed conveniently behind the shutter release button
  • top LCD has evolved to match the needs of photographers: larger, more pixels, changed shape to match the UI and just overall improved ease of use

X Lab Episode 43

  • they talk about the design of the grip again across various GFX models
  • they talk about the amazing resolution starting from the original GFX50S
  • initially models didn’t like it, because too much resolution, but then Fujifilm added the Skin Smooth Effect

Get Yours

Original Videos

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WATCH Fujifilm X Summit NOW: Fujifilm GFX100 II, GF55mmF1.5, GF Tilt Shift and MORE – LIVE on FujiRumors

Fujifilm X Summit – LIVE COVERAGE
(refresh for updates)

Fujifilm X Summit – The Full Coverage Live!
SUMMARY + SCREENSHOTS

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Fujifilm launches Mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100 II”

Fujifilm launches Mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100 II”

Press Release

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RUMOR: Fujifilm GFX100 II will NOT Have a File Transmitter Grip and Frame.io C2C Integration Possible with GFX100II Body Only

Today I’ve learned a lesson.

Which lesson? I will tell you at the bottom.

First you have to know that so far we have spotted three camera registrations in the first half of 2023.

  • FF220002 = Fujifilm X-S20
  • FF230001 = very likely Fujifilm GFX100II
  • FF230002 = yet unknown

And because it takes Fujifilm between 1-4 months usually to release gear after registration, this would mean all three should come within this year.

And here comes the problem.

Given the lack of rumors about the third camera supposed to come in 2023, I told you yesterday here that I believe the registration could be for the vertical file transmitter grip for the GFX100II, but making clear that’s not a rumor, just a speculation of mine.

But after I’ve shared the video trusted sources (thanks!!!) reached out to me and corrected my speculation telling me this:

  • there will not be a file transmitter grip for the GFX100 II
  • Frame-io Camera-to-Cloud (C2C) integration will be possible using the GFX100II body only

Now this is huge news. Consider that the FT-HX File Transmitter Grip for X-H2/S costs $1,000, a staggering $600 more over the regular X-H battery grip.

But what in the X-H world costs you $600 extra to get access to (frame.io C2C), you’ll get it built into the Fujifilm GFX100 II body for this price here.

And you know what that means.

It means that I have to get back at work to try to find out what the FF230002 is ;).

Lesson learned?

I have learned the lesson that I better don’t make any speculations, but just follow blindly the rumor-path my sources share with me.

So I will do just that.

By sharing more big rumors still before the launch of the GFX100II.

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
GFX100II Rumors & More

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups

RUMOR: Fujifilm GFX100 II Coming with Base ISO 80

According to our trusted sources, the Fujifilm GFX100 II will have a base ISO of 80 (compared to the ISO100 of current GFX cameras).

That’s potentially a good news, but let’s see how this translates into real life image quality on September 12, when the GFX100 II will be announced at the X Summit.

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
GFX100II Rumors & More

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups