X-A1 and NEW CHEAPER LENSES on the way! + still to wait for the X-PRO2

I’m here again dear readers! I thought you could be interested in the latest rumors bubbling in the FR-kitchen.

A new source shared with me (and with you) the following informations:

1) THE STRATEGY: Fuji won’t replace frenetically its cameras after a short time. The company’s goal now is to extend its offer to new market segments. Therefore there will be new cameras targeting different customers. (a trusted source told me here that, after the X-A1, Fuji plans to release two more cameras this year)

2) THE X-PRO2: Because of this strategy the high end cameras won’t be replaced that soon. (so it seems that the X-PRO2 won’t be one of the two cameras released after the X-A1 this year.)

3) THE NEW LENSES: There will be new cheaper lenses after the 16-50 f/3.5. These lenses will be cheaper because they are slower, but the image quality will remain top-notch because inside all elements are made of quality glass.

4) THE CHEAP 55-200: We will soon have a cheaper 55-200 lens (or something very similar).

5) THE DOUBLE KIT: Fuji could offer the X-A1 with a double zoom kit lens (16-50 and cheap 55-200)

As always, take rumors from new sources with a grain of salt. I’ve already fired off some emails to trusted sources and as soon as I can confirm this rumor I’ll post an update.

And don’t be shy, if anyone else out there has some inside news to share, use the rumor box on the FR-website to share them anonymously (you can give yourself a fake name and create an identity so that I recognize you in future) or contact me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com.

Follow FR on facebook, twitter and subscribe the RSS feed to stay connected with the Fuji-world.

may the focus be with you!
Patrick

P.S: Oh, and if someone out there reports these rumors on other websites don’t be afraid to quote the source, I have nothing against it ;).

P.P.S.: The Polish site optyczne posted some samples taken with the X-M1 and 16-50, the [shoplink 13646]Zeiss Touit 32mm[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200[/shoplink]. Click here to see them all.

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

 

RUMOR UPDATE: X-PRO2 coming late 2013 early 2014

I promised you that I’d come back as soon as trusted sources told me more, so here I am.

According to these sources, that were right in the past, Fuji won’t launch the X-PRO2 before late 2013 early 2014. So now I can exclude with certainity that, as rumored first in this Nippon Magazin, the X-PRO2 will be available in June.

So, still time to give Fuji some advice about how we’d like the X-PRO2 to be. Just write your wish list in the comments. I got some suggestions via email.

1) flip screen
2) wifi
3) touch screen
4) Allow customisation of the Q menu
5) focus peaking (where you can choose colour)
6) environmental sealing (from the comments. keep up your suggestions)

Some of these suggestions (for the X100S) can be found over here at uservoice.com.

Feel free to extend this hardware and software improvements-list for the future X-PRO2 in the comments.

 

X-PRO2 with Dual Processor chip coming within a few months?

Image on top: The dual processor chip used by Canon cameras

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Please check the updated post here! The X-PRO2 won’t come before LATE 2013 EARLY 2014

I’ve received an email from a new source who shared with me an interesting rumor. According to the source the X-PRO1 will be replaced in a few months. The camera will have a newer viewfinder and a Dual Processor chip. I have been told the new Dual Processor eradicates jerkiness and lag in the EVF. And it of course makes the image processing even faster.

Reminder: A Nippon magazine rumored the X-PRO2 for June, the X-E2 for September and an X-M1 for this month (read here). But the source we have could not confirm this release period now. Hope I can tell you more soon. So stay tuned!

As you can see, there is a rumor-box now on FR. You can use it to share anonymously rumors. Please mark your message with an invented name or mark so that I can recognize you in future. That will help me to recognize trusted sources :)

Fujifilm X-Pro4 (X-Pro5?) Coming with Improved Hybrid Viewfinder (and What I Hope it Will be)

Today we have an update regarding the Fujifilm X-Pro4… or however it will be called, maybe even Fujifilm X-Pro5. That name would make sense, since Fuji Guy Billy said he can see the X-Pro line getting the 5th generation goodness, hence I think there is a possibility that Fujifilm could call it X-Pro5.

We have been informed by a source, who was right in the past (THANKS), that there will be an improved hybrid viewfinder on the X-Pro4/X-Pro5.

I don’t know yet what the improvement will look like. Is it just a higher resolution EVF? A larger viewfinder?

But what I really hope is the same what Thomas B. Jones said in his latest X-Pro5 whishlist video (see below in German): the return of the slot-in magnifiers.

So what’s that?

Well, if you are not familiar with the X-Pro line, up until the Fujifilm X-Pro2, the X-Pro line offered a slot-in magnifier for 0.36x and 0.60x magnification mode in the OVF.

This has been changed on the Fujifilm X-Pro3, which offers a fixed 0.52x magnification which is great if you are shooting with Fujifilm’s  23mm, 33mm or 35mm lenses (which most X-Pro users do).

However, with lenses like the Fujinon XF18mmF1.4, the image that hits the sensor is larger than the one that can be displayed on the OVF.

The return of the slot-in magnifier could solve this problem and make the XF18mmF1.4 the perfect match for the next X-Pro camera.

But again, I do not know what the change the hybrid viewfinder will have, nor if it will be something minor or major. But if I hear anything more, I will let you know here on FujiRumors.

Manufacturing Fujifilm’s Best Retro Dial: Complicated, Irrational, Expensive but Pure Photographic Pleasure

The Brilliant Dial – a Complicated Joy

When yesterday we published the comments of Fujifilm CEO, who said that it is very difficult to mass-produce Fujifilm cameras with retro dials, there were some who said that making a retro dial is just as quick and easy as making a PSAM dial.

Is it true?

Well, the CEO was referring to the production struggles of the Fujifilm X100VI, which uses the combined ISO/Shutter dial first introduced on the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

So let’s look at that dial. Is it really as easy as making a PSAM dial? Here is what Fujifilm writes about it:

Realizing the [dial] mechanism and manufacturing process were not easy.

Firstly, […] there are 22 positions in total, quite a lot of number for an internal dial. […]

Secondly, the dial is electronically linked. The analog dial operation is converted digitally to know exactly what the setting is.

And Lastly, this mechanism has to be weather-resistant.

In order to meet the requirement, the Shutter speed / ISO dial required 38 parts for its composition. This number is the fourth largest after the finder, shutter unit, and mount.

This is not only about number of pieces, some parts required highly tech solution to manufacture the piece.

For example, in order to achieve the accurate 22 positions, the piece needed to be very precise and durable regardless of its complicated form. This piece is realized by a method called Metal Injection Molding (MIM). It is not cost friendly, but the this method realizes the metal part to be durable even in its complicated form.

Why do we spend so much time on this one dial?

Unfortunately there is no economic and rational answer to that question. But it was something that the developing team of X-Pro camera had always dreamed of achieving. And it was also something that the passionate X-Pro users strongly wished for.

So please, don’t go around saying that making a dial like the one on the Fujifilm X100VI is just the same as making one for any PSAM dialed camera.

There is no other digital vintage-looking camera out there that uses that dial. And the reason why is explained above: it’s complicated, it’s expensive, and it makes no sense from a manufacturing efficiency point of view.

But we are lucky that Fujifilm thinks differently.

Fujifilm does not think that niche products with niche ergonomic solutions are just a waste of R&D. Fujifilm has such a massive photographic culture that they understand that cultivating a niche means cultivating the true passion for photography.

That’s why we get cameras with such a unique (and expensive) dial, and why I believe it absolutely possible that there will be ultra-nice products like the Fujifilm TX-3 in 2028.

And that’s why, even if slower refresh times, Fujifilm will give us the Fujifilm X-E5 and Fujifilm X-Pro4.

And speaking of Fujifilm X-E5, personally I hope it will have such a dial too, although I have little hopes since it is so expensive to make, and I guess Fujifilm does not want that camera to become too expensive.

With that said, you can read the full article about the combined ISO/Shutter dial development here.

Fuji’s Vintage Cameras

New Fujifilm Tether App Launched and X RAW Studio Updated

It’s Update Day

Fujifilm just released major firmware updates for several cameras and also for a lens.

But that’s not all.

There are updates also for Fujifilm X RAW Studio and also a brand new software has been launched, the Fujifilm Tether App.

So let’s look at what happened.

Fujifilm X RAW Studio

Fujifilm has released an update for the Fujifilm X RAW Studio software.

Fujifilm X RAW Studio Ver.1.24.0 – download here
The software update Ver.1.24.0 incorporates the following issues:

  1. “REALA ACE” RAW development is now supported.
  2. A software bug is fixed that the “COLOR TEMPERATURE” of “WHITE BALANCE” set in “Profile” is not reflected to the preview and recorded image correctly with macOS 14.

Fujifilm Tether App

We told you something new would happen also on the software front, and here it is: the brand new “Fujifilm Tether App”.

”FUJIFILM TETHER APP” provides functions to utilize digital cameras (GFX/X series) by connecting them to a computer. Even if your camera does not support the tethered shooting function, you can use the function to save/load camera settings.

You can read all the details below and download it here.

Compatibility Chart

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

Building a DIY Spectroscope with Fujifilm X-Trans Cameras (and Why Not with Bayer Sensor)

When we talk X-Trans virtues, we often talk about the more film like looking grain, the less color noise at high ISO, less moiré, sharpness boost etc.

But the X-Trans array might have some other advantages most of us would not think of. For example, in today’s case we see how ideal X-Trans is to create a DIY Spectorscope to measure the wavelengths of light.

In fact, when comparing the X-Trans vs Bayer sensor for this project, mpr decided to go for X-Trans, because each column of the X-Trans sensor contains all three colors (red, blue, green), whereas each column of the Bayer sensor only has 2 colors.

This makes it a lot easier to use the X-Trans data for the spectorscope.

From there, mpr will guide you through the process and if you are interested definitely watch his video.

Nice to see yet another creative and useful application of the X-Trans sensor.

Newest X-Trans Cameras

X-Trans Articles

7artisans 50mm F1.4 Tilt-Shift Launched

The 7artisans 50mm F1.4 Tilt-Shift lens for Fujifilm X has just been announced and is now available at Amazon here.

Key Features

  • 𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 2-𝙞𝙣-1: 7artisans 50mm F1.4 combines a conventional lens with a large imaging circle with a tilting mechanism. When the tilt angle is 0 degrees, it is a conventional 50mm f1.4 large aperture lens; When Tilt or Shift, it turns into a special Tilt-Shift lens compatible with mirrorless cameras.
  • 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙞𝙡𝙩-𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: The 7artisans tilt lens also features a special Tilt-Shift feature that allows you to tilt and twistit for unique viewpoints and Lilliputian visuals, delivering clarity and resolution for portraits,buildings, landscapes,and video.
  • 𝙁1.4 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: As a wide aperture lens, the 50mm F1.4 tilt lens captures breathtaking portraits and night scenes with blurred backgrounds.
  • 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙧 𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙑𝙞𝙚w: With its large f/1.4 aperture and adjustable shift axis, this lens produces a significant blur effect. By cutting space and moving the axis, it can create unique lipt or miniature views, adding a new dimension to your photography. Its 360° rotation and Tilt-Shift axis enable you to change the focal plane and achieve various effects with superb blur capabilities for photos and videos.
  • 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮: Full metal and multi-coating ensure durability and excellent picture quality. Filter Size is Φ46mm, which can be used with UV, ND, CPL and other filters. The lens structure is 7elements in 6groups, Distortion is only 1.9%, which can provide clarity and resolution for portraits, buildings, landscapes and videos.
  • A𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙨:For FUJIFILM XM-H series: X-M1, X-H1; XP series: X-Pro1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3; XE Series: X-E1, X-E2, X-E2S, X-E3, X-H1; XA Series: X-A1, X-A10, X-A2. X-A20, X-A3,X-A5, X-A7; XT series: X-T1, X-T10, X-T100, X-T2, X-T20, X-T3, X-T30, X-T4; XS Series :X-S10

Fujifilm X100VI to Cost €1,799 (and $1,599?)

I have been asked about the Fujifilm X100VI price in Euro.

Well, according to our trusted sources, it will be €1,799.

And one more thing regarding the price in US Dollar.

I told you recently that according to a new source it would be of $1,599 (hence $200 more than X100V). I also asked you to take it with a grain of salt for now until I can confirm it by trusted source.

Now, given that the price in Euro will be €1,799, the US price of $1,599 is definitely realistic.

As a reference:

  • X-T5 costs $1,699 in USA and €1,999 in Europe
  • X-H2 costs $1,999 in USA and €2,249 in Europe

So there is this 250/300 difference between the USD and EURO price. And if confirmed, there would be a 200 difference also between the US/EURO price of the X100VI.

But an anonymous source (who decided to use a nickname – THANKS), gave us a different price in USD. I am now checking that information (and also the rest you’ve sent me, thanks a lot), and will share an update here on FujiRumors. And if I can’t check the price in a reasonable time with my trusted sources, I will share the one given to me by the anonymous source anyway.

It’s just, usually when I need to correct a potentially wrong rumor, I want to to be sure the correction is 100% the final word on that particular rumor. That’s why I take a bit of time to try to get it confirmed by trusted sources.

It could also be that both sources are accurate, just one source got a more updated information than the other.

Fujifilm really loves to change its mind on the pricing a couple of times before they release the gear. And actually it also happened that Fujifilm made rapid changes shortly after announcement, as for example with the Fujifilm X70, which was launched for $799, and just a few days after launch, while still on pre-order, Fujifilm lowered the retail price to $699 as you can see here.

Anyway… I will try to figure out which is the most up to date information.