Fujifilm Japan has announced an up to 25% price increase on Instax products.

The reason: raw materials cost more, hence the necessity to adjust prices.

For now the announcement has been made in Japan only, so I guess the increase will affect the Japanese market only. However, I’d not be surprised if an increase would follow also in other countries.

Press Release

Dear Valued Customer,

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage of Fujifilm products.

Fujifilm Imaging Systems Co., Ltd. will revise the shipping prices of some instax ™
“Cheki” [admin note: Checki is how Instax is called in Asia] products from August 1, 2024. We have been working to absorb costs by improving production efficiency and reducing expenses, but in response to rising prices of parts and raw materials, we will implement the following price revisions.

Price change date, applicable products and change (price increase rate)

*1 This is the revision (price increase) rate for our shipping price.

The new Meike 33mm f/1.4 XF APS-C Prime lens is now available at BHphoot here and Meike here.

It should soon be listed also at Amazon here and Adorama here.

This is Meike’s 3rd autofocus lens for Fujifilm X mount.

And yes, I know we usually say “the more, the merrier”, and I agree with that.

But this focal length is already well covered and maybe it would be a good move by third party manufacturer to offer something different and not yet covered by other brands.

And maybe even more importantly: why not offer G mount autofocus lenses?

Meike 33mm f/1.4 vs…

• Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 AF
• Tokina 33mm F1.4 X
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN
• Yongnuo 33mm f/1.4 (currently available for Z mount but promised also for X mount)
• Sirui Sniper 33mm f/1.2
• Fujinon XF 33mmF1.4 R LM WR
• Fujinon XF35mm f/1.4

Also promised to come for X mount are the Meike AF 16mm f/1.4 and Meike AF 23mm f/1.4.

All Meike X AF mount lenses

• Meike 33mm f/1.4 X AF
  BHphoto / Amazon / Adorama / Meike
• Meike 55mm f/1.4 X AF
  BHphoto / Amazon / Adorama / Meike
• Meike 85mm f/1.8 X AF
  BHphoto / Amazon / Adorama
• Meike AF 16mm f/1.4 (coming soon)
• Meike AF 23mm f/1.4 (coming soon)

In the recent months, Fujifilm USA has (finally) fully embraced the film simulation recipe community by cooperating with Ritchie Roesch of Fuji X Weekly.

The latest result of this cooperation are the Film Simulation Photowalks that will take place in several cities across the USA in August.

So, if you live in one of the “photowalk cities”, feel free to join the photowalk.

All details can be found at this Fuji X weekly and this Fujifilm USA page.

Wait, a Fujifilm X-T4 infrared camera?

If that sounds new to you, here is recap:

• back in 2023 BHphoto shortly listed a Fujifilm X-T4 extended spectrum on their website
• BHphoto later on removed the X-T4 IR saying it is now discontinued
• Fujifilm X-T4, X-H2 and GFX100II Extended Spectrum appeared hidden inside the Fujifilm X App

Well, now the Fujifilm X-T4 IR Extended Spectrum is back at BHphoto, this time even more affordable than at its original listing (now $1,899 instead of $2,199).

I find dedicated IR version a great way to give “older” cameras a new life.

I just wish they were made available for the large public, since as of now sales restrictions apply that you can read at the dedicated BHphoto page (click “CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT”). Included in the list of people who can purchase it are “professional artists” and “professional qualified Buyers and videographers that intend to use the purchased Infrared and Extended Spectrum Products for the creation of fine art.”