Back on the 24th of July (I remember the date, because I worte that specific article while sitting at the back of a rented car between 2 hyperactive kids during my holidays in Tuscany… believe me, a real challange to write it ;-) ), Fujifilm updated the lens roadmap, and, amongst the others, they told us that the XF 16-55mmF2.8 release had been pushed back to spring 2015… and it will be without “OIS”.

Now we have some more information about this lens, shared at the latest issue of the Fujifilm X-magazine (and spotted by attentive FR-reader Dan R Smedra – thanks for sharing at the FR facebook page)

First: we now have a slightly more precise indication of the release of the XF16-55… it will come “early 2015” (so I’d exclude May/June, and guess it will come around March)

Second: As you might or might not know, the latest official stamtent from Fujifilm (made in September at photokina) confirms, that the XF 16-55mmF2.8 will NOT feature an optical image stabilization (OIS), because of weight/IQ reasons. Many X-shooters were astonished by this news, especially since Fujifilm is right now explaining us that the 5 stop OIS in the XF 18-135 WR lens and 50-140 f/2.8 lens works miracles (and apparently it really does)! I’ve launched various polls here on FR and shared posts on facebook… and it’s pretty clear that the majority of X-shooters do want OIS.

Now, I don’t know if it’s just a typo or if Fuji changed plans, but according to the latest edition of Fuji’s official X-magazine, the XF 16-55 will feature OIS (and come early 2015, as said before). I really hope that this is not just a typo.

stay tuned
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16-55 OIS: Typo or not?

Ok, let’s start with the missing OIS on the 16-55. It’s known that the majority of X-shooters would like to have a stabilized lens. But a couple of weeks ago, at photokina, Fuji said that the 16-55 won’t feature OIS in order to keep it smaller and improve IQ (although, can’t we simply turn the OIS switch to “off”, if we worry about the IQ degradation?). So, no OIS.

However, in a recent Fuji event in Malaysia, Fuji showed a mock-up of the 16-55 and, just look at the image above, Fuji wrote 16-55 f/2.8 OIS. Now, I think it is a typo, and it wouldn’t even be the first time it happens (remember the 18-135 f/3.5-4.8 shown at CP+ in February, while in fact it is 5.6 at the long end?). So, don’t have too much hope for a stabilized lens… I think it’s just another typo. The lens mock-up itself has no OIS switch and marking. But of course, hope dies last.

And thanks a lot to those FR-readers who provided images to Fujirumros!

XF 50-140 samples and more first impressions on the upcoming X-gear

Shot with XF50-140mm f2.8 at 54mm,  f3.2, 1/38secs

image courtesy: nextimelah.gr

nextimelah.gr (The Malaysian Technographer) was at the Fuji event in Malaysia, and wrote a blog post with his impressions about the upcoming X-gear. He owns an X-M1 and had also a brief time with the XF 50-140, shared some samples on his blog, and his fist impressions are:

“Although a brief time with it, I have already some opinions of the lens. While it looks huge on my X-M1, it’s surprisingly lighter than it looks OIS works really well, and although I did not test it beyond 1/42 secs at 140mm the LCD was very stable when composing Focusing was fast and accurate even on my X-M1. Definitely faster than my XC 50-230mm lens.“

He also mounted the XF 16-55 f/2.8 WR and XF 140-400 OIS WR mock-ups on his little Fujifilm X-M1. Here are a few images, but many more can be seen and read at nextimelah.gr.

CONSIDER that these are just mock-ups. The final size can change. Also the weight of the final lenses will very likely be different as the one of the mock-ups.

XF 50-140 – USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE:WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / 

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Fujifilm X-M1 + XF 140-400 OIS WR

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XF 50-140

The super tele-photo zoom lens will be a 140-400 F4-5.6 weather resistant lens! It’s obviously just a mock-up for now, but you can read in the description:

140-400 1:4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
filter mount: 86
Label – coming in 2015

And if you look at the image at the bottom, you’ll see it: the XF 16-55 has no OIS.

The image was spotted by FR-reader Jacek, Nn & Richard (thanks a lot) via fujifilm, dpreview and ephotozine.

In these days, Fujirumors will be the window to photokina for all X-shooters around the world who can’t, like me, go to Cologne. I’ll search the web for everything of interest around the X-system… and you can help!

If you find something interesting on the web too, or if you actually are at photokina and have a quick report or a useful information to share with other X-enthusiasts, then feel free to drop me an email at fujirumor [at] gmail.com. Or use the rumor box to contact me anonymously.

So follow Fujirumros also via facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter. And meet Rico Pfirstinger on Thursday (18SEP) between 10.00 and 11.30 AM at Photokina and ask him anything about Fuji X! Hall 4.1, Booth C27/D24 (d.punkt Verlag).

Oh, and Fuji, just to let you know:

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

When Fujifilm published its latest roadmap, the big surprises weren’t the new lenses Fuji added (they were all already known since months thanks to the FR-sources), but the fact that apparently the weather resistant XF 16-55F2.8 lens won’t feature the OIS (optical image stabilization) anymore.

I don’t get it. Fujifilm’s marketing is right now explaining us that the OIS in the brand new XF 18-135 is so awesome, that you hardly need a tripod anymore. They show us videos comparing its OIS technology with the one of the Canon’s 18-135 (and the Fujinon wins hands down), with the XF lens taking nice, sharp photos even at 1/4th of a second.

Why should the amazing 5.0 Stop Image Stabilization technology not be included in the XF 16-55mm?

Last week I’ve asked this question over at the FR-facebook page. And most of the X-shooters agreed: no OIS on the 16-55, no buy.

I also wanted Fuji to include the OIS in the 90mm. In this case opinions differ: some say that the 90F2 prime needs OIS too, others want to keep costs, size and weight down and therefore do not want OIS. For example James Kimber, who said: “OIS is a lifesaver for zooms. I like my primes as compact as possible though.”

Personally I’d like to have OIS in both lenses and then switch it on/off according to the situation. But that’s just my humble opinion.

Now, as promised, I’d like to hear your opinion. Make your considerations, feel free to share them in the comments, and finally simply vote the poll: do you want the OIS in these two lenses? Yes or No!

I hope/think that someone in Tokyo will take note of your feedback ;-).

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Still leading the CSC-ranking here.

The body only version is selling better… seems that many are right now upgrading from “older” X-cameras to the X-T1.

if you purchase the X-T1 using one of the shoplinks on FR, you’ll support my rumor-work over the last months (and the upcoming one) with no extra costs for you.

X-T1 body only ($1,299): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): NORTH AMERICA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EUROPE: wexDE / wexUK /

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Hi all

I’m just sitting in a bar waiting for the meeting at my day job to begin, and thought to make a good use of my spare time ;-).

So here is a collection of a few more first looks and thoughts about the X-T1 and 56mm and a size comparison between the three weather sealed lenses in the roadmap (18-135, 16-55, 50-140) and the two lenses that will be next one available on the market (56 and 10-24).

Fuji X-T1

(if there is someone out there who incredibly missed to read Rico’s X-T1 first look, click here and enjoy)

– Polish first impressions at optyczne here (translation). The size comparison of the lenses can be found on their website.

– Fuji X-T1 – Seeing – Improved at olafphotoblog here: “In sum, a camera doesn’t have to have every possible feature — quite the opposite. Give me the best viewfinder on the market and the manual controls at my fingertips and let me do what I love to do – see and paint with light. All the rest is just distraction.”

– Karol: “Hi, Fujirumors Live photography from Fujifilm event in Poland in gallery. JPG, fine, profile Vivid and Monochrome. Fujifilm X-T1. Fujinon XF 18-55, Fujinon XC 50-230.” See here (translation).

XF 56mmm

[UPDATE: Markus: “I had a brief opportunity to shoot with the 56 as well. Very casual images but maybe some of your readers will appreciate it to“. Check it out here.]

– XF56mm hands on review at fujivsfuji here: “Once last time, given this lens is a preproduction unit, I think it’s more than safe to say we’ll have a superbly sharp portrait lens that delivers exceptional bokeh. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on a finalized copy  of it.”

–  kammah is in love with the XF56mm here: “I will keep this article short and sweet. For one simple reason, to me, this lens is perfect.
I’ve only had it for a few hours and already, I have fallen in love.”

– Some more photos taken with the XF56mm at neillsoden here.

image courtesy: optyczne

P.S.: black X100S available at top rated ebay reseller [shoplink 21385 ebay]samyscamerainc here[/shoplink]