Well, guided by our sources (THANKS), we can now say with certainty that it will be a 28mm equivalent lens.
So the lens itself will give you a wider field of view than what you find for example in the lovely Fujifilm X100VI.
As far as the aperture goes, also here I do not have 100% solid confirmation. But I got contacted by a source, who was right in the past (message to source: yes, you used that nickname in the past, so keep using it in future if you decide to contact me again. Thanks!).
According to that source, it will be an f/3.2 lens. I guess the source ment f/3.2 on GFX, hence f/2.5 depth of field equivalent in full frame.
But again, this time I share the aperture without having it multiple confirmed by trusted sources. However, if the source is right, it will be elevated to the “trusted source” status. But until then, please take it with a grain of salt.
I’ll give you updates on the aperture as soon as I have them.
Another message to the source: I hear announcement will be in 2025. I will look again into it. If you want, you can also contact me 100% anonymously via Signal. I will also try to get the other info multiple checked as soon as possible. Thanks so much again for the help.
Fujifilm did lots of things right with the GFX50SII, but one thing wrong.
They did give us a nice and relatively compact body, with IBIS and 4th generation processor. The price was quite good back than in 2021. But the one thing they got wrong is the sensor. They used the identical 50MP sensor in use in the original Fujifilm GFX50S and also in the even older Pentax 645Z of 2014.
Make no mistake: the sensor itself delivers wonderful files. But the readout is slow. And you can put in the best processor in the world, but in terms of autofocus speed and rolling shutter performance there is only that much you can do when your true bottleneck is in the sensor (non-BSI and contrast detection AF only).
Now, I get it. For many GFX50SII shooters “autofocus speed” might not be the top priority. I think at all those who shoot landscape photography for example. But for many, like me, who also document family life with GFX, a decent autofocus is definitely welcome. That’s why I went for the GFX100S (with BSI and phase detection).
I get it that Fujifilm can only use Sony sensors, and that there is no 44×33 BSI 50MP sensor out there. So Fujifilm has to use what Sony offers. But at the end I think that the life-cycle of that ancient 50MP sensor should have ended with the GFX50R in 2018. Re-proposing it again in 2021 in the GFX50SII was just one iteration too much for that sensor.
Where do we go from here?
Well, I don’t know if this is the end of 50MP GFX. I still hope (not rumor) that somehow a 44x33mm 50MP BSI and Phase Detection sensor will appear one day. Or maybe something in between 50 and 100 megapixel. But that is more in the hands of Sony semiconductors rather than in Fujifilm.
Supporting infrastructure inspection with a 102-megapixel camera and drone.
Developed a Linux SDK for remote control of the mirrorless digital camera “GFX100 Series” when mounted on a drone
FUJIFILM Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshikazu Goto) has developed a Linux *2 software development kit (SDK) *3 for remote control of the mirrorless digital camera “GFX100 Series” with a 102-megapixel large format sensor *1 when mounted on a drone . Going forward, the company will begin providing this SDK to drone manufacturers who wish to mount the “GFX100 Series” on their drones *4 . As the first step, the company will collaborate with Autonomy Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenzo Nonami), which develops drones with high flight accuracy equipped with an original autopilot (automatic control function), to begin research and development on high-precision infrastructure inspection by combining Autonomy’s new drone “Surveyor IV” with the “GFX100 Series” using this SDK.
As the deterioration of domestic infrastructure progresses, the importance of inspections for maintenance is increasing. Since there are safety issues when inspecting high places and places that are difficult for people to access, remote infrastructure inspection using a combination of drones and high-resolution digital cameras is attracting attention. However, infrastructure inspection requires high accuracy to clearly distinguish 0.1 mm cracks, and drone inspection requires capturing as wide an area as possible in one shot to shorten flight time. The
GFX100 series, equipped with a 102-megapixel large format sensor, can capture ultra-high resolution images when combined with a dedicated interchangeable lens. Since it can clearly capture cracks and other defects with a wide angle of view, it reduces the number of shots by about 40% compared to a camera equipped with a 61-megapixel 35mm image sensor, thereby shortening inspection time. In addition, the cameras generally installed on drones tend to be expensive because lightweight dedicated models are used. On the other hand, the latest model in the “GFX100 series,” the “FUJIFILM GFX100S II,” weighs a total of approximately 1,273g when combined with the “FUJINON Lens GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR,” making it extremely light for a camera equipped with a large format sensor with over 100 million pixels, and therefore can be mounted on a drone as a consumer camera system. It offers overwhelming cost performance compared to drone-specific cameras equipped with the same sensor.
By using the Linux-compatible SDK that we have developed, drone manufacturers can develop camera control software that meets their own specifications, making it possible to remotely control Fujifilm’s ultra-high-resolution digital cameras from their own systems.
*1 An image sensor with a diagonal length of 55 mm (43.8 mm horizontal x 32.9 mm vertical), approximately 1.7 times the area of a 35 mm format sensor. *2 An OS widely used in industrial fields such as infrastructure inspection. *3 Official name: “FUJIFILM X Series and GFX System Digital Camera Control Software Development Kit.” This is a library that enables software developers to develop application software that remotely controls Fujifilm’s digital cameras. It enables remote control of Fujifilm’s “X/GFX Series” digital cameras, including the “GFX100 Series.” *4 The product will be provided to manufacturers in Japan before other companies. The timing and terms of provision will be discussed individually.
Marc Sadowski, host of the asweome FujiLove podcast, had a special guest on his show: Fujifilm USA manager Victor Ha.
They talk about all things Fujifilm, with the focus on the X100VI, film simulations, insights as to the growth of Fujifilm’s photography community, growth of new markets, etc.
Down below are just some excerpts. Make sure to listen to the whole podcast at FujiLove here.
X100 line everyday carry camera
always a successful line
when a camera is announced, there is a spike in sales for that camera of course
then, typically, a camera can last (in terms of sales) between 18 to 24 months
but in 2020 there were lockdowns. People were a lot at home and had lots of time to pass on social media, needing to find things to spend time and pass the day. People looked into photography
the X100VI started to gain traction because of what happened on social media
social media, the revival of film photography and Covid had an impact on the success of the X100V. But social media had the biggest impact
when X100VI was announced, nothing could have prepared Fujifilm for the sheer amount of request for that camera
Fujifilm is doing its best to fulfill orders
Fujifilm tried in several way (software, hand checking) to battle scalpers in regards to X100VI orders
What Fujifilm noticed, is that the X100VI got very popular also among people who are primary creators in another field that is not photography (chef, hair stylist). Professional in another creative field and they use photography to show what they are creating to other people
also popularity among younger generation, who use different media to express their creativity
film simulations and getting JPEG out of camera have become more important
While things have improved with the latest firmware, there are still some issues.
In a nutshell we could say: the older firmware of Fujifilm’s 5th generation gear is superior to the newer firmware.
Andrea Cimini for example explains how with firmware 1.00 in his X-H2S he got awesome results compared to the ones he is getting now with firmware 7.00.
Same goes for Thierry Gibralta, who compared X-H2S firmware 1.03 vs 7.00, and you can clearly see that, side by side, the 1.03 firmware is much more solid, with great tracking, little to no pulsing and definitely a very solid autofocus that can be easily trusted.
And it’s also this initially solid autofocus, that convinced Andrea Cimini to buy the Fujifilm X-H2S for his sports photography.
The Problem in Depth
Here is a summary:
in the last year, the firmware updates of Fujifilm were not reliable
when he tested the X-H2S with firmware 1.00, he was stunned and thought Fujifilm finally caught up with the best
he tried the X-H2S at several sport events and in one bicycle race with 400 people participating
he took 2,300 pictures and only 27 were out of focus (98.8% in focus)
over time, the more he updated the firmware, the more the autofocus got worst
with eye detection, some times the eye detection says the eye is in focus, but it is not
the hit rate at 10-15 fps drops a lot
in sports photography, when in 5 to 8 fps, the hit rate is between 80% to 95%
in sports photography, when in 10 to 15 fps, the hit rate is between 30% to 50%
if the situation in sports photography are particularly difficult (backlight, inside a forest, etc), the hit rate drops further
linear motor lenses don’t focus so “linear” in video. He compares the 16-55mm with LM vs the 18mm with LM and the 16-55 is smooth, but the 18mm is jerky
firmware 7.00 improved things and the hit rate went up. But it’s still not where it was with the initial firmware
So why does he still stick with Fujifilm?
best value for money ratio
he shares a chart where he compares a Sony and Fujifilm system, and a Sony system would cost him 5,000 Euro more than a Fujifilm system
moreover, he grabbed the flagship Fujifilm X-H2S vs the non-flagship Sony A7IV
The X-H2S has better EVF, better LCD, faster bursts, better video specs, etc.
With Sony A7IV he would make an upgrade in terms of Autofocus, but a downgrade on pretty much all the rest
He ends up saying that Fujifilm Italy contacted him asking all the details about the problems he is encountering, the settings etc, and that they would forward everything to Fujifilm Japan.
He still believes in the brand, there are lots of reasons he wants to stay with it (which he quickly lists in the video). So please Fujifilm, do something about the autofocus.
The Easy Solution
So, Andrea Cimini and Thierry Gibralta have shown that the first iterations of Fujifilm’s 5th generation autofocus was solid and significantly superior to what we have now.
Solid tracking, incredibly high hit rates at fast fps, smooth focus transitions with little to no pulsing and so forth.
So the solution could be actually a pretty easy one: Fujifilm should take that older AF algorithm and just put it back into their 5th generation cameras.
But as of now, the choice users have is: should I upgrade to the latest firmware to get all the other goodness that Fujifilm has generously given us for free (Reala Ace, red frame indicator, etc), or downgrade at my own risk, give up on Reala Ace & Co, but have again the great autofocus of almost 2 years ago?
I made the choice for myself already. I upgraded. But I don’t really shoot critical sports photography. And for my use, the latest X-T5 June firmware has fixed the issues that arose with the April firmware. In fact, I used it for a family travel in Rome and Tuscany and it worked just great for me. So I rather keep Reala & Co, as the autofocus is good for my type of use.
And honestly, I do not recommend anyone to make DIY downgrades. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be covered by warranty.
The way to go is to ask Fujifilm to give us the autofocus solidity they once already had. Take that older algorithm and give it to us. And then, build up even better from there.
