Fujinon XF 50-135mmF2.8, XF 18-300mmF3.5-6.3 and XF 18-135mmF3.5-5.6 Patents Spotted

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New Fujifilm patents surfaced on the web and shared by the Japanese website asobinet.

  • Fujinon XF 18-300mm F3.5-6.3
  • Fujinon XF 50-135mm F2.8
  • Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6

I will share all the details below after some personal thoughts about them.

Fujinon XF 18-300mm F3.5-6.3

This patent is nothing new, as we could see one already back in 2023 here (just 6.5 instead of 6.3 on the long end), along with the patents for other lenses such as the Fujinon XF 16-150mm f/4-6.5 OIS and Fujinon XF 16-200mm f/3.5-6.5 OIS.

Yes, there is already the lovely Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, so probably this lens would not be a top priority in my mind. Although, when I once talked to a “prime-purist” like SonyAlphaRumors, he told me “the only zoom lenses that make sense are the superzooms“.

If you are also of that opinion, than having more superzoom options also coming from Fujifilm (with an aperture ring), then this could be a very interesting lens.

Fujinon XF 50-135mmF2.8

While the original Fujinon XF50-140mmF2.8 is definitely a stellar performer, I would definitely welcome a MKII version.

I mean, also the XF16-55mmF2.8 got its MKII version: smaller, lighter and even optically better in many areas over its predecessor.

So if Fujifilm could pull this off also for the XF50-140mmF2.8 replacement, that would be great.

Just one thing: in this patent the XF50-135mmF2.8 has not an internal zoom (although it does not protrude significantly). It would be great if it would be an internal zoom lens.

Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6

As a happy owner of the Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 MKI, I would definitely appreciate the arrival of a MKII version.

The new version in this patent has a different optical design.

Also here, make it more compact, even better optically, and I would definitely upgrade to a MKII version.

Patent Details

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Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 AF Officially Announced

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The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 has now been officially launched for Fujifilm X mount.

Main Features:

  • Ultra-Light and Slim
  • Efficient Autofocus
  • Innovative Slide Cap Design with Firmware Upgrades
  • Exceptional Image Quality

Look, I love pancake lenses, but I’ll pass on this one.

If you have the budget, then I still recommend the Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 R WR, which has an aperture ring, is weather sealed, faster aperture, better ergonomics, still extremely compact, optically fantastic and capable of resolving 40MP… and the list of loves for this lens could actually go on forever.

Sure, it costs about $300 more than the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5, but it’s worth every penny if you ask me.

The problem? Good luck finding on in stock.

At BHphoto it’s out of stock, on Amazon you can find some second hand units (often overpriced), Adorama says they should have stock end of February, it’s on backorder at Moment and good luck finding it anywhere else.

And all of this a humble 4 year after announcement ;).

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Fujifilm Q3 Financial Results: Professional Imaging Segment up 25.6% YoY

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The Fujifilm Q3 Financial Results (October-December 2024) have just been shared.

We can see that Instax makes about twice as much revenue as Fuji’s professional imaging segment. That’s impressive, considering that at the same time the R&D investments for Instax products are significantly smaller than for the X and GFX system.

But also the X and GFX series are doing well, as “brisk sales of digital cameras continued to drive revenue growth” with a 25.6% YoY revenue growth.

Professional Imaging – Revenue ¥58.9 billion (up 25.6% YoY)

  • Digital camera sales grew mainly in China. Strong sales of the four models launched last year – X100VI, GFX100S II, X-T50 and X-M5– contributed to higher revenue.
  • Development of our filmmaking camera FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA, which features rich, true-to-life visuals through a large format sensor, is underway, with launch planned in 2025

Consumer Imaging – Revenue ¥110.6 billion (up 7.9% YoY)

  • Revenue increased driven by steady sales of the instax instant photo systems.
  • In addition to the instax mini 12, strong sales of new high-value added products, including the instar WIDE 400 wide format camera launched in July and Link 3, contributed to higher revenue.
  • The instax WIDE Evo, the high-end hybrid instant camera which offers versatile shooting expressions with its most extensive range of effects in the instax series, was launched today (February 6, 2025).

In the Imaging segment, consolidated revenue amounted to ¥426.7 billion (up 15.8% year-over-year). Operating income amounted to ¥115.0 billion (up 29.3% year-over-year). In the consumer imaging business, steady sales of the instax instant photo systems drove revenue higher. In September 2024, we launched the smartphone printer instax mini Link 3, which can print smartphone images on card-sized instax film. Sales grew steadily during the year-end sales season, along with the instant camera line-up. We will continue to expand the world of the instax instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing.

In the professional imaging business, brisk sales of digital cameras continued to drive revenue growth. In November 2024, we launched the FUJIFILM X-M5 mirrorless digital camera, the lightest in the X series. We also announced the development of our first-ever filmmaking camera, the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA. We will continue to feature outstanding image quality with the large format sensor in the GFX series and the best balance of image quality and size in the X series, providing attractive products for digital camera users and the film industry.

You can access all charts and details at the Fujifilm page here.

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OM System OM-3 Announced – Beautiful Camera with One Flaw

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The OM System OM-3 camera has just been announced. You can follow the full coverage at 43rumors.

It is a very beautiful retro-looking camera, but sadly it has one “flaw” that makes it a dealbreaker for me: it does not have dedicated dials, but just either unmarked dials or a PSAM dial.

That’s a pity, because if I buy a vintage-vibed camera, I also want dedicated manual controls.

So, the huge interest I had still until yesterday for the OM System OM-3, has now largely dissipated.

Let’s hope OM System will give us a MKII version with dedicated dials at some point.


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The Most Exciting Announcement of Early 2025 is Happening Soon!

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I must admit, I am thrilled to see what’s coming very soon.

Why?

Because while I do love Fujifilm, I always keep an eye on what’s going on at other brands.

And rarely have I been as excited to follow a non-Fujifilm camera announcement as the one that will happen in just a few hours.

So what is it?

Well, you know, FujiRumors has even written a dedicated love letter to that system in the past: Olympus (now OM System).

Besides the fact that I believe Micro Four Thirds could get a great revival thanks to computational photography (the smaller the sensor, the easier it is to make the computational photography magic happen), it is also true that the M43 sensor is plenty of good enough for most normal human beings. And you also get the added advantage of an even smaller and affordable system than Full Frame or APS-C.

So, there is lots to love about micro four thirds.

And soon there will be another excellent reason to look at the M43 system again!

In fact, OM Systems is about to launch probably one of the best looking digital retro cameras ever to hit the market: the OM System OM-3.

This is a brilliant move, as we have seen with Fujifilm, but of course also with cameras like the Nikon Zf, that vintage looking cameras sell really well.

And I tell you this: with the OM-3 soon on the market, if I was forced to leave my beloved Fujifilm APS-C system, I’d go for the OM System OM-3 rather than anything else there is on the APS-C or Full Frame market.

I have shot with mirrorless M43 for many years and still today some of the images I love most in my library are taken with Olympus mirrorless or Panasonic mirrorless cameras.

So, let’s rejoice. More strong competition coming for Fujifilm (which is a great thing) and more retro options for us nostalgic film camera lovers.

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