Fujifilm GFX50S II Kits Start to be Discontinued – The End of 50MP GFX?

The first stores in Japan are now marking the Fujifilm GFX50SII as discontinued, as reported by the Japanese website asobinet.

In the US we can see the kit version is out of stock at BHphoto (with the “request assistance” note) as well as unavailable at Adorama.

Given that it is now discontinued in Japan, I don’t have high hopes for at least the kit version to be back in stock anywhere else.

The Fujifilm GFX50SII was announced back in September 2021.

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.

Fujifilm Firmware Updates for Every GFX Camera, X-T4, X-T50 and a few GF Lenses (FINALLY)

As you know, I am a happy owner of the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.

Well, happy until a certain point.

Because as I wrote in a complaint post here, the firmware for the GF50mmF3.5 had been suspended and remained so for many months (now years).

I did moan about it here on FujiRumors, but nothing happened.

Nothing until today! :)

Because FINALLY Fujifilm has released a new firmware for the previously suspended GF50mmF3.5 as well as the GF35-70mm.

And not only that.

Also the GF500mmF5.6 as well as every single Fujifilm GFX camera got firmware updates.

In the X series world, we get firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-T4 and the Fujifilm X-T50.

ATTENTION: Please update first the GFX camera firmware (no lens attached) and only after that you should update the GF50mm or GF35-70mm firmware.

＜Important Notice>

In the unlikely event that firmware update process for any of the above interchangeable lenses is interrupted and the message below appears, please claim “Repair Service Center” in your country to upgrade the firmware. You can read the full firmware instruction here.

Note-1：The followings are messages when the firmware update is interrupted (Messages vary depending on the model).

  • Customers with GFX100 II/GFX100S II/GFX 50R/GFX 50S
    “FIRMWARE UPDATE ERROR!!　PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FUJIFILM OFFICE”
  • Customers with GFX100S/GFX100/GFX 50S II
    “FIRMWARE UPGRADE ERROR!!　CONTACT A SERVICE CENTER

Note-2：Repair Service Center

Firmware Details

*** Cameras ***

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No Fujifilm GFX100R Currently Under Development? A Huge Mistake and a Future Idea

We recently reported that the Fujifilm GFX100R (or any GFX50R replacement) is currently not under development.

And as we told you already, the best thing I can say is that at this point I believe it is currently debated inside Fujifilm if the line should continue at all (or not).

So today I’d like to speculate about the Fujifilm GFX100R, because I think Fujifilm would do a huge error if they’d axe the line.

So I hope this article (and especially your comments) will motivate Fujifilm to keep the GFX-R line going.

And in case Fujifilm needs it, I’ll share also a GFX-R mockup created by Aperture Value (video below).

In the mock-up he refers to it as a potential fixed lens GFX camera. But that’s not relevant for the purpose of this article.

What is relevant for us in his mock-up is:

  • the hybrid viewfinder
  • Retro Controls

I want kindly ask Fujifilm to make a Fujifilm GFX100R that is basically a medium format X-Pro, with hybrid viewfinder and retro controls.

I think it would become a huge success, especially considering that no other modern Fujifilm GFX cameras offers retro controls or a hybrid viewfinder, and as such, it would be the one camera people would grab if they’d want medium format image quality in a vintage package.

So, dear Fujifilm. Don’t hesitate. Do it! And take our money.

Is the Fujifilm GFX100R Really Under Development? Our Sources Reveal the Truth!

GFX100R under Development?

Recently Fujifilm hosted an event for 200 journalists in Yokohama during CP+.

It’s the famous event in which Fujifilm displayed 10 X mount lenses under study.

The French website LesNumerique was present at the event and reported that they had been told that the Fujifilm GFX50R successor is currently “under development”.

Add to that that “rumors” about the imminent arrival of the Fujifilm GFX100R are popping up ahead of every X summit of the last 2 years, and it’s understandable why many have high hopes for a GFX50R replacement to come soon.

But what have our sources to say about it?

Well, here it is:

Whoever told LesNumerique that the GFX50R successor is under development was 100% wrong. And whoever shared any GFX50R successor rumor ever was willingly misleading you with fake clickbait rumors.

Phew, luckily FujiRumors never shared a single GFX50R replacement rumor ;).

The truth is this: according to our trusted sources (multiple trusted sources), Fujifilm is currently investing the staggering amount of zero dollars/euro/yen/whatever into the development of the Fujifilm GFX50R successor.

FujiRumors Must be Wrong, because…

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Fujifilm Displays 10 Lenses “Under Study” and Talks X-Pro, X-E, GFX-R and Fixed Lens GFX Future

With all the talk about the Fujifilm X100VI in these days, we can now report also something interesting for those of you, who are not into the X100 line (thanks to Mistral!).

In a session with journalists, Fujifilm shared 10 lenses that were “under study” and also talked about future X/GFX cameras, as reported by the French website lesnumeriques here, who also is to credit for the images.

10 Lenses “Under Study”
(Images at the Top of the Article)

Fujifilm did display 10 lenses currently “under study” by Fujifilm. But please guys, don’t take this as any sort of “roadmap”, for the reasons I’ll explain below.

  • Super-Telephoto Prime lens XF 400mm or longer
    – 11-110mm diameter
    – weight 1,300-1,400g
  • XF120mmF2 (in between XF90mmF2 and XF200mmF2)
    – Size 140-160mm
    – 90-110mm diameter
    – 900-1,000g
  • Super Wide-angle Fast Lens for Astro Photography
    – Size 80-100mm
    – 70-80mm diameter
    – weight 400-600g
  • XF 23mm Pancake
    – size 20-40mm
    – 60-65mm diameter
    – Weight 80-100g
  • Super Zoom Lens XF 16-200mm
    – size 120-140mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 600-800g
  • Tele-Photo Zoom Lens at F4
    – size 120-130mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 500-700g
  • Compact Wide Zoom Lens at F2.8
    – size 70-90mm
    – 60-75mm diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Fish-Eye Lens
    – size 50-60mm
    – 55-70 diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Affordable Thin Standard Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – size 30-40mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 100-130G
  • Affordable Wide Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – Size 40-50mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 130-170g

It’s not the first time that Fujiflm gave us a list of “lenses under study“. It happened also back in 2019, when they even wanted us to vote on those lenses (as they wanted the journalists to vote on the lenses we display today). And if we look at the list, except for some MKII lenses, not much on that list ever materialized in a real product.

So don’t take it as a solid indication on anything.

Future X Cameras

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Fujifilm GFX100 II Autofocus Tests, GF55mmF1.7 and GF Tilt Shift Reviews – The Latest and Greatest GFX Roundup

This is a roundup about the latest and greatest Fujifilm GFX gear.

GFX100 II Blog Posts

  • zhuanlan (Chinese) – GFX100II test. Shows person running towards camera and they got “at least” 80% hit rate
  • benosaradzic – Fujifilm GFX100II, the best medium format camera just got better
  • peterziegler – Sabawald with GFX50R
  • blog.kasson – GFX100 II pixel shift
  • alikgriffin – Kipon Baveyes Contax 645-GFX AF 0.8X Adapter Review (used on GFX100 II)

GF Lenses Blog Posts

Videos (GFX100 II + latest GF Lenses)

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Lightroom vs Capture One for X-T5 files :: Film Simulation Prompts for AI Images :: RAW Power Fujifilm GFX100 II Support [ X-Trans Roundup & Beyond]

X-Trans Roundup and Beyond

Fujifilm colors are loved by many. And it looks like they can be useful also when you try to apply a certain look to your AI created images. Andrea, from SonyAlphaRumors, used Film Simulation names for his AI images and you can see the results in the video above (and also here).

Blog Posts & Info

  • keithwee – Luminar Neo review – my baby steps in embracing AI-enabled editing software.
  • echenique – heif: the new jpeg or raw?
  • petapixel – Photomator and Pixelmator Now Support Fujifilm Compressed RAW
  • FR-Readers that use the focus bracket feature for focus bracketing may be interested that Helicon version 8. A FR-reader has used it with GFX 50r files and Capture One. The transfer of file from C1 to Helicon still takes a while but the stacking process in Helicon appears to run a bit quicker.

RAW Power

RAW Power added support for Fujifilm GFX100 II. RAW Power is an App that brings Aperture style interface and functions to Mac Photos (it can also run as standalone). Above you can see an image I took and that I tweaked using RAW Power directly in my Photos App. You can open RAW power and edit within the Photos App by clicking “edit” in the Photos App, then click the three little dots and select RAW Power (image instruction here)

Videos

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Top 3 Cameras Fujifilm Should Make for Instant Success (X and GFX)

We recently told you that Fujifilm is preparing a huge start in 2024:

Now, of course most of the talk and speculations in our previous articles was gravitating around successors to existing camera lines.

And it makes a whole of sense to focus on refreshes of current cameras, nothing prohibits us to dream big and think and completely different cameras.

So what I will do is to share three cameras that I think would turn out to be an instant and massive success for Fujifilm.

And I am not talking of weird and risky concepts. I am talking of cameras that would sell very well for sure in my opinion.

So, let’s go through them and let me think what you think about.

Also, feel free to drop your own ideas in the comments.

Top 3 Cameras Fujifilm Hasn’t Made Yet

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Fujifilm GFX100 II X Lab Development Story

Fujifilm has shared their Fujifilm GFX100 II centric X Lab episodes.

All Japanese. Google struggles to translate. It’s a pain…

A pain you don’t have to go through. It’s enough if I went through it and summed it up for you.

X Lab Episode 40

  • after using the GFX100S (small and lightweight compared to the original GFX100), the developers knew they wanted also the new flagship GFX100II to be smaller and lighter
  • usually flagship cameras have an integrated battery grip. Fujifilm wanted to make sure that it does not “lose its dignity” as flagship camera even if it has no integrated battery grip
  • the original GFX100 being bigger also gave more design freedom
  • Fujfiilm designed the optional grip in a way that, when attached, it sticks very rigidly to the body (it has a little hook on the border of the grip that snaps into the camera body for solid integration)
  • main target are professionals
  • when designing, 3 Fujifilm designer held a design competition to develop and 3D print several concepts
  • they also interviewed photographers to ask about the various concepts
  • 11 degree tilted top plate
  • Bishamon-Tex texture with tradition Japanese pattern inspired by Bishamon tortoise shell
  • people in the factory initially had problems to apply the new Bishamon texture to the camera
  • coating that does not scratch
  • larger top screen that displays differently if you are in video or stills. Especially the video display has been significantly revised

X Lab Episode 41

  • 9.44mDot and 1.0x magnification EVF
  • designed in a way that even if you move the eye away from viewfinder, the image will not get distorted. That’s not mentioned in the specs, but is something engineers have put lots of effort into creating
  • if for users the EVF is too big, you can make the EVF image smaller in the settings. Might be useful for example for people who wear glasses
  • initially they designed the GFX100II with fixed EVF to keep it more compact, but they listened to people and realized it was quite loved by photographers to have the tilt EVF option
  • full size HDMI and Ethernet port
  • Ethernet port has quite an impact on the internal design of the GFX100II. It would be complicated to implement it on the X-H cameras.
  • The IBIS Unit had to be redesigned in order to fit in the Ethernet port
  • they struggled until the end to decide where to put the headphone jack, at the end due to space constraints they decided to put it on the grip side
  • grip is designed slightly more inwards towards the top
  • they needed to redesign the tilt mechanism of the screen to make it compatible with the cooling fan
  • created as a piece of equipment to be used by professionals
  • refinements on the buttons, the mode dial etc.
  • better placement of the MCS focus switch (easier to reach and operate with thumb and also with gloves)

X Lab Episode 42

  • First Fujifilm GFX50S was a mid-range machine and it took long to arrive to that shape (admin note: remember the protruding back)
  • they decided for medium format sensor (admin note: the true story on how they decided to go medium format instead of full frame can be read here)
  • medium format cameras up until then were very expensive and for business use
  • Fujifilm wanted to create a camera that can be used also by the general public
  • biggest factor was size and weight of GFX50S
  • Fujifilm wanted to make it as small as a full frame DSLR
  • the most important thing about designing the GFX50S was how to make it easy to hold in the hands, so they spent a lot of time talking about the grip
  • they argued also on how wide it should be to assure enough space between grip and a large lens, so that you can still handle it nicely without a large lens getting in the ways of your fingers
  • so they cut the side of the GFX50S and inserted several thin plates to make it larger and saw how much wider it had to be (see image here)
  • GFX100 there were a lot of challenges to overcome
  • First GFX with IBIS (and X-H1 was first X series with IBIS)
  • integrated battery grip allowed to put batteries on the bottom
  • once the GFX100 was done, Fujifilm thought they needed a way to make it smaller, and to make the shutter mechanism smaller (admin note: that takes a lot of space in the camera)
  • they created the GFX100S
  • smaller motors (see GFX100S shutter vs GFX50R shutter in this image)
  • smaller shutter allowed it to keep IBIS, a smaller IBIS unit
  • they also used a smaller and yet powerful battery, the NP-W235
  • smaller shutter, smaller IBIS and smaller battery made the GFX100S possible
  • GFX100II is undoubtedly a flagship model
  • optional battery grip allows for 3 batteries total
  • Fujifilm wanted to offer a great photographic experience
  • 3 function buttons placed conveniently behind the shutter release button
  • top LCD has evolved to match the needs of photographers: larger, more pixels, changed shape to match the UI and just overall improved ease of use

X Lab Episode 43

  • they talk about the design of the grip again across various GFX models
  • they talk about the amazing resolution starting from the original GFX50S
  • initially models didn’t like it, because too much resolution, but then Fujifilm added the Skin Smooth Effect

Get Yours

Original Videos

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Fujifilm 2024: A Look Ahead Between Rumors and Speculations (X-Pro4, X100R, X-E5, X-T40, New XF Lenses, GFX Future)

2023 is Done

We just told you that there will be no more Fujifilm announcements in 2023.

And since in terms of new gear we are done for this year, lots of people started asking me what is coming in 2024.

Now, I am working on it, and we have shared already something.

For example we told you that the next XF lens to come is the replacement of this lens here.

More rumors will follow.

But as you know, on FujiRumors we will not make up a single rumor just to make traffic, nor share anonymous rumors we receive in which I don’t trust.

We prefer to share less rumors, generate less traffic, make less money, and value your time with less, but accurate rumors.

But until more rumors drop, I thought we could also make one single article where we talk about the current state of the rumors and also make speculation on what could or we would like to come in 2024.

2024 – A Look Into the Future

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