2014 is (almost) Over :: Time for the BIG RUMOR CHECK-UP and to dart a glance at what will come in 2015 (X-PRO2)!

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The year is over, so it’s high time to make a big summary of the rumors shared in 2014, but especially to see what will come in 2015.

NOTE about the 2014 rumor check-up. I have made 2 lists. A “fair list” and an “unfair list“. The fair lists consist in all the rumors shared by different sources at different times, each of them could have been right or wrong. On the other hand, in the unfair list I put everything into the same pot. So, for example, all the different rumors shared over several months by various sources about the X30, will result as just 1 correct rumor. It’s not fair towards the work of my sources, but I share it out of a pre-emptive self-defense from those who want to put every into the same pot.

And now let’s start:

THE 2015 PREVIEW

Here is the whole list of rumors, shared in 2014 and that might or might not become real in 2015:

HIGH RATING

– X-PRO2 with APS-C sensor
– No more X-PRO1S, all R&D placed into the X-PRO2
– Fujifilm Flash will come in spring 2015, guide no. 50 and wireless control
– Another entry level X in early 2015!

MEDIUM RATING

– XF 35mm MKII (As Fuji has first to complete its lens lineup, it could take a while before the 35 MKII hits the market… and Fuji can change plans in any moment regarding this lens.)  [UDPATE: A Fuji manager said in a dc.watch interview, that Fuji indeed planed a new version of the 35mm. A prototype with APD filter was tested. Apparently Fuji dropped plans for such a lens later on.] – Faster AF for the 35mm MKII (This rumor is separated from the first 35MKII rumor, as it comes from another source and was posted in another article)
– 35mm MKII announcement early 2015 [Could refer to the APD version (source – dc.watch interview). If I got it right, plans for such a lens were dropped. Let’s check it in early 2015] – X-PRO2 available in 2015
– New Fuji flash with remote communication, HSS etc. available within late 2014 early 2015

LOW RATING

– XF 16-55mm f/2.8 WR to be announced on January 6th
– Fuji Flash made with METZ, ABC grouping, off shoe TTL
– X-PRO2: available around “this time next year” with more than 16MP (the rumor was shared in late August 2014 by an anonymous source with nick name)
– X-PRO2 with 24MP
– X-PRO2 priced about 20% to 30% more expensive than the X-T1
– X-PRO2 will feature a dual SD card slot.
– Fujifilm will launch three non-interchangeable lens X-cameras within this winter… X100T, X30 and ? (winter 2014/2015)
– Sigma is looking at the X-system, but they still have to decide which lenses produce and when to launch them (shared 1 DEZ 2014).
– ORGANIC SENSOR problems to solve: too much battery drain and too much heat being generated
– Fujifilm to launch a new PRO-photographer service in 2015 like Nikon’s/Canon’s NPS/CPS!

THE 2014 CHECK

the fair list
(83% correct rumors)

CORRECT RUMORS IN 2014

1. Super-Bokeh lens Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD! (for about $1400/$1500)
2. Bokeh Lens: New XF lens with super-smooth bokeh coming? (dual aperture lens / STF)
3. New X-T1 firmware: shutter speed will increase from 1/4000 to 1/32000 – better movie capabilities – faster/better AF (including phase detection on instant AF) – some other minor improvements (like new film simulation modes). Firmware updates will be released in October and December
4. Silver X-T1 at photokina
5. Multiple Announcements next week & Price: XF56mm APD lens and XF50-140 ($1500-$1600) 2.8 (shared September 5)
6. X100T: USB-charging system (+ battery charger), 7 FN buttons, bigger LCD than the X100S (1.04 dot 3-inch LCD screen) and WiFi!
7. X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition: deluxe accessories, 1/32,000 shutter speed & will cost $200 more than black X-T1! (anonymous source)
8. Fujifilm X100T first X-camera with electronic shutter (up to 1/32,000)
9. X100T no tilt screen
10. X100T same lens
11. X100T HVF: Real-Time Parallax in OVF
12. X100T with electronic overlay in OVF
13. XF 56mm f/1.2 Super-Bokeh lens
14. X-T1 new firmware update is coming (posted August 15)
15. X100T will have 16mp
16. X100T successor of X100S
17. X100T announcement September 10
18. X30 with 2/3 sensor, 12 MP, X-TRANS 2
19. X30 with 6 function buttons and view mode button
20. X30 won’t have an OVF
21. X30 EVF magnification same as X-E2, same resolution of X-T1/X-E2
22. X30 Announcement 26th of August. Quite different design compared to X20
23. X30 WiFi with remote control capability, +/-3 exposure compensation.
24. X30 with 3“ Tilt Screen
25. X30 Battery: more than 400 shots with one battery and USB-charging.
26. X30 Battery (part 2): Same battery of X100/S, the NP-95. (AS)
27. X30 lens: 28-112mm f/2-2.8 (same as X20)… but with dual ring!
28. X30 coming in summer (shared in Winter 2014)
29. “Classic Chrome“: Fuji’s new film simulation
30. XF lens deals coming tomorrow (August 10): discount on some XF lenses : : XF 27mm will drop from $449 to $299!
31. X-T1 bundle deal starting 3rd of August (with free vertical grip and spare battery)
32. XF 90mm f/2
33. XF16mm f/1.4
34. XF 18-135 coming June 16th
35. X-E2 deal
36. X-E2 firmware update with X-T1 EVF refresh rate coming soon (correct, it came a few days later)
37. TCL-X100 will be out end of May (correct. It’s available since then in Japan, now also in Europe. Still out of stock in USA)
38. TCL-X100 will cost €250 and be a bit cheaper than the WCL (correct. AmazonDE sells the silver version for €249, while the discounted WCL still costs €269)
39. TCL-X100 will cost $350/400 (correct, it costs $350 at Bhphot & Co)
40. TCL-X100 coming second half of April (correct, announced April 22)
41. Lightroom 5.4 coming next week
42. February/March lens deals with confidential Fuji document
43. With the next update, Adobe will support X-Trans film simulation
44. X30 won’t come in February/March as rumored by digicame-info
45. Image and size comparison of the 10-24 with a protype 18-135 (real image)
46. XF 16-55 and 50-140 will be weather sealed
47. X-T1 announcement in January 28th at 4:30 AM London Time
48. Improved WiFi for the X-T1
49. UHS-II SD card slot, but no double SD-card slot + 8fps with AF tracking (Fuji originally planed a dual SD-card slot. When the first X-T1 image leaked here on FR, it even looked like a dual SD-card slot, but the Japanese source said it has just a single SD-card slot)
50. X-T1 will cost $1300 / €1200
51. First images of a prototype X-T1
52. Firmware update for Zeiss will add PDAF support
53. Tilt screen for the X-T1
54. The name of the weather sealed X will be X-T1
55. X-T1 will have the best EVF on the market
56. black X100S will have a retail price of about £1000, about the same as silver version (the final retail price in UK is RRP £1099.99 for the black and £1049 for the silver version, according to wexUK. But now both are sold cheaper).
57. XF56mm announcement at January 6th
58. black X100S will be the only “new” X-camera presented at CES
59. Nissin i40: first lot of flashes available early September (the actual availability date will be various between countries, so in some countries it could come a little later). NOTE: The rumor, shared back on July 4th, was correct. Nissin itself confirmed it in September. But there was a last minute delay. Read more about at dc.watch here (translation)
60. Button Upgrade for the early produced X-T1′s with mushy buttons. (correct, at least in Japan at the moment for $75)
61. X-E2: different body colours/textures (service launched in UK)
62. Fujifilm X-T1 firmware scheduled for mid-December
63. X-E2 firmware of late 2014 won’t birng electronic shutter
64. X-E2 firmware: camera remote control firmware udpate coming for Fujifilm X-E2
65. Nissin i40 for Fuji coming to late fall (rumor shared on SEP12 here)
66. Nissin i40 shipping starts next week, but probably first in Asia (shared on NOV 12 here). Correcte, started in Hong Kong.
67. EXTENDED: Amazing X-DEALS will expire 27th of December (instead of NOV29) + XF 18-135 will be $100 off, too!
68. Silver X-T1 and Fuji X100T to be shipped in November

WRONG RUMORS IN 2014

1. X-T1P release with 4K viewfinder in July
2. XF 18-135 announcement on Memorial Day. NOTE: I excluded the rumor of an 18-135 f/3.5-4.8, as this was a typo by Fujifilm at the CP+ (see this image), and I just reported about it.
3. XF 18-135 will come in May
3. XF 18-135 in stores in February
4. X-PRO2 with FF sensor (wrong, and corrected a few weeks later by the top trusted Japanese source)
5. X200 with 24MP, tilt screen, improved AF and wider detection area (NOTE: The 24MP, tilt screen and new lens rumor, shared 7 months before the X100T announcement, have been corrected later on by the tursted Japanese source and by a source who was right in the past). The rest has been corrected a few weeks before announcement by other sources.
6. Medium Format Fuji
7. XF 120-400 (rumor shared 8 months before it was shown at photokina… it turned out to be a 140-400… pretty close, but still wrong)
8. Sigma X-mount coming at photokina
9. X-T1 hardware improvement. A limited edition X-T1 will be available with it pre-installed but existing models could be upgraded with the money worth of new parts. (maybe the source confused it with the premium edition “graphite X-T1”)
10. B&H should receive first batch of Fujifilm X100T cameras on November 18 (wrong, shipping started on the 13th.)
11. X-E2 firmware won’t bring Classic Chrome film simulation
12. X-E1 firmware coming by the end of the year 2014 with Classic Chrome (the firmware came, but it didn’t include Classic Chrome)
13. XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR & 56mm APD shipped in December (50-140 started shipping late November in USA/EU and 56 APD in early December in EU)
14. New flashes for Fuji X are on the way, coming “later this year“, probably presented at photokina (WRONG: flashes are coming, but in Spring)

the unfair list
(74% correct rumors)

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“Fujifilm won’t have a booth at CES 2015! My Guess? Big Announcements in Late 2015” (DPR-moderator Chris)

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If you are going to Las Vegas for the CES, you will probably waste your time looking for the Fujifilm booth, since, according to dpr-moderator Chris (f-sunny, via dpreview) – who’s heading to Las Vegas soon -, there won’t be any Fujifilm booth at CES… just rooms for business meetings.

Chris assumes there won’t be “big announcement, because they have no booth to show it/them off. My guess would be Fuji will save their announcements for shows late in 2015, and have a Fuji booth at those locations.”

If Chris is right, then this means that Fujifilm has not that much in the pipeline for the next couple of months (the 16-55mmF2.8, the 16mmF1.4 and a rumored entry level X, which should be also the last one, according to actioncamerarumors).

The Fujifilm X-PRO2? Oh yes, this one is coming too, sooner or later in 2015 ;) .

FUJIFILM announced Macro Extension Tubes MCEX-11 and MCEX-16

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Fujifilm just announced here Macro Extension Tubes MCEX-11 and MCEX-16, X-Mount Lens-exclusive accessories that expand the world of macro shooting. Download PDF here.

PRESS RELEASE

November 20, 2014

FUJIFILM Corporation is pleased to announce that two new dedicated X-Mount system Macro Extension Tubes; the MCEX-11 and MCEX-16, will be available from the middle of December 2014.
Macro extension tubes are inserted between the lens and the camera body and increase the distance between the lens elements and the sensor enabling users to focus on subjects much closer to the camera.

1) Two types (11mm, 16mm) will be available.

You can choose from the two types of tubes depending on the level of magnification you require.

2) Electronic contacts allow you to shoot with AF and AE using the tube.

Electronic connections automatically pass information between Fujinon X-Mount lenses and Fujifilm X-series camera bodies so you can still use autofocus and control the aperture while using the tubes.

3) Designed exclusively for the XF lenses and X-series cameras

The mount rings of both tubes are made of high-grade solid metal and are precisely manufactured to suit the XF lenses and the X-series interchangeable cameras perfectly.

4) Maximum Magnification of the Macro Extension Tube

The table below details the Working Distance (distance from the top of the lens barrel to the subject) and the Shortest Shooting Distance (distance from the image sensor to the subject) of each of the current Fujinon X Mount lenses with and without the tubes attached. Some tubes do not work with some lenses. These are indicated below by the grey boxes.
The shooting distance and shooting magnification change according to the position of the focusing lens group. The table shows reference values for when the focusing lens group is in the position to shoot the closest object.

[Chart]

What should be Fuji’s next X-mount lenses to complete the lineup? Tell Fujifilm your dream lenses!

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A couple of weeks ago I posted on facebook here and on twitter here a simple table (posted above), showing the X-mount lenses that Fuji has rolled out in the last 2/3 years… and looking back, it’s really impressive how many high quality lenses Fuji gave us in such a short time.

Add to the XF/XC lenses also the Zeiss 12. 32 and 50 lenses + the various Fuji X Samyang lenses and a few more brands that offer Fuji-X mount lenses and I’d say that, after just three years, X-shooters have a pretty decent lens-option (but where are Sigma & Tamron?)

But X-shooters are hungry for more. In fact, over at the FR- facebook page, many of them expressed their “lens wish-list” in order to complete the lineup: an XF 16mm f2.8 tilt-shift, an XF 135mm f/2.8, an XF 56mm f/1.2 with OIS, an XF 8-16mm f/4 ultra wide angle zoom, a fish-eye lens… or what about an XF 105mm f2.8 1:1 macro lens?

Whatever you are still missing, today you can let Fujifilm know which lenses you would like to see coming in 2015/2016.

THE RULE IS: please express just 2 preferences of future X-mount lenses… I know, it’s hard, but I want you to suffer a bit ;).

So, the comments are open… later on I’ll sum them up into a lens-master-poll! And feel free to continue to vote the “favorite lens” poll.

Which X-series lens do you own?

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Fujifilm X-PRO2, 16-55 without OIS, specialized lenses and more! Interview with Fujifilm’s Torben Hondong (admiringlight)

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Jordan is making an excellent work in these days at photokina. This time he had an interview with Torben Hondong of Fujifilm, You can check it out here at admiringlight.

In short:

– 16-55 without OIS: Fuji wants to contain size & weight
– 90mm and 16mm mock-up: the final lenses could be the same size, or they could be smaller as the mock-ups
– future lenses: If the 56mm APD sells well, then they will expand the specialized lens line-up
– 35mm MKII: no plans for now, possible in future

….

– Fujifilm X-PRO2: The discussion was about the Viewfinder. Basically Fuji is considering to put the best of the two worlds (EVF like the X-T1 & OVF of the X100T) into the X-PRO2 body. But Fuji “would see how the response to the X100T [viewfinder] was to consider the options for any potential X-Pro replacement.” The challange for Fuji is also to put an X-T1 alike EVF into an X-PRO2 that fits into a body that people expect.

What kind of photographer are you?

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What sort of photography do you do? Tick more than one if you like

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POSTPONED: Nissin i40 flash for Fuji-X delayed to “undetermined release date” + PRE-ORDER at B&H

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the Nissin i40 is listed as ready to ship in 7-14 days at BHphoto… too optimistic?

_ _ _

The Nissin i40 flash for Fuji-X was rumored to come in September. But now Nissin released an official note, where they say that the Fuji-X version of the flash, originally planed to be launched in September, is now delayed to undetermined release date (from the google translated dc-watch article) .” Read Nissin’s official note here (translation) or also at dc.watch here (translation).

So the rumor, shared back on July 4th, was correct at the time of sharing, but there was a last minute delay.

The Nissin i40 is a new great super compact powerful and flexible flash with ergonomics of the Fujifilm EF-X20. It recently won the TIPA Award 2014 for the“Best Portable Lighting System”.

“The small (3.35 x 2.4 x 3.35 inches) and lightweight (203g, without battery and soft box) Nissin i40 is available in models dedicated (TTL) to Canon, Nikon, Sony, Four thirds and Fujifilm models, and can cover a lens angle of view from 24-105mm, with additional coverage to 16mm with the supplied diffuser. The Guide Number is 40 at the 105mm setting (meters/ISO 100) and 27 at 35mm. An innovative LED illuminator sits where smaller fill flash modules were in the past, and the light can be used for both still and video recording with 9 steps of output. The i40 offers rear, front curtain and high-speed sync, wireless slave and can be swivelled up to 180 degrees right and left and 90 degrees vertical.”

Fujifilm X100T to be announced September 10!

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According to the trusted Japanese source, the Fujifilm X100T will be announced on September 10. As you know, the source also told us, that it will feature a 16mp sensor (see this rumor).

stay tuned of Fujirumors via facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter

(TS= trusted source / NeS =New Source / AS = Anonymous Source / SRP = source who was right in the past, but not yet trusted / ORS = other rumor sites)

– Announcemet September 10 (TS)
– 16MP X-Trans sensor (TS)
– Name: Fujifilm X100T (TS + NeS + leaked by X-photographer David Hobby)
– APS-C (ORS)
– tilt screen (NeS)
– new fixed lens (NeS)
– 23mm (leaked by X-photographer David Hobby)
– new EVF, better than X100S, but not as much as X-T1 (NeS + ORS)
– EVF specs: x0.67 magnification and horizontal apparent field of view of approx. 27°. (TS)
– faster AF than Fujifilm X100S (NeS + ORS)

Push the “read more” button for an updated reliability rating and the rumor check 2014

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Announced: Samyang 50mm t/1.5 (f/1.4)

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Sorry, this news comes 2 days too late, but I suppose I was a bit distracted by the X30 rumors lately. So here is the news:

Samyang recently announced here the 50mm T1.5 (f/1.4). There is also the X-mount version of this lens, although it’s not dedicated mirrorless mount. The original lens is the DSLR version, but it supports almost 10 different mount, including Fuji-X

via dicahub

Here is the Samyang X-mount offering until now:

– 50mm t/1.5 (f/1.4) lens (announcement)
– 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fish-Eye II lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 8mm T3.1 Cine UMC Fish-Eye II lens in Fujfilm X mount (Click here).
– Samyang 8mm (ver.1): Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay
– Samyang 300mm mirror lens: Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay
– Samyang 16mm f/2.0: Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay
– Samyang 85mm f/1.4: Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay
– Samyang 14mm f/2.8: Amazon.it, DigitalRev, eBay

Fujifilm will introduce a new Film Simulation called „Classic Chrome“ (SRP)

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A few months ago, there was an anonymous source with nick name, who shared a correct rumor about the X-T1 with us (SRP = source right in the past). This source just wrote me for the second time and told us that Fuji will launch a new Film Simulation called „Classic Chrome“.

That’s all the source said. So for now… take it with… a grain of salt.

If true, I think we will see this film simulation coming with the X30 and X100T… and maybe it could also be one of the features introduced in the rumored upcoming X-T1 firmware update. But that’s just my personal guess for now, so DO NOT take it as a rumor from a FR-source.

Oh, and feel free to share this rumor whereever you want, just make the courtesy to quote the source and to put a link back to FR. I have nothing against it to be quoted ;-)

stay tuned… and share rumors with Fujirumors (if you have some),
facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter

P.S.: And in case you just came back from holidays and didn’t read FR in the last weeks, then here is a little rumor roundup and reliability rating for you. Also a rumor check-up of 2014, which will have a big update after photokina I suppose.

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SAMYANG will launch a 50mm f/1.5 for the Fuji X system (mirrorlessrumors)

According to mirrorlessrumors, Samyang will launch a 50mm f/1.5 lens for “some” mirrorless cameras, including an X-mount version. They also say:

“I have been told the lens has a high optical quality but still the famous Samyang low pricing :)”

Here is the Samyang X-mount offering until now:

– 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fish-Eye II lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS lens in Fujifilm X mount (Click here).
– 8mm T3.1 Cine UMC Fish-Eye II lens in Fujfilm X mount (Click here).
– Samyang 8mm (ver.1): [shopcountry 12946] – Samyang 300mm mirror lens: [shopcountry 14844] – Samyang 16mm f/2.0: [shopcountry 15934] – Samyang 85mm f/1.4: [shopcountry 21522] – Samyang 14mm f/2.8: [shopcountry 21527]

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Fujirumors Facebook Photo-Contest

Keep up voting (and sharing) your favorite pics. The most liked one will be featured in the next X-shooter zone

This image has been shot by myself on my last days of holidays in Italy (Dolce Vita in the city of Gubbio, 18-55 at 28mm). Click here to see much better images of X-shooter all over the world ;-).