Fujifilm seems unstoppable. 2016 was such a great year, but the start of 2017 is awesome too. Tons of rumors have already been shared… so time for a recap.
Keep in mind, some of these rumors are from trusted sources, others not. So maybe not everything will materialize.
According to a new source (thanks), Sony just stopped the production of its 16 Megapixel sensors. As a consequence, so the source, Fujifilm is in the process of withdrawing all its 16MP cameras.
If true, then this is the end for 16MP X-Trans cameras… and some of those had a considerably short production life, as for example the Fujifilm X70 and Fujifilm X-E2s, which were launched just 11 months ago!
The source said that Sony’s decision surprised Fujifilm, since it came without much advanced warning (usually Sony gives a much longer advanced warning when it comes to end of sensor production, so that companies can adjust their strategy according to Sony’s sensor plans).
THE FACT
Fujifilm X70 Marked as Discontinued
Here is another puzzle piece, found by an attentive FR-reader (thanks), who followed the discussion about the X70 at kakaku.com.
Someone over there wrote an email to Fujifilm and asked why, at some Japanese stores, the X70 is no more available. Well, Fujifilm told him that the X70 has been discontinued. You can read the discussion at kakaku (translation).
And indeed, stores like yodobashi maked the black X70 as discontinued. And also at mapcamera you can’t find any X70 anymore (just accessories).
I’ve checked also EU/US stores and indeed X70 stock can be very limited or even not available, like at AmazonUK (silver version)
If all said above is no coincidence, then here is what could have happend:
Fujifilm was surprised by the fact that Sony ends production, and decided to discontinue the X70 in order to use the remaining 16MP sensors for much more popular 16MP cameras like the X-T10.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into it, and the rumor + fact are not related to each other… I’ll let you know if, with the help of sources, I can find out something more.
Fujifilm X-T2 10-Second Timeout & reports of X-T2 being “laggy”. No Bug. The answer at Theoria Apophasis youtube + Confirmed ISSUE -*- Fujifilm X-T2 Vertical Grip. Easy to ‘fix’ and get around at Theoria Apophasis youtube
So, Photokina is over. The most important announcements have been done. So it’s high time to put some order in the remaining rumors.
But first some facts:
650+ blog post published in 2016 so far
101 rumors shared in 2016
13 rumors still to be verified
81 correct rumors (+1 one more correct, but not in ranking. Read why at the bottom of this post)
8 wrong rumors (but actually at least 4 of them were right at the time of sharing. It’s just Fuji that changed plans… that’s the risk I pay for sharing early rumors, and I accept that)
91% correct rumors shared so far in 2016 (and it would be at least 95+%, if Fuji wouldn’t have changed plans on some long term rumors)
And now… what to expect next!
I don’t think Fujifilm will launch much more in 2016… but surprises are always possible. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.
In 2017 we should see the X100F and the X-T20. And of course the Medium Format Fujifilm GFX will hit the market. It’s also rumored that Profoto will add flash support for X-series cameras. And maybe, so my hope (but not a rumor), after some small and compact weather sealed lenses (35, 23, 50, 80), Fujifilm will also work again on the long rumored 8-16, 33/1 and 200. NOTE: the 33/1 and 200 were rumored in 2015, so they are not included in the 2016 overview.
Sounds already now like a very interesting 2017… and I’m confident Fujifilm will surprise us with something more. Stay tuned on FujiRumors to find it out.
My deepest thanks goes to all sources, who helped me a lot and reached a level of accuracy that is almost scary for a rumor site… I really would like to hug you all :-)
Also, thanks to everybody, who spotted some interesting Fuji related news/rumor/deal/review on the web, and took his/her time to drop me an email with the link to it. Much appreciated… and feel free to keep it up. ;-)
HIGH RATING* * 75% to 99% correct
– Fujifilm X100T Successor to be Released in 2017 (shared July 28)
– Profoto Will Add Support for Fujifilm X Cameras in 2017 (shared September 12)
– Fujifilm X-T20 Coming in 2017 (and not at Photokina) (shared Septmeber 17)
– Fujifilm X-Pro2 Firmware Coming October 6 (shared September 29)
– Fujifilm Will Release a Dark Grey Fujifilm X-Pro2, probably in 2017 (shared September 30)
MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct
– Fujifilm will develop a XF 8-16mmF2.8 WR lens! (shared 26 May 2016)
– Fuji X100T Successor still with 23mm lens!
– No X-E3 in 2016 (shared February 2, 2016)
– Fujifilm working on a XF200mm… F2 (!) lens (shared Feb.5 2016)
– Fujifilm Global Shutter Camera coming in 2018 (at the earliest) – (shared Mar 14, 2016)
– Fujifilm X-T1 will get one more (and final?) Kaizen Firmware Update This Year! (shared 13 Mai 2016)
MEDIUM LOW RATING* *25% to 49% correct
– Fuji X100T & Kaizen Love? High Chance of Firmware 2.00 for Fuji X100T (shared February 11)
– The Fujifilm X100T Successor Will Be Called Fujifilm X100F (shared August 31)
The X-T2 may be Fujifilm’s most important product launch since the introduction of the X-Series. Building on the best features of the X-T1 and X-Pro2, can this richly featured workhorse convince enthusiasts and pros to consider the X-Mount as a universal go-to system for all their photographic needs? Let’s find out in this first impressions review.
Getting serious: The X-T2 is Fujifilm’s high-powered successor to the X-T1.
Please note:This carefully researched and ridiculously comprehensive First Look Review of the Fujifilm X-T2 and Vertical Power Booster Grip is based on three different X-T2 pre-production models and more than ten different (and continuously evolving) beta firmware generations. The final hardware and firmware are expected to ship in the first half of September 2016.
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In September 2016, the X-T2 will be available in black (and eventually perhaps also in silver).
In any case, a matching camera-powered EF-X8 mini flashgun is included.
About two and a half years after the introduction of the successful X-T1, Fujifilm is getting serious with taking the X-series into “we can do everything” territory. At first glance, the X-T2 looks very much like its predecessor—why change a concept that stood behind Fujifilm’s (so far) most successful X-series camera? However, it’s a different story on the inside. At several global launch events, Fujifilm has made it very clear that the X-T2 is supposed to address all photographic needs, including sports and action shooting. It’s supposed to be a “complete mirrorless camera”.
Compared to the X-T1, the X-T2 features dozens of changes and improvements. Here’s an overview in 40 bullet points:
24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor (Sony-built with 14 bit readout) with no anti-aliasing filter
X-Processor Pro is four times as fast as the EXR II processor used in the X-T1 and offers improved image quality, better noise response and higher dynamic range
improved ISO performance (about 1 stop better than the previous generation) with native ISO covering 200 to 12800, and extended ISO settings of 100, 25600 and 51200 (all with full RAW support)
100% faster sensor readout, resulting in improved AF tracking performance, a dramatically reduced minimum blackout time of only 114 ms, and a high 100 fps EVF refresh rate
0.005s display lag, 0.06s max. AF speed, 0.17s shooting interval, 0.045s shutter lag
configurable AF-C modes to adapt the AF system to different sports and action shooting scenarios
up to 11 fps burst speed in boost mode (14 fps when using the electronic shutter) with AF tracking
3, 4 or 5 fps slow burst mode (CL) with full live-view and CDAF support
improved user interface and a new menu structure, including a custom My Menu with up to 16 entries
DSLR-style “AF-ON” option and new settings to individually engage/disengage focus and exposure lock when the shutter button is half-pressed
more tactile dials and buttons and a new push-button lock mechanism for top-plate dials
better grip and improved standard eyecup
convenient focus stick to quickly move the autofocus frame or zone (with up to 325 AF frames to choose from)
articulated rear screen works in landscape and portrait orientation
new Vertical Power Booster Grip with two additional battery slots for extended shooting (1000+ images) and duplicate controls
weather sealing with protection against rain, dust and freezing
improved 0.77x electronic viewfinder with better image quality and twice the brightness of the previous model, now also featuring an auto brightness mode
low-vibration 1/8000s mechanical shutter with 1/250s flash sync (supplemented by an electronic shutter with 1/32000s), rated for 150,000 shots
new flash system offers high-speed sync, wireless TTL and multi-frame shooting (in concert with compatible flash units such as the new EF-X500)
dual SD card slots (both support the ultra-fast UHS-II standard)
improved hybrid autofocus system with pro-level subject tracking, a larger phase-detection area and more focus points (7 x 13 or 13 x 25 focus points, including either 7 x 7 or 13 x 13 phase detection points)
automatic pixel mapping (to map out dead pixels)
improved JPEG quality and new ACROS film simulation with ISO-controlled film grain and noise shaping
expanded JPEG settings with additional options for contrast, noise reduction, sharpness, color saturation and film grain simulation
broader ±2 EV bracketing and ±5 EV exposure compensation (along with expanded Push/Pull options in the camera’s built-in RAW converter)
lossless RAW compression cuts RAW file size in half
improved battery life indicator for up to three batteries at once (including a 1% accuracy display)
enhanced electronic depth-of-field and distance scale with either pixel-based or film-based precision
new center-weighted metering option
WYSIWYG simulation of fixed dynamic range settings (DR200%, DR400%) in the live view and live histogram of the EVF and LCD, and enhanced highlight DR in Natural Live View mode
dedicated video mode on DRIVE dial replaces video record button
high-quality 4K video and HD video with 100 Mbit/s and oversampling (to minimize moiré and artifacts)
vastly improved video focussing
HDMI output to mirror EVF and LCD displays on monitors and HD beamers, or to record the live view with an HD frame grabber
uncompressed 4:2:2 HD and 4K HDMI output to external recording devices, including “F-Log” flat gamma 4K recording with expanded dynamic range
threaded cable release option, fast USB 3.0 interface, 3.5mm mic input, 2.5mm remote control input, 3.5mm sound/headphone output (in the Vertical Power Booster Grip)
USB charging for the in-body battery
Vertical Power Booster Grip includes an external power input to power the camera and charge batteries inside the grip (2 hours charging time for two batteries)
new NP-W126S battery with reduced heat dissemination (old batteries remain fully compatible)
USB and wireless tethering options (after a future firmware update) with new and improved plug-ins for Adobe Lightroom
Travel X / Switch (or not) to the X / Fuji X for Weddings
Hiking in Budawang National Park at richardsimko / Incredible India ! at cedricleclercq / One More Comment On “The” Decision To Choose Fuji over Olympus at thewanderinglensman / New Beginnings: Why I Switched From the Fujifilm X Series to Sony’s Alpha System at keenanrivals / Quick Day Trip to Washington DC at xshooters / Bhutan at inabyss / 11 Days in Myanmar at thomasdlh /
a bit of everything
(Enough of This Mirrorless Nonsense)
Enough of This Mirrorless Nonsense at olafphotoblog / A Road-Trip & Fuji Instax Mini 90 at alexsopchak / What I Would Like In An X-T2 at thewanderinglensman / New fujilove magazine / Incident at the 7-mile Bridge, or Know your Rights as a Citizen and a Photographer at xshooters /
Deal
From a FR-reader: You can get the xpro2 with 35mm 1.4 for $2600 with a few other deals. You don’t need to bring in an old camera but if you do it gets donated to charity. Deal running in Australia at teds /
Angry Photographer: Fuji X-T10 vs. Fuji X-T1. Overview best value & Rational examination on youtube / Review at stuff.tv / Realitstic comparisons between the Fuji X-T1 & X-T10 at angryphotographer youtube /
Autumn in Central Park with a Fuji X100T and Nikon D810 at aboutphotography-tomgrill / X100T (+ X-Pro1) The last leg; Narlai, Udaipur and Delhi at dearsusan / TCL-X100 review at bradleyhanson / On the Virtues of Travel Photography with Only a Basic Camera at medium / Re-visiting the Fujifilm X100T at indergaard / Fuji X100T – Fly on the Wall! at hendriximages /
Fuji RAW v JPEG : Using the Fujifilm X-Series X-Trans Sensor by Kevin Mullins at f16.click /Using The “Dynamic Tone” Filter In The X100T at d7100shooter / My Guide for Processing Fuji X-Trans files in Lightroom Now Available at thomasfitzgeraldphotography /
Acessories / Flash / Bags
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Great deal on the Insignia [shoplink 40006 ebay]Macro Ring Flash[/shoplink] – not LED!
By Kevin Mullins: Six years later….an evolution of style at f16.click / #BB Magazine Volume 4, with 8 fabulous model photoshoot exclusives, as well as a guest set of cityscape and travel photography at bbpublications / Streets of Cardiff with Kevin Mullins at atalllongleggedbird / My Fuji’s, looking forward and some monochrome images at garyksmithphotography /
I’ve received an information from a new source, who had a conversation with Sigma. He asked them if they plan to release X-mount versions of their lenses. Well, in short, Sigma’s answer to this source was:
The Fujifilm X-system market share is too small.
Due the restricted market share, Sigma currently has no plans at all to release X-mount version of their lenses.
Fuji should have adopted the M4/3 mount
Fuji’s fault? By not using the M4/3 mount and offering their own X-mount, Fuji resigned X-shooters to a limited lens selection [Really? Take a look at that, Sigma]
That’s a bad news. Especially since over the last year, when Sigma managers were asked if they will offer X-mount versions of their lenses, they didn’t deny this possibility, giving answers like [quote from this video interview] “We always plan to expand our product line for mirrorless cameras. If possible, we would like to support as many systems as possible.” Also to DSLRmagazine Sigma said [google translated]: “I’m pretty sure the market for CSC will grow in the future, do not know how, but we have the belief that we must support as many systems as possible“.
After these statements, a slender hope arose amongst us X-shooters, but according to this information today, waiting for X-mount Sigma lenses is like waiting for Godot.
Now, it’s true that Fuji is not really a giant in the digital camera industry. However, over the last years the X-system grew and it now has a respectable number of followers. I’m convinced that, with the right lens offering & an interesting price tag, Sigma could make some nice money with us X-shooters, as also the Poll here could indicate:
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I do NOT agree with Sigma, when they say that, by not adopting the M4/3 mount, Fuji resigned X-shooters to a limited lens selection. Really? There is plenty of great Fujinon glass out there (and more coming soon). And manufacturers like Samyang, Zeiss, Lensbaby, SLR Magic & more have their X-mount offerings, too. As shown in the amazing complete X-mount glass overview, there are overall 56 X-mount lenses on the market and 6 more are coming soon.
Fujinon glass alone already covers most needs of photographers… and that’s maybe part of the problem for Sigma:all the great Fujinon glass that is already available on the market! It must be hard & risky to compete with it, also for Sigma.
Zeiss tried it with the Touit 12mm and 32mm, but completely failed. Those lenses were too close in FL to existing Fujinon lenses, optically great, but not superior (probably even inferior) to the XF glass and even more expensive than the Fujinons. Result: you can now get them for a fraction of their original price!
So maybe we should add one more point to Sigma’s thoughts shared at the beginning of this post
There is so many awesome Fujinon glass out there, that we are afraid to fail when we compete with it, just like Zeiss!
But competition is a good thing for us customers. C’mon Sigma, join the X-mount party and make some pressure on Fuji ;) . Combine the great IQ of your glass with an aggressive price, and you will find many X-shooters ready to invest into it.
And what do you think, should Fuji really have adopted M4/3 mount?
X-T1 firmware 4.0 The Impossible Test at erohne / Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware 4.0 First Look and Review at fstoppers / FW 4? It sucks, said jimphoto over at the Fuji X Forum!… but then “I was very, very, very wrong! It is AMAZING. […] Read more at xshooters” / Fujifilm X-T One Point Five at janschwarz / Tornado X-T1 Tracking Test at macleancomms / Wedding with X-T1 and the beta version of firmware 4.0 at felipeyangphoto / firmware 4.0 on the go at jorgefm /
Fujifilm X-T1 Menu Firmware 4.00 at Anthony Morganti youtube /
NOTE: on the same day of the FW4 release, Fuji released also the new Fuji-Android-Apps “FUJIFILM Camera Application” and “FUJIFILM Photo Receiver“. The latest versions finally sort out any connection problem.
Fuji X100T Review (Part 2) by Donato Chirulli at Riflessifotografici / The X100T, my personal review at stockografie / Fuji X100T Captures Faces of Italy at strongfoto / Bigheadtaco vs Kale Friesen. Ricoh GR vs Fujfilm X100T at bigheadtaco youtube channel / Images taken with the X100S at harnahud / Fujifilm X100T at dylanseeger Part 01, Part 02 and Part 3 / Fujifilm X100S For Wedding Photography at x100c / Fuji X100T – Review at whereswheels / Some time with the Fuji X100T at paulpetch / Review at toolsandtoys /
Fujifilm X-T1
Awards with Fujifilm X-T1 at ivanjoshualoh / Complete Wedding shot on Fujifilm X-T1 at Kevin Mullins youtube channel / Testing the Fuji X-T1 for Night Photography at devinjamesoncreative / Images taken with the X-T1 at harnahud / How I Use the Fujifilm XT-1 for Documentary Wedding Photography at petapixel / Streets of Philadelphia … A Visual Diary … Page 7 … Fuji X100s at streetshooter / X-T1 makes the Picture at the International Kitesurf Magazine – more at creativeway / More On The Fuji X-T1 at rwboyer / Latest Fuji X-T1 Settings Tweaks at cliftonbeard / Double Exposures with the Fuji X-T1 at aboutphotography-tomgrill / Sani Starr, Fashion blogger at Pitti Uomo. Colorful photos with Fuji X-T1 and 35mm at alessandromichelazzi /
Zoom Lenses Vs. Prime Lenses at sebastianboatca / Canon 50mm F1.4 VS Fujinon 35mm F1.4: the battle of the normals at musicphotographer / REVIEW: The Pulling Power of the Different Fujinon Lenses at macleancomms + More Test Shots with the XF50-140mm f2.8 at macleancomms / A Prime Perspective: First Impression of the Fuji XF 50-140 at rivalsvs / My experience: The XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS at drawwithlight / The Only Fuji X Lens You Need? : REVIEW – Fuji 18 135 WR lens at Matt Widgery Photography youtube /
20 Useful Tips for Travel Photography at sebastianboatca / Olympic National Park with the X-Series at olafphotoblog / A little gear-talk: Canon, Nikon, Sony A7… but at the end it’s a Fuji! Read more at victorhamke
A Superhero needs the right equipment – Fujifilm X (for Weddings) at timosoasepp /
_ _ _
Jpeg / RAW / Converters
Curiosity: the welcome screen for Lightroom 6 features shows an X-Pro1 with a 35mm… a good Omen for the Future X-TRANS support improvement promised by Adobe here? You can find it in the new version of Lightroom (v. 6) under menu Help/Welcome to Lightroom
Congratulations Team USA – all images taken with X100T and X-T1 + 56mm at olafphotoblog / Fuji X-Pro1 or X100 series: The Optical Viewfinder versus Electronic Viewfinder at eyebeamimages / How to photograph fireworks with a Fuji X camera at aboutphotography-tomgrill / X-T1 tethered shooting. A rant! Read it at elliotpaulstern /
Free eBook – CUBA
Rocky Nook’s FREE Guide to Photographing Cuba is now available at rockynook.com
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