SAMSUNG talks about ISOCELL Plus Next Sensor Generation in Cooperation with FUJIFILM

Fujifilm & Samsung

Back in 2018 Samsung and Fujifilm officially announced the development of a new CMOS image sensor technology for enhanced light sensitivity and color fidelity, called ISOCELL Plus sensor

The evolution of the first generation ISOCELL sensor was made possible by a special material developed by Fujifilm, which allowed it to remove the metal grid between single pixels, hence for more light to hit the sensor.

On July 1, 2019, Samsung published another article with additional details about ISOCELL Plus. You can read it summed up in practical bullet points below.

First you have to know about front-side illuminated (FSI) and back-side illuminated (BSI) sensors that:

  • FSI sensors block 20% to 70% of light from the photodiode
  • BSI sensors solved this problem, but there is the pixel crosstalk problem
  • Crosstalk happens when light ment for a specific pixel leaks into the neighboring photodiodes, causing noise in the final image

ISOCELL advantages over FSI and BSI sensors:

  • Thanks to a metal grid between pixels, ISOCELL sensors have 30% less pixel crosstalk compared to BSI sensors
  • increased full well capacity (FWC) by approximately 30%
  • higher color fidelity
  • tack-sharp images
  • greater dynamic range
  • wider chief ray angle (CRA) by capturing more oblique light, which ultimately allows for brighter lenses with wider aperture

ISOCELL Plus Advantages over ISOCELL

  • The metal grids in the ISOCELL sensors reduced crosstalk, but lead to some optical loss as they absorbed incoming light or reflected light to neighboring pixels
  • ISOCELL PLUS replaces the metal grid with an innovative Fujifilm material that minimizes optical loss and light reflection
  • ISOCELL Plus deliver higher color fidelity and up to a 15% enhancement in light sensitivity compared to first generation ISOCELL sensor
  • allows sensors to equip pixels of 0.8-micrometer (µm) or smaller without any performance loss, making it an optimal solution for developing high-resolution cameras
  • ISOCELL Plus will also bring performance enhancements for sensors with larger pixel designs

The technology is ment for smartphones, but it’s not forbidden for us to dream and hope that Fujifilm and Samsung will find agreements to make this sensor find its way into Fujifilm APS-C and MF cameras.

Especially the last sentence, where they say “ISOCELL Plus will also bring performance enhancements for sensors with larger pixel designs“, makes hope for that to happen one day.

Will there be a Samsung sensor in Fujifilm cameras?

If you want to know before anyone else, than just follow FujiRumors.

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Towerjazz Explains Why Sony’s Sensor Hegemony is a Problem, the 8K Downsides, the Dynamic Range Challenge and More

The Sensor Business

There was a time, when Fujifilm was making its own sensors.

However, at some point in time, Fujifilm sold its sensor business to Toshiba, which later on sold it to Sony.

As of today (and as far as I know) Fujifilm only makes the color filter array for sensors. Fujifilm also cooperates with Samsung on the ISOcell+ sensor development, which we reported about here.

In short: Sony dominates the sensor market, and most camera manufacturers buy all the sensors they need from Sony.

This gives Sony a huge advantage, as Fujifilm managers Toru Takahashi and Toshihisa Iida said back in 2016 here:

Sony has a big advantage, they make their own sensors. That is a very big advantage for them.

FujiRumors got information years ago, that Fujifilm had a contract with Sony, that allowed them to use the latest Sony sensor only 6 months after Sony used them on their own cameras, giving them a strategic time advantage (timing is crucial in business).

I don’t know if this contract has been changed in the meantime, but what I know is that Sony officially said once, that they will keep the best sensors for themselves, and not sell them to other camera manufacturers.

The Sony Problem

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Fujifilm Updates X RAW Studio, X Acquire, H Mount Adapter G, Tether Plugin PRO and RAW File Converter EX 3.0

Fujifilm has released a bunch of firmware and software updates, mostly for Fujifilm GFX100 support but not only. The H Mount Adapter G got a bug fix and X RAW Studio a couple of improvements.

Let’s look at the updates one by one.

H MOUNT ADAPTER G Firmware Update

The firmware update Ver.1.20 from Ver.1.10 incorporates the following issue:

1. The phenomenon is fixed that it doesn’t work with HC lenses with some of the firmware versions.

FUJIFILM X RAW Studio

The software update Ver.1.7.0 incorporates the following issues:

  1. Applicable model for the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” is added.
    Applicable Model：FUJIFILM GFX100
  2. “★” mark can be pasted to a favorite image. (Addition of the rating function)
  3. Improvement of operability.
    ・By referring to a list in a previous referred folder, you can access to another folder.
    ・You can delete an image from a list of thumbnail images.
    ・You can open an image file by putting it on the icon of the application software.
    ・You can open an selected image file by other application software.
  4. Other improvements and fix of slight defect.

FUJIFILM X Acquire

The software update Ver.1.14.0 incorporates the following issue:

  1. The compatibility of tethered shooting with “FUJIFILM GFX100” is added.
    The additional function below can be used.
    ・Backup/restore of camera setting for tethered shooting.
    ・Tethered shooting via USB or Wi-Fi.

“FUJIFILM Tether Plugin PRO for GFX” for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® Classic CC / 6

The software update Ver.1.14.0 incorporates the following issues:

  1. The compatibility of tethered shooting with “FUJIFILM GFX100” is added.
  2. Addition of function and improvement of operability.
    ・Addition of the buttons for zoom-in, zoom-out and hand tool.
    ・Functions of shortcut keys are available.
    ・Addition of the Focus reset function.

NOTE: *After May 31, 2019, Fujifilm will no longer provide camera compatibility upgrade or OS support for HS-V5 and related software including the Plug-in.

RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX Software Update

The software update Ver.8.1.1.0 incorporates the following issue:

  1. Applicable model for the “RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX” is added.
    Applicable Model : FUJIFILM GFX100

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Fujifilm GFX 100: B&H Photo, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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TESTED: Capture One Pro 12 Improved Fujifilm X Trans Support

Capture One Pro 12.1 has promised us improved Fujifilm X Trans support. But how well does it really work?

Thomas Fitzgerald tested it and has written about it on his blog here. His conclusion:

The changes are very, very subtle to the naked eye.

The update fixes some issues that can occur when there is very fine repetitive detail such as tree branches, leaves, foliage and things like that.

It’s as if they have improved the anti-aliasing algorithms ever so slightly.

It’s something most people probably won’t notice, and they didn’t have to do this, but it pretty much eliminates most rendering artefacts from X-Trans files.

Capture One Pro 12 – save 50%

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Fujifilm Patent Shows Tilting Top LCD Screen

Fujifilm has patented a tilting top LCD screen.

Of course these are patents (hence concepts), that may or may not see the light of the day in future cameras.

But I thought it would be interesting to discuss this concept here on FujiRumors, and maybe give Fujifilm some feedback about what we think about it, if they should continue to develop this concept, or if we se no practical use for something like that.

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Fujifilm X-T30 Firmware 1.10 Released

The Fujifilm X-T30 firmware 1.1o has been released, just as promised to us back in April.

The firmware update Ver.1.10  – download here

  1. Improvement of Q (quick menu) button operability
    To avoid accidentally pressing the Q (quick) menu, the button has changed to one of Fn(function) buttons. This will allow customers to disable the Q button function and also to allocate the Q (quick) menu to a different Fn button.
  2. Fix of slight defects.

Also, as reported here, Fujifilm has updated all its Fujinon GF lenses to support phase detection AF on Fujifilm GFX100.

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Hasselblad X1D II 50C Announced for $5,750

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C has been announced and it will cost you $5,750. They also announced the XCD 35-75mm f/3,5-4,5.

Product Highlights

  • 50MP 43.8 x 32.9mm CMOS Sensor
  • 16-Bit Color, 14-Stop Dynamic Range
  • Hasselblad Natural Color Solution
  • 0.87x 3.69m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder – original X1D had 2.36MP EVF
  • 3.6″ 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD – original X1D had 3.0″ 920k-Dot monitor
  • Leaf Shutter System, 1/2000 sec Sync
  • ISO 100-25600, Up to 2.7 fps Shooting – original X1D shot at 2.3 fp
  • Dual SD UHS-II Memory Card Slots
  • Built-In Wi-Fi, USB 3.0 Type-C
  • New Processor
  • build-in GPS

Definitely a good price, but still more expensive than th Fujifilm GFX50R (currently $4,000) and Fujifilm GFX50S ($5,500).

This is a fantastic news for Fujifilm GFX lovers, since the more competition there is in the medium format segment, the more companies will fight for customers and offer more features for less price.

Hasselblad X1D II 50C: B&H Photo, AmazonUS, Adorama
Fujifilm GFX 100: B&H Photo, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

The GFX Community

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Hasselblad X1D II 50C

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Fringer EF-FX Pro II Available at BHphoto, AmazonUS and Adorama

The Fringer EF-FX ProII smart autofocus adapter for Fujifilm X mount is now available for pre-order at BHphoto, AmazonUS and Adorama.

At AmazonUS they will ship it within June 19.

Main improvements of the 2nd generation of EF-FX Pro include.

  • Redesigned aperture ring for more convenient operation
  • New MCU (more powerful, more resources for firmware update)
  • Better light absorbing design

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FUJIFILM vs SONY Colors Compared: “If You don’t Want to Spent Time Color Grading, Fujifilm is Great”

Max Yuryev compares the Sony vs Fujifilm color science.

It’s a blind test, so you have to go through 10 frames, note on paper if you prefer camera A and B. Of course I did it, and it turns out I prefered Fujifilm in 80% of the cases.

The video frames from 1 to 4 are taken with standard picture profile, whereas from 5 to 10 he compares Eterna to a custom made picture profile.

Some general conclusions Max made, before we watch at the frames one by one:

  • in harsh daylight, with light bouncing, the Sony got some heavy tint, but Fuji’s smart color science got rid of it
  • Sony is usually more accurate, but you have to spend time to get rid of that tint
  • Fujifilm got it figured out, and you don’t have to worry about color tint
  • If you just want to shoot, and not spent time color grading, Fujifilm is great

We remind you that, as reported here, Fujifilm makes a distinction between metric color and memory color. Metric color is more realistic, whereas memory color is interpretation, it’s how your brain sees and remembers colors in a certain scene.

Certain Fujifilm film simulations are not ment to be accurate representation of real colors, but interpretations closer to how you remember those colors.

Other film simulations instead just have to give a unique vibe to the image, think at the vintage touch of the less saturated Classic Chrome for example, great for documentary photography, thanks to the “art of omission” that puts the story/content in the center, instead of colors.

Colors science is a crucial factor at Fujifilm, and we told you already that the engineer, who developed the original Velvia film, has also developed the digital Velvia film simulation.

And now back to the comparison:

1st frame

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Fujifilm Announces New Neopan ACROS 100 II Film – Shipping Fall 2019

Neopan ACROS 100 II

Over the last few years, FujiRumors had to sadly document how Fujifilm was discontinuing one film after another, and raising price on others.

For Acros 100 lovers, the bad news came back in April 2018, when Fujifilm officially announced they will discontinue this much-loved film.

Hope came a couple of months later, when the news arose here, that Fujifilm was considering to bring back Acros 100.

Now Fujifilm finally announced, that they will bring back Acros 100 in fall 2019.

This is made possible, because Fujifilm developed a new Acros 100 II film, by replacing some materials that became difficult to obtain and by adapting the manufacturing process to the new material.

I do hope that Fujifilm can bring back other discontinued film by using new technology and materials, too.

Press Release

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