Chip Shortage Delays Nikon Z9 Delivery to October 2022 – Bad News also for Fujifilm (and Fujifilm X-H2)?

The worldwide chip shortage and the camera high demand is pushing the next stock shipment for the brand new Nikon Z9 to October 2022 according to various Japanese retailers as reported by SonyAlphaRumors.

We are talking about a flagship camera, on which Nikon totally relies on to recover from their dramatic market share decline (Nikon is behind Fujifilm in the mirrorless camera market and with DSLR included is way behind Sony and Canon).

Moreover, SAR also says that Sony has postponed most of their new camera launches to the second half 2022.

So the fact that Nikon won’t be able to ship the latest orders of their single most important camera for many months to come should put all camera manufacturers into high alert, even Fujifilm.

If the chip shortage is really going to last that long, then I wonder how this will affect also planed Fujifilm announcements for 2022.

And here is where we have to talk about the Fujifilm X-H2.

Fujifilm X-H2 Announcement

We know one thing for sure (thanks to our sources): the next camera Fujifilm will launch is the Fujifilm X-H2.

Let me say it again: no other X series camera is planed between now and the Fujifilm X-H2.

Considering that the last “real” X series camera announcement was the Fujifilm X-E4 back in January 27 (I refuse to consider the Fujifilm X-T30II a “new” camera, as it basically just an X-T30 on firmware steroids, and the Fujifilm X-T3WW is an X-T3 without charger), we are now waiting since almost 1 year for a new X series camera to come.

That’s a whole lot of time.

Given the long wait, I hope Fujifilm was somehow also able to organize enough chips for the Fujifilm X-H2 in order to announce it as soon as possible, ideally in early 2022 (as most of you speculate).

And considering how important the Fujifilm X-H2 is for Fujifilm, I am sure they’ll do everything they can to release the X-H2 as soon as possible.

But these are crazy times, and I highly doubt Fujifilm has at this point set any solid announcement date for the Fujifilm X-H2 yet.

And quite honestly, would anybody of us be surprised if the Fujifilm X-H2 would materialize only in the second half 2022? I guess not, considering the circumstances.

But let me be clear at this point: I still hope for an early 2022 announcement for the X-H2. It’s not a rumor, just a hope. I just say that if it would come later, I personally would not be overly surprised by that, even if that would mean that Fujifilm hasn’t launched a new X series camera in 1.5 years or more.

Solution for the Worst Case Scenario

If the chip shortage would force Fujifilm to postpone the launch of the Fujifilm X-H2, then I hope that they will at least make some sort of “development announcement” as they did for the Fujifilm X-Pro3.

In fact they partially already did it also for the Fujifilm X-H2 when they said that in 2022 there will be a stacked BSI X-Trans sensor for Fujifilm APS-C cameras. Sure, the X-H2 was not mentioned, but trust me, the Fujifilm X-H2 will be the first X series camera to sport such a sensor.

But that’s not enough.

In case of a longer delay (which I hope won’t happen), my hope is that Fujifilm will make a more solid and concrete Fujifilm X-H2 development announcement, in which not only they could show us mock-ups (as they did with the X-Pro3), but also give us a more solid date as far as the announcement goes.

For many professional photographers, having a perspective on where a certain system is going and developing, can be a reason to stick or switch to that system (or away from it). Hence, Fujifilm can’t keep silent for too long on the Fujifilm X-H2 front.

Sure, FujiRumors can contribute a bit to keep the buzz going thanks to the rumors shared by our sources, which help to keep confidence in the X series future (and hence keep people into the system and making others curious about it). Just take a look at the rumors below, and you’ll understand that Fujifilm is planing big things for 2022. But at some point also Fujifilm has to come forward more decisively than they already did.

With all that said, I hope there won’t be any need for a development announcement and that the Fujifilm X-H2 will come soon enough.

Fujifilm X-H2 Rumors Recap

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Top 3 Fujifilm Gear I’d Love to Buy in 2022

I think I can say that in 2021 I’ve done a decent part in supporting Fujifilm with my hard earned money, as here is the Fujifilm gear I’ve purchased:

For as much as Fujifilm made medium format accessible to the masses, buying into the 100 Megapixel GFX system still requires a significant investment. It’s worth every penny, but it’s not cheap.

So in 2022 I will try to contain my GAS as much as possible and be cautious with my purchases (do I hear you guys laughing?? ;) )

And yet, there is some gear I’d love to buy in 2022. And I mean gear that is either already announced, available or at least on the Fujifilm roadmap for 2022. So this is not about rumored gear.

  1. Fujinon GF 50mm f/3.5
    One of the main declared goals by Fujifilm is to make the GFX system smaller. A huge step in this direction was made with the Fujifilm GFX100S, which is already smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras out there (see the Panasonic S1R) and about as big as the Canon R5. Sure, the GFX lenses are usually bigger, just as Full Frame lenses are usually bigger than APS-C lenses. Well, the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5 serves exactly the purpose to make the system smaller and mounted on my GFX100S, it could give me a very nice combo that I would probably end up carrying with me more often also for casual family stuff. And hey, I need 2 more GFX lenses to reach the average GFX shooters’ lens attachment rate* ;)
  2. Fujifilm X100V
    I mean, just look at it. It’s of a beauty matched maybe only by some Leica cameras. The only problem here is that I own the Fujifilm X-E3 with XF27mmF2.8 R WR, so the Fujifilm X100V would become a bit redundant in my lineup. And yet, it would not only be about its beauty. It also has the pull-up ISO dial from the X-Pro line that I totally love. Combined with WCL-100 II and TCL-100 II it would give me a compact and versatile leaf shutter mini-system. And just like the X-E4 it has that “invisible” tilt LCD screen that I could make good use of every now and then.
  3. Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6
    You might know how much Iove my XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6, especially when mounted on my X-T4 (you can see the combo here on the Dolomites). But in 2022 I’d love to get a bit more into a photographic territory I haven’t explored much yet, wildlife photography. That’s why a bit more reach could come in handy then the one the 18-135 can offer me. There are some options here: from the XF200mmF2 to the XF100-400 to the XF150-600mm that is on the roadmap. And why not, also the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 could be a nice option. But taking into account prize and size, I think the  XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 could be a reasonable choice to start with. And for even more reach I could couple it with the XF 1.4x TC WR Teleconverter.

Bonus

Related Article

The Gear

*From the Interview “Fujifilm Manager: GFX Triumph and Full Frame Attack Strategy, Shrinking IBIS, AI Future, Fuji X-H2 Needs Breakthrough, COVID and More”

  • 70-80% of GFX customers were coming from non-Fuji cameras. Most probably from full frame DSLR cameras
  • GFX sells 50% better than Fujifilm predicted
  • GFX lens attachment rate: about 3 lenses per 1 GFX camera
  • Fujifilm X system has a lower lens attachment rate than GFX system
  • read more in this article

TASCAM XLR Audio Adapter for Fujifilm X/GFX Full Specs Online and Coming End of December for €490

Back in August, TEAC announced the development of TASCAM XLR Audio Adapter for Fujifilm Mirrorless Cameras, the Tascam CA-XLR2d-F.

Note that a future firmware update coming in 2022 will make the X-T4, X-S10 and GFX100S compatible with the Tascam CA-XLR2d-F.

Now, in the original press release the expected shipping date was “end of 2021“. Now Tascam confirmed that they will release it at the end of the month.

Now the full specs and the price have been shared and you can find them down below.

As for the price, some stores already list it on their website. For example German Videodata lists it for pre-order for €490 without VAT. In Japan the price will be of 65,780 Yen (converted to $579)

Tascam XLR CA-XLR2d – Features at a Glance

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BHphoto Top 10 Mirrorless Cameras of 2021: the GFX Medium Format Consecration Continues

We are approaching the end of the year, hence we will be bombarded by 2021 top and flop gear posts and videos.

DPReview shared their top and flop gear already, and we reported about it here.

Now also BHphoto has put up their list for the top 10 mirrorless cameras of 2021.

Once again the latest GFX gear enters the ranking at the very high positions. But the GFX system gets its consecration not only in the year-end rankings, but also at the box office, where especially the Fujifilm GFX100S is causing headache to Fujifilm due to a high demand they simply can’t match.

And what about Fuji’s APS-C series? Well, things look good, very good for the X system in 2022.  Just keep an eye on the latest X-H2 rumors ;).

BHphoto Explora – Top 10 Mirrorless Cameras of 2021

  1. Nikon Z9
  2. Sony A1
  3. Fujifilm GFX100S
    Not too long ago, the thought of a 100MP camera sounded like very wishful thinking, considering 36MP was high-res and 24MP is still a go-to standard for many cameras today. FUJIFILM’s GFX 100S isn’t the first 100MP camera, it’s not even FUJIFILM’s first, but it represents the first time 100MP has been available sub $10K and in a camera body that’s portable and reasonable for walkaround shooting use. It redefines medium format and breaks down the barrier that’s made medium format, especially high-resolution medium format, so inaccessible for virtually everyone until now. What’s even more impressive about the GFX 100S is that it has also benefitted from full-frame and APS-C mirrorless development, too, and features many of the same imaging assets you’d expect from other current cameras, like IBIS, DCI 4K 30p video, and even phase-detection AF. Unlike medium format cameras of the past, which were notoriously slow and outdated in performance, but you’d suck it up for the amazing image quality, the GFX 100S doesn’t need these excuses anymore as it meshes high-resolution medium format quality with current mirrorless performance.
  4. Canon R3
  5. Sony A7IV
  6. Fujifilm GFX50SII
    Accessible and medium format are no longer mutually exclusive terms with the GFX 50S II; the second-gen compact medium format mirrorless with a new integrated design and the same 50MP sensor that put the GFX system on the map. Late summer saw FUJIFILM release the second generation of their first mirrorless medium format camera, the GFX 50S II. Compared to what a conventional second-gen camera is, though, this new GFX trended in a new way, with a focus on becoming even more accessible than the first generation of cameras, meaning medium format is now a realistic consideration for people shopping for full-frame systems. And with that in mind, the GFX 50S II presents a truly interesting choice for photographers who value image quality above all other camera specs. Beyond value alone, the GFX 50S II also saw some physical changes, bringing it in line with its 100MP sibling and featuring a fully integrated viewfinder and forgoing the more modular nature of the first GFX 50S.
  7. Nikon Zfc
  8. Sony ZV-E10
  9. Sigma fp L
  10. Panasonic Lumix GH6 (or GH5 II, for the time being)

You can read the full list here at B&H.

BREAKING: Fujifilm X-H2 with 26 Megapixel coming 2022 (and Now the Big Question is…)

Look guys, this is trusted stuff. Solid and reliable. And 100% true. Believe it or not. It’s going to happen.

The Fujifilm X-H line has been canceled!!! Axed! Forever!!!

Nah, just kidding… we don’t do fake rumors here ;).

So let’s get serious and tell you exactly what is going to happen.

FujiRumors told you that there will be two Fujifilm X-H2 cameras and that they will have a different megapixel number.

According to our sources, one will sport a high resolution 40 megapixel sensor (not 43 megapixel as many speculate based on available Sony sensors).

And what about the other Fujifilm X-H2?

Well, we did get additional information from our sources. Multiple trusted sources. And they told us that the second Fujifilm X-H2 camera will have 26 megapixel.

I know what you want to know now.

You want to know if it will be the same 26 megapixel sensor we have in current X series cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T4 or if it will be a new 26 Megapixel sensor.

At this point I can’t answer this question.

Some of you might remember that I once said the Fujifilm X-E4 would be the last X-Trans IV 26 Megapixel camera. But evidently I was wrong, as we got the Fujifilm X-T30II (although that’s basically just an X-T30 on firmware steroids and new LCD). So I might well be wrong again?

Let’s see the two options I see for now:

  1. Fujifilm decided to make a high resolution and more expensive Fujifilm X-H2 and offer at the same time a much more affordable version of the X-H2 using the proven and trusted X-Trans IV BSI 26 Megapixel sensor.
  2. Fujifilm will use a new 26 Megapixel sensor

My opinion on both options:

  1. Fujifilm could have decided to use the X-Trans IV sensor of the X-T4, but combine it with the new processor on the X-H2 to squeeze the most out of the X-Trans IV sensor. That would be siimilar to what they did with the Fujifilm GFX50SII, where they used the old sensor of the original GFX50S, but combined with the newer processor of the GFX100S Fujifilm was able to take more out of it (faster autofocus speed, more film simulations etc.)
  2. This would be very atypical for Fujifilm, to launch in one year (2022) two completely new higher-end APS-C sensors. But just because Fujifilm never did it before, it does not mean it can’t happen with the Fujifilm X-H2.

Which one do you consider more likely? Feel free to vote the survey down below.

And make sure to follow FujiRumors to get more Fujifilm X-H2 rumors soon.

Regarding the Fujifilm X-H2 with 26 Megapixel...

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Fujifilm X-H2 Rumors Recap

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Vote Your Top Fujifilm (Related) Product and Roadmap Lens 2021

click the image to find out what FujiRumors considers Fujifilm's top product for 2021
click the image to find out what FujiRumors considers Fujifilm’s top product for 2021

Top Fujifilm Related Product 2021

There won’t be any more announcements in 2021, so time to look back at the Fujifilm year 2020 and vote which one according to you was the top product of the year launched by Fujifilm.

And why not, let’s include also the third party autofocus lenses for Fujifilm launched (or announced) this year as well as the latest Instax products.

Also, you can vote on what in your eyes is the most exciting lens on the X roadmap and GFX roadmap. In this survey I will include the rumored XF56mm f/1.2 II as well as the lenses on the Viltrox roadmap and TTArtisan roadmap.

So the gear you can vote on down below is this one (the surveys itself is at the bottom of this article):

I hope I didn’t forget anything. The survey is down below.

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Fujifilm X-H2 Coming with Two Different Sensors, AI Boost, Firmware Updates and More – Top 10 November Posts

Here are the top 10 posts for November:

  1. Fujifilm X-H2 Coming with Two Different Sensors
  2. Fujifilm X-H2 Coming 2022 with Huge Computational Photography Boost?
  3. Fujifilm launches Hybrid Instant Camera “Instax Mini Evo”
  4. Two Fujifilm X-H2 Cameras Coming Different Megapixel Number (one 40 MP and the Other?)
  5. Fujifilm GFX100 and X-T4 New Firmware Updates Released
  6. Fujifilm X-T3 beats X-T4 Autofocus, Fuji Frustrations, Switching to Fujifilm, Sony A1 vs Fuji X-T4 for Video and More – X Gear Roundup
  7. Dear FR-Readers, We Have to Talk!
  8. HOT DEAL: Get Fujifilm GFX50S for Just $2,499
  9. From Tamron 18-300mmF3.5-6.3 to Voigtländer Nokton 35mmF1.2 and More Third Party Fujifilm X Mount Lenses (Roundup)
  10. National Geographic: “Fujifilm Reigning Champion of 2022 Best Travel Cameras”

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Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 for Fujifilm X to Ship in January 2022 (in North America)

A FR-reader ordered the new Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 and wondered when it would finally ship.

So he contacted the Samyang USA customer service and this is the reply he got:

We anticipate this order to be shipping around January 2022.

The lens was announced back in October, so we are looking at a looking at a three months waiting times for those, who pre-ordered it. Sounds like a long waiting, but compared to what is happening in the Fujifilm world, it is actually blazing fast. I mean, we are still waiting for gear to ship that was announced 9 months ago.

New – Third Party Fujifilm X Autofocus Lenses Group

Fujifilm X-H2 Coming 2022 with Huge Computational Photography Boost?

Fujifilm X-H2

What could be a good topic to talk about this weekend?

Let me think…

What about the Fujifilm X-H2? Is that OK?

And more precisely, could 2022 be the year that will see a huge computational photography boost in Fujifilm X series cameras, starting with the Fujfiilm X-H2?

I think it could be, and here is why.

Recently I wrote an article called “Top 7 Critiques on Fujifilm that Are Absolutely Justified”.

In that article, I said that Fujifilm should hire the best firmware guy there is, and develop tons of artificial intelligence features, as this is one area where APS-C cameras can easily beat full frame and medium format cameras, as I also explained in my article 7 advantages of APS-C over FF article.

The smaller the sensor, the faster the processing, the less the heat, the more the camera is free to make its computational photography magic.

While writing that article, I remembered that back in 2019, top manager Toshihisa IIda did announced a 3 year computational photography plan and said:

  • In 3 years, AI (artificial intelligence or computational photography) will become important part of photography
  • AI will not manage or control, but help photographers to take better images in an easier way

And more recently here, Japanese Fujifilm managers said:

  • If sensor and processor are very fast, then you can do lots of things with computational photography

Well, it looks like Fujifilm plans to give the X series a massive AI boost by 2022 (according to their own 3 years AI roadmap set back in 2019). And guess which camera is set for 2022 announcement? You got it, the Fujifilm X-H2.

So, in terms of new technology, the Fujifilm X-H2 will not only give us a new hardware platform (new sensor and processor), but, if Fujifilm respects their own timeline, we might see also lots of computational magic being implemented in the X-H2.

Btu to be clear: this is not a rumor. I have no idea what the X-H2 will bring in terms of AI features. But Fujifilm itself hinted that by 2022 something will happen in this department. So feel free to let us know which AI features you’d like to get on the Fujifilm X-H2.

Computational Photography – Good or Bad?

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