Fujifilm Launches “FUJINON Lens XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR”
– The new standard in the “XF Lens” lineup
– Combining high resolution performance with a compact and lightweight body that can be used in various situations.
So, we just reported that Fujifilm will launch a fixed lens Fujifilm GFX camera in 2025.
And while many might hugely rejoice at this news, others remained a bit sceptical, as you can see for example in the comments here.
Why?
Because we recently reported that Fujifilm is currently spending ZERO money and time into the development of the Fujifilm GFX100R. Which means that even if they’d start today to develop the GFX100R, we would probably not get it before 2027, since Fujifilm explained in the past they need about 2/3 years to develop a camera.
So what some now wonder is: wouldn’t it have been better to develop the GFX100R with interchangeable lenses rather than a fixed lens GFX camera?
Personally I still have to make up my mind about this one.
I mean, if I look at the X series, I simply could not imagine it without the X100 line. And why not, a fixed lens GFX version could also become an iconic and much loved line in the GFX system.
And always looking at the X series line, the X-E line sells much worse than the X100 line. If that would apply also to the GFX series, a fixed lens GFX camera would outsell the GFX100R.
So for now, from a mere business point of view, I believe Fujifilm does well to come out with a fixed lens GFX camera as soon as possible.
But at the same time, as an X-E lover (rangefinder with interchangeable lenses), I’d also love to see the GFX100R.
So my final vote?
I vote fixed lens GFX, just because I think from a business point of view it is the better choice for Fujifilm. But I hope this does not come at the expense of the GFX100R being delayed for too long or even worst, the GFX-R line being canceled.
The Fujifilm X Summit on May 16 is getting bigger and bigger.
Not only will we get the Fujifilm X-T50, the Fujinon XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 and the Fujifilm GFX100S II, but according to our sources also the Fujinon GF500mm f/5.6 will be announced on May 16.
And we also have the price for you.
The Fujinon GF500mm f/5.6 will cost €3,899 in Europe. So far I have no indication about the price in US Dollar.
Shocked?
Well, that’s actually a bargain compared to what other brands charge for equivalent lenses.
I was there, when Fujifilm launched what would become their all time bestseller, the Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4.
I was there to blog about it, to talk about… and to buy it for myself.
And actually, I bought two of them.
The first one I destroyed it when I had to jump into the Mekong river (story here – only the legendary Fujinon XF35mm f/1.4 survived that adventure, the rest of my gear broke).
I loved the XF18-55 so much that I bought a new one after destroying the first one.
The second sample did stick with me until I decided to sell it along with my XF55-200mm, in order to replace both of those lenses with the king of versatility, the Fujinon XF18-135mm.
I have had wonderful years with my Fujinon XF18-55mmF2.8-4. It has taken some of my favorite images. And I am sure it has given great joy to many other fellow X shooters out there.
But now it is time also for this glorious lens to retire.
In fact, according to our trusted sources, Fujifilm will announce also the Fujifilm X-T50 and the new kit lens, the XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8, at the X Summit on May 16.
Now the first batch of firmware updates has been released for the first cameras, and it includes autofocus improvements, touch to track AF in video, red frame indicator in video and more. All details below.
To see what else will come for which cameras in the near future, check out the dedicated article here.
Fujifilm has released firmware updates for Fujifilm GFX100II, Fujifilm X-H2S and the Fujifilm FT-XH file transmitter grip.
At the last CP+, the French Website Phototrend had the opportunity to talk to Japanese Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the X series and to Japanese Fujifilm manager Makoto Oishi about the GFX series.
Down below you can find a quick summary. For the full French version check out the articles at Phototrend here (X series) and here (GFX series). Plus a little rant at the end.
X series
Fujifilm can not confirm if X-Pro4 will arrive soon or not
X-Pro line is not stopped
X-T and X100 series do not satisfy all customers who want a “pure photography” experience
Fujifilm is studying different possibilities
feedback and expectations are high for the next X-Pro
X-E line is not stopped
sports photography is a difficult market
other brands are long established there and for Fujifilm it’s new terrain
Fujifilm can not confirm anything about eventual future lenses for sport photographers
Fujifilm has received great feedback about the latest autofocus system, but they will continue to improve
renewing older lenses is something that Fujifilm has in mind
XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 [admin note: will replace the XF18-55mmF2.4.8]
Fujifilm is not considering any option other than X-Trans for their APS-C cameras
its unique matrix offers the advantage of combining high definition and suppression of moiré and chromatic aberrations
for X100VI, Fujifilm has developed the smallest and thinnest IBIS unit to date
the X100VI IBIS wiring has been moved to the side – see here
IBIS system uses data from the image in addition to the gyroscope (motion blur is analyzed from the live-view image)
the grip of the X100VI is a tenth of a millimeter deeper than X100V for a better grip
GFX series
GFX100II market return (sales) is very good, not only among professional photographers, but also filmmakers and directors
GFX100II sales exceed Fujifilm’s expectations
GFX100S is still very popular because Fujifilm has lowered its price
GFX100S still very popular in some markets like China
professionals go for GFX100II, enthusiasts for GFX100S
Fujifilm never looked at its market share in medium format segment
other manufacturers have no announced so many new products, so Fujifilm thinks they are Nr.1
some expect a faster 50MP GFX. But Fujifilm thinks high definition is more popular
there are lots of FF cameras offering 50/60 megapixel, so offering 50MP now has become almost banal
Fujifilm focuses on improving the 100MP sensor performance
for professionals ergonomics are very important
first GFX cameras had dedicated dials but now they switched to a easier to operate PSAM dial layout
normally APS-C lenses are compact than FF and MF (hence also smaller AF motors)
but regarding telephoto lenses, size primarily depends on diameter and aperture. Regardless of whether it’s for APS-C, FF or MF, the fundamental construction of telephoto lenses, particularly on the front lens side, is the same
Fujifilm tries to make the GF500mm as small and light as possible to obtain faster autofocus
tilt-shift lenses are the most difficult to design
why not retro? High end high speed cameras need to be operated quickly, hence PSAM. Also good for hybrid shooters for video
Let me just say that I strongly, vehemently, vigorously and fervidly disagree with Fujifilm in regards to what they said why they stick with PSAM on their GFX lineup.
First: the GFX system is not know to be blazing fast and immensely popular among high end sports photographers. I actually feel the GFX system would be the ideal system to use a retro layout.
They will find out that one can operate their retro styled cameras exactly as any PSAM camera out there. It’s a marvellous and ingenious design that gives us photographer the best of both words: retro if I want to have fun shooting or want to actually operate the camera already before turning it on, and PSAM if one needs to make lots of adjustment all the time on the fly.
Retro Fujifilm cameras offer both options. PSAM cameras force you into one way to operate the camera.
And in my opinion not offering retro styled GFX cameras anymore is one of the all time biggest mistakes Fujifilm is doing.
C’mon Fujifilm, look at what is selling best in your X system. You’ll see that retro X cameras outsell PSAM cameras by very far. And Nikon had a colossal success with the Nikon Zf lately. It’s clear that in times where every camera is just so good, what people really look for is to have a different photographic experience thanks to dedicated vintage dials.
The joy of shooting sells better than any specs boost you can show off on paper.
An example?
The X100VI sells like hot cakes. The revolutionary global shutter ultra modern high speed blazing fast Sony A9III is selling way below Sony’s expectations (you could always find it in stock everywhere all the time because demand is not high… ask your local retailer).
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