Topaz Deal

Topaz launched the new update on Gigapixel AI. It is also on sale until February 18.

🤖 Improved face refinement pipeline
Gigapixel AI will now do a much better job detecting human faces more often and delivering more realistic results. Tiny background faces especially should see a noticeable improvement in quality.

🖥️ Significant image quality improvements with Windows GPU
You’ll notice much better image quality across all models in Gigapixel AI when using GPU-powered Windows machines.

🧠 Reduced memory usage
We’ve streamlined how we cache and utilize image data through the entire editing pipeline, resulting in less memory usage and faster importing and exporting of image files.

⚙️ Lots of usability improvements and bug fixes
We’ve improved the post-processing resize algorithm, optimized how we compress JPG, PNG, and TIFF files when exporting, and squashed a bunch of annoying bugs.

• 25% discount on Mask AI
• 25% discount on Adjust AI
• 25% discount on DeNoise AI
• 25% discount on Video Enhance AI
• 25% discount on Sharpen AI
• 25% discount on Gigapixel AI
• 25% discount on JPEG to RAW
• 25% discount on Utility Bundle
• 25% discount on Creator Bundle
• 25% discount on Topaz Studio 2

Fujifilm Deals

Some FR-readers located in USA are a bit annoyed by the new trend of Fujifilm to offer cashback mail-in rebates instead of instant rebates (like the lastet GF lens deals with up to $500 savings).

Now, here in Europe cashback deals are the norm, but I can understand that for a customer getting the rebate instantly makes life a bit easier.

So why is Fujifilm USA following the steps of Europe?

Well, the reason is probably rather simple.

As you know, the Japanese fiscal year ends on March 31. Before that date, Fujifilm wants to show up in front of investors with the best sale figures possible.

One way to “improve” the numbers is to offer cashback deals, because:

1. Fujifilm launches deals shortly before the fiscal year ends
2. the deals boost sales
3. customers initially pay full price for their gear
4. Fujifilm will show up in front of investors with better sales numbers (it will result as if Fujifilm sold all their gear at full price)
5. once the yearly financial report is out they will start to refund customers

This is probably also why Fujifilm writes that if you buy your discounted GF lens today, you will need up to 8 weeks to get your refund processed and delivered (hence you’ll get your money back in April, after the Japanese fiscal year is over).

Sure, then, in 2022, they will have to pay back the money and this will influence their next fiscal report. But that’s a problem for the following year. A problem that gear like the Fujifilm X-H2 will take care of, which hopefully for Fujifilm will sell very well. And if not, there is still the option for more cashback deals.

Look, if this helps Fujifilm, I am fine with it.

It’s really not that big of a deal to mail Fuji the invoice and the serial number and then wait a few weeks to get your money back. I literally just mailed them my latest purchase 3 days ago. Easy and smooth process.

Latest Deals per Category

• Buy Qualifying GF Lens and Get a Prepaid Mastercard Worth Up to $500
• Free Fujifilm Lens Protective Filter – with Fujinon MKX, XC or XF Lens Purchase
• Free Saramonic Microphone – with purchase of Fujifilm X-T4 body or kit
• Save $1,500 on Fujifilm GFX50R

GFX Gear

Buy within April 3 and submit your claim by May 3.

• GF 30mmF3.5 – save $300
  BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
• GF 50mm F3.5 – save $200
  BHphoto  / AmazonUS  / Adorama
• GF 63mmF2.8 – save $300
  BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS
• GF 32-64mmF4 – save $500
  BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama
• GFX 50R – save $1,500 (instant rebate – no cashback)
  BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Moment

X Gear

Buy within March 27 and submit your claim by April 26.

• Buy any Fujinon XF, XC or MKX lens and get a Free Fujifilm Lens Protective Filter
• Buy Fujifilm X-T4 body or kit and get Free Saramonic Microphone

I Failed

I tried, but I failed.

And I failed in less than 48 hours.

I am afraid too many of you guys know what I talk about: try to resist to G.A.S!

It all started February 1st, when Fujifilm launched new deals here in Italy (and all over Europe). And to my surprise, the deals included one of my top 3 Fujifilm items on my 2022 wishlist.

Less than 48 hours after the launch of deals, I found myself at my local photography store, my credit card flying over the sales counter and in my bag a box containing the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.

And don’t worry, my wife approved this purchase… now all I need is her to approve also my other two Fuji-dreams gear 2022, meaning this camera and this lens ;).

I am Happy I Failed :)

Here is why I bought it, and I am so excited about this lens.

As you know, last year I bought into the Fujifilm GFX system by treating myself with a Fujifilm GFX100S and Fujinon GF32-64mmF4.

My main application for this wonderful combo is landscape photography.

So how is that working out?

Well, my go-to bag for hiking is my Camslinger Outdoor. I love the practicality of it to a point, that I won’t buy gear (for landscape photography) that does not fit in there. And despite having a sensor about 70% larger than full frame, the GFX100S with GF32-64mmF4 still fits!

So, for me, this combo is compact enough, and I can easily make my usual 4 to 6 hours hike with the GFX100S and GF32-64 on my hips.

Why do I say this?

Because I want to make clear that I don’t perceive the GFX100S with GF32-64 as too big for the purpose of landscape photography, especially considering what it is: a 100 megapixel medium format system that I can carry around all day on my hips. It’s frankly amazing.

But while it is a surprisingly compact combo for the purpose of landscape photography, the GFX100S combined with the GF32-64mmF4 is not small enough for my taste to bring it with me for more casual shooting, may it be for my street photography or to document my family life.

By getting the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5, though, the whole combo gets substantially smaller and lighter, making it much more portable and easier to pick also for casual photography.

And to be clear: my well-equipped APS-C system is and remains king when it comes to flexibility, performance and value for money. I still take my X system with me on hikes, on my travels, on my day trips with family and I also blindly trust it in crucial moments like when I had to photography my first wedding.

But owning the GF50mmF3.5 simply gives me more options and opportunities to pick up my GFX100S more often if I want to.

I am very happy with my purchase and I can’t wait to use use it comprehensively starting with this weekend.

We (my family and me) are probably going to the town of Sirmione this Saturday. I have never been there and can’t wait to test my new lens in such a wonderful little lake town.

How can I start this article.

Maybe like this.

I was solo hiking through Eastern Europe. In my bag, a tent, food, water, a few clothes. And my DSLR gear.

One morning I woke up very early at the top of the Popluks mountain in Albania, left my tent and enjoyed the sunrise all alone on the mountain peak. It should have been my last day on one of the best kept secrets in Europe, the Albanian Alps. Next stop: a 12 hours long hike all the way to Montenegro through lonely mountains and valleys of rare beatuy.

And I tell you this: when I arrived at my destination, the town of Gusinje in Montenegro, I was exhausted and I promised myself: I need to travel lighter. I need lighter gear.

So I went mirrorless.

Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, you name it, I tried them all. But it became soon clear to me that I was not only looking for lighter gear, but also for gear that I had fun to use.

And exactly in that moment of my photographic journey, 11+ years ago, Fujifilm launched the Fujifilm X series. Then, 10 years ago, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was announced, introducing the X mount in the photography world.

And that was it. That was exactly what I was looking for.

The rest is history. I fell in love. I needed to share this love. I started FujiRumors.

So I wondered, how can we sum up this long Fujifilm X journey (which is basically just as long as my personal journey with Fujifilm) best?

Well, since Fujifilm is celebrating 10 years of X mount this year, I thought I could make a list of what I consider the top 10 cameras of this Fuji-decade. But, shall it be allowed to me, I will start with the X100, which is technically older than 10 years. But I think you’ll agree it makes sense to add to this list.

Attention: we are not (only) talking about the most successful cameras, but also about what I consider the most important ones, beyond the success they had (or not).

1. Fujifilm X100 – the original
   That’s the camera that started it all. And it gave us a clear indication on which way Fujifilm would go: great looking cameras with manual controls and overall vintage feel.
2. Fujifilm X-Pro1
   This was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Iconic. Beautiful. The start of X-mount.
3. Fujifilm X-T1
   If you ask me, my heart, I’d say X-E1 (as I love the X-E series). But that line was never a huge seller. The real first big success for the Fujifilm X mount was the Fujifilm X-T1. It was the first camera that was able to go a bit more mainstream compared to X-Pro1 and X-E1.
4. Fujifilm X-T10
   The X-T10 was a huge hit and helped Fujifilm to break through mid-range market in a way the X-E line could not. A very successful series for Fujifilm, started by X-T10.
5. Fujifilm X-H1
   True, it was not a big success, but it set the base for a platform that will earn lots of success in future. That’s why I put it on the list. Guys, just wait to see what a beast the Fujifilm X-H2 will be, and then you’ll agree with me. Be patient, May isn’t that far anymore.
6. Fujifilm X-T3
   A mega success for Fujifilm that not even the release of the Fujifilm X-T4 could stop. According to my knowledge, Fujifilm’s all time best seller.
7. Fujifilm X100V
   Announced 8 years after the original X100, it was a terrific success for Fujifilm and it brings a much needed redesign of the lens as well as an “invisible” tilt screen. It’s my biggest GAS temptation along with these 2 more Fujifilm items. And please, don’t trigger my GAS further in the comments. I have a marriage to take care of ;)
8. Fujifilm GFX50S
   Enter medium format: Fujifilm’s first digital medium format camera with a sensor about 70% fuller than full frame. Now that we arrived at the Fujifilm GFX100S, which is even smaller than some full frame mirrorless cameras out there, we can say that the GFX50S (hence skipping full frame) was an incredibly smart move by Fujifilm.
9. Fujifilm GFX100S
   It has to be on the list, as it is such a terrific success for Fujifilm. Not even in their best dreams they’d have hoped for as many sales as the GFX100S generated. The only problem: Fujifilm has a hard time producing as many cameras as the market requests, yes, even now, 1 year after its announcement. And please, stop to say nonsense like “it should not have had IBIS” or stuff like that. This nonsense often comes from the same people praising OIS. So aren’t both, OIS and IBIS, serving the very same purpose. And more importantly, can’t you simply turn off both if you don’t like them?
10. Fujifilm X-Pro3
    Arguably the most controversial on the list, as this camera is designed for the niche and therefore was never planed to make massive sales. But here is the thing: while Fujifilm has indeed released the X-S10 and GFX100S with more “mainstream” oriented ergonomics, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 shows that Fujifilm cares also about niche and does not run only after the mainstream. They still want to offer all sorts of different photographic experiences by changing the ergonomics among various camera lines. So don’t panic guys, Fujifilm ain’t dropping retro at all. Whoever creates panic about this, is just out for clickbait. The X-Pro3 is Fuji’s statement for their continuing commitment to retro and vintage controls.

So that’s my list. Feel free to change and modify it as you want in the comments.

• Must Read for X100 Lovers – “Don’t Touch that Camera!” the Story About the Inspiration Behind the Fujifilm X100 Series Design

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