Japanese Fujifilm Managers: X-Pro and X-E line Not Stopped, X-Trans is Here to Stay, PSAM vs RETRO, GFX Sports Photography and More

image courtesy: Phototrend
image courtesy: Phototrend

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
  • Fujinon GF 500 mm f/5.6: it’s time for Fujifilm GFX to approach wildlife and sports photography
  • 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
  • Fujifilm started to develop its GF tilt shift lenses back in 2019
  • 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.

Second: maybe Fujifilm should watch my video so they learn how to operate their own cameras.

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).

Make sure to read/watch below:

You Can Now Chat Anonymously with FujiRumors via SIGNAL

Many of our sources use the rumor box to contact me anonymously.

And despite it being a great tool available to sources, it has one downside: I have no way to contact sources in case I have any questions or, as it was the case with the source who shared the X100VI images with us, to ask if I am allowed to share a rumor.

So upon recommendation of a FR-reader, I set up a Signal account, which will allow communication with sources to be 100% anonymous, but at the same time I will be able to write back if I have any questions (such as asking permission to share the rumor or simply exchange information to double check things).

So from now on if you want to contact me, you can do it also via Signal.

It is 100% anonymous because:

  • while you need your phone number to register, your phone number is not shared with me or anybody else who does not have your phone number already (that’s the default setting of Signal). You can set it up also that not even the people who already have your phone number can see it on Signal
  • you can use the nickname you want to contact me

If you want to get in touch with me using Signal

Signal can be downloaded on your Phone, but you can use it also on your desktop (it’s required that you have the App installed on your phone already). You can check out details here.

In case any source, who contacts me anonymously via rumor box using a nickname, would like to have direct and anonymous contact with me, feel free to do it via Signal.

And of course, you can also contact me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com and via PM on other social media (facebook & Co). Those are not anonymous, but it does not change anything, because only I’d know who you are and my top priority in any case and always is to keep all my sources 100% anonymous anyway.

Thanks for everybody who considers to help me out with the rumors, no matter in which way you’ll choose to do that.

Have a great day,
Patrick

Fujifilm X100 Line Turns 13 Years Old Today – Vote the X100 Camera You Own(ed) or Pre-Ordered

The original Fujifilm X100 was released on March 5th, 2011, hence exactly 13 years ago.

And no better way to celebrate this anniversary for Fujifilm than launching their all time most successful camera, the brand new Fujifilm X100VI.

I thought it could be fun to launch a little survey, where you tell us which X100 camera you currently own, or have owned in the past… or even which one you have on pre-order. So if you pre-ordered the X100VI, you qualify as an X100 owner.

Which X100 Camera do You Own + Did You Own + Have on Preorder?

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Top 3 News in February that Passed Almost Unnoticed (but Shouldn’t)

I recently published the usual top 10 articles of the month article (for February), and I believe three news are missing in there, that should have gained much more attention than what they did.

And I get it: we had Fujifilm X-Pro4 rumors, X100VI announcement, Fujifilm X-T40 rumors and more. So these “smaller” news tends to get lost in the buzz of the big rumors and announcements.

But I really think you guys should not miss out on them, hence we are going to share them in this dedicated article

Huge possible news for GFX

As a GFX shooter myself, this is one bit of news that I have waited for many years: the possibility expressed by Sigma CEO to offer autofocus lenses for the GFX system.

This would be HUUUGE!

Tamron Finally Gets It

Finally Tamron seems to understand: they need to put an aperture ring on their lenses!

Future X mount Lenses

Fujifilm has officially listed 10 lenses that they are currently considering to eventually make in future. No all can come, but maybe some. And they did ask 200 journalists to vote their favorite lenses.

Well, FujiRumors thought that 200 votes might not be enough. So we launched a survey and asked you guys which lenses you’d like to get.

We are currently at 6K+ votes, but ideally we should break the 10K+ mark.

The more vote, the more Fujifilm will take our results seriously.

Which Fujifilm Lens would You Like to Get? (max. 1 selection)

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Epic Rumors from Epic Landscapes – My YouTube Journey in February

Top on YouTube

I’ve been a bit tied up in February, hence I had to record a couple of videos from my little home.

And yet, looking back, I am happy that I could bring you at least some of the rumors from beautiful spots around my home.

The four spots I could show you in February were:

Remember: all you get on my channel are rumors and nothing else.

A final message to the 80% of you who watch my videos, but are not yet subscribed.

Subscribe! It’s free. It’s easy. It’s literally just one click.

And maybe I should not tell you this… but…

… unsubscribing is just as easy and free if at some point you are sick of rumors and mountains. And you can do it without having to explain anything to anybody.

And just because the question keeps popping up: no tourism board is paying me. The reason I do this is that I think some of you might like it to discover new locations. And the time I invest into these kind of videos is my way to express gratitude for the time you decide to dedicate to FujiRumors.

Top 10 Videos

 

This Independent Movie was Shot on Fujifilm X-T4 – Do We Really Need a Dedicated Fujifilm Cinema Camera?

Johnnie from CineD is probably one of the nicest persons I have had the pleasure to e-meet in all these years of blogging.

And I know he truly loves Fujifilm and uses Fuji cameras for his personal and professional work.

But there is one thing where I respectfully disagree with him: Fujifilm does not need to make any dedicated video camera, as Johnnie also recently asked Fujifilm for. And I tell you why.

The absence of a dedicated video camera in Fujifilm’s lineup, allows Fujifilm to pack everything they can in terms of video specifications into their hybrid mirrorless cameras. This strategy avoids any potential internal competition with a separate cinema camera lineup. In contrast, companies like Sony and Canon may restrict certain specs and features in their hybrid cameras to safeguard the sales of their dedicated cinema cameras.

In short: if Fujifilm would offer cinema cameras, you could forget the X-H2S and X-H2 to be such powerful hybrid cameras. Or in future the Fujifilm X-H3 and Fujifilm X-H3S.

Indeed, the Fujifilm X-T4 already proves to be an exceptionally robust hybrid camera, as demonstrated today, thanks to an email I have received from fellow FR-reader Angel, which I share below.

by Angel Alvarez

My name is Angel Alvarez, my team and I just finished post production on an indie feature that we shot entirely on the Fujifilm X-T4 (save for 1 drone shot). A camera that I got excited about because of your website.

I could write pages on how I find the color rendering from Fuji much better than that of Blackmagic or even RED cameras, but to summarize; the X-T4 performed greatly and far exceeded my expectations. Granted, I encountered a few problems with it, but it was to be expected given the amount of stress we put it through.

I’d like to share with you a few frames from our film as well as a couple BTS stills that I’ve attached to this email.

You can also find the trailer below.

This film is a labor of love that took three years to complete. I hope I’m not overstepping, but if you enjoy what you see, and you think it’s worth your time, we’d be extremely grateful if you could do a post about it.

Brightin Star 50mm f/1.4 AF lens Teased and Brightin Star 12mm F2.0 Ⅲ MF Lens Announced

Brightin Star just teased (once again) the Brightin Star 50mm f/1.4 AF lens for Fujifilm X mount.

Additionally, they also announced the Brightin Star 12mm f/2.0 III lens, which can be purchased at Amazon here and Brightin Star here. You can read a review about it at keithwee here.

These 10 Fujifilm Lenses are Currently “Under Study” – Which one Would You Like to Get? – VOTE NOW

Fujifilm displayed 10 lenses that they have currently “under study”, as we already reported here.

The did let 200 journalists vote on which one they’d like to get.

But I thought Fujifilm should get a little bit of a larger feedback, so I took the 10 lenses and made a survey out them here on FujiRumors.

Please vote the hell out of this survey and give Fujifilm a massive feedback.

Show them what the FujiRumors community is capable of, when it comes to giving feedback to Fujifilm ;)

Which Fujifilm Lens would You Like to Get? (max. 1 selection)

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Fujifilm Displays 10 Lenses “Under Study” and Talks X-Pro, X-E, GFX-R and Fixed Lens GFX Future

With all the talk about the Fujifilm X100VI in these days, we can now report also something interesting for those of you, who are not into the X100 line (thanks to Mistral!).

In a session with journalists, Fujifilm shared 10 lenses that were “under study” and also talked about future X/GFX cameras, as reported by the French website lesnumeriques here, who also is to credit for the images.

10 Lenses “Under Study”
(Images at the Top of the Article)

Fujifilm did display 10 lenses currently “under study” by Fujifilm. But please guys, don’t take this as any sort of “roadmap”, for the reasons I’ll explain below.

  • Super-Telephoto Prime lens XF 400mm or longer
    – 100-110mm diameter
    – 240-280 length
    – weight 1,300-1,400g
  • XF120mmF2 (in between XF90mmF2 and XF200mmF2)
    – Size 140-160mm
    – 90-110mm diameter
    – 900-1,000g
  • Super Wide-angle Fast Lens for Astro Photography
    – Size 80-100mm
    – 70-80mm diameter
    – weight 400-600g
  • XF 23mm Pancake
    – size 20-40mm
    – 60-65mm diameter
    – Weight 80-100g
  • Super Zoom Lens XF 16-200mm
    – size 120-140mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 600-800g
  • Tele-Photo Zoom Lens at F4
    – size 120-130mm
    – 70-80 diameter
    – weight 500-700g
  • Compact Wide Zoom Lens at F2.8
    – size 70-90mm
    – 60-75mm diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Fish-Eye Lens
    – size 50-60mm
    – 55-70 diameter
    – weight 200-300g
  • Affordable Thin Standard Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – size 30-40mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 100-130G
  • Affordable Wide Zoom Lens – XC Lineup
    – Size 40-50mm
    – 60-70mm diameter
    – weight 130-170g

It’s not the first time that Fujiflm gave us a list of “lenses under study“. It happened also back in 2019, when they even wanted us to vote on those lenses (as they wanted the journalists to vote on the lenses we display today). And if we look at the list, except for some MKII lenses, not much on that list ever materialized in a real product.

So don’t take it as a solid indication on anything.

Future X Cameras

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm XApp Version 2.0 Released

At the recent X summit, Fujifilm promised a new version of the Fujifilm XApp to be released soon. Well, it has now been released.

What’s New

  • An “Equipment” tab is added to manage the registration of owned equipment and to retrieve camera status.
  • A new function is added in the “Activity” tab that images already transferred to smartphones and tablets are displayed by camera and lens.
  • The background process is available when downloading and transferring camera firmware.
  • The “Support” tab is integrated into the “Settings” tab.

You can download the lastest Fujifilm X App for iOS here and for Android here.