XF10-24 not coming until February 2014? + XF10-24mm photos (dummy)

photo 24_zpsaf97db89.jpg

[UDPATE: You’re thinking to switch to the X? Then save up to $1,400 on the XF lenses and X-E2 (or X-E1, X-PRO1,X-M1). See this crazy deal here.]

Now, where is the 10-24? Back in October, at the photoplus in New York, Kayce Baker from FujifilmUSA said that the 10-24 would come “very very soon“, and the 56mm in the new year… check out  this video (0.51). And also according to Fujifilm’s website, the lens should be available in winter 2013. Last but not least, a new source told me that it should have been announced a couple of days ago (you may have noticed that I never was able to give confirmation from trusted sources about the release date). Anyway, a lot of signals for an imminent announcement.

But nothing happened yet… and now things are getting even more complicated:

– 5 days ago an Austrian FR-reader told me that he had the opportunity to talk with a Fuji employee. According to the rep, the 10-24mm will be released at the end of the first quarter of 2014!

I took this information obviously with a grain of salt, as Kayce Baker from Fuji USA and also Fujifilm’s website claimed it will be released this year. But then another X-shooter, from Sweden, shared on Dpr the following information:

– a Fuji-rep told him that the XF10-24 would not come until February 2014!

Confused? Well, lemme see if I can dig up the truth for you. As for now I still trust Kayce Baker and the official information at Fuji’s website: release winter 2013 (as shown also on the roadmap)! But I’ll keep an eye on the website and see if there will be some changes… maybe, for whatever reasons, Fuji decided to postpone the launch.

As always, if there is somebody out there who has some useful information to share, feel free to contact Fujirumors at fujirumor@gmail.com or also completely anonymously via rumor box.

enjoy your Sunday… and spread the word via facebook, google+ and twitter
Patrick

image courtesy: alybaba (Dpreview)

photo XF10-24_zpsd6c9a550.jpg

Size & Specs Comparison: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II vs I vs Sigma 18-50mmF2.8

Life was easy until October 13.

At least for those looking to purchase a standard f/2.8 zoom lens.

Because the two options we had, the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 I and the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN, were so different to each other that people did not have much to think about: if you want compactness, go for the Sigma. If you want a wider range and an aperture ring, go for the Fujinon.

But with the arrival of the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II, decision making has become a bit more complicated.

As shown in the size comparisons above, the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II falls between the older XF16-55 and the Sigma 18-50 in terms of size. So, if your primary reason for choosing the Sigma was compactness, the decision between the two lenses has now become a bit more challenging.

While the Sigma is still a bit smaller, the new Fujinon will give you a wider range (16-55 instead of 18-50), an aperture ring (which can be de-clicked), likely better weather sealing (as the one of the Sigma is rather basic), and something that is often overlooked: Fujifilm colors.

Look, I own third party autofocus and manual focus lenses. They are some fantastic offerings out there. But one of the main reasons I prefer my Fujinon’s, is that I get consistent Fujifilm colors. That’s for example also why I bought the Fujinon XF10-24mmF4. I did love my Samyang 12mmF2, but the colors just did not look like the ones I was used to when using my Fujinon glass.

However, there is still one huge argument for the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8: the price! If you look for best value for money, the Sigma might be the best option.

Which one would you pick?

Fujifilm Japan is Aware of Autofocus Issues and is Working on a Fix

Fujifilm Working on Fix?

Fellow Fujifilm X shooter Steven reached out to Fujifilm and asked them if they do plan to release a firmware fix for the autofocus issues that came up after the latest firmware updates.

Well, here is the reply he got (as I could verify from the screenshots he sent me, thanks!).

Thank you for your message and for taking the time to give us your feedback. We take all comments about our products very seriously. We are aware of several videos and posts on social media regarding AF performance.

Our R&D team in Japan is investigating a solution and we hope to have an update on this very soon.

Here on FujiRumors we did complain about the autofocus issues. And we also highlighted a quick solution: Fujifilm should just offer a “downgrade” to the initial firmware, which was really working well.

I don’t know what kind of solution Fujifilm is working on (a simple downgrade or major AF redesign). But what I know is that Fujifilm can’t mess it up this time.

Fujifilm Thoughts

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

Fujinon XF 8mm F2.8, XF 10mm F2.8 and XF 15mm F2.8 Patents Spotted

New Fujifilm patents surfaced on the web. They are for the following Fujinon lenses:

  • Fujinon XF 8mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon XF 10mm f/2.8
  • Fujinon XF 15mm f/2.8

Probably just variation of patents shared in the last 10+ years, such as:

The patents have been spotted by the Japanese website asobinet.

And remember, Fujifilm has also patented this foldable smartphone, so that one has to come soon, too :).

More seriously: Fujifilm recently said they have 10 lenses currently under study. Look up at those to see a more realistic list of lenses that might come at some point.

Fujifilm Patent Details

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

Fujifilm X Autofocus Lenses Reviews Roundup

Today we are going to share reviews about all kind of autofocus lenses for the Fujifilm X system, from Fujinon to third party lenses.

The lenses we will cover in this roundup are:

If there is any lens you are interested in listed above, then feel free to check out the review about it below.

Review Roundup

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

Fujifilm 2024: A Look Ahead Between Rumors and Speculations (X-Pro4, X100R, X-E5, X-T40, New XF Lenses, GFX Future)

2023 is Done

We just told you that there will be no more Fujifilm announcements in 2023.

And since in terms of new gear we are done for this year, lots of people started asking me what is coming in 2024.

Now, I am working on it, and we have shared already something.

For example we told you that the next XF lens to come is the replacement of this lens here.

More rumors will follow.

But as you know, on FujiRumors we will not make up a single rumor just to make traffic, nor share anonymous rumors we receive in which I don’t trust.

We prefer to share less rumors, generate less traffic, make less money, and value your time with less, but accurate rumors.

But until more rumors drop, I thought we could also make one single article where we talk about the current state of the rumors and also make speculation on what could or we would like to come in 2024.

2024 – A Look Into the Future

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

The Future of Fujifilm in Patents: Full Frame Lenses Coming, X100 with 20mmF2 lens, Foldable Fuji Smartphone and More

The Future of Fujifilm in Patents

Why Fujifilm?

Why?

Why are you doing this?

There is no need for one, totally wasted R&D.

These lenses make no sense!

That’s how some of the comments sounded on my various platforms after I have published the latest patents of the XF56mmF1.7 and re-designed XF18mmF1.4.

And these comments came after I warned you in the article that in 11+ years of blogging I have never seen a patent actually become a real product.

And despite my repeated warnings, some people keep taking those patents as an indication of what’s really coming next from Fujifilm.

But if it was really like this… I mean, if patents would really show us the way that Fujifilm is taking, then where are:

So, even though I feel a bit like Don Quixote fighting the windmills, I will give it another try today.

But I’ll take a different approach this time.

Because, well aware that a good number of people don’t go beyond the headline, I decided to create a headline that shows how absurd it is to put any trust in these patents. And hopefully, this will motivate people to look deeper into this subject.

And how do we look deeper into it?

Well, in this article we look at the 67 patents FujiRumors has shared starting from our first one posted back in 2012 until the latest one here.

Give them a look, and then make up your own mind if you should take patents as solid indications of future products.

All the Patents (Have Fun :))

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

Why, Fujifilm? Three (Minor) Fujifilm Errors that Defy Any Explanation

We talk lots of good stuff about Fujifilm. And that’s right so, as they deserve it.

And yet, not everything Fujifilm does is right all the time.

In the past, I did run over 7 major errors Fujifilm did (or is doing) and wrote a dedicated article about it:

Today I’d like to focus on three errors that are for sure minor, but they are annoying anyway and show that sometimes Fujifilm really does not think it through.

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

Fujifilm Releases Significant Firmware Updates for Many XF/GF Lenses (plus X-A3, X-A10, XA20)

Fujifilm has released firmware updates for plenty of lenses that will make the autofocus more silent, the aperture operate smoother and also give better tracking performance while zooming.

That’s a very nice upgrade especially for video shooters.

Not all lenses will get all these three updates. You can find the full detailed list below.

Firmware Details & Download Links

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

CineD Interview with Tamron Manager: Why f/2.8 on Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Matters (vs Fuji’s f/4)

CineD had a talk with Tamron managers at the CP+in Japan.

The talk gravitates around the new Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD for Fujifilm X mount, which will come in Spring 2023.

The manager says:

  • it’s a small and compact lens, because to go with a Fujifilm camera, it has to be small and compact. That’s what customers are looking for
  • same optics of the Sony version
  • they wanted a wider range than 14mm, but at the same time keep the size compact, so they decided to start at 11mm. If you start at 9 or 10mm or go up at 24mm, the lens would become a bit bigger
  • the hard part of planing new products is to find the balance. It’s always a big discussion
  • Tamron lens utility App (an App that can control lenses via USB-C connector). The Tamron 11-20mmF2.8 does not have that USB-C connection. That’s because the original lens was made for Sony and at the time there was no lens utility App
  • in future new lenses will have the system for the Lens Utility App
  • Tamron is planing to target also videographers with future lenses
  • final price for the Tamron 11-20mmF2.8 has not yet been set
  • Fujifilm does have the XF10-24mmF4. Tamron saw the opportunity to offer a similar f/2.8 version of that lens
  • in APS-C you have better chance to have better exposure with an f/2.8 lens rather than an f/4 lens
  • minimum focus is 15cm (from the sensor). So nice for macro

Great interview. Just one comment from my side.

I rarely use f/4 on my XF10-24mmF4. I use it mainly for landscape and there I stop down anyway. And if I use it in low light, it’s on a tripod anyway (like in this shot in Prague). But that’s my use. I am well aware that for many others f/2.8 might be a big deal on a wide angle zoom.

Reviews of the Tamron 11-20mmF2.8 for Sony

Coming Spring 2023