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

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.

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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.

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

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

Top 7 Critiques on Fujifilm that Are Absolutely Justified

I recently wrote an article, where I list 10 attacks on Fujifilm that do not make any sense.

In that article, I promised that I would also write an article about the exact opposite, meaning sharing a list of critiques on Fujifilm that I totally understand and I agree with.

You can find it down below.

And of course, feel free to add your own critiques on Fujifilm in the comments down below.

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

Look Apple, also Fujifilm Can Make Cool Ads ;)

I have always admired the incredible creativity US companies and people have when it comes to create giant, inspiring and exciting shows, may it be for ads, movies and what not.

The latest Apple event, where they unleashed their powerful new MacBook Pro computers is an example of this creativity applied to new product launches. Gosh, I was so pumped for the event, more or less the same excitement I felt when I received my first beer at the Oktoberfest ;).

It’s the total opposite of our Fujifilm X summits, where in a dry tone Japanese managers soberly present the latest Fujifilm X and GFX gear.

Different cultures, different presentations.

But there was one moment during the Apple event, that went particularly under my skin: the MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max video ad, which you can see down below.

And you know what?

It did remind me a bit of the ad Fujifilm made for the Fujifilm GFX100S, which you can also find below.

Sure, different budgets allow for different special effects, but I wanted to give credit to Fujifilm for at least trying to release an inspring ad. My favorite Fujifilm ad though remains this one. ;)

So, this was a little excursus in the marketing world (which Fujifilm managers said back in 2018 to be one of their weak spots compared to Sony).

We will soon focus again on rumors, don’t worry about that. Just follow FujiRumors, we are going to have lots of fun soon ;).

34 Fujifilm Products Won the “Good Design Award” achieving the Most Awards for the Third Consecutive Year

Fujifilm has been awarded with 34 Good Design Awards for a wide range of products, from software, to X-Ray products to projectors and of course also X/GFX gear.

As for the camera gear, here are the winners:

Press Release

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

Fujifilm Gear 2021 In Stock Check (and it Doesn’t Look All That Good)

Fujifilm has definitely not been lazy and has announced tons of gear in 2021.

However, most of it is hard to find.

I was extremely lucky, as I grabbed the last available XF27mmF2.8 R WR at my local store on the first day the lockdown ended and I could finally leave my micro-village and drive to the store in the city nearby. And for the Fujifilm GFX100S I had to wait “only” 5 months.

But how does the situation look like now? Down below the in stock check of all the gear announced in 2021.

GFX100S

Adorama has a few samples in stock. No other store listed below has the GFX100S available. The store Moment expect availability on October 15.

GF80mmF1.7

A limited number of Fuji’s latest speed monster is available at AmazonUS here. The lens is in stock also at Focuscamera. The Fujinon GF80mmF1.7 is expected to be in stock in 2-4 weeks at BHphoto. Adorama just says “coming soon”. Moment expects it for October 21.

GFX50SII

It was originally planed to ship by the end of September, but Fujifilm issued an official delivery delay notice for the GFX50SII with GF35-70 kit, so let’s see how this will change things.

So far all stores expect the body only version as well as the kit version to be available on October 21.

GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6

So far stores expect it to ship on November 30. Only Adorama is slightly more optimistic and gives us November 20 as shipping start.

X-E4

It’s on back-order everywhere. And the situation seems to be rather dramatic, as BHphoto and AmazonUS even stopped accepting pre-orders on it. You can still order it at Adorama.

XF70-300mmF4-5.6

It is back-ordered everywhere. The only time indications we get comes from AmazonUS here, who expects stock around October 20 and Moment here, who is more optimistic and hopes to be able to ship some samples on October 3.

XF27mmF2.8 R WR

This is the one lens every X shooter should own (and I own it), but you can’t buy it at the moment, as it is unavailable everywhere. AmazonUS even gave up and stopped taking pre-orders on it for now.

X-T30II

It is expected to ship on October 21.

XF 33mmF1.4 R LM WR

It was supposed to start shipping on September 29, but pre-orders are very high and forced Fujifilm to issue an official delivery delay notice. Now it is expected to ship on October 21.

XF 23mmF1.4 R LM WR

It is expected to ship on November 30.

XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR

Good News. This one is in stock everywhere!

BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera

Fujifilm NP-W235 Discounted and my First Third Party Battery Fail

The original Fujifilm NP-W235 battery is now discounted at AmazonUS here (save 14%). It works with Fujifilm X-T4, GFX100S and GFX50SII.

Get yours here.

At the end of the day, the original batteries probably remain the best pick.

I have had great experience with third party batteries, but just until a few days ago.

In fact, I was using my lovely Fujifilm X-E3 with my so far favorite third party Patona battery, and when I tried to swap out batteries, the Patona did not slide out anymore. For some reason, it did swell, and I had to fiddle around to get it out. So far something like that never happened to me with any original Fujifilm battery. Maybe I will post a picture of that later on on my Instagram. But I think you got what I mean.

So, after years of great service, the Patona failed on me. And yet, I feel I can’t complain anyway, as the price is just so much more affordable, that I feel fine if it does not last as long as the original Fujifilm batteries.

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