PART 2 of Luminous Landscape interview
Luminous Landscape interviewed Billy & Greg (the Fuji Guys) and Fuji Manager Toshihisa Iida at photokina. It’s a nice chat you should check out, with Greg confirming that the Fujifilm X-PRO2 won’t be Full Frame, but “worth the wait“.
See part 1 of the interview here and part 2 here.
Part 1 of the interview
FujiFilm Interview at Photokina 2014 from The Luminous Landscape on Vimeo.
155 Responses
Well, how much longer then, Fuji? 😛
I’m quite willing to part with some money, but only for a camera with (much) better phase detect (and hopefully tracking), not just limited to a small center portion. It doesn’t even matter that much (to me at least!) if that’s an X-P2, and X-E3, an X-T2 or whatever letters they decide to use.
Credit where credit is due: isn’t this a Luminous Landscape interview?
Holy ****! Sorry, corrected it. After 5 announcements (X30, X100T, Graphite X-T1, 56APD @ 50-140) and all the rumors/news related to them + 1 week non stop photokina coverage, I think I’m experiencing some kind of neuronal meltdown right now. Thanks, corrected
Well, disappointing. ‘Will be worth to wait’, until when? One year from now? Too little, too late and still no Leica M-kind of rangefinder if it’s limited to only APS/C. Also no match for the best mirror-based cameras. Stuff for the enthusiasts already getting bored of that old X-T1. Fuji, get awake or Sony will take over your market.
Before this happens,Sony (not Zeiss),must learn to make decent
lenses,since,at the moment,they seem to be the result of a collaboration with Lomo.
Damn you, I’ve spilled my coffee 🙂
What an idiotic comment. the 55mm is one of the best AF lenses ever made for any camera.
ever heard of a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ comment ? (please google for it if you haven’t)
Of course it is,it’s Zeiss.
If someone is getting bored with the X-T1 that means they aren’t a photographer; they’re just gear heads chasing shiny objects.
Of course. But I’m afraid that quite a few X-series adopters think like this. Read through this forum: they’ve owned every model released until today. And I’m completely missing the big plan from Fuji as well, it all smells a bit too much to hype-creation & niche filling, targeting this type of gear-heads, while each new camera is merely a bug fix of the previous release. The X-Pro1 and X100 are the only core models that have something very unique on the market, a new vision on the RF-type of cameras and the only IL model is completely in the sideline for quite some time now.
Thing is, the people on this forum are such a skewed audience hardly representing the mainstream user. I guess I don’t worry about uniqueness. Even though I have a E1 and E2 I don’t have any love for rangefinder styling. I think of the camera as a computer and the lenses as the apps. I’m more excited by the apps than the computer. When the computer makes a jump I’ll upgrade.
Thanks for sharing this great interview! Even if I liked to see some more details about the Fuji X-Pro2 on this Photokina, I am happy about the news I got from the interview. No Full Frame (which means my investment in all the lenses is protected) and worth to wait (makes me almost jump around like a little kid).
The limelight came to FUJI when their marketing guys said that the FUJI apsc was almost as good if not better than full frame. The X100 and XPro 1 showed it can be almost as good as full frame. Let FUJI come up with a Full Frame that’s almost as good if not better than a medium frame format camera and that limelight will focus on FUJI again. Don’t hold back FUJI, or else it will just be another wannabe that can’t even crack the mirrorless world in Japan. The limelight is drastically fading.
I’m a huge fan of Fuji, have 3 x bodies and the colours and dynamic range performance is outstanding. The iso performance is bullshit though, Fuji needs to stop gaming their iso values. Iso 3200 is closer in actual exposure to about iso 1200 on a Nikon ff.
Two things: One is that most places say 1/3 to 1/2 stop difference at high ISO so you’re exaggerating. Second is that there is no actual standard to ISO calculation so who cares if it works the way people want? Bonus third: All sensors have one native sensitivity. There is a narrow range of analog gain applied to approximate stops and the rest is mathematics to approximate stops.
You’re correct about the absence of a standard, but he’s still right. My rule of thumb is that Fuji gives itself an ISO “bonus” of about one stop. For example, if I’m shooting with both my Fuji and my Olympus E-M 5 at the same ISO setting, the Fuji will need about one stop more exposure to achieve the same overall result. Or to put it another way, if I need to shoot the Fuji at, say, ISO 2400, I can set the Olympus to ISO 1200 at the same f/stop and shutter speed. The Fuji shots will have better shadow detail, and that’s why I stick with it, but that’s its only real advantage.
Rules of thumb aren’t the same as objective evidence. But it still doesn’t matter if the ISO on Fuji gets what you want. Personally I haven’t run into any issues caused by whatever calculation Fuji does for high ISO.
The simple solution is just to stop shooting other brands and remain blissfully ignorant to any inconsistencies 🙂
All things are not equal – speed are exact measurements so they compare; f/stops are relative to the focal (in the amount of light going through) but then waht can’t be compared is the exact amount of light going through the lens (the so called T-stops). And any way the Digital ISO are a vague equivalence to the ASA/ISO of film era; And at that time already you had people claiming that Kodak’s ASA where not Fuji’s ASA which you could not possibly compare to Agfa’s …. ISO values only make sense withing a brand for comparison, they are not a really objective and accurate measurement.
No, at high iso Fuji differs about 2/3 stop, so it’s 6400iso is like 4000iso on FF (e.g. Sony A7)
Actually things should be compared by vendor. Nikon has been accused of “cheating” ISO and so have other vendors. But personally it’s an exercise that has little value to me. I know there are people who need high ISO. I’m just not one of them.
I hope to see x-pro2 for summer 2015….but I think we’ll se Sony new body like A7x (FF, AF 170 point, good iso, 4k and mpx).first.
Fujifilm rally seems to sleep and need to wake up. Looking at what the new X-100T has received compared to X-100S we can already be sure that X-Pro2 will not bring any image quality improvement over X-Pro1! it weill receive only a few features that do not improve an image quality,,, and probably thi already hugely criticized by X-Pro1/X-100 and X-E1 users the X-Trans II sensor. On dpreview there are first shoots taken with X-100T and you know what? they have the same ugly pink/magneta cast as X-100s/X-E2/X-T1 renders and the same smearing waxy skin which were so widely complained over web forums. Fujifilm dod nothing to fix them! This company is really sleeping and do not listen to what the users want. They wanted X30 with 1″ sensor and got same tiny 2/3 sensor in big body with less buttons that is now produced in China, they wanted X-100T with 24MP but got the same 16Mp, X-E2 users have been waiting for firmware uprgrades for over 1,5 year that fix ugly pink cast and brings more detali to JPEG files to remove plastic skin at high iso but nothing is coming… I am tired of wating for Fujifilm to wake up, I hoped Fuji X-Pro2 will be FF than I can use a few Zeiss T* C/Y lenses I still own, but it will be same APS-C… yes, it’s time to go for Sony as Fujifilm still sleeps.
Bye.
Want some cheese with that whine?
To your points I do agree with the X30 comment, but to me, everything else was rabble. I don’t want Fuji to move to 24mp myself, I want them to focus on improving signal to noise and AF. Also a good TTL and HSS would be sweet. Also the waxy skin thing is still something I have yet to produce using high ISO values. Can’t say that you’ll be missed, but have fun with Sony, though you may want to search Sony A7x problem’s first.
fool ….has no clue
the APD filter was made years ago by a Chinese DIYer, this filter can be used as a regular filter for any lenses, can’t believe Fuji made it look like a permanent modification and charges a premium for it. link to the post: http://forum.xitek.com/thread-635957-1-1-1.html
Great. WHAT WAIT?
How long?
why should I not buy the XT1.
I’m so close to just buying an Olympus
if you don’t need an OVF/HVF get an XT1. The XT1 is not for me because I can’t live without OVF/HVF of the X100/XPro
I hope you like less dynamic range and Noise at low iso’s.
Or like the mushy greens and plastic skins. Difficult choice.
Great that they asked about XPro2. But i wish they’d asked for an organic sensor update.
We haven’t seen proof of concept or a working prototype yet, so… what makes you think that organic sensor is a holy grail of sorts?
True, we haven’t seen ANYTHING yet other than those joint press releases last year from Fuji and Panasonic, so you’re right to be skeptical.
But they did describe something of a holy grail: nothing less than a revolutionary leap in sensor tech that delivers dynamic range and resolution that is only available in big, expensive medium format cameras today. And I believe they claimed that it would be inexpensive to manufacture.
I’d like to believe that Fuji is so steadfast in their refusal to do full frame, not only because they ALREADY challenge it, but also because with an APSC organic sensor, they’ll be challenging medium format and will have a great lens lineup already in place.
And if such a technology is coming soon, it would be an explanation for Fuji not doing a 1″ sensor (and entirely new lens and camera design) for the X30, since a 2/3 organic promises to blow the current 1″ away.
And the XPro2 that “won’t come out unit there’s a big leap” would also be a likely candidate to be the first camera to get the new technology.
If memory serves, it sounded like Fuji and Panasonic were claiming to have cleared the technical hurdles and were ready to start gearing up to manufacture. I speculate that they were aiming for this holiday season but slipped.
Of course, it could all be hype that never makes it to market. And the current lineup has never been better.
But as long as someone gets up the guts to ask about rumored products and unreleased stuff, this tech would be top of my list to want to know about. 🙂
Will more resolution, less noise and great dynamic range make my eye better? Will I capture better moments on the street? Will it make me a better photographer? No. But that’s not the point, of course. Who doesn’t want to see another great leap in technology.
And as a Fuji fan, I’d love to see them knock arrogant, lazy Canon from its perch. This tech would be a complete reset for the entire industry.
Yes, less noise+great dynamic range will make me a better photographer and the street will look nicer 🙂
Although I don’t shoot streets and fuji is not oriented toward street photographers only. I actually doubt if fuji was thinking of street photographers at all when was designing x100…
Now I want to see x-pro2 with greatest ever DR or at least at the level of D800.
Can’t wait for that!
Full disclosure: More DR ***WILL*** make ***MY*** photos better. I don’t always hit that perfect exposure sweet spot. 🙂
I don’t think Fuji can or will want to knock Canon or even Nikon from their perch. The one point that I love about Fuji is one thing that was hugely stated in the video, they listen to the people who use their products. Canon and Nikon (the big two at the moment) of all the camera companies thumb their noses at their consumers because they can and they are trying to live by their dinosaur laurels.
Until Fuji decides to completely revamp their full line of detachable and changeable lenses they won’t go to full frame. When they decide that it is cost effective for them to go to Medium Format then they probably will introduce a full line just the same way they introduced the X-Pro1 camera and followed up with lenses to be used for it.
Right now I love what I am seeing that Fuji has done. They are understanding what technology is out there and all the other companies are doing. But they are building what they have and are doing a damn good job of it. Plus they fully support the notion that was stated in the video. If I want to upgrade to something I don’t have to go out and buy a whole brand new camera in 6 months. They will give me a wonderful firmware update for the one I purchased 2 or so years ago and allow me to still use it.
In the end this creates one huge thing that is starting to be lost by the big two because they have enough money to start their own countries…loyality!
This is what Apple has and when they launch all new products people line up for it in groves. Well Fuji is doing the same thing and you even said it right above in the 2nd paragraph I am replying too…”fan”.
Are the products that Fuji is releasing making us better photographers? Some people yes others no. But they are releasing products that are smaller in size, in many cases smaller in price, and their customer support in the back end is what is keeping us…”fans”.
Ok I’m done…
It sounds like we agree on almost every point. I differ in that I believe that Fuji would LOVE to sell more cameras than Canon. Like you, I believe that listening to customers along with great product vision that is how companies succeed.
As you say, Apple’s success is due to making great, visionary products. But it is also due to visionary leadership, amazing marketing, leading supply chain management, and tremendous momentum and cash, which created a virtuous cycle. (I’m a huge Apple fan too 😉 ) Fuji does not appear to have such tight control of its supply chain, nor are they producing such mass appeal products, and don’t seem to have the same level of QA yet (but they are improving). I think that Fuji today is more analogous to early Apple, when they made premium products for discerning users (early Apple II and Macs), and were a successful niche market.
Fuji could be capable of a major, mainstream breakthrough imaging product, although I doubt that it will be a traditional camera. But if they don’t, that’s fine with me as long as they keep improving their already awesome cameras. There’s money in the enthusiast niche. Ask Leica. (Just don’t get that price crazy).
RE: Medium format: it will never happen in a mainstream way. People want smaller cameras, not bigger ones, and the demand is to create “medium format” performance in smaller bodies. Sure, there will always be a market for a big, highly specialized pro medium format body. But it will be a very, very small market.
We’ve seen all kinds of “revolutionary” sensor patents in a past couple of years, not just organic (by the way, Sony has an organic sensor patent too), but also nanotech, graphene, multilayer (hey Canon!), etc, etc. Something big IS coming, that’s for sure. In a next few years we’ll see a big leap in dynamic range, or high ISO, or spectral sensitivity, or all of the above – topped by helluva lot of megapixels (unfortunately, megapixel game is not over yet)… And we can only hope that Fuji beats the rest of the pack.
Exactly.
I’d imagine that Canon is sitting on lots of tech that they have no incentive to roll out given their market position. And I’m sure Sony is working fast and furiously too.
As Sigma demonstrates with their foveon models: it takes more than a great sensor to build a great camera. But of all of the manufacturers out there, Fuji’s sensibilities most align with what I want in a camera, so I hope they’re first to market. And because they have one of the smallest market shares, it would be fun to watch the disruption.
It will be worth the wait if they manage to communicate with post-procesing software developers (like Adobe with their Lightroom) regarding the X-Trans sensor, its output and its algorithms. Otherwise Fuji cameras are primarily jpeg ones and I think the current Fuji take on this issue is very stupid.
Better QC is also needed!
http://photobyandrei.wordpress.com/
About FF sensors in Fujifilm cameras : in the past, I just assumed a FF sensor would be present inside the X200/X100T (the names at that time), because it’s easier and more natural to put a FF sensor inside a camera with a fixed 35mm lens. Sony did it and X users would not feel that their range of XF/XC lenses would be outdated, if a FF sensor would be present in an interchangeable lens camera. It’s so logical that the X-Pro2 will not be FF (the full line-up of XF/XC lenses will be preserved). I think the X-Pro2 will have all the abilities of X-T1 and X100T. I just hope the upcoming X-Pro2 will also have something more – if they still want to call it “the Fujifilm’s flagship” and retain the same great shape/size/weight.
I’m happy with X-E2 but if X-PRO2 is coming, what I expect from X-Pro2 is
(1) Better low light AF and better AF tracking
(2) No need to have hybrid EVF. Using superb EVF (ie. X-T1’s) is perfect enough. Having both OVF and EVF makes the system unnecessarily complicated and probably too big.
(3) Rangefinder style
(4) If possible, I would like to have a feature like “AF-ON” button in Nikon. Are there any Nikon users here? This is a really nice function.
Good list. Disagree only about the hybrid VF, which I think is key to the appeal.
I’d love a little “nub” to move the focus point freely, like on the Canon 5DM3 or those old IBM ThinkPad laptops.
Weather sealing
Dual card slots
And an organic sensor 😉
stabilized sensor or stabilized primes? Are there any coming?
Will the organic sensor be capable to balance 4 stops advantage of any current cameras with sensor stabilization? I doubt. Yes, Fuji zoom are stabilized but if I want to use my primes in low light I am forced to turn up the ISO when it is really dark and essentially lost compared to the competition……
Apologize for repeating this type of comment in a few treads on this forum but nobody talks about this aspect here.
I would add,give the information about your algorithm to Adobe,so those who use Photoshop and/or Lightroom (most),don’t have to learn/buy another program because of you.
It might be the other way around. Companies might have to PAY adobe so they would add their algorithms.
I don’t give a… about who,how or why,I am only interested in when,cause until that moment,they (Fuji) have lost a customer.
As far as I know and I think taht indo was even published here, Adobe already has all the info they need sine quite a while ago.
I never understood the need to move the focus point (maybe because I don’t do sports photo? is that useful for sports?). I always did Spot metering and Center focus. In my canon I move the FOCUS to the thumb * button, and the shutter button is on Auto Exposure Lock. I focus with the center on whatever I want focus, and get the exposure location I want with a half-press of the shutter on the spot I want exposed correctly.
The X100 has a AEL function as well. But I just do manual shutter/aperture so no need for that on the X100
Yes, setting focus point has a bunch of uses, but is also a preference. Moving subjects is a use, as is when DoF is particularly shallow and the focus and recompose method would not be accurate.
Try going to a zoo and photographing any moving animal and having to constantly press the “down” button (which is what I have set up on the X-T1 in landscape mode) on the 4 pads especially when you have the other 3 set up for certain “fn” functions. It’s a pain in the but.
Yes as a sports photographer personally myself having the ability to move the focus points around without having to go into another menu option or only being able to designate one button you always have to push to get there is difficult in the field.
Hey… my new Thinkpad Yoga still has the nub… its not just for the ol’ dogs 😉
Evidence that it works! 🙂
Why do people keep saying they don’t want/need an OVF/Hybrid in the XPro series? If you don’t want an OVF you have the XT1. I will NOT get a Fuji without a Hybrid VF. I will NOT get an XT1 because it doesn’t have an OVF/HVF.
XPro is for people like me who WANT an OVF/HVF!
Right! I agree with that! All those who don’t want/like the HVF – there’s always X-T1 – a great camera.
They covered who, what, why and where pretty well in the discussion. What about when? Spring 2015? Summer 2015?
Fuji wouldn’t say that in an interview. That would kill sales as people wait for the unicorn.
Photokina 2016 😉
Please someone enlighten me why we need ‘organic sensor’ ? Which advantages does ‘organic sensor’ offer? Will it be better than Sony’s latest ‘curved sensor’ ?
Very long, but interesting post (MikeS) abouth the organic sensor. Should answer all questions 😉
http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php/topic/14830-just-what-is-this-new-organic-sensor-thing/?p=155851
Read this: http://www.gearophile.com/newsviews/older-2013-newsviews/no-it-aint-so.html, cool your pants and let us better wait how it performs when it’s out, otherwise there could be a lot of false expectations…
Sony’s curved sensor also brings a whole lot of new problems, it’s good for some situations but not for all, moreover Sony also has similar organic sensor patent as well. But in simple words organic sensor should vastly improve DR, ISO, etc.
TL:DR: Allows significantly more light to be captured per pixel (30%). This leads to a significant increase in especially Dynamic Range and ISO performance. If the Organic Sensor actually does perform in reality as both Fuji and Panasonic are claiming in the lab, they would basically make the FF sensor in a D4s irrelevant… at APS-C sizes!
New X-Trans sensor is the only thing that makes sense, everything else could be easily done and wouldn’t delay things. I’m guessing more AF points and a bump to 20-24MP to compete in the (slightly pointless) MP wars. I did catch in this video that engineers are leaving some wiggle room with lens’ projection onto the sensor, so bigger sensors is definitely possible.
As for why they didn’t use the X100T to debut it, they’re likely trying to shift the “flagship” from the fixed lens one-trick pony to the body that supports their great lenses.
Samsung NX-1 it’s an incredible camera. 4K 15fps, 28Mp… I think fuji lost the innovation train remaining in APS-C format. X-Pro 2 should have been FF. Shame Fuji…
Samsung has a crap system – I want a camera that has amazing IQ, and if it can’t shoot 4K video I don’t care. Why should it have been FF? What do you *really* gain? Anything FF does better than APS-C is really trivial, to the point that if you really need to “jump up”, you’ll be better suited shooting large or medium format film.
I would jump to more robust FF systems like Canon or Nikon EVEN if Fuji would go FF. It’ll take YEARS for Fuji to get a decent FF lens lineup. But I agree 🙂
if you can not see the difference then you do not have to worry
you can always go buy Samsung or any other FF cameras. I like the Fuji just fine the way it is.
Nice for some, not suitable for all. Fuji can just skip FF, and jump straight to a medium format. For the people who need that. At the moment I can’t think of any camera that suits me better than the X-T1 with 23 1.4, 56 1.2 and the coming 16mm 1.4. I give a crap about 4k video, 15 fps and so on… Fuji has stellar compact lenses and beautifully made bodies for the true photographer 🙂
I like how using what was originally a “budget-friendly” mass market frame size is “innovation”.
Well I guess I will enjoy making amazing photos with the X-T1 for the next year and start picking up a few lenses….. and probably an X100s when the price hits bottom. What was said in the interview is exactly what I expected to hear and happy with the content. features and improvements in performance are nice but it’s the platform focused on the “enjoyment” of photography that makes me a Fuji fan. If I said it once I said it a million times, there is no substitute for your skills of the craft.
They said “It’s not full frame”… Nothing about it not being bigger than FF?! Maybe that was tactical!! They do follow up about the lenses etc but that was momentarily exciting….
I am happy with the sensors as they are and so are my clients…
I really enjoying my x100s except its focusing mechanism. I had high hope to mate a Fuji FF body with Leica M lenses or other manual focusing friendly lens. It is very disappointing to hear this news. As much I hated, I may have go with Sony A7s, or M240.
what is it you don’t like? and how is it at all related to sensor size? the x100s is admittedly less satisfying than an xf 23mm but TBH i find both to be almost as intuitive (maybe moreso with the distance meter on the evf and focus peaking) than old film leica and nikons I have.
I never used a Leica but used an Epson RD1 (M-mount APS-C 6MP body) extensively and the rangefinder manual focus mechanism is wonderfully accurate and easy to use (for me at least).
It’s comparable to having an Automatic (DSG?) or a Manual stick shift in a car. For regular use the Automatic will be more convenient and good. But once you get a lot of miles and experience with a stick shift you’ll have more direct control and in a sense more “fun”. Although the automatic (DSG in car, Hypersonic type focus in camera) is faster on both examples.
I agree that a good rangefinder with a long baselength is a real joy. But the sony doesn’t have that, and you helped to reinforce that sensor size isn’t really a factor in a camera being “focusing friencly”.
I’m really just of the opinion that the first commenter just wants to justify buying a Leica.
On another note, a hybrid viewfinder that is both a true rangefinder and XT1 level evf would be absolutely mouth watering.
If you shot on the street only use only manual focus, then you should know what I mean. Same Fuji deficiency drew me to use GR more and more .
I understand the nostalgia and the technical importance of being able to use zone focusing, but Fuji’s interchangeable lenses have no issue with it and if you look at some of the more recently celebrated street photographers, a lot of them are cool with autofocus. A good shot is a good shot.
Yup, yup. Didn’t say it was bad or good. I said it was funner, and thus compared to cars. High end automatics (DSG’s in F1 cars, Porsche’s, Golf GTI… yeah lol) do an excellent job increasing the speed of shifts, but I still enjoy driving my stick shift 🙂
Plus, I enjoy good heel and toe downshifts. However, there are situations, manual focus is more accurate and faster than auto focus.
On X100s, how do you know the focus range without looking through the view finder or LCD screen? On Leica or Ziess prime lens, the position of the focus knob is the indicator. The range of focus is different on APS-C sensor with same 35mm equivalent focus length. That is why sensor size matters.
Wait wait wait, have you even tried using (for example) the XF23 on one of the system bodies? There are zone focusing lines when you snap the focus ring back to set it in manual mode. The design is actually very ingenious and very intuitive and the optics are even better than the x100s (my opinion).
I think it’s a bit uninformed to gripe about zone focusing difficulties for an x100s since 1) Fuji have obviously heard the complaints and their newest lenses have at least attempted to fix it in their mirrorless lineup, and 2) it’s tiny! it fits in a pocket! where would you put the distance indicators??.
and… I think you mean depth of field is different on APS-C vs. full frame, which is true when using the same aperture, but… I don’t know many people who shoot all their street photography at f/1.4.
Once for all, anyone wantinf FF should simply go to somewhere else and quit whining about it. Fuji has been repeating over and over, again and again that they are not going FF so soon, it makes no sense in insisting on that while they keep saying that, are you stupid? FF won’t come anytime soon.
Fuji will make a full frame camera in response to the market.
No problem with that but that won’t happen anytime soon, that’s my point. It makes no sense to people to come and say that they are disappointed at something that Fuji is clearly saying that they are not going to do now.
I agree. Truly I don’t understand the “need” for full-frame. I mean, it is technically a crop camera, and truthfully, I get equally, if not better, results from fuji than I did from my canon 5d mkii.
An organic APS-C sensor would blow every current FF sensor out of the water in terms of DR and Noise.
Well, theoretically, it should and it can have whatever MP count it needs because organic sensors are about allowing even smaller sensors (2/3″) to have great DR and ISO performance. Once that actually exists Fuji does plenty of fast primes for shallower DOP if needed, so APS-C will be a great balance between size and IQ. In theory you can have all the FF feats in a smaller package.
What they should do,in my opinion:
Become BFF with Adobe.
A X100T,T= Tele,fixed lens for portrait (70/80mm would be appreciated).
A medium format fixed lens like the GF670/W (especially the W version).
1) I’m kind of sick of Adobe’s crap anyways, so I’m glad to be forced out of their system. Capture One and Irridient both do a much better job. I’ll still use LR for catalogs, but not for processing.
2) “X100T” was already announced… but I don’t really see the demand for a portrait version even with a different name. Seems very circumstantial.
3) This would be awesome, I’ll give you that.
1) Another program means losing time and money.
2) In my opinion.
3) 🙂
I know what you mean. I shoot a lot of landscapes that generally include moss and fine green details, and truly, they are the bane of adobe’s existence with the x-trans. Due to this, I use irridient and get crazy amount of details–I mean better details than I have gotten with full-frame cameras + adobe. After irridient I finish the edits in photoshop or lightroom. That being said, I wish I could stay in raw until i’m exporting for print or web, and I dislike having to export and import multiple times.
Yayy, a new 16MP camera from Fuji! With image quality every bit as good as the original 16MP mirrorless from Fuji of several years ago!
This one, like the XT-1 and the XE-2, will also be announced as having the fastest autofocus in the world.
As far as worth the wait… what’s he gonna say?
Well, let’s hope the “worth the wait part” was about the organic sensor, because then it would be…it would only make sense to equip the flagship camera with it first…
did they say it was only 16MP? the new Samsung NX1 is APS-C at 28MP and many other APS-C sensors are larger than 16MP
I feel like Fuji is going to need to step up it’s video game. While the image quality is top notch, if you’re going to make a carry-with-you-everywhere type camera, it should shoot top notch video. Sony cameras are becoming increasingly more appealing.
I love my X-T1, just wish the video capabilities were as exciting as the stills.
The Panasonic LX100 has Fuji style, classic, direct access analog controls, a (seemingly) great lens and stabilized 4K video. It likely is slightly behind the big X cameras in IQ, tho way ahead of the X30 and RX100iii. But nothing but a GH4 can touch it for video.
I think Fuji will likely jump so far ahead of everyone in stills if/when the organic arrives that video won’t matter for many. But if it isnt legit and coming soon, video is going to be an obvious weak spot that will start to be an issue for some Fuji fans, and they’re so far behind Sony and Panny that they may never compete in the hybrid space. If video is your thing, I’d check out the LX100 and GH4. LX100 certainly put out my X30 flame.
I like the GH4. I’m just hesitant to invest in Fuji X glass, which I love. It’s just hard to go full out for Fuji without video that’s worthwhile.
Video could be important. Personally, my camera (before X-Pro1) had to be excellent for Video, so I had to chose between a Sony, Panasonic GH2 and Canon 60D, at that time. But, my choice was Canon 60D. I was so influenced by this “top video quality” ability – and I never did a single movie with my camera, except some useless tests. I use my smartphone Full HD 13MP camera for videos and my Fujifilm camera for pictures. I will not suffer if Fuji will not bring some outstanding video capabilities to the X-Pro2. Instead, I’d like some real battery autonomy, weather-sealing, super fast AF in low-light too, faster processor for better Hi-ISO NR.
This video is a great example of something Fuji does better than anyone else: connecting well spoken, passionate spokespersons with the audience.
The “Fuji Guys,” are fantastic, as are ambassador pros like Arias and Hobby.
I can’t think of any other manufacturer making this kind of connection. It’s really smart, and I bet really cost effective marketing.
Yep, they’re great at social media marketing. Making great cams is a different story though.
Dang it! Just when I thought I was set on going with the A7 line for my upgrade camera kit, this interview and all those great lenses Fuji has in the pipeline keeps pulling me back. Personally, I prefer the looks and usability of the A7 series over the XT1, being able to change your settings on the fly one handed without taking your eye away from the viewfinder is nice, but those Fuji lenses! Sony has some great lenses too and the Zeiss Loxia line is intriguing to me, but I also feel Sony has ADHD when it comes to releasing new products. No consistency it seems. Such a hard decision between the two!
Any possible unbiased opinions out there that could help me out?
You need to have some affection to the overall style of the X series to be really happy with it. Other cameras have better IQ, more impressive spec sheets, are cheaper etc. You need to appreciate the analog style controls, not be a pixel peeper and definitely not care about video.
I, for one, could never become friends with the A7 just because of the silly red/orange ring around the lens mount and the mode dial. Though I’d love to have its sensor and I’m sure there will be enough good lenses for it over time. Priorities 😉
hahaha omg, not liking the A7 because of the management’s style choices such as that orange ring. It’s so sad but I find myself doing that too. Things that have absolutely no effect on the image quality, but design choices that would irk me every time I grab it to take with me places. Very good points you mentioned too about figuring out what exactly your priorities are, to make a decision. I know I would never get into video so that plus of the A7 series is moot, and I’m not a pixel peeper. 16mp doesn’t bother me, but sometimes I would like more just for those instances where I shoot a great photo and really want to blow it up large for print. At least among my circle of friends also into photography, I regularly print, and like to print larger.
Great things to keep in mind. Thanks for the objective post!
Same here. I’m also thinking about getting a 2nd camera with higher resolution for landscape and prints. But then I know that I would hardly ever carry it with me because it would be much bulkier and heavier. So for now I’m sticking with the Fuji and save my money for the new lenses instead.
I’m also very confident that the next generation of X-cameras will have the 24MP APS-C sensor from the A6000. Fuji always gets the latest Sony sensors after a certain period in which Sony uses them exclusively for their own cameras (which just today a Sony manager confirmed again in an interview at dpreview). Fuji then just slaps their X-Trans color filter on it. If that happens, the resolution of next year’s X-cameras should be good enough for larger prints and I don’t have to invest in a second system.
oh that’s true. I suppose the current sensor Fuji is using is the one Sony first introduced in their 16mp NEX cameras? I currently use the 5n and that camera also is fantastic at keeping noise to a minimum so that’d make sense. And with the popularity of Sony’s 24mp in their cameras and in Nikon’s, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that next, in the X-Pro 2. Alright, well that’s good food for thought 🙂
I don’t know what you consider large prints, but I regularly print 20×30 with no issues. In fact, they are stunning!
Not easy decision but in my case I decided to leave Fuji with my X-E2 and a few lenses and go for Sony A7 with Zeiss lenses (now there are 2 primes with AF). I love X-E2 RF design very much, it’s gives so much pleasure to handle it with hand grip and take photos but I struggle with some serious issues that Fujifilm is not going to fix I think – it’s JPEG engine that smears all iso but high iso – I use it a lot – is the worse with pink/magneta cast, very unconsistent WB – performs stunningly in good light and quite bad in unusal lighting + owful red colour rendering. Cheated Iso value is onother issue, 6400iso on Fuji correspond to 4000iso on A7. There are some AF issues with X-E2 but AF performance it’s not any better than A7 af. But Sony is really better in manual focusing – I own a few Zeiss C/Y lenses that seems to perform best with Sony’s sensors. Also WB works much better on A7, and overal IQ is stunning. And now when it turned out that X-E2 is a “forgotten child” for Fujifilm – no more firmware upgrades that will improve AF, JPEG engine, WB performance and IQ, it made me easier to move for other mirrorless maker.
If you’re pixel peeping, why the hell are you using the camera’s JPEG engine? You should be using RAW, and in Fuji’s case, a processor that isn’t horrible – like Irridient or Capture One.
Complaining about white balance is ridiculous, and you’re a bad photographer if you blame AWB for your woes.
You should shoot more photos, and gear-theorize on the Internet less.
I’m sure Fuji lovers are tired of hearing about it here on Fuji Rumors, but a part of me is still hesitant about the Raw processing of Fuji’s unique files. I understand Adobe released updates to improve their raw processing engine and there are plenty of other software packages that are even better suited. But while I’m ok with dumping a body and lenses to switch over to a new system, I wouldn’t want to also have to change my work flow and learn new software just to use a camera to its full potential. I do appreciate the rangefinder look but at the same time, the faux DSLR look has grown on me too.
Thanks Piere for your feedback, greatly appreciate the input!
For a photography blog you’d sure think the videographer could have figured out how to focus his damn camera. The iPhone would have done a much better job.
That was hard to watch.
And I nearly gagged at the end of the first video, that sugary spiel about how much Fuji love photography… yuck.
I love fujifilm projects, from the now discontinued Neopan 400 (and 1600) film to their old 6×9 rangefinders to the tiny sensor x cameras like the t1 and pro1, but they don’t need to be so condescending.
I’ll check back when they announce something with a full frame sensor, as pretty as their cameras are, they cannot compete with Sony (except on looks)
I challenge you to describe how FF make would make you a better photographer.
THX God not FF. Hate big and bulky cameras. Excellent decision Fuji!
Indeed. Or else, they could just switch to real DSLR line, like Canon and Nikon and “X philosophy” would be lost.
Yeah, the Sony a7 series is extremely bulky, and the lenses too. /s
Different engineering can change size requirements any time.
Absolutely and they can also make warm icecream 😀
Wake up, look at the quality of the Sony and even Zeiss lenses – all rubbish (the Zooms) or huge, sometimes both 😀
The new 55mm Zeiss ZE is one of the sharpest lenses ever made. Lots of things to rip on Sony for, but the A7 sensors are nice, and some of the Zeiss glass is amazing.
I think Fujifilm have an edge in image quality, that’s why I’m reading Fujirumors in the first place. But this has nothing to do with the fullframe debate.
Larger sensors have undeniable physical advantages, and Fujinon lens quality and the xtrans array cannot substitute for that.
However, if Fujifilm did release a fullframe camera, the image quality including these features could be outstanding.
Like Foveon Fujifilm are controlling great technology, but are relentlessly conservative about it and use it for second-rate products.
I challenge you to show me on your flickr or on a 16×20 print where you were limited by APS-C vs. full frame sensor.
Yes, there is a difference, but the people hung up on that difference need to get out and shoot more, because they’re not really being limited by it.
I could work with any camera, there is no point in debating this, and not once did I say that a sensor format would prohibit taking good pictures.
But it limits the quality of aesthetics.
If there was sound reason for that, I would understand it, but there isn’t.
You’re implying APS-C sensor bodies are “second-rate products” and that “a fullframe camera[…] could be outstanding” as if the current sensor size was limiting you.
Just admit that you hyper-analyze gear because you’re creatively paralyzed, and move on. I still haven’t seen your flickr account or your crippled APS-C prints.
No, you are purposely misconstruing what I said. I stated that the products are second rate because they are built to lower standards without proper reason.
No, you are saying Fuji would be better if it went full frame, and I’m saying anyone worried about the crop vs full frame is a person that should spend more time shooting photos. Let’s see what you’ve shot lately to see how you’re being limited.
You can’t reason with stupidity these days, just let him think he won…I know exactly what you mean with your previous statement 😉
Still, the A7 is less bulky than an ff DSLR (let’s say D610 and 6D). The lenses are also less bulky (well exept for the FE 70-200 f4 G OSS). However Sony didn’t managed to produce only great lenses like Fuji does. Their FE Zeiss 24-70 f4 OSS is mediocre at best (with corner performance specific to film days zooms…).
Decision made – no need for Full Frame Fuji anymore. Fuji X100 (exist) or X100T (GAS?) are sufficient. Full-Frame stuff is only for real Lenses, like OTUS or Leica.
always on: phone
compact: Fuji X100T
(not my) System: E2/T1-grey-silver
(my) System: Leica M
X-Pro is too big already, with new EVF or improved OVF won’t get smaller. Prefer a
smaller body and lens set.
“Full-Frame stuff is only for real Lenses, like OTUS or Leica”
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Care to enlighten us bad photographers as to how that *slightly* larger sensor helps bring out the magic in an overpriced Leica lens? They make some nice lenses, but they are really best in focal length, and for the cost, they should be.
*aren’t* really best in focal length, oops
“Slightly” like double?
Relative to a real format like 6×7 or 4×5 – yes, “slightly”. Your flickr account and 16×20 prints won’t show any difference with crop vs FF. Acting like 35mm is the holy grail is pointless gear masturbation.
Fuji will never win in competition against Leica or Sony who are making best-in-world technologies now. They needed to make full frame sensor and glass that is more magical. All of my Fuji pictures look washed out and have bad composition. I’m moving to a real system that unlocks my potential as a photographer.
This is the best post yet. “All of my Fuji pictures look washed out and have bad composition”. And then “I’m moving to a real system that unlocks my potential as a photographer”. Dude you win the best post award, hands down.
Thanks you, these are serious problems and they are losing me clients the longer I am chained to these systems. When my clients see the Leica red dot or the Zeiss blue dot they know I am making serious art.
There is no doubt in my mind that you are losing clients. But it is due to your own shortcomings, and no system can fix that.
Yup. Then your wowing your clientele with flashy, expensive gear that you still can’t lose. I know photographers still using 7 year old bodies with so many clients they’re booked for months. What you need is to sick to a system and use it, not change constantly looking for that holy grail of a camera to magically make you better. If you’re losing clients it’s what sits behind the viewfinder and not in your hands.
My apologies TPP, I was sure your comment was a parody on the rest of the absurd comments on this sites.
Hmmm. Inspiration is where you find it. I may need to contact DAG and buy a few Red Dots to stick on my Fujis. (I used to buy Black Dots from him to replace my Red Dots…About time I got my head on straight!!!
My favorite part is how Fuji causes him to have “bad composition”.
I’ll give you $50 for all your Fuji gear, since its nothing but garbage according to you.
Its already in the garbage where any non full frame sensor should be. *spits*
ROFLMFAO!!!!!! I ran that through Google Translator for photographer and got this. “I suck so bad as a photographer; I can’t compose and can’t use manual settings either. I will blame my equipment and keep buying the latest gadgets at the highest cost.”
Best post ever!
Lol. What a joke. Leica uses old tech. Sony barely has a decent lens line up and is plagued by light leaks and malfunctions. Fuji is actually trying to be different. Plus what other camera manufacturer actually updates old models? Huh? No one but Fuji. Don’t blame them for your issues. Go buy all the magical equipment you want if you think it will make you better. I’ve win competitions with point and shoots… The gear doesn’t do crap for your “potential.”
pure comedy, thank you.
You better be kidding me!
10/10, would troll again.
Leica might be the best, but when you get allmost same camera but half a price, it’s not difficult to understand why Fuji sels so well. Sonymakes good components, but they can’t make a camera.
I hope, that X Pro2 will be robust, weather sealed and simple with good picture quality. A good street camera.
For what my 2 cents is worth here is what I think.
The X-Pro1 will have a new sensor. Perhaps with other technology on the sensor than regular CMOS/CCDs. Fuji holds patents on organics. Though I am not sure these technologies actually would have major advantages (and I would worry about the lifetime of an organic layer if used for charge separation), it seems the most logical reading.
What other thing could massively overrun what would seem a reasonable period. Fuji seems to listen to the market so my feeling is that it will be higher resolution APS-C something…
Just for completeness let’s consider the other parts of the camera that could run into difficulties.
ASICs for image processing… Not likely. These are just digital circuits, they aren’t going to build them on 14 nm process or anything so its just some 28/32/48 nm ASIC probably made at TSMC.
Firmware… Nope. Fuji seems to have no shortage of talent doing this they release plenty.
In body IS. Unlikely they put it in their lenses.
Some movie related thing. Maybe, but probably not. Video is a weakness of Fuji but the X-Pro probably isn’t the place to push such a feature. Could be they are developing a new sensor to do very good video though rather than something for stills but it doesn’t fit the MO of Fuji and where they have clearly built their user base.
In a mirrorless camera there isn’t much else…
Lens->Focal plane shutter -> Sensor -> ASIC -> Firmware
+
Viewfinder
I wouldn’t think they would have dramatic problems with any viewfinder tech.
3D photography? Tunable DOF? Phase detection improvements?
I think it certainly points to some sort of sensor change. I hope it is something that enables 16 bit dynamic range and blows everything out of the water for stills.
Organic image sensor with similar performance as FF due to advantages of technology over current standard sensors. Maybe even in resolution, but absolutely in sensitivity.
Now imagine if it was also FF, then significantly better than standard FF sensor. Missed opportunity there.
Taking extra time to resolve the issue as new technology. Worth the wait for sure. But what I really want is full colour sensing at every cell, high sensitivity, electronic shutter, etc etc… :).
Big entertainment when it comes to FF vs. APS-C and how many here belief FF is the way to go.
Have both systems FF (Nikon) and APS-C (Fuji) and wouldn’t I do photography for living where FF sometimes is a wish (yes in my area still the old rule work “As bigger the camera as better the photographer” even that this idea is complete ridiculous these days), I would sell my Nikon gear in a minute. Not because I don’t like it, but because I don’t need it. To big, to bulky and at the end of the day to expensive.
By the way, my biggest print was a advertising on a house wall 10×20 meters (!) shot with a APS-C 12 MPix Nikon D300 camera …
So true, Bernd. You can say that again!
FF? Would like to see Fuji with REAL FULL FRAME. lets say 6cm by 7 cm sensor, isnt that more FF than just 24×36? : ))))