For Fuji it makes little sense to compete in the Full Frame market against Canon-Nikon and Sony beasts. And they also understand that the quality difference between APS-C and FF isn’t that big. That’s why according to Fujirumors they will launch a new Medium Format Mirrorless (system?) camera in 1-2 years from now. They would have no competition, be unique and also lean to their long time medium format history. I think that’s a bold move from Fuji!
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6×9 digital sensor. Fuji will need a mortgage department in addition to the rental branch.
No one makes sensors like that for prices less then a 60 feet yacht. It will be far smaller (33*44 mm) or a line scanning sensor. If 33*44 mm lenses can be resonably priced. If line scanning sensor, the camera may be very cheap, but lenses far more expensive.
Scanning backs currently take 30 minutes or more to create a capture at the maximum resolution. One of the current makers even posted a list of all their clients… and that’s a 2 screens worth of a list.
But they do have competition. For example, Pentax has a very strong presence in the medium format with the excellent Pentax 645Z.
Of course they will have competition.
Even if no one else makes a MF mirrorless camera, potential buyers will be weighing Fuji’s product against FF cameras, at least. And, one way or another, both FF and APS-C cameras will improve over the next two years.
I doubt that the market segment, if there even is one, that has to have MF is big enough to justify this. I mean, maybe they will make a wonderful camera and sell a lot, but they certainly will have competition for the buyers’ money.
A very sane decision on Fuji’s part. APS-C they have already covered – and there is little to gain by going for FF. For a new camera system, MF seems to be a more logical choice.
Dat would be great if it will ever surface but it would be better if its cheaper than the pentax
The 645Z is already by far the cheapest digital MF camera and the mirror and viewfinder is not the driving cost. I doubt Fiju could make it much cheaper unless they go for a scanning line sensor, making it a very narrow niche camera (dry windstill landscapes).
“…they also understand that the quality difference between APS-C and FF isn’t that big.” But I’m sure they also understand the quality difference between ff and MF is even smaller! Hardly anyone buys MF now and with the ongoing improvements made to FF sensors, I think the new MF mirrorless will be a White Elephant.
1,5x factor * 1,27x factor = 1,9x factor. It makes sense to increase the small difference to a bigger one.
This and the ‘Blad Pano. That would be awesome.
Phase One already has a Medium Format mirror-less line.
This is an obvious decision. After spending millions in creating the finest APS-C system, it would be suicidal to scrap all that and go FF,specially when they don’t have any competitor that offer the same line up in the APS-C. They will be the reference in the market, something that possibly they don’t have the financial means to be in the FF format. Medium format is not only the extreme 6×9. After all, theyhave all the experience with recent Hasselblads and my go for something in between (like Leica). A good move in order to put the company at risk.
I would welcome it if Fuji were to offer a cheaper rangefinder type of medium format camera because they deserve to be amongst the bigger imaging companies. I cannot forget that Fujifilm was the only cheaper option to Eastman Kodak for alternative film makers. Keep it going Fuji!