Image courtesy: DSLRmagazine.
The Spanish website DSLRmagazine (translation here) interviewed the Fuji managers MR. Hiroshi Kawahara and Yuto Nakanishi. Here are some interesting info:
– The new Zeiss X mount lenses will definitely be on market within this year (Editor’s note: The 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.8 with a price of around 1.000 Euro.)
– For now we do not plan to make prime lenses with OIS. But it doens’t mean we are not never going to do such lenses.
– We have the technology and knowledge to make a Full Frame X system but this doens’t mean we will do it.
– We will not outsource or sell our sensors to third party companies.
That was more or less the most interesting part of the interview. I think it’s good Fuji is keeping all the X-Trans tech for them self. It is one of the main strengths of the X-system and it would make no sense to sell it to other companies!
24 Responses
Very interesting and promising !
We are waiting for FF !
“We have the technology and knowledge to make a Full Frame X system but this doesn’t mean we will do it.”
I am on the market for an interchangeable lens system with a FF sensor, so I am to buy from someone else? What’s up with that?
Who else makes a FF interchangeable lens system that is not a DSLR?
Leica.
Theres also the sony NEX VG900 video camera. It’s primarily used with adaptors to mount alpha and 3rd party full frame lenses but it does prove that the NEX mount is large enough to accomodate a full frame sensor. Perhaps Sony will do it especially if their fixed lens RX-1 is a success.
I saw some measurements that the X-mount was too tight for a full frame sensor so if Fuji goes FF, they would need a new mount as well… (assuming that was correct).
Quote from the google translation:
“H.Kawahara & Y.Nakanishi – (Both under a complacent smile, totally overflowing) The current choice of APS-C format is imposed to us as better balance between image quality, sensor size, camera size and price … regard to your second question, yes, it is technologically feasible, even bigger than 24×36 mm (double frame), which does not mean that we want to explore this market right now. ”
Interesting!
I can’t wait to see a FF version of X100S. Plz make that happen, fuji!
“You will not outsource the sensor technology? We will not bother updating our software to support 3-4 camera models.”
That could be said by apple or adobe. (where, outsourcing is by god forbidden in the case of apple)
@Samony, Why bother? Today aps-c sensors outperform older ff ones. The future looks promising!
Theres a good chance that full frame sensors will appear on the next series of Sony NEX cameras, later this year, along with a new range of lenses. If so, Fuji won’t be long in upgrading to full frame, regardless of how capable the current APSC sensor is. Add top quality Ziess glass to the front of those cameras, and you’ve got Leica size and quality, without the financial implication.
I doubt that Sony will announce a FF NEX camera until next year and as Sony is not competent enough, based on rumors, it will be Zeiss doing the lenses, If Fuji can manage to let Zeiss develop some FF lenses for them, they may be able to launch a FF system as well – the flange distance is basically the same.
Differently from APS-C cameras, which is used by a lot non-PRO users, FF is used by a lot PRO users so lenses are a top priority to sell such system. Fuji wants to provide te essential for their X-Cameras users before doing an investment in a FF system. Which differs from Sony that is quite lost in APS-C E-Mount, APS-C A-Mount, FF A-Mount – and now a FF E-Mount? – lenses, not being able to provide the lenses the consumers want and even though intend to go FF mirrorless as well. A temporary solution, which I’m pretty sure Sony will approach is an full speed adapter for A-Mount lenses on this FF NEX.
It would be quite disrespectful but Sony should drop the SLT technology, it won’t go nowhere. You lose 1/3~1/2 of the light and now you can have hybrid AF with CDAF and PDAF inside the sensor, those “translucent” mirrors are useless, except for losing light.
To be completely fair one have to note that hybrid CDAF/PDAF on sensor also loses light and degrades IQ slightly.
At least this dismiss the idea of Fuji using Sony’s 16MP sensor like so many people claim. Sony is going to launch a new 20MP sensor and it’s said to perform 1 stop better than their 16MP sensor, if it’s true or not is yet to be seen, but if it’s, I would like Fuji to top that with a new generation of the X-Trans sensor, keep it 16MP, but improve DR, ISO, etc.
So assuming that Fuji will keep Sony as their APS-C sensor manufacturer, the X-Pro2 could very well have a 20 MP sensor.
Personally, I am not convinced by ever rising pixel densities. The current X-Trans sensor in the X-E1 and X-Pro1 already has the same pixel density as a Nikon D800(E), which means that X-Mount lenses need to be as sharp and offer the same resolution as full-frame lenses that can make good use of a D800.
As for full-fame oder double-frame systems: Maybe in 2 years, one never knows. Once X-Mount is popular, mature and well-regarded (and perfect X-Trans RAW support is widely available), an expensive high-end spin-off with a full-frame or even larger sensor may be in the cards. But as of today, it is just wishful thinking by a few very vocal Internet enthusiasts.
But doesn’t this interview tell otherwise, that Fuji makes their own sensor? I was just saying that I wanted Fuji to top Sony in IQ, which is one of the flagships of the X-Trans sensor.
I think that instead of going FF, in the short term, maybe Fuji could partner up with Metabones and optimize those Speed Booster for the X-Mount so the APS-C sized X-Cameras can behave like FF with a boost in the f-stop.
I like how Sony push some tech forward, but I dislike how they don’t really listen to consumers’ feedback, I feel like Sony’s cameras are made by tech-minded guys rather than photography-minded, like Fuji, well, that’s both companies background. But I like to see these companies pushing one another, Canon is sleeping in this mirrorless business, I hope they pay for taking that so half-hearted, as well as how they turned their back to the amateur videographers that embraced their 5DMKII, making almost none improvements in video, only in their new – and very, very expensive line-up – of EOS-C cinema cameras.
“But doesn’t this interview tell otherwise, that Fuji makes their own sensor?”
Fujifilm closed their own manufacturing lab long ago, so they may have designed the sensor (or parts of it) but it is manufactured by someone else.
Do not worry though – this is Japan and this is completely normal there to outsource whatever they think of even to competition.
You may also read this:
http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php?/topic/7587-fuji-sensor/page-1#entry79325
and this:
http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php?/topic/7587-fuji-sensor/page-1#entry79458
That pretty much wraps it up.
No, but there is also an interview from Fuji talking about the X-Trans sensor, saying that it was only possible because they were in control of all parts, they took 2 years, I think, to fully develop it. If it’s manufactured by Sony or Toshiba is irrelevant, what I really want to know is whether it’s designed by Fuji or not. This question will be answered soon, I guess, if Fuji comes up with a new generation of X-Trans sensor, or maybe not, if they just bring the so called X-Trans II, which is just the old one with PDAF.
Maybe the question is if the X-Trans II is the same as the Sony’s NEX-5r and NEX-6, which have PDAF as well.
This doesn’t dismiss the “idea” (fact, actually) that Fuji is using Sony’s 16MP sensor. Look up XPro1 disassemble thread.
What this means is they can make a FF color filter and slap it on top of the Sony 24MP sensor, which is a smarter approach for smaller player, imo. They also know how to make FF and even MF lenses. This is nothing we don’t already know.
How about RAW support by Adobe? Fuji should be pushing hard for this. I’d like to buy a Fuji camera with the X Trans sensor but won’t until I can use Photoshop to process the RAW files.
Photoshop can process the RAW files. It’s only that processing quality is lagging behind Capture One and Silkypix (default convertor).
Dean- I’ve been using Adobe Lightroom 4.3 to edit Fuji RAF files with great results, and VSCO Film 03 also has Fuji profiles for editing within LR4.
Of course Fuji will go FF. If they have the technology, then that means that they have spent money on it – and they didn’t do that for a laugh.
The Zeiss lenses sound great – but tell me, who on earth is still buying Xpro1 or EX1 cameras??
If Fuji really do have the AF problem cracked, them it is clear that the next generation of these – Xpro2 and EX2 will have this faster technology.
Everyone’s big complaint is about the AF speed of the existing generation. Who on earth is still buying them when it is clear that Fuji seems to have made a quantum leap with the X100s – and which will definitely be a feature of the new changeable lens cameras which will be along fairly soon.
Despite the lingering mythology on the internet forums, I bought two X-Pro1 bodies and the 18, 35 and 60 primes. I’m using them to shoot weddings and portraits, and I’m getting quality better (especially at ISO6400) than my old Canon 5DMkII in a much more portable camera. The lenses are sharp and with the current 2.03 firmware, the 49-point AF is much faster than anyone could focus manually. I have used Leica cameras for over 14 years, and still use an M7 with film in conjunction with the Fujis.
No, the focus isn’t DSLR fast. The 18mm is fastest, the 35mm a close 2nd. The 60mm will lock focus or wander before locking focus, but it’s faster than manual focus and the 49 points cover nearly the entire frame; much easier than trying to focus on moving or off-center subjects by aligning the brightpatch in the center of the frame like a conventional rangefinder. The 35mm lens is as sharp as anything I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend the system, which is also remarkably affordable given it’s highly praised image quality.
As many reviewers have noted, image quality often exceeds that of the Leica M9, and isn’t subject to moire: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/.shtml
http://www.kenrockwell.com/fuji/x-pro1.htm