“If I was Fuji… What Would I make next ??”
by Dave Kai-Piper
That is a tough one… but I guess the next camera to come along would have to be a new version of the X-Pro, but, we have the new Updates coming soon, so I might be very interesting to see what these bring along. I know just as much as anyone does, there is no direct line to Japan here !! I wish !!
I can see why people are pushing for a new camera or a vastly updated camera from the X-Pro. The X-Pro 2/s Will come one day, but, for now, the lenses seem to be the focus of attention of the R&D department at Tokyo. There are some amazing things on the Road map. I think it is quite clear that Fuji are a company listening to to what the people are saying. But as with all global companies, they can only respond so fast due to the size and infrastructure set up. To be honest, it is pretty impressive the rate at which they are able to release cameras such amazing stuff
The 56mm F1.2 is going to be a something to look forward to and the word is that there will be a few other manufacturers making XF mount lenses or at least adapters to fit. Personally I really like how Fuji are being so open about third party lenses being used on the X-Pro. It is quite amazing how so many people are totally into the XF system, it feels like it has been around for years !! Looking at the lenses coming on the updated time-line, the 10-24mm looks nice, but might not be quick enough for me. I can see it being very popular with the landscape photographers, especially with the very funky Lee Filter Seven 5 system (http://www.leefilters.com/
I have been out shooting with it and the CSC Tripod Keith (http://www.3leggedthing.com/
It has been quite a whirlwind for Fuji in 2012 & 2013, and great to see. Cameras like the instant classic X100 make such an impact, it can be quite a challenge to live up to it. But Fuji have done well to not only follow up but continue to raise the bar. In many ways, the most impressive camera Fuji have brought to the table could be the X20. I have enjoyed great access to the camera range and the X20 really is impressive. It truly is a great camera that everyone can use and a truly great reason to not use your iPhone for quick snaps.
Fuji have some great things coming I am sure. They have an app which works great on Android and iPad for sending the files from Camera to Tablet or Phone using WiFi. I would only imagine it will come to an X-series soon and would guess a not to distant future. At the moment it is on a Bridge camera and compact, but it works well and I expect it shall work its way up the scale in due course. I expect the larger files are harder to just zip over, I am not sure. On a similar note though, I was very happy to see the X100s was Eyefi Ready though.. but full on WiFi would be even better. As would USB3 maybe.
www.davekaipiper.co.uk / Fuji X-Pro gallery
13 Responses
I agree that Fuji is doing radical things in cameras although some would argue that they never stopped. Fuji is distinguishing itself from Canon, whose ultra conservative corporatism could see it being usurped soon. I’m a Canon boy myself but a fixation with mirrors flapping about on trapeze apparatus is just plain silly in this era. I’ve been quietly divesting my Canon pro kit and my first toe in the water X-E1 arrives on Tuesday. I’ll lose a couple of hundred quid when I have to upgrade to the XE-2 but I accept a small price for progress. Big deal anyway, the X-E1 will deliver 90% of pro expectations at a fraction of the price.
The market seems to be gravitating to full frame and Fuji might join that bandwagon. I don’t want to get into technobabble debates about sizes of image circles. The can just make new lenses and adaptors for the APS-C lenses.
I’m a Nikon man from the early 70s… I shoot studio art for exhibition, comp,ex fantasy impositions. The fact is, I prefer now to shot with my xp1. I understand the optics but i just wish Fuji would consider a full frame option and line… I also shoot with an M9 but honestly, I prefer the xp1. Simple as that. So shoot me..!
I fully agree. The X-Series cameras are the first ones to make me think, it might be the moment now to (at least) partially change over from DSLR to mirror-less. I am starting my personal “I shoot every job on a Fuji-X… for 2 month” now, and will then take a decision. Right now it looks like lots of C-stuff will be for sale 🙂
Exciting times …
Peter
I am not sure if Fuji needs to make a Full Frame Camera…. I can get a wonderful 20x30inch print from this sensor. A Full frame sensor would change the dynamics of the camera, no doubt slowing it down. Also. the XF Lenses would not fit. It would have to be a fixed lens camera.
I see no sense in this personally..
Agreed. With lenses like the rumored 56mm f1.2 and the sharpness, noise levels, colors, of the X cameras, I’ve never desired a full frame less. Had my X-E1 with 35mm for just over a month and I can easily say this is all I need and want.
A FF wouldn’t slow anything down, they could make it 16-18 MP and it’d require the same processing power. I’m looking forward for a FF mirrorless on which I could use my Contax-G and Leica glass at its full potential.
It is about cost and making a business case for ff. I suspect Fuji looked carefully at full frame and decided they could sacrifice it for lower costs and smaller size. Sales of the aps sensored x100 would have boosted their confidence to make the xpro1 aps. With ff the lenses have to be bigger. Sony are clearly looking hard at a ff nex but have yet to announce one as it will be expensive. The camera industry is highly competitive and many manufacturers are not currently profitable. Fuji overall is profitable but its imaging division is not despite its profitable film business. The x system represents a major strategy for the future but they can’t burn money forever hence they have made the product decisions they have
I wonder why Fuji don’t bring an iOS app for Xtrans processing?
I had been lusting for the X-Pro1 since it came out. Last year I bought it and promptly returned it. I finally was able to buy it just recently with my X100s. And I love the whole system. I have recently sold my 50L & 35L and I imagine more will be going from my Canon kit.
How about a 90mm f/1.8 lens (=135mm FF)?? Sorry Fuji, but no 90mm lens = no X-E1 sale.
Nikon and Canon may want to convert their crop camera users to FF, but it ain’t gonna happen.
I would like to have a Fuji camera with a swivel screen for my macro work. I really don’t understand why the manufacturers refuse such a usefull (and possible!) function just at the hight-end cameras (q.v. Nikon, Canon… Only Panasonic and Sony doing it right with their Lumix G-series and the alfa-99)
yes, Yes, YES…..a tilt screen would be the missing piece for me…..wanna shoot low! or high…..angles,Angles,ANGLES.
Thanks!
Also, a true portrait lens, around 90mm