Sometime I like to link to workshops of X-shooters all around the world. Well, this time I was pretty surprised to read that Damien Lovegrove (official Fuji X-photographer and known also for testing products for FujiUK) is organizing one in Cambodia in July/August and that he will likely use a Fujifilm X-PRO2 and the Fujinon XF [shoplink 12888]14[/shoplink], [shoplink 16128]23[/shoplink], [shoplink 12889]35[/shoplink], [shoplink 21554]56[/shoplink] and [shoplink 12892]55-200[/shoplink] lenses.
Sure, it must be a typo. You will hardly see any X-PRO2 before Photokina in September, when it could be officially announced. I don’t think anyone is allowed to show an X-Pro2 before that event.
But is that “X-PRO2” in Damien’s workshop just a simple typo or a Freudian slip? Well, maybe Fuji X-photographer Damien just told us that the X-PRO2 will be compatible with the existing XF-lenses.
So, dear Damian, lemme know if you’ll use the X-PRO2 in your workshop. I have holidays in August and could join it ;-).
Thanks for the link, Kamal.
46 Responses
I hope it is right that the X-Pro2 will be APS-C . FF will negate all that attracts me about the X series, light & compact.. Also I don’t want Fuji distracted from developing the current format to grow a FF rang, I’d rather they focus on expanding the long lens offering and to speed up AF.
I totally agree.
me too
Not me. I’d love to see Fuji go FF. I’ll gladly carry around a few extra ounces for a step up in image quality. I think peoples’ fears about losing focus on apsc because of FF is a bit silly.
I dont think it’s silly at all. Look at canon or Nikon. Professionnal grade lenses are designed for full frame. Professional body line are full frame. Apsc was top of the line when they were not able to produce full frame sensor. If this is a marketing battle, and fuji goes FF for this sole reason, then apsc will become, at best, prosumer ligne.
Agreed and the difference in quality between FF and APSC is almost none nowadays. FF lenses (and bodies) are heavier. A lot of us switched from DSLR to mirorless APSC to loose some weight, why would we want to come back to larger bodies with huge lenses?
Really? No difference? A friend of mine has the new 100s and another fiend of mine has a X-E1 and my Monochrom will run circles around it in IQ. Really.
All Leica M and M compatible full frame lens are actually smaller than Fuji X series lenses.
Also, I believe Fuji will make the X-Pro2 a FF and it will be a great camera with great lenses and I will buy one.
Aps-c already is ‘prosumer’.
Bring on the FF!
You’re absolutely right. Who wants to spend more money for slower heavier glass. APS- C is the perfect middle ground. Please FUJI keep the rangefinder style as well!
I suspect they will retain rangefinder style models but personally I am not hung up on the layout. EVF frees designers as they are not constrained by the need for a mirror box orlong base rangefinder (which is one of the reasons for the offset viewfinder on rangefinder cameras, that and lens gets in way of central direct OVF). I can imagine very different and highly ergonomic layouts we have not thought of before.
would it be completely outrageous to think that Fuji could have an amazing APS-C line and ALSO a a full line of DSLR style cameras that are FF for that segment? The sideline banter about keeping focus or no resources no money etc… are amusing to me (I’m in finance and read company reports daily) Fuji could, if they wanted to, compete in both sectors. And as with any new venture, they would have a timeline for success that is measured in years. Either way, I like the products and will continue to use them till they no longer meet my needs.
I have no doubt that Fuji could afford to develop both. But could they find and recruit another team of camera engineers and lens designers? Then bring them up to speed on the ethos and knowledge of Fuji imaging in a few months? Everybody suggests that it is Fuji’s understanding of imaging (from their film experience) that has contributed so much to the success of the X-series.
Patrick,
You wrote: “maybe Fuji X-photographer Damien just told us that the X-PRO2 will be compatible with the existing XF-lenses.”
Never fret, the full-frame X-Pro2 WILL most likely be compatible with existing lenses, if need be via a mount conversion ring. It will be compatible the way DX lenses are compatible with full-frame Nikons: via manual or automatic adjustment of the dimensions of the frame.
Hardly, for two reasons:
(1) putting an FF sensor and keeping the current X mount is not possible simply due to physical size constraints – corners of an FF sensor will go UNDER the mount, so the mount must be larger.
(2) if they even make some sort of an “X Plus” mount and keep flange focal distance the same (mount to sensor distance) to make possible to mount existing lenses via an adapter, new FF lenses would be to close to the sensor resulting in fair amount of problems, such as pronounced barrel distortion, vignetting or chromatic aberrations. (Of course they could design new lenses with recessed rear element, leading to lenses that would look like they have permanently installed macro extension tubes, unnecessarily making them longer and heavier.)
So the solution would be to both increase the mount size and and move it away from the sensor. And you basically get FF version of Pentax K-01!
And speaking of all the existing lenses: no adapter would allow you you mount lenses closer to the sensor, or basically “inside” the camera.
(Note that with DSLR-a there is no such problem: BOTH FF and APS-C bodies have the same mount with identical flange focal distance so all lenses could be used, it is just a matter of adjusting to a particular image circle.)
You were on the right track up until the Pentax K-01, it’s a matter of millimeters, or maybe even nothing at all. It’s still mirrorless you know, no need to pretend like the mirror is still there like the K-01 needs to.
And many Fuji users will surely want to use M-Mount lenses on there, or they would kill a huge portion of their own market potential. So it’s got to be pretty short to make sure it can still fit the adapter. Basically what you get is the Sony (F)E-mount, definitely no sense at all for anything like PK mount, which by the way is even longer than Canon EF!
Clear typo. Probably was reading the rumors before typing it up and had the 2 on his mind.
If it is a typo he wanted to say he will carry a X-Pro1.
Why would he say “Damien is likely to have a Fujifilm X-Pro2 camera” as the X-Pro1 is already in the market and most probably it is one of his cameras?
Because whoever wrote the description doesn’t know what he’s planning on carrying. Maybe the X-E2? Or the X-T1? Or X-Pro1? So they speculated and typed it wrong. Or they’re doing a poor attempt at stirring interest for the hope of seeing a pre-release camera. Extremely unlikely, though, as camera manufacturers wouldn’t want early prototypes being used in that way.
It makes sense but the text is part of the workshop announcement and conditions published by his site, not a third part posting.
As stated earlier I wrote it last Autumn and I used the caveat ‘Probably’ as back then most of us folk thought that Fuji would make an X-Pro2 but that is out of the question now because the fast primes and zooms make an optical viewfinder unworkable. So I’ll take my X-T1 instead 🙂
People are so concerned about your typo, that if you wanted to invade a few neighboring countries – now’s the perfect time. No one will notice.
Indeed
Yes, sorry everyone it’s a typo. I wrote the blurb back in the Autumn long before the X-T1 was expected to become the new flagship model. Fuji were launching new X cameras every 3 months at the time and I had a punt at there being an X-Pro2 in a years time. I will indeed be shooting with my X-T1 and will have an E-X2 as a second body.
E-X2!?!? new fuji!! 🙂 I’m the one who sent in the rumour to patrick, i guess it was just wishful thinking after all! I’m a big fan btw damien….why have your posts on your blog slowed down lately?
X-E2 – bloody naming system. What’s wrong with a name not a number anyway. X-A, X-M, X-T, X-E, X-Pro what sort of system is that? I’ll have The T and the E2 and maybe a Z or an F if one apears before August 🙂
I’ve been shooting in Italy and the UK- so busy shooting that I’ve not been writing. I blogged 90 pictures a couple of hours ago though. Here is a link: http://www.prophotonut.com/2014/04/10/event-coverage-fuji-x-t1/
Fuji is listening to people. Maybe they should listen this time and simplify the naming. Get rid of the X- and use just the E2. Most people hate the excessive naming anyway.
But people sure do love x’s!
Changing the naming system always clears things right up doesn’t it. Just look at the Sony NEXAlpha’s.
All the X camera’s start with X-, then the type of body and a version number. Couldn’t be more straight forward. The only confusing thing is caused by other brands using different naming systems, but the same alphabet.
Yes, the body type and version number.
But still, what’s the good to have the X- in there? Fujifilm E2 is just great!
Then how will you rename the x series line?
Hi Damien Lovegrove
I have XT 1 and i love it ( Also Nikon D3 x )
i need second body so what is your opinion?
A.XT 1
B .XE 2
C.X Pro 2
Advise please
I think the title of this article should change to avoid confusion. Otherwise people will accuse the site of link baiting.
Agreed
If the X-Pro2 will come with an organic APS-C sensor, it should blow all the current FF sensors out of the water in terms of dynamic range and high ISO performance/noise…so why go FF? Just for (less) DOF?
what about a7s?
It still got a silicon sensor…and if it’s true that the Fuji/Panasonic organic sensor would generate 40 times less noise than a current silicon based sensor…
Next year Sony will launch a FF camera which has a 54MP stacked organic sensor, I’m not sure when the Fuji / Panasonic organic sensor will be launched, I though it was
2 to 3 years away
why not a FF organic sensor
You are right, i vote for APS-C sensor.
typo? Why will an official X-photographer use the oldest model in the line up during a workshop…… 🙂
X-Pro 2, as in, newer than the X-Pro 1.
I’ll be in CAmbogia for a trip and I’ll discover for you 😀
He just got good publicity for his workshop.
The season he chose for his workshop must be another typo, as it is not a pleasant time to be there.
It’s a typo! I know Damien have done so for nearly twenty years… Drinking partners. There is no plan for an x Pro 2 just like no plans for the FF, this is all marketing hype!