It’s a big day for Fujifilm today with the release of several new products and some significant announcements. You'll find full details on Fujifilm's own site, but I wanted to do a brief roundup for those of you who are as lazy as I am when going through the news.
1. The new Fujinon XF80mm f2.8 R LM WR Macro will be another stunning lens and I have it on good authority that it might even top the 90mm f2. I've seen some great sample pictures from this lens and they were absolutely stunning.
Take a look at the latest X-Series lens roadmap HERE.
3. The long awaited X-E3 camera body is finally here. Like the X-E2 and X-E2s that came before it, the X-E3 is amazing value for the money (£849 in the U.K.) when you consider how close the specs are to the flagship X-Pro2. If you can live without an optical viewfinder, this might be an option for you. It would also make a great second camera or backup to the X-Pro2. Here's a list of some features
- First X-Series camera to feature Bluetooth for transferring photos to smartphones and tablets.
- Touch screen (not tilting) with smartphone usability.
- 24.3 megapixel sensor with latest X-Processor Pro.
- 4K Video.
- Brand new auto focus algorithm that is 50% faster at tracking than the current models.
- Focus joystick as found on the X-Pro2 and X-T2.
- Extreamly handy auto switch from the X-70.
2. The Fujinon GF45mm f2.8 R WR is the 6th lens in the GF System. If you are interested in the medium format Fujifilm GFX, then this new 45mm f2.8 will be a beast of a lens. What a system the GFX is turning into!
Take a look at the latest GFX lens roadmap HERE.
4. New Firmware for the X-Pro2, X-T2, X-T20 and X100F is also announced today, but won't be available until November and December this year.
X-T2 Firmware v3.00
1. New AF tracking algorithm for moving subject
Thanks to the newly developed image recognition algorithm, the update enhances AF-C to track moving subjects twice as fast as previous firmware. In addition, the update also enhances tracking to be able to capture up to 50% smaller moving subjects than before.
2. Support “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to convert RAW files with X Processor Pro. The fast batch processing will also be available. The “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.
3. Improve radio flash controller usability
The upgrade allows users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync. or TTL mode via their radio controllers.
4. Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. Copying all camera settings from one camera to another is available.
X100F Firmware v.2.00
1. Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. Copying all camera settings from one camera to another is available.
2. Supports “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to convert RAW files with X Processor Pro. The first batch processing is also available. The “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.
3. Improve radio flash controller usability
The upgrade allows users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync. or TTL mode via their radio controllers.
5. A Fujifilm/Magnum Photo Collaboration
15 Magnum Photographers will explore the theme of “HOME” for the project. Known for their wide range of approaches, Magnum Photos members produce documentary photography that encompasses art and photojournalism. Sharing the agency’s legacy for humanistic photography, associated with its founding in 1947, Magnum’s contemporary practitioners are united by a curiosity about the world. This project invites them to explore a universal subject familiar to us all
“Home” is not only defined as a space for physical living. It holds various other associations that are emotional, biological, cultural and societal. These 15 photographers have been given an open brief to explore the subject through their own individual practices, the resulting work reflecting their personal take on a subject that we all record photographically.
X-Pro2 Firmware v4.00
1. Addition of 4k video mode
The update adds 4k video using the X Series famous Film Simulation modes. You can input audio from an external microphone (Excluding HDMI output for recording).
2. Support for tether shooting via USB or Wi-Fi
After connecting a camera to a computer, the compatible software (*1) will enable users to transfer images taken with the camera to the computer and save them in a specified folder, or to control the camera from the computer.
3. New AF tracking algorithm for moving subject
Thanks to the newly developed image recognition algorithm, the update enhances AF-C to track moving subjects twice as fast as previous firmware(*2). In addition, the update also enhances tracking to be able to capture up to 50% smaller moving subjects than before.
4. Support “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to convert RAW files with X Processor Pro. The first batch processing will also be available. The “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.
5. Improve radio flash controller usability
The upgrade allows users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync. or TTL mode via their radio controllers.
6. Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire
Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. Copying all camera settings from one camera to another is available.
X-T20 Firmware v.1.10
1. Touch panel operation when using the EVF
The firmware update will make it possible to use the touch panel while looking into the viewfinder. According to the operation method, it's possible to set the effective range of the touch panel to the full screen, right half, left half, or OFF.
Participating Magnum photographers
- Antoine d’Agata (France)
- Jonas Bendiksen (Norway)
- Chien-Chi Chang (USA)
- Thomas Dworzak (Georgia/Iran/Germany)
- Elliot Erwitt (USA)
- David Alan Harvey (USA)
- Hiroji Kubota (Japan)
- Alex Majoli (Italy)
- Trent Parke (Australia)
- Gueorgui Phikhassov (Russia)
- Mark Power (UK)
- Moises Saman (Spain/Peru)
- Alessandra Sanguinetti (USA）
- Alec Soth (USA)
- Alex Webb (USA)
Photo Exhibition
- New York
- London
- Paris
6. Fujifilm X Raw Studio
FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO enables users to quickly and easily convert RAW files with outstanding image quality, once a camera is connected to a Mac or PC via USB cable.
Exceptional image quality is retained, as the X RAW STUDIO system utilizes the X Processor Pro in the camera instead of the CPU in the computer,
Due to the increasing size of RAW files, users have found batch conversion to be an issue, as it takes more and more time as a result. However, using the high performance “X Processor Pro” processor, this batch conversion is handled far more efficiently as a result.
This new software is due to be available from late November 2017.
Key Features:
- - Convert RAW images on the computer (Single / Batch Process)
- - Preview converting images
- - Save, load, or copy conversion profiles
- *Specifications, window images subject to change without notice.
- *RAW conversion is compatible with a RAW file taken by the same model as the connected camera.
- Availability:
- Application Software FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO will be available:
- for Mac: Late November 2017
- for Windows: Late January 2018
- FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO system compatible camera firmware will be available:
- FUJIFILM GFX 50S: Late November 2017 (Ver.2.00)
- FUJIFILM X-T2: Late November 2017 (Ver.3.00)
- FUJIFILM X-Pro2: Late December 2017 (Ver.4.00)
- FUJIFILM X100F: Late December 2017 (Ver.2.00)