Photoxels

Fujifilm October 2024 Announcement

2024-10-03

2 min read

Yuji Igarashi, Divisional Manager of Fujifilm’s Professional Imaging Group, made an announcement today on their FUJIFILM X Series YouTube channel about three upcoming events:

GFX Challenge Grant Program 2024
Subject Tracking and Face/Eye Detection Firmware Update for the X-H2S, X-H2 and GFX 100II
3rd X Summit on October 14, 2024

The GFX Challenge Grant Program 2024 closed on September 15th and 15 winners will be selected. The images of the 15 winners from last years’s GFX Challenge Grant Program 2023 will be exhibited in a Photo Exhibition to be held at the FUJIFILM SQUARE in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan from November 8-28, 2024.

Fujifilm is trying to catch up to the competition in Subject Tracking and Face/Eye Detection, especially when filming videos. It announced that it is bringing AF improvements to enhance subject tracking stability when shooting video for the X-H2S, X-H2 and GFX 100II. The new firmware update will also include two new video functions: F-Log2 C wide color gamut and Timecode Synchronization to support Ambient Lockit devices through wired connections. A November launch is planned.

There has been a lot of complaints about the AF issues that the X-T5 has been experiencing after a recent firmware update, and the patience of some Fujifilm fans seems to be at a breaking point. That issue was surprisingly and disappointingly not addressed in this announcement. Fujifilm seems to be losing some focus (pun intended) in how important resolving this issue is. They have to do a much better job in quickly addressing this issue if they do not want to damage their hard-earned reputation and risk losing the dedicated loyalty of many Fujifilm fans.

A 3rd X Summit (1st one was in February in Tokyo, the 2nd one was in May in Sydney) is planned for October 14, 2024 at 1PM GMT (9AM EDT) at their CLAY STUDIO design center in Tokyo. The theme is DESIGN – Product Design, Production Engineering Design, and Quality Design.

“You won’t be disappointed with the X Summit,” Igorashi tantalizingly promised. New camera products are usually announced during their X Summits, so we may have some exciting news to look forward to?

Cameras • Editorial • Fujifilm

Is Fujifilm Going Full-Frame?

2024-10-01

2 min read

According to persistent rumors, Fujifilm is poised to introduce a new camera line which uses a “new” sensor, new as in one that it is not currently using. Since it is currently using APS-C and medium-format sensors, the logical conclusion is that Fujifilm has finally seen the light (probably 4 – 5 years ago, since that’s how long it takes to design and implement a new model) and will step into the mirrorless full-frame arena to slug it out with the big boys: Sony, Nikon and Canon.

If it does, then the next intriguing question is: will that camera follow the X-T dedicated analogue-style dials route or will it play it safe with the ho-hum, makes-no-sense, why do I have to ask the camera permission before I dial in my exposure settings Mode Dial? And, will its Tracking AF challenge Sony, Nikon and Canon? Also, it will be interesting to see what full-frame lenses are going to be released at the same time. Now, that would be excitingly newsworthy!

However, if that’s not the case (i.e., the new sensor is not full-frame or this is just another false rumor), then move along, there’s unfortunately nothing really interesting to see here.

> > The future is full-frame mirrorless.

Cameras • Leica • Press Releases

Leica Q3 43

2024-09-26

1 min read

The Leica Q3 43 is basically the Leica Q3 (28), but with a standard APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH fixed lens instead of the original wide-angle Summilux 28MM f/1.7 ASPH fixed lens. The Leica Q3 43 is targeted to street and portrait photographers.

The Leica Q3 43 is available now at the retail price is US $6,895 (€6,750.00 including VAT). The retail price for the new multifunction protector with integrated handgrip is US $250 (€250.00 including VAT).

PRESS RELEASE

NEW: Leica Q3 43

The Unique, Compact Full-Frame Camera Now with a New APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. Lens.

Leica Q3 43

Wetzlar, 26 September 2024. In 2015, Leica Camera AG launched the Q-Series and introduced a completely new camera segment. Now in its third generation, the compact full-frame Leica Q3, with a fixed focal length of 28mm, inspires people all over the world. In addition to the unrivalled standards of design, workmanship, image quality and operation, the success of the Q-Family is especially attributed to its close dialogue with its users. Now, Leica fulfils a frequently expressed wish and introduces the Leica Q3 with a 43mm fixed focal length.
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Cameras • Leica • Press Releases

Leica M11-D: No LCD Display, Big ISO Dial

2024-09-13

2 min read

The Leica M11-D is a full-frame mirrorless camera that features a 60/36/18 MP BSI CMOS sensor, 3GB cache (allowing 5fps continuous shooting at 60MP), 256GB internal memory, “Made for iPhone and iPad” certification, and hardware-based Leica Content Credentials technology to ensure the authenticity of each picture.

The Leica M11-D has no LCD display at the back, featuring instead a big wheel-based ISO dial (like film-based Leica rangefinder cameras used to have). The reason given is so that the photographer can focus “on the elementary aspects of pictorial design such as composition, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.”

The Leica M11-D is available now for US $9,395 (€9,350.00 including VAT).

PRESS RELEASE

New: Leica M11-D

The New Camera in the Leica M-System Combines an Analogue Photography Experience with a Digital Workflow

Leica M11-D

Wetzlar, 12th September 2024. Like no other, the Leica M-System is a synonym for legendary quality “Made in Germany”. Since the introduction of the Leica rangefinder system in 1954, the world’s best photographers have appreciated Leica M-Cameras and Lenses for their unique image quality and the intuitive handling, for their masterful manufacture and their value preservation. Up to the present day, the Leica M has remained true to its iconic design and the focus on the essential without compromise. Of course, the same applies to the latest camera in the M11 family: the Leica M11-D. By doing without a display on the back, photography with the Leica M11-D focuses on the elementary aspects of pictorial design such as composition, aperture, shutter speed and ISO. In place of the display, there is a big ISO dial on the back of the camera. When it comes to functionality, however, the new M11-D does not sacrifice anything. With distinct customisability, modern connectivity and hardware-based authenticity technology, which was first introduced into the camera market with the M11-P as Leica Content Credentials, the M11-D proves to be a perfect combination of classic range-finder photography and state-of-the-art camera technology. With its clean lines, the matt black painted surfaces and the absence of the red Leica logo, the new M11-D also stands for maximum understatement in the timeless Leica product design.
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Nikon • Software & Apps

Get Your Free Nikon x RED Creative LUT Pack for N-Log Starting Today

2024-09-12

1 min read

Nikon (who purchased RED earlier in the year) is giving out a free Creative LUT pack consisting of four RED LUTs.

Give your Nikon N-Log footage classic film looks with four genuine Red Luts. These creative LUT files can be applied on set with an external monitor or in post production with editing and color grading software.