DPR: Fujifilm Interview – A Look Back, Frameio, GFX, X100, and More

DPR recently sat down with Fujifilm managers to talk about the future. You can read the full interview here or check out the excerpts below:

Fujifilm’s design philosophy

Fujifilm attributes its success to listening to its customers
Fujifilm expanded its lineup of cameras and didn’t change its focus which is why they have cameras for photographers, videographers, and hybrid shooters
Fujifilm is looking to add sports and wildlife shooters by providing them with tools
It’s obvious they have a big photographer base so it makes sense to expand the appeal with telephoto lenses
When asked if Fujifilm might be neglecting low-end cameras like the X-E Fujifilm insisted that they haven’t lost focus on any of their existing range of cameras
Fujifilm gets very positive feedback about the X-T5 which is a still photography cameras
Fujifilm can’t give photographers everything on one camera for example the amount of users that want a variable angle screen vs. a tilt film screen is split almost 50/50 so its impossible to make everyone happy.

Frame.io

Fujifilm is very proud of its IP connectivity
They chose Frame.io because it is one of the most sophisticated and easy-to-use platforms plus it has a customer base already
Fujifilm could have created its own platform, but it might have been something that added work to photographers’ workflow
Fujifilm works hard to make less work for photographers not more
Frame.io is popular with videographers at this time, but it should become more popular with photographers too

GFX

GFX’s greatest strength is its 44x33mm format and the image quality/tonality it provides
Fujifilm believes its approach is the best and that full frame should be skipped over
GFX and APS-C cameras are very capable so there really is no reason for full-frame since they now offer something other brands do not/ cannot
The GF500mm F5.6 won’t be too big weight-wise because the lens can be long and light

X100

The popularity of the X100V is a nice surprise that helps validate the quality of Fujifilm cameras when users find out about them
Fujifilm has tried to increase production but demand keeps growing
Fujifilm considers X100 demand to be a good problem to have
Fujifilm could have stronger demand across their lineup if they marketed their cameras better
Fujifilm X100V is Fujifilm’s first fifth-generation camera even though it doesn’t have fifth-generation parts inside of it
The X100 concept will remain without anything too crazy being done to it in the future even though TikTok users want the X100 to be a bit more funky

Fujifilm GFX100II:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon GF110mm f/5.6 Tilt Shift
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon GF30mm f/5.6 Tilt Shift
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

FUJIFILM FAN-001:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama