Ok, so the X-T2 is out, Photokina is over, and the GFX line is all everyone is talking about. But if we live in reality, most of us know that we likely won’t be upgrading to the new GFX line for financial reasons, so let’s take a minute and do a quick refresher on what to expect from Fujifilm in regards to the X-Series in the immediate to near future.
During our briefing with Fujifilm at Photokina the company shared the above screenshot, which mirrors what we had seen previously announced from Fujifilm in their last roadmap update.
The last time Fujifilm updated their roadmap officially was back in July when we first heard about the 23mm F/2 WR, which funny enough, will be hitting stores a week from today (Preorder/Buy Here). So in the immediate future, the next X-Series hype will be next week as everyone gets their hands on the new 23mm F/2 WR. This is an important release because it marks the second addition to Fuji’s small, compact, and weather-sealed prime lenses that was kicked off with the 35mm F/2 WR.
As far as the X-Series goes, the 23mm F/2 WR is the final addition in 2016 that we know about at this point. In 2017, in addition to what we assume will be at least a few new camera updates to the mid and low end of the X-Series, we know to expect a third addition to the small, compact/weather-sealed prime lens series – the 50mm F/2 WR.
That addition will complete the portrait trifecta of F/2 prime lenses, giving those who prefer that form factor and feature set a potentially amazing small and compact portrait lens kit. We have no indication as to when in 2017 to expect the 50mm F/2 WR at this point, but if we had to guess, sometime in the mid-late spring would seem like a strong possibility.
Following the 50mm F/2 WR, Fuji has also shown that we can expect a new 80mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro lens in 2017. While macro lenses don’t come with the same mouth gaping hype as crazy fast portrait lenses do, this will likely be a welcome lens to Fujifilm photographers who like to do macro work – and being 80mm, it will likely be a fairly competent telephoto portrait lens as well in situations where it needs to pull double duty.
In all there is still a lot to look forward to in the X-Series for the rest of 2016 and into 2017 based on these lenses alone (and not even taking into account the likely mid-range body updates). So keep saving those pennies, because you are going to need them sooner than later.
