Fujifilm cameras and lenses have gained immense recognition over the years. The company has introduced some truly interesting options that are not only well-built but also continue to produce spectacular images. While we aren’t sure what the future holds, Fujifilm itself has given a peek into what may come. Have a look.
Additionally input has been provided by Editor in Chris Chris Gampat
First reported by Asobinet, Fujifilm has unveiled a list of 14 new lenses that are currently in the planning stages. This is a part of the company’s latest ‘Focus on Glass’ initiative, which has been created to highlight the concept of lenses and also invites photographers to vote for the ones they would like to see developed.
The company has also created a dedicated webpage that showcases a wide range of ideas, from redesigns of classic manual focus lenses to fast zooms and cinema lenses. These lenses are concept-only, and their future can become a reality if the public shows positive interest. The lenses so far include:
- XF 18mm / XF 30mm (dual focal length concept)
- Length: 40–50mm
- Weight: 100–200g
- Soft Focus Lens (60–80mm)
- Length: 60–80mm
- Weight: 200–300g
- XF 35mm f1.4 II
- Length: 50.4mm
- Weight: 190–200g
- XF 35mm f1.4 II (new optical system)
- Length: 60–70mm
- Weight: 250–300g
- XF 35mm f1.4 II (fast, quiet autofocus)
- Length: 50–60mm
- Weight: 200–250g
- Brass Exterior f2 series
- Length: 45–60mm
- Weight: 300–400g
- Cine Prime T1.2 lenses (16mm / 23mm / 33mm / 56mm)
- Length: 70–90mm
- Weight: 400–600g
- XF 16-50mm f2.8-4.8 (ghosting-prone design concept)
- Length: 70–80mm
- Weight: 200–300g
- XF 90mm f2 APD
- Length: 105mm
- Weight: 540g
- Manual Focus lenses (23mm / 35mm / 50mm)
- Length: 40–60mm
- Weight: 200–300g
- XF 18-50mm f1.4
- Length: 110–130mm
- Weight: 700–800g
- XF 33mm f1
- Length: 90–110mm
- Weight: 800–1000g
- XF 16-80mm f2.8
- Length: 80–100mm
- Weight: 400–500g
- XF 14-140mm f3.5-6.3
- Length: 90–100mm
- Weight: 350–450g
The design showcases both compact travel lenses and high-performance optics. From the list, focal ranges such as 90mm, 35mm, 23mm, and 16-50mm have already been launched. However, Fujifilm aims to release revamped versions with soft-focus options. But there are entirely new concepts, such as 18-50mm, 14-140mm, which are quite ambitious. The latter are also the most universal lenses, and the question remains whether such a fast zoom can be achieved in real life, within the range of under 800 grams.
For now, this simply works as a concept, and it seems to be a way to encourage photographers to have a say in what the company is producing and shaping the future of X-mount. If you are keen on participating, do head to Fujifilm’s website.
In some ways, this is awesome. But in many other ways, this scares us. Fujifilm has tried to become a whole lot more like Sony to the point where many of their products made great sacrifices to do other things. The reason so many photographers fell in love with Fujifilm in the first place was because of how organically photo-oriented their system felt. And if that’s gone, then what’s left for us? Fujifilm already has a lineup of cinema lenses and even their own Eterna cinema camera.
Please, just let the video creators and influencers have their own video products and let the photographers have our own.
No more of this hybrid stuff, please.