X Summit Prime 2021

On the 2nd of September 2021, Fujifilm hosted the 6th X Summit, their annual corporate event to announce the new product lineup and the vision for the future of the Fujifilm cameras and lenses.

“More Than Full Frame!”

Highlights from the Summit

  1. GFX 50s II - A medium format camera with 50 megapixel sensor + 6.5 IBIS + X Processor 4

  2. GF 35-70mm / f4.5-5.6 Lens

  3. New firmware release for GFX100 and GFX100s in October, 2021; focusing on video capabilities

  4. XF 33mm / f1.4 WR Lens - The new standard prime lens for Fujifilm X mount system with extra sharp image quality and smooth bokeh.

  5. XF 23mm / f1.4 WE Lens - Another new generate prime lens for Fujifilm X mount system with extra sharp image quality.

From the start of this year’s X Summit I got the impression that the Fujifilm is targeting camera manufacturers heavily invested on Full Frame camera bodies and lenses by highlighting the fact that Medium Format cameras can do a much better job that most Full Frame cameras and still remain within a reasonable price range. Fujifilm made this abundantly clear with repeated slogans with every new introduction to the GFX ecosystem. Even though I am currently shooting my portfolio work using a Fujifilm X-T4 (i.e.: the flagship camera in the X mount system), I have a feeling that I would eventually be investing in the GFX system.

The most exciting news for me today was the XF 23mm f1.4 WR that they announced. I already have the Fujinon XF 23mm f2 WR permanently mounted on my secondary Fujifilm X-T1 body for my street photography work. If this lens is as good as they mentioned (i.e.: better image quality and faster autofocus), I think this could be my next buy from Fujifilm. Priced at US $899 at retail, I think it would be pretty much worth it, especially with the two extra stops of aperture.