Fujifilm X Pro 1 Predictions – No more pro Mirrorless Cameras?
by davidbrommer
It’s Fujifilm X series prediction time. I have my photo tarot cards out and here is what they say. One word first, yes I have industry connections and I respect any NDA and or personal confidential info that comes my way. However this info is just my personal prediction and is not based on any confidential intell I’m privy to. I came down to these conclusions with Moose Peterson and Gabe Biderman in conversations this week.
With Photo Plus East just around the corner, we’re going to see lots of announcements in the upcoming days of October. I’m only interested in what Fujifilm has up thier sleeves, since I believe they are the currently the most interesting and principal driver of new and cool photo gear. Yup, I just said that. Sorry Big C (the good kind) and the camera company who used to “take the worlds greatest pictures”. It’s all about the Fujifilm X system. Here we go…
We won’t see a XPro 2. I don’t think ever. But we will see a XE2. I think that the hybrid finder on the Xpro1 is going to be the last Mirrorless camera made that has it. It’s what set the Xpro1 apart from pretty much the whole rest of the Mirrorless world but it’s going to be a feature of photo goodness past. Here is a question to all the current users, do you still use the OVF as much as the days when you first had the Xpro? Or do you find yourself using the EVF more? Lets face it, the EVF is not accurate, I’d say it has about a 10% minus factor on what you see as to what you get. Also, two words, Focus Peaking. Yea, I’m using the OVF less these days. And it hurt to just say that. Seems like analog is just slipping further and further away from me. Next I’ll just be like Neo in the Matrix.
The future is fuzzy… and this is just what I feel in my bones and read in the cards so take it with a grain of salt and look forward to more weather proofing and enhanced EVF functions (manual exposure wysiwig and clearer view).
The Above photography is Lady Liberty shot on the Moose Cruise II with Fujifilm Xpro1 w/ 35 1.4 @ 1/64 F 2.0 ISO 200 and processed in Camera Raw (pretty heavily I may add).
~David
Suspect Photography 
I hope premonition is not correct. I use the optical view almost exclusively, and I love it.
I hope I’m not correct too and we see a Fujifilm Xpro 2 that simply rocks. I’m thinking class 1 weather proofing (all though the current X lenses will prevent that), build upon the great x trans sensor and increase the pixel count, maybe something really rad like a true infra red switchable. So yes David, I hope I’m wrong.
Well there’s your problem… You are hanging with that windbag Peterson. If it ain’t Nikon, and he can’t push it… well you know the rest.
As long as we get the same body construction and size (my hands fit the X Pro1 really well) then I’m ok with no OVF. I use a Leica M9P and Monochrom where the OVF is critical and well adjusted, so the X-Pro1 OVF never had much use for me.
I agree with the focus peaking aspect of using the EVF, but I also liked previewing the JPEG color type. I use black and white 90% of the time with the X Pro-1, so I liked ‘seeing’ in black and white through the EVF. I also use some of the Leica M glass, so the focus peaking is Hip Hip Hooray!
If they do away with the OVF, I’ll go back to Leica (I sold my M9 and lenses, then bought a complete X-Pro 1 setup for the price of a single Leica lens).
There are already predictions, there will come an X-Pro1s or 2, Q1 2014. But I’m pretty sure it will be positioned more high end, the “Pro” is there for something. Let us hope it will be the first camera on the market with an organic sensor, this would blow al the competition away. I don’t know that you noticed it, but it has also been a while since the lens roadmap was updated. Also that is something I find strange… is there something to hide?
We wont see anything Q1 2014 for sure.
While I don’t use the OVF as much as I did, for me it’s more a matter of size and control layout—the X-P1 has been my dream digital camera, and I would truly be saddened if Fuji abandons the format. I also think that an X-Pn is more like a once every 3 year product cycle though, and am hopeful that the X-P2 will be a revised enough machine to make me feel I need to upgrade—which won’t be an easy task.
I use the OVF all the time, as do a lot of photographers that I know.
Your Tarot cards are telling you complete nonsense!
Absolute rubbish!
Still use the ovf most of the time and evf ocassionally so… I hope you’re wrong.
I’m going to buy my second X-Pro1 Body.
use OVF 90% of the time …
I agree on the prediction that we will not see Xpro2 soon, although perhaps due to other reason. It seems that focus peaking feature is developing well with Fuji, hence we might expect it to be implemented in Xpro2 (may be?). If this is the case then Xpro2 could become even more serious rival to Leica body. However, Fuji still has a lot of pending lenses of X series in the roadmap to be introduced to the market, so it may be wise to complete the roadmap, to sell as many lenses as possible and then sell Xpro2 with focus peaking (that might be suitable for many third parties lenses). That is why I believe it will take time before we see Xpro2.
Unlike other commentators I think there is some truth in this “prediction”. Fuji have to upgrade the X-Pro soon otherwise post October 28 it will be the least technically advanced X series camera so there must be plenty of pre production cameras being tested right now. Maybe word is getting out or perhaps this is the start of a leak campaign to soften the blow of the OVF disappearing. Who knows?
The OVF is currently the only feature differentiating the X-Pro from the X-E1 but let’s face it compared to the seamless integration of this feature in the X-100 it is compromised in the X-Pro especially when using the zooms and larger lenses such as the 14mm. The work around is also complex and costly so perhaps Fuji have decided to invest in a much better EVF and other features to reestablish the pro credentials of this camera.
I would be surprised if the new X-Pro only has the faster processor and a few other tweaks but then again I could be totally wrong!
When I need perfect framing I use the EVF. Being primarily a “people” photographer the OVF is invaluable for catching the exact moment of an expression I am waiting for or prompting. The OVF makes all the difference when trying to get those precise moments. I hope it doesnt go away, that being said it does get pretty useless when you get to longer lenses and want to do close ups instead of environmental stuff.
Hi David, I use the OVF almost exclusively. The only time I use the EVF is when I’m forced to because the area of coverage for the 55-200 zoom becomes tiny. That adds up to about 2% of my shooting. As it is, I have absolutely no issues with the XP1. C’mon XP2!
I REALLY hope you are wrong.
I work eight hour shift as a photojournalist , and my X-pro 1 are completely worn out.
I’m searching the web six months already looking for the x-pro 1 upgrade ( specially autofocus)
And I can’t even think on a XE-1,( just don’t like it, too small for me..)
I use evf only with the 55-200!
90% OVF, the EVF is worthless shooting at night when panning is involved. Unless there are huge improvements in EVF I’ll never be able to use one for my shooting. I also found the EVF on the X100s extremely difficult to use in very bad light.
Given that I really hope your wrong…
No OVF? I’ll simply stop buying anything for this system and get ready to buy a Leica. I use it 99% of the time.
How about: not only keeping the OVF, but making it a TRUE focusing rangefinder with a hybrid VF? That’ll blow some minds. And empty some bank accounts. (Mine included.)
I use the OVF on my X-Pro1 95% of the time; it’s the principle reason I bought the camera, so I really hope that Fuji takes it’s customer’s experiences and requirements to heart and never discontinues a pro-level X-body with an OVF. BTW, I’ve also been using a rental Fuji X100S for the last week or so, and the OVF in the X-Pro1 is better than the X100S. The rule of thirds grid, the info display, the virtual horizon and the framing lines are all brighter and thicker on the X-Pro1 and much easier to see, especially when photographing in bright daylight. If anything, Fuji needs to bring the OVF in the X100S up to par with the X-Pro1.
If I were a betting man, I would put money on Fuji coming out with an updated X-Pro 1, that still has an OVF. It’s absolutely ridiculous to think they wouldn’t keep the number one selling feature of their flagship camera!! It’s like Porsche saying, our next 911 Turbo won’t have a turbo. Won’t happen.
That’s just it, it’s not the number one selling camera. Fujifilm USA is sitting on a surplus because the XE 1 and soon to be released XE2 is and will outsell it.
You’re right, Fuji is doing some unpredictable things (XM-1 ?) and the future is fuzzy. But as regards the future of the XPro-2, I see it coming. Almost 2 years for the 1. When I looked at the X-100 next to the XPro-1 (quite) a while back, the X-100 was a joy to hold and look at but the XPro was big and dare I say ugly, big as a Leica M-9 and almost as heavy and only half the sensor size.
I’m hoping to see an X-100s size XPro-2, OVF frame sizes tuned to use the 18-23mm view and the 27-35mm view, better EVF, new 18-20 megapixel sensor. Suspect there are a few other things they’ll add…