Valhalla, N.Y. — With Photokina coming up in a few days, Fujifilm North America opted to reveal its fall camera lineup a little early Wednesday by introducing three new models and new color options for existing Instax instant film models.
The new camera models include the Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Silver edition weather-resistant interchangeable-lens camera; the X100T advanced point-and-shoot; and a new Instax 300 Wide, a large-print-format instant camera.
The X-T1 is a new color variety of the previous all-black version. It also adds a few feature upgrades.
The X-T1 Graphite Silver features a large OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) that delivers an instant image preview; a 16.3 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor; and a fast 0.08-second autofocus system.
The Graphite Silver finish uses a special triple-layer coating process for a bonded elegant look.
The camera has also been upgraded with a natural live view in the EVF that displays in real time. With this edition of the camera, users can disable the preview picture effects from viewfinder image while shooting.
Other features include a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000 second that can be set in 1/3 steps when using the Fujinon XF23mm F1.4 R, XF35mm F1.4 R, or the XF56mm F1.2 R lenses. The camera also ships with a new Classic Chrome film simulation mode that delivers muted tones and deep color reproduction produced by film.
The Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Silver edition will be available in late November at a $1,499 suggested retail for the body only.
A kit including the Fujifilm X-T1 with an XF18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens in black only will be available starting in late September at an $1,899 suggested retail.
In addition, Fujifilm will release in December a free firmware update for both the Graphite Silver and black editions of the X-T1 bringing new features and controls, including AF Area direct selection, where users can select the focus area with the four-way controller, without pressing the Fn Key; function replacement for the AE-L/AF-L buttons; focus area size variability during manual focus; macro mode direct selection allowing the macro function to be turned on and off from in Auto Focus mode; Q Menu customization; video frame rate selection with 50 fps, 24 fps and 25 fps added to the existing 60 fps and 30 fps rates; video manual shooting; phase detection AF support for One Push AF – With One Push AF; metering area focus area interlocking; and expansion of the program shift setting area.
At the same time, the company announced two new premium XF lenses: the weather-resistant Fujinon XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR (shipping in December at a $1,599 suggested retail) optimized for the X-T1 camera; and the fast aperture Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R APD with apodization filter (shipping in December at $1,499) to help all X-Series X-Mount compact system cameras create beautiful bokeh enhanced portraits.
In point-and-shoots, the company introduced its X100T premium compact, fixed lens camera. The camera is equipped with an advanced Hybrid Viewfinder with an Electronic Rangefinder for reduced display lag times, automatic brightness controls and a natural live view shooting display.
The X100T includes a 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor and EXR Processor II with a Fujinon 23mm F2 fixed lens.
The X100T will be available in silver and all black editions in mid-November at a $1,299 suggested retail.
The camera includes the aforementioned Classic Chrome film simulation.
The advanced hybrid viewfinder with electronic rangefinder allows focusing as if using a mechanical rangefinder. While in optical viewfinder mode, pushing the OVF / EVF switching lever to the left will switch the viewfinder to electronic rangefinder mode. Additionally, focus peak highlight and digital split image can be selected, and the magnification of the focused area can be changed. Compared to the X100S, the frame coverage in the X100T has been increased from 90 percent to 92 percent, and the field of view can now be accurately checked closer to the actual subject.
The X100T now allows photographers to set the aperture to 1/3 steps using the aperture ring, while the exposure compensation dial has been extended to ±3 stops. Also, the command lever has been changed to a command dial, and through the adoption of a four-way controller to improve operability. The X100T is also now equipped with seven customizable Fn buttons for a truly personal shooting experience.
The X100T also features a high-definition 1.04M-dot 3-inch LCD, high-speed continuous shooting of 6 fps (25 frames continuously in JPEG at full resolution); FullHD 1080/60p video recording at a 36Mbps bit rate; and frame rates of 50 fps, 30 fps, 25 fps and 24fps, supporting worldwide motion picture formats. A free camera remote application and wireless communication function allows users to remotely shoot images from smartphones and tablets via Wi-Fi.
For instant print photography, Fuji expanded its Instax line of instant-film cameras with the Instax Wide 300 and added new Raspberry and Grape color versions to the Instax Mini 8 and stylish brown to the Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic. All will be available next spring.
The Instax Wide 300 ($129 suggested retail) is billed as a high-quality instant-film camera that uses large format Instax instant film and has a contemporary and professional design for better image composition and easier handling. The new camera uses an optical viewfinder, a lens ring dial with a two-range focus zone setting, and a tripod socket for enhanced shooting capabilities.
Other features include a built-in electronic flash that automatically adjusts light levels depending on the distance to the subject; a close-up lens adapter for macro shooting as close as 15.5 inches from the subject; and use of Instax Wide instant film that is double the size of Instax Mini film, for fashion photography, group shots at parties and events, landscape scenes, and practical business applications.
