July 2025 Links

Michael Nguyen from Japan Camera Hunter writes about the Plaubel Makina 67, an uncommon medium format 6×7 rangefinder of Japanese-German design from the late 70s, with its specially designed Nikkor lens.

From the colour-film-dept

Kosmofoto reports KONO! announces KONO Color 200 colour negative film, a made-in-Germany colour negative, rumoured to be ORWO NC200.

Also as a follow-up from a previous post, Kosmofoto tells us that China Lucky Film’s new colour film ‘launched in July at Chinese trade show’. Price will be around US$7 and a first batch of 10000 rolls will be produced initially.

Black and white slide

Kosmofoto tell Euston 400 is a black-and-white slide film from London film lab Aperture Printing. If you are in London this is a higher sensitivity film than the Adox Scala with the corresponding chemistry, and they develop it for you. It’s in limited quantity.

Sony RX1R III

Imaging resource: Sony RX1R III Review: A $5,000 Letdown in a Familiar Shell. Lack of IBIS, still the older lens, the lack of tilting screen that the previous iteration had, and the battery life. Because the camera is US$5000.

New Fujifilm firmware

Today Fujifilm release a bunch of firmware updates, including for the X-M5. They all do the same thing: remove support for the older Fujifilm remote and remove mention for the old Instax Share printer.

I was hoping a kaizen update with film recipes.

Here is the new feature guide (PDF) for the X-M5.

Firmware download page. For GFX100RF, X-T5, X-T50, X-S20, X-M5, X100VI and X-half.

Harman Phoenix II

Harman just announced Phoenix II, the successor of Phoenix, their experimental colour negative film. Phoenix II replaces the “limited edition” Phoenix, improving on colour rendition, and offering more exposure latitude. Available in both 120 and 135.

Don’t have it, so I can not tell. But here is from around the web:

– Petapixel Harman Phoenix II is a Brand-New Color 35mm and 120 Film Stock, presenting the Harman promotional images taken by various early recipients.

– JCH Film News: Harman Phoenix II rises with a few pictures.

– Kosmofoto Harman Technology releases Phoenix II colour negative film, followed up by First rolls: Harman Phoenix II (35mm) and First rolls: Harman Phoenix II (120).

If you liked Phoenix (the red box) then stock up. It is until supplies last.

Previously: New films

June 2025 links

Fujifilm

Some Fujifilm reviews around.

DPReview on the GFX100 RF: their comprehensive review of the camera we talked about previously.

Photographyblog got their hands on the Fujifilm X-E5 and the 23mm pancake: Fujifilm X-E5 Review, Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR Review, and then they compare the X-E5 with the X-E4.

Misc

WIRED on How Apple Created a Custom iPhone Camera for F1. The short version is that the on board camera for F1 car are not suited for a movie, while they are great for broadcast. So Apple who produce the movie did modify iPhone cameras. They don’t broadcast but the footage they record is much more suited for editing into the rest of the film. The technical achievement at the service of the art. Not the first time, nor the last.

Kosmophoto gives a First look at China Lucky Film’s forthcoming new colour film. I’ll follow-up on this later, but it’s promising to see the development of a new colour film.

New films

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the camera, Leica announced their own branded film, the Monopan 50. It’s a 50 ISO black & white 35mm film, made in Germany. It has a lot in common with the Adox 50. It is likely to cost US$10 (£10/€12) a roll while the Adox HR-50 is priced at US$7.50 to be available in August 2025. I haven’t found a Canadian price yet.

In February Recently Harman Technologies released the Harman Red. Now Kosmofoto tells us it is being made in 120. Like with Phoenix, it’s always good to see them follow-up on medium format.

Fujifilm X-E5 and 23mm f/2.8 pancake

Some thoughts about the just announced Fujifilm X-E5, and its companion the 23mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Another camera I don’t have that I will talk about.

Take the X-T5, with 40 megapixel, IBIS and everything, put it in the X-E4 form factor, with the EVF on the side like on a rangefinder camera. Add a dedicated film simulation dial, not unlike the X-M5. With X-Trans 5 sensor and X-Processor 5 (the latest) it the top of the Fujifilm image pipeline.

The aluminium machined top, like on the GFX100RF calls for a more high end camera. Sadly it’s not weather resistant.

Fujifilm “retro inspired” design has always been at the foundation of the X-series camera. And the X-E5 pushes it a bit further in the EVF with an optional “classic” display, a minimal display simulating a 7-segment LCD and a needle exposure meter. Is this distraction free or just nostalgia? Underneath the camera on the bottom there is a small button for Bluetooth that looks like the film rewind release on manual cameras. As for connectivity it can connect to the current set of Instax Link printers.

Like on the X-E4, the LCD flips up to the top, great for selfies. There is a mic jack but not headphone out unless you use the USB adapter, so this might not be the best video camera. I personally wouldn’t pick this. That doesn’t mean its not capable, just that it might be limited.

Aspect ratio and digital zoom

The X-E5 supports the following aspect ratio (crops): 3:2, 16:9, 1:1, 4:3, 5:4. Nothing special. Why not the 17:6 or the 64:25 found on the GFX100 RF? This is a disappointment. The front lever allow selecting a digital zoom, x1.5 and x2. These are also crops.

Film simulation dial

The film simulation dial is under the top plate with a little window on top to show the current setting. I believe I still have the same opinion as on the X-M5 about the Film Simulation dial. But, in FS1 to FS3, you can set Film Simulation recipes. Apparently the settings of the FS modes can be combined Custom modes, ie each custom mode has its own settings. FINALLY. Maybe can we get this as an update on the X-M5, please, please, Fujifilm?

23mm pancake

At the same time the X-E5 is announced, the 23mm f/2.8 pancake WR is announced. It’s like the 27mm pancake, but 23mm. With an equivalent 35mm field of view (in 35mm), this is the third 23mm lens in the Fujifilm XF lineup along with the f/2 and f/1.4. This one offer a very compact alternative, and I expect it will be successful among Fujifilm street shooters.

Bundle

The X-E5 comes in either a body only or in a kit with the new 23mm f/2.8 WR pancake, in August 2025. The lens alone won’t be available before December 2025. I expect scalpers to buy the kit, hard to get, and then sell the two separately at over inflated price.

In that combination, the X-E5 is like a X100VI, but for CA$90 more. The X100VI has a faster f/2 lens, built in ND filter, different flash sync, and is a little bit smaller.

Price

CA$2000 or with the lens CA$2250, while the lens alone will get to CA$560. It’s more expensive down South with the tariffs. Some say it is expensive, but it is comparable to the X-T50.

Comes on two colours: silver and black. And the lens in an assorted colour.

Link: Fuji X half 2

I did joke about how the X half announcement would have been better on 1st of April.

The Machine Planet tells us that Fujifilm announces Fuji X Half 2 digital camera:

SATIRICA, N.Y., MAY 22, 2029 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging Division, today announced the launch of its FUJIFILM X Half 2™ premium compact digital camera (X Half 2).

I laughed.

Just making fun because we care, but it seems that the pre-orders are off the charts.