Category: Equipment

Equipment for photographers.

X-E5, it’s here

I was complaining in early December that the X-E5 was still unobtainium. 2 month later, it’s finally here. I would have gotten it earlier if I was ok with silver, but I wanted black.

A white box that say: Fujifilm X-E5 XF23mmF2.8R WR
This is a box. The camera you want is inside.

Opened the box, the camera comes with the lens mounted, the back and body caps are provided. There is no USB cable, no charger for the NPW-126S battery, the same battery as on the X-M5 and the X-T3, no paper manual (so you need to get it online), but a USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack, and a thick camera strap.

Charging the battery now.

More on the Instax mini Evo Cinema

More info starts to trickle down about the Instax mini Evo Cinema, with reviews appearing. The manual is even online (PDF).

First, the price will be CA$479 or US$409. In comparison, the regular Instax Mini Evo is CA$240 which is half that of a Evo Cinema.

Second the availability will be beginning of February 2026. I bet you this will be available in store while I’m still waiting on an X-E5 w/ 23mm.

But let’s see the details.

This is solely based on reading and review videos, and the user manual. I don’t have the camera.

The Instax mini Evo Cinema is both a movie and still hybrid Instax mini camera. What does “hybrid” mean? It mean that it is a digital camera that will print on an Instax sheet like you do print using the Instax link printed: the photographic surface is exposed by a digital system. That mean between the sensor and the sheet, everything can happen. And here it does.

You either take pictures in stills mode, or can select frames from a video taken in movie mode. With a 1/5″ 5MP sensor, and an a 28mm f/2.0 equivalent lens, it produces vertical photos in 1920×2560 resolution. The vertical video have a 1080×1440 maximum resolution, with a maximum length of 15sec. This resolution is only accessible in the 2020 position of the Gen Dial™, on any other modes the resolution is 800×600. While it comes with an internal storage, it is heavily recommended to get a microSD card, whose slot is located under a flap at the front of the camera handle. Without that you can’t even take the larger video format, and can only store 10 clip of the lower resolution, and about 50 still images (or a combination of both). At 800 images / GB or 162 low-res clip / GB, the internal storage is very tiny.

You can directly print either stills or a single frame from a video like you would do on the regular Evo camera. There is a knob you turn to trigger the print to try to make you believe you are rewinding the mechanism.

One of the print feature require the use of the phone app. It’s the one that print a frame from the video with a QR code that will send people to Fujifilm to view said video once you upload it (via the app). Fujifilm will keep the video online for two years or until they keep the service alive, whichever is the shortest. Don’t expect this service to outlast the device. This is something you’d use as follow:
– Step 1: take a short clip at an event.
– Step 2: print the picture with QR code to hand to people to view it.
– Step 3: profit (for Fujifilm)!

The camera is powered by built-in rechargeable battery. It is not removable, but it seems to be serviceable through a screwed on trap inside the film cavity. The thing is that you can’t swap it on the go, you have to charge it 2~3 hours through the USB-C port found under the flap on the front of the handle. The manual says it lasts 100 prints, but it doesn’t mention the number of clips / images you can take on a charge, which is what you’d expect to do the most.

I mentioned the Gen Dial™. It is the Film Simulation dial for the Evo Cinema, and it offers 10 different video effects named after decades (generations) from 1930 to 2020, with each effect representing the decade. For example 1960 is the Super 8 generation. and 2010 is the streaming generation. Each effect has an option overlay backed into it. For the 1960 you get the faux Super 8 sprocket hole effect, so popular and cheesy, and with the 2010 generation get the streaming overlay with the video control. Only the 2020 position allow recording movies in full resolution. These effects also include audio effects, and can be modulation with a strength level.

For the hardware, the camera comes with two accessories: a grip that extends the handle, and an eye cup. The eye cup turn the small 170K LCD into a viewfinder, making it easier to use when you need reading glasses, proof that they are trying to convince GenXers that they can also have fun with it. The grip screw at the bottom of the handle to make it longer. And that screw is a 1/4″ tripod mount with alignment hole.

To conclude, this is an Instax camera with a video mode relying heavily on nostalgia to drag you into printing. At CA$14 the 10 pack of Instax mini, it’s how much one of these QR code will cost you on top of the CA$480. It’s not a movie camera.

X-Half on sale, is it a signal to the end?

In Canada the Fujifilm X-half is CA$140 off. South of the border it’s US$200 off. (Did I miss where the loonie is more than a US dollar?) The promotion was even extended, which probably indicate they want to move more of it.

Also, in the US at Adorama, you could get a X-Half for free with a X-T5 kit. That’s quite a big gift. Albeit I can’t find it anymore so it’s possible the promo is over.

Now the question about the discount and promotions: is the X-Half selling that bad? I still can’t get the X-E5 + 23mm in black after like 7 month on the wait list but they have enough X-Half for a firesale. I know it’s not a simple move this here to produce more, but Fujifilm seems to be very off with the demand.

News: instax mini Evo Cinema

The tl;dr: Fujifilm announced the instax mini Evo Cinema: a movie camera shaped Instax mini Evo camera.

That means it is a digital camera that directly print on Instax mini. But the rest feels very gimmicky:

– record short videos (up to 15sec) and then print a thumbnail with QR code to share it with other.
– the “Eras Dial”: it’s like a film simulation dial but for time period specific effects, including with the audio.

Most of it requires the use of the associated mobile app.

The ergonomics look interesting, with a grip allegedly inspired by Fujifilm own FUJICA Single-8 movie camera (an 8mm film movie camera from 1965) and a viewfinder attachment to turn the small rear LCD into an EVF. Seriously Fujifilm, make this a proper movie camera that can do 4K and you get my money.

It feels like we are being punked by Fujifilm. The fact that there are very few articles (no review) and very few videos on YouTube about it is either that Fujifilm didn’t send the camera to influencers. Even the Fujifilm corporate channels are light on content with only a video in Japanese. Reading closer what Peta Pixel knows, it seems that the instax mini Evo Cinema is set to be released in Japan, with an unknown prices and international availability.

X-E5 is still unobtainium

So I have a request for an X-E5 in black with a XF 23mm f/2.8 kit on a wait list at a Canadian retailer. It was days the announcement that I was put on the list. So I should be pretty much on top of the list. Turns out the camera in black is “back ordered” and the silver model comes in more often. I definitely want it in black.

At that pace Fujifilm will announce the X-Pro4 (whatever name the X-Pro3 successor will have) before I can even get an X-E5 in black.

Fujifilm GFX 100RF Fragment Edition

Fujifilm still has supply issues where the X-E5 is still hard to find (still waiting on my notification from the retailer).

But now they announce a special edition of the GFX 100RF… a special collaboration with Japanese musician and fashion designer Hiroshi Fujiwara

Beside a few more specially designed accessories and finishes, like a leather strap, the camera is the same as the GFX 100RF, albeit with a higher price tag. On this special edition camera the Monochrome film recipe (and its filtered variants) is being replaced by the FRGMT BW recipe.

From Fujifilm, here is the official FRGMT BW FS Recipe:

– Film Simulation: ACROS
– Grain effect: Strong, large
– Tone Curve (Highlight): +4
– Tone Curve (Shadow): +2
– Sharpness:-4
– High sensitivity noise reduction:-4
– Clarity: +5
– Exposure compensation: +1/3

To get one you’ll need to reserve it starting 20th Dec 2025 at 11:00 (likely Tokyo time), and a lottery will attribute the very limited number and the price of ￥998,000 (including taxes). The regular version is sold for ￥822,200 at Yodobashi, making this about CA$1500 more.

Link: both eyes open – nine years with the Fujifilm TX-1

both eyes open – nine years with the Fujifilm TX-1 is an updated version the long term review I already mentioned last year.

The Fujfilm TX-1 (or its Swedish sibling the XPan) is still on top of my wanted camera list. The problem is more that it calls for a hefty price, which, despite being simple in operation, remains a fairly complex camera that will be hard to repair.

I still haven’t gotten a proper solution for shooting 65:24 either on film or digital.

“The New Era of Film Scanning”

From Soke Engineering: Knokke The New Era of Film Scanning.

Strips of slide film (positive) on a light table viewed in a diagonal orientation. The punchy colours brings joy to the photographer.
Strips of slide film on the light table.

The very short version: a new 35 mm film scanner with roll feed, not unlike the Pakon. But with modern parts, repairability, and open-source software to drive it. The software part is not negligible. You cannot use a Pakon without installing the software on obsolete Microsoft malware. Same for the very expensive Fujifilm Frontier, for for Nikon or any other vendor from decades ago. And without the software they are expensive bricks.

Their target price is €999 at launch, later €1599 (I do have questions). With an intent to scan a roll in 5 minutes at a resolution of 4064 dpi.

It’s still in a state of development, with a Kickstarter planned for Q1 2026, so it’s not available soon yet. But it’s good to see a renewed interest in that niche of equipment that the previous manufacturers have abandoned with their software no one can fix and that doesn’t run on modern computers.

I’ll make sure to post an update.

New Fujifilm X-T30 III and XC 13-33mm

Also today were announced the new Fujifilm X-T30 III and the XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS.

The X-T30 III is just a refresh of the X-T30 II from 2021, the entry level X-series body. Added is the new processor on top of the X-Trans IV sensor, bringing it in par with the X-M5 and X-S20, with updated auto focus and video capabilities.

From the control changes, the left dial is no longer used for drive. but instead is, like on the X-T50 and the X-M5, the film simulation dial, with support for film recipes as introduced by the X-E5. Still hoping for a firmware update doing this on the X-M5.

It also adds direct printing support to the Instax Link printers as well as the associated “crops” for the Mini, Square and Wide formats. Fujifilm, can we get a firmware update to do that on the X-M5 and X-E5 ?

This camera comes optionally with the new XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS that replaces the XC 14-45. A bit wider, and shorter, slower at the long end, and it dropped the power zoom.

Shipping in November 2025 body only for CA$1249, or in December as a kit for CA$1449, in three different colours, Silver, Black and Graphite.

DPReview: Fujifilm X-T30 III adds fresh ingredients to familiar recipe.

Fujifilm product page.

Rangefinder less Leica M EV-1

Take a Leica M11, remove the rangefinder and replace it with an EVF, shave the price by 10% (it’s still unaffordable) and you have the Leica M EV-1.

DPReview preview:

At the most basic level, you can get essentially the same sensor in the Sony a7CR for considerable less money, and get a similar shooting experience by adapting your M-mount lenses to fit. It won’t be as small, be as nicely built or say Leica on the front, but in purely pragmatic terms, it’ll be comparable.

I think that removing the rangefinder is like removing the main reason to buy a Leica M camera. I don’t see where that make sense. If you want to use M lenses but don’t care for the rangefinder, the above suggestion from DPReview will be probably more adequate, and anything else, the law of diminishing returns applies. And instead of a Sony, you can also use any other full frame mirrorless like a Nikon Z or Panasonic S.

This doesn’t mean Leica is abandoning the rangefinder though, but I still wonder who this camera is for except if you want to 12K.

One day I shot two rolls of film in a Leica M7. And I loved it.

A black & white picture of the WW2 era aircraft up close. To the right the propeller. To the left further away the shiny nose of the Beechcraft Expedition with the propeller reflecting in it.
Beechcraft Expedition, Langley Museum of Flight, Langley, BC — October 2011
Leica M7
25mm Biogon f2.8
Kodak BW400CN

The Leica M EV-1 will cost CA$12,315 as per one of my local stores, and should be available starting 23 October 2025 (ie today).

Post scriptum:

David Imel video Why Leica shed its most iconic feature (YouTube) explains the rangefinder quite well, but I’m not convinced the reasoning make sense.