It’s been a whirlwind ever since Fujifilm announced the X100VI, the much-anticipated successor to the much-desired-but-hard-to-find X100V. According to Fujirumors, the X100VI has had the most preorders of any other Fujifilm camera ever. According to Sonyalpharumors, the new Fujifilm camera has 50 times more preorders than the Sony A7cII and Sony A7cR combined. Amateur Photographer states that the “Fujifilm X100VI breaks all records as sales are off the charts.” There are a couple of quotes within that article that are worth sharing:
“This is the most successful launch we’ve ever had,” a Fujifilm manager in the U.K. stated. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“The response has been unprecedented,” said Wex (the largest camera chain in the U.K.). “We have seen a huge surge in initial demand and are now on course to break all records for Wex.”
I decided to do my own sleuthing. I contacted several big camera stores, as well as a couple small local stores, and asked them about X100VI preorders. One of the big stores told me that they didn’t want to talk specifics, but that demand has been extremely high; there will be a delay in fulfilling all of the preorders, but they don’t know how long that delay will be—could be weeks, could be months.
Another big store was much more open. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” they told me. “Probably 10 to 12 times the next biggest launch we’ve ever seen.” One store’s waitlist is currently a little over two-years long (yes, two years already!), but they’re hoping that Fujifilm will increase delivery of units to them, so they can cut that time down from years to months. They also told me that Fujifilm will be shipping cameras to them on a weekly basis. If you’re not in the first batch, if you’re high on the list, you might only have to wait another week or two to receive yours.
The local stores are in a similar boat. While their waitlists have far fewer people on them, they also expect to receive far fewer copies of the camera, so it could be months before they are able to fulfill the current preorders.
“We are seeing the pent up demand from the previous model transform into strong commitment from existing customers, as well as huge levels of excitement and intrigued from new,” Wex explained in the Amateur Photographer article. In that same piece, Park Cameras gave this advice: “The sooner you get your preorder in, the sooner you’ll get your camera.”
If you weren’t super quick to preorder, you’ll likely have some wait before your’s arrives, and possibly a long wait; however, in time all of the preorders will be fulfilled. You might need to be extra patient. Just know that everyone—the camera stores and Fujifilm—are working extra hard to make sure you get it as quickly as possible. If you have yet to preorder but you’d like to, the quicker that you do so the faster the camera will be in your hands; however, be prepared that you might not get it for many months.
Where should you buy yours from? Personally, I’ve purchased gear from local stores, Amazon, B&H, Adorama, Moment, and I’m sure others. Of all of those, Moment is my personal favorite. They’re a pretty cool company, and they’re fans of Fuji X Weekly.
See also:
The Connection Between Fuji X Weekly & the New Fujifilm X100VI
Why Shooting JPEGs Is So Popular (& 10 Fujifilm Simulation Recipes!)
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm X100VI in black: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Fujifilm X100VI in silver: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
I had to wait 2 years and 8 months to buy a Sony Playstation 5 for my son and during COVID I waited two years to get a NVIDIA graphics card that was remotely fast…there have been other times when trying to get the latest takes a long time.
I placed my order for the Fuji 100VI 3 to 5 minute after the preorder went live on B & H. Will I get it next week? who knows…but I bet I’ll get it quicker than when I got the Sony PS5. If someone has waited until now…well there are other Fuji cameras that are just as much fun as the 100VI.
You’ll likely get it much quicker than the PS5!! 🤣
I ordered mine within the first five or six minutes after it went live, but I’m pretty certain I was too slow to be included in the first batch that will be shipped. Maybe the second or third, though, depending on the numbers that the camera store gets. Possibly it could be April…. But, you know, it’s definitely not a “need” for me, so I can be plenty patient. Just as long as it’s not 2 years and 8 months—I’m not that patient! 🤣
I’m with ya… I use a X-T5 for my primary camera but I’m just using my old X-T3 as my daily carry and it’s a little bulkier with the 35mm lens on it, but it’s working until the 100VI gets here
Fujifilm was unable or unwilling to meet the high demand for 100V.
How and why did Fujifilm suddenly have the technical capabilities to meet the huge demand for the 106???
It seems to me that buyers will be very disappointed with unjustified expectations…
So it’s 50/50. It’s either a huge success or a huge failure. The latter seems more likely to me. Especially with the current turbulence in the world.
Supposedly Fujifilm produced 7,500 X100V’s each month, which wasn’t even close to enough for demand. Supposedly they are producing 15,000 X100VI’s each month, which apparently is also not close to meeting demand. I’m hearing that the preorders within the first 24 hours for the X100VI have exceeded that of any other camera ever released by any manufacturer ever. Record setting. Worldwide demand (preorders) is reportedly closer to one million copies (half a million in China alone… apparently it is very popular there….), while Fujifilm isn’t even planning to make 200,000 units in 2024. I’m sure some of those preorders are duplicates (people just trying to get one, but placing multiple orders to see which ships first), and some are scalpers. Even so, they might have to double production capacity (if that’s even on the table as a possibility) just to fulfill day-one orders within the first two years of its release.
Let’s face it: lots of them will already be pre-ordered under different accounts to be sold on, as new, at inflated prices..
I’m assuming some are duplicates where a person puts in two or three orders to see which ships first… then they’ll cancel the others. There are also scalpers… you can already find them on ebay with listings for $3,000 to $5,000! It’s my understanding, though, that worldwide preorders for this camera exceeded that of any other camera ever made by anyone, and most of those are legitimate people like you and I just trying to get the camera.
The biggest thing tempting me to get one is the FOMO. The fear that, since the x100v wasn’t really available at list price, if I ever down the road wanted I was VYING to get one (pun intended), I probably couldn’t. With MSRP for these lower than used prices for the prior model until now… I almost worry that I can’t afford not to get one.
And yet, I have an X-Pro3. I really don’t need one. I have better things to do with my money. It’d be nice, but I’ve got a strong Fuji kit already.
But that “get it now or never get it” bug is buzzing in my ear.
VI-ing? 🤣
I’m sure FOMO is driving some sales; however, I think, in general, it’s better to invest in experiences rather than gear. Where could you take your X-Pro3 for $1,600?
Hi,
Did you know that Moment is “upgrading” all pending X100V orders to X100VI pre-orders and fulfilling them before any X100VI pre-orders placed after the launch?
A little disappointed that is not mentioned (as of the time this comment was posted) on their product page or anywhere during check out. They have essentially told me that my pre-order will be delayed for unknown amount of time even though they confirm receiving it at 10:03 PM Pacific Time. They also already charged my card, which is essentially an interest-free loan from me to them until I receive the camera.
Figured I’d reach out since you mentioned Moment being your favorite of the big online stores in this post. Also curious what your thoughts are on them (Moment) doing this?
Anyways, love all the work you do! Keep it up.
I wasn’t aware but I’m not surprised. I predicted this would happen way back in July (https://fujixweekly.com/2023/07/13/report-fujifilm-x100z-to-be-released-in-early-2024-now-lets-dream).
My guess is that Moment is far from the only one doing this, and that it is probably recommended practice from Fujifilm themselves. Of course, each store is free to do what they will, but I think this is probably what most stores are doing. I’ve heard people say that they ordered from B&H two minutes after it went live, and they’re being told there will be a delay—likely because X100V backorders were moved to X100VI preorders.
The problem is that no matter what, someone will be pissed. If you don’t put the X100V backorder people first, they’re upset because they’ve been waiting a long time already. And if you do put them first, all those who preordered right away will be upset because why should someone else jump ahead of them in line—how is that fair? No matter how the store decided to handle things, either way, they have angry customers right now (or tomorrow, anyway).
I do believe that Moment plans to include some sort of digital product with their X100VI’s, but I’m not certain what that is exactly (maybe an online course or something?). I hope it makes it worthwhile, despite the wait.
Very thoughtful insight!
The more I thought about it last night, I think I would’ve been very upset if I had a pending x100v order and had to go to the back of the line of the x100vi order queue.
It is good customer service on their end. Fujifilm have played a role in that decision as well since they had issues meeting demand.
Like you said, cannot please everyone.
I just saw that Moment have posted on Reddit and in some Facebook groups addressing what I mentioned. They even posted a called “How To Actually Get a Fujifilm X100VI.” That is nice of them to do that as they certainly did not have to do that.
I appreciate the comment!
I’m so putting this on my lowly X100S.
https://petapixel.com/2024/02/27/cant-get-hold-of-the-new-fujifilm-x100vi-just-fake-it-with-some-stickers/
(Nah. Just joking. I like my 100S and am patiently waiting for XP4.)
🤣 🤣 🤣
Hi Ritchie, apologies if you’ve already mentioned it but do you think it’s worth buying fuji x100VI instead of x100V? Thanks for your honest opinion. G.
I think they’re pretty similar. The X100VI has more on paper that makes it better, but honestly, it’s very similar to the V, and I don’t think there’s a ton to distinguish the two. Neither are likely easy to find, so it might come down to which you can get ahold of. I would be happy with either, but the X100VI is ever-so-slightly “better” so if everything is equal, I’d lean towards it. I hope this makes sense, and is somehow helpful.