My Fujifilm X100VI preorder was completed six minutes after the camera went live at the the top of the hour during the X Summit. It didn’t ship today. The store that I ordered from is not saying when it might ship, only that it could be weeks or months. I’m not worried or upset, though.
I’m guessing that many of you might be in the same boat as me. I’m sure some reading this didn’t preorder the new camera, but, with record-demand (not just for a Fujifilm model… the X100VI apparently had more preorders than any other camera by any brand ever), it’s a safe bet that many of you did order it. If you weren’t super quick (I thought I was, but obviously wasn’t quick enough), your order likely didn’t ship today. I’m sure that some of you did, in fact, receive a notice today that yours has shipped, and even a few of you might already have it in your possession. That’s awesome! Enjoy your new camera. For the rest of us, it’s easy to feel empty or even envious. If you preordered the X100VI but your copy wasn’t in the first batch, let me give you some reasons not to be dismayed.
First, in time, you’ll get your new camera. Just be patient. The hype will subside, new copies will be made, and it will get to you before you know it. Waiting a few weeks or months is not a big deal. Yes, we’re used to everything being instant. But a little delay won’t hurt you. Just take a deep breath in and out, and let the FOMO go. Know that it’s going to work out alright, and before you know it you’ll be shooting with the new model.
Second, the X100VI won’t be a night-and-day difference from your other Fujifilm gear. It likely is an upgrade, but it’s not going to be a massive upgrade, unless you’re coming from an early X-series model. Keeping expectations in check will not only help limit disappointments, but also help with patience.
Third, whatever camera you do have already, it’s plenty good enough. It’s a positive exercise to go back to the old reviews of your gear and read the glowing praise, which serves as a reminder that the cameras we own are actually pretty darn good. New gear won’t make you a better photographer. A camera like the X100VI can be a lot of fun, and sometimes that enjoyment can motivate us to use our gear more; however, there are plenty of ways to find renewed enjoyment from our old gear, such as trying different Film Simulation Recipes, using vintage lenses, or simply taking it on adventures.
So if you’re feeling disappointed that you’ll have to wait a bit longer for your new camera, I hope that this helps you feel a little better. A little patience will help ease your anxiousness, and a little fresh air is good for the spirit. So grab your current camera, whatever it is, and go out right now and shoot with it.
If you didn’t order the new Fujifilm X100VI but would like to, you’ll likely have a significant wait, but eventually it will be in stock.
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Fujifilm X100VI in black: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Fujifilm X100VI in silver: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Well, I thought I ordered a little late, like 20 or 30 minutes after release, but B&H sent it out this afternoon Yippie key-yea!
Wow, awesome! Black or silver?
Very happy for you Larry! Wishing you good delivery and reception. Enjoy!
Jared Polin posted on his Instagram that 500,000 units were preordered in Japan alone and Fujifilm can only make 184,000 units a year. If that’s true it will take almost 3 years to deliver the initial orders. Sounds like the VI will have the same back order problems of the V.
I heard that was China… it’s not even available for sale yet in Japan. I have no idea if it is true or not, though. But… one (large) camera store told me that at the numbers Fujifilm has indicated that they will be delivering to that store, it will take them over two years to complete the preorders. So it very well could be true, in which Fujifilm might need to figure out how to increase production.
I think it would be better for the brand if they only sold what they can make. This goes for all the brands who sell to the hype. I’m on Fuji since the xpro1 release and fully invested in the ecosystem- but this kind of nonsense makes the resellers look shifty and weakens the brand. I was already a little concerned by the move to China for manufacturing but made peace with it via supply logistics. If it is as bad as the x100v, I will likely cancel my order and move on. Or join the rest of the scalpers and flip it. Bummer. But as stated in the post- I have good gear to shoot on and will keep shooting. But this stuff makes me worry for the brand- will they start focusing only on the hype gear and less on the top end where the R&D gets done? Will they keep working on great glass or focus on pocket/point and shoot easy sales? For me it isn’t the ‘panic” about a backorder, but what it means to the bigger brand roadmap.
It’s hard to say what the long-term meaning of any of this is. Fujifilm didn’t guess that the X100V, over two years after it was released, would suddenly become such a big hit. I don’t think Fujifilm expected that the X100VI would be the most preordered camera in the history of preordering cameras (which, apparently, goes back about 20 years as common practice). I don’t think that they expected double-production (over the X100V) to be grossly insufficient. Especially when the common logic in the industry is that cameras like the X100 are niche and the market for them is shrinking and not growing.
The X100-series is a gateway into the Fujifilm system. It is often the very first Fujifilm that someone owns. So its success could bode well for the other models in the upcoming months and years. This could be Fujifilm’s opportunity to pass Nikon in digital camera sells, if they are interested in doing so.
I don’t think there’s any reason to panic about anything. I don’t think that Fujifilm is going to focus on “hype gear” (whatever that means, I’m not sure… the X100 is considered a “top-end” premium product). But maybe it goes to show that the move to become more like Canikony-brands is not the best one, and that embracing what makes your brand unique, and clearly communicating why that is desirable, is the winning formula.
Wishing good luck and more so wait Ritchie.
For me I received my (pre-)order today, official first delivery day, and purchase it immediately!
In fact I pre-order to my official Fujifilm reseler right after the first FujiRummor was fully confirmed hence a while ago. Knowing very well the hype on the X100V and the programmed very high demand on the X100VI. I did not went over internet reselers / Amazon or else.
Therefore I was the very first in my reseller list…
And since after 10 years now I’m also well known to my local Fujifilm country, well the first batch of X100VI delivered to my country went to the known & established resellers and well-known Fujifilm users of my country.
Hence I get my copy today as scheduled.
I’ve done that for my X-E4 in kit with the XF27WR, my X-T5, my previous X-T4 & X100V…
This is off course a very personal experience (and from experience) and no using the internet reseller, being outside the US, etc…
Therefore I wish all who pre-ordered all the best in their wait.
I’m very happy for Fujifilm that on their 90th anniversary there new X100VI sells like hot cakes and has considerable success. This is good for Fujifilm and his commitment to the X/GFX lines / photography business, good for us as dedicated Fujifilm users. Of course the wait might be long for some. I do hope thought it will not too long or impossible like it was for the X100V (hence the X100VI being produce now in the China factory, small ‘price’ to pay get one copy now).
I had only wished the price tag of the X100VI was not that high compared to X100V (yeah IBIS + 40MP sensor + more so the inflation and Fujifilm building on the success of the line). But during my purchase process of my X100VI, I sold back to my reseller (yes I did that on purpose, I hate speculations like seen for the X100V, and did finance all my current gear by reselling the previous versions via my reseller) and get my X100VI for a fair price. I think my former X100V (in mint shape as usual) will sell very quickly and find a very happy owner who will pay also a faire price on local market. That’s the Community spirit.
It’s always great to have connections. Thanks for the input! 😀
I haven’t had a camera for ten years, just my underwhelming phones, but I really wanted to get back into street photography. Not least because I want to capture the beauty of Switzerland before moving away next summer. After much research I decided to buy a x100v, so I reached out to my local shop. Ahem, they said, there will be a new model soon— we can put you on the waiting list.
Hm, I said, if you think it’s a good idea.
I’m picking up the camera today. It is bizarre to read about the hype, but I’m very thankful and will do my best to justify the purchase.
Wow! That’s amazing, definitely enjoy your new camera!
I needed this article, left in the dark room with all my back ordered brothers & sisters….everything will be ok. Haha may the camera gods gift us a confirmed order, soon.
🤣
I’m glad that I could help you feel a little better. 😀
As always, great article Ritchie! I love the part about going through the reviews of the gear you already have. I also like to download the promotional videos about the camera and re-watch them from time to time to reconnect with the gear I already have haha!
I initially pre-ordered the X100VI as I have to send in my X-Pro 3 for the repair and been looking for a second camera for sometime now but then I found a great deal on the XT-5 and, remembering I struggled a bit with a fixed lens of the X100F (which apart from this I really liked), went for it, especially that I have a big collection of lenses now, including the small ones.
So, picking it up today, super excited to try all the Trans V recipes I have been adding to my wishlist!
Hope you get your X100VI quick, I really think Fuji should have sent it to you way before the premiere and finally appreciate the work you’re doing that boosts their sales.
The X-T5 is an excellent camera. You will greatly enjoy it.
Watching the promo videos is a great idea, too.
Thanks for all of your kind words!
Faced with the fixed lens feature in past and then the X-E4 that I absolutely love. I’m finding I’m using the 23mm F2 more often than thought. Well, you know what that means. The leaf shutter on the X100 series is genius!
It is genius. I don’t know if most people really understand just how great it is.
I found the last X100V available from a store in my country a few days ago. Was debating wether to wait for the X100VI or get the V instead. I choose the V and I’m super glad I did since the preorders haven’t started yet where I live (no official store knows when they will have them in stock). Can’t even imagine what waiting time I would get in the VI scenario.
The Fujifilm X100V is still a very excellent and desirable camera in 2024 (and beyond). Great find!
I sold my X100V just last week in anticipation of the pre-ordered VI shipping right away. But no such luck so I’m going to take your advice and enjoy the other Fuji gear I own – notably my X70 which has been feeling a little neglected recently.
The X70 is a fun little camera. Fujifilm desperately needs an X80, but I’m not sure if that will ever happen. Enjoy the X70!
Sold my X-E4 about two months ago and now waiting, for who knows how long, for my X100Vi to ship. Now without a camera, I thought I’d buy an X-S20 to carry me through until the X100vi arrived but alas… you can’t find those anywhere either! A bit frustrating, but on the other hand this is a good sign that mobile phones haven’t, and aren’t going to obliterate the camera industry anytime soon!
Yikes! I hope that you get your new camera soon.