Fujifilm X-T30 III

New: Fujifilm X-T30 III & Fujinon XC 13-33mm lens

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Last night Fujifilm announced the brand-new X-T30 III camera and Fujinon XC 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. That’s a lot of threes! I’m not going to spend much time talking about either of these products, but I did want to briefly mention their existence.

The X-T30 III is almost identical to the X-T30 II, which was pretty much identical to the X-T30, launched in early 2019. The big changes for the third iteration are: X-Processor 5 and Film Dial. All of the other changes are directly related to those two.

X-Processor 5 brings with it more computing power and more efficient processing, which allows for autofocus and video improvements (including 6K Open Gate), as well as the Nostalgic Neg. and Reala Ace Film Simulations. Probably better battery life, too. The Film Dial replaces the Drive Dial, which has now been relocated to a button on the back, similar to the Fujifilm X-E5, X100VI, and X-Pro3. Some people are greatly offended by this, but the Drive button has worked quite sufficiently on those popular models and has been a complete nonissue, so there’s no reason to believe it won’t be the same for the X-T30 III. Some people like to complain for the sake of complaining. The benefit of the Film Dial is that it can store up to three Film Simulation Recipes, bringing the total possible Recipes that can be programmed into the camera at any one time up to 11 (certainly Nigel Tufnel would buy this camera just for this). As of right now, the X-T30 III and X-E5 are the only two cameras capable of 11 Recipes; however, I hope that Fujifilm brings the FS1/FS2/FS3 Recipe option to the X-T50 and X-M5, and any future models with the Film Dial.

The one negative with the Film Dial on the X-T30 III is that—like the X-E5—it’s limited to only six hard-set Film Simulations. Unfortunately, Classic Negative and Nostalgic Neg. were both excluded. For Classic Negative, that’s inexplicable, as it’s one of the most popular and iconic options. I think if Fujifilm had used the same Film Dial found on the X-T50 and X-M5, that would have been better. While the Film Dial isn’t perfect and certainly can be improved, it’s still a feature that I love, and I’m happy to see it on this camera.

The lens? I personally don’t use zooms very often. I’m more of a prime guy myself. It seems like a budget-friendly alternative to the 10-24mm f/4. I’m sure it’s sufficiently good, and a decent starter kit lens. I have no intentions of owning it, personally. Sold with the X-T30 III, I’m sure it’s worthwhile for $150; I definitely wouldn’t spend $400 on one.

There are two (very annoying) complaints that I’ve seen regarding this announcement: Fujifilm should not release any camera until they have Sony-like AF, and where’s the X-Pro4? Let’s discuss both.

I’ve talked about autofocus at great lengths (just type “autofocus” in the search bar), so I won’t spend much energy on it. My basic argument, though, is that Fujifilm’s AF is pretty good, better than what’s existed for the vast majority of photography, and if you can’t make it work for you, it’s largely user error. Yes, your fault. People are offended by that, but sometimes the truth hurts. Once you accept that truth, it reveals a path forward so that you can move beyond your AF obstacles. It might take learning some new skills and/or learning some new things about your camera that you didn’t realize. Fujifilm’s AF is more than sufficient for 99%+ photographers and situations if you know what you’re doing. Those who constantly complain about it have 1) unrealistic expectations (Canikony brands have been making AF for much, much longer, have larger R&D budgets, and larger teams, so it stands to reason that theirs is and always will be better), 2) an unwillingness to accept that they are a part of the problem (more so than the gear), and 3) no motivation for self-improvement.

Can and will Fujifilm improve their AF? Absolutely. I have zero doubts that they’re working hard on that right now and have been for years. Will those improvements have a practical benefit for most of their customers? Probably not, because we’re nearing the peak of an inverted U curve, which means that each improvement will have a smaller and smaller and smaller impact (this is true for every brand, especially Sony and Canon, who might actually be nearing the back side of the curve). Also, realize that any obstacle—including AF woes—can be overcome if you are willing to self-reflect and put in the work. Those who constantly complain about this topic are unwilling on both accounts.

As for the X-Pro4, which I’m predicting will be called X-Pro5, I’m somewhat confident that it will arrive within the next six months, probably announced in January or February. It will likely kick off X-Trans VI, and the X-T30 III will mark the end of the fifth-generation. In other words, the next X-Pro is coming, just have a little more patience.

Anyway, the Fujifilm X-T30 III will hold the important role of budget-friendly non-PASM model with an EVF. The X-T30 II and the X-T30 before it served this purpose very well, and, despite less fanfare, sold a heck-of-a-lot of copies. The X-T30 III will quietly be a major success, too. At only $999, it’s probably the best value camera in the lineup. Yes, some models are cheaper. Yes, some are better. But none quite offer the bang-for-the-buck that the X-T30 III does.

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Fujifilm X-T30 III in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T30 III in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T30 III in Charcoal:
Amazon, B&H, Moment
Fujinon 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3:
B&H, Nuzira

Why the Upcoming Fujifilm X-T30 III is Genius, and makes the X-T30 legendary

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm is about to announce the X-T30 III, the true successor to the X-T30 II. A lot of people assumed that the Fujifilm X-T50 was the X-T30 II’s successor, but it wasn’t—if you a Fuji X Weekly regular, you’ve known that for about a year-and-a-half now. Tomorrow at 10:00 PM Pacific Time, Fujifilm will unveil the new camera.

I don’t have any inside information, but I expect that the Fujifilm X-T30 III will be 95% the same as the X-T30 II, which was 98% the same as the X-T30. Fujifilm announced the original X-T30 in February of 2019. I remember it well because I preordered it, and later created many Film Simulation Recipes with that camera. The X-T30 II, which was basically a firmware update with a few minor changes, came in October of 2021. The ability to save WB Shift with each C1-C7 Custom Settings preset, as well as Classic Negative and other JPEG tools like Clarity, are the major improvements found on the Mark II version. Now, four years later, Fujifilm is about to release the latest iteration.

From all accounts, the X-T30 III will be the same as the X-T30 II, except with X-Processor 5 (which includes Nostalgic Neg. and Reala Ace), a Film Dial like what’s on the X-T50 and X-M5, and a Drive Button instead of a Drive Dial. Aside from that, it will be pretty much the same thing as the X-T30 II. I don’t expect any major changes. Overall, it will be a mild refresh.

Why, then, do I think this camera is genius? Because Fujifilm will quietly sell a whole lot of these. It’s not going to go viral like the X100VI. It’s not going to make major headlines. It’s not going to be a hot topic on Reddit or Facebook groups. But Fujifilm will sell a bunch of X-T30 III cameras, more than most other models offered by the brand.

Just four days ago, New York Magazine published in The Strategist section This Fujifilm Camera Gives Me Film Photos Without the Processing by Katherine Gillespie. It’s essentially a review of the Fujifilm X-T30 II. In that article, Katherine states, “Even just using the cheapest 15-45mm kit lens, the camera creates beautiful JPEG photos that require little to no editing to make the colors pop and can be wirelessly transferred to my phone via Fujifilm’s XApp. For me, this is a big sell. While some people seem to enjoy playing around with presets on Lightroom, as a procrastinator who also sort of hates computers, I can’t think of anything worse than shooting in RAW then having to go through and edit hundreds of photos after every social event or vacation. Especially as doing so would also require purchasing a pricey Adobe subscription.”

The article included a small and subtle shoutout to Fuji X Weekly, which was mind-blowing. This follows the New York Times mention in July. I never imagined getting noticed by such large and prestigious publications. But I digress; however, it is a good read, should you want to.

Statements like Katherine’s are why the X-T30 and X-T30 II sold so well, and why soon the X-T30 III will, too. It’s easy to get great-looking photos without the fuss. The cameras are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and straightforward-enough that they’re accessible to anyone and everyone. Even a child can use it and get great results. Robust enough that professionals can use it for serious work, but not so much that first-time hobbyists are in over their heads. That’s indeed a big sell.

No other Fujifilm camera has been given a Mark III iteration. The X-E2 had a second version called X-E2s. There’s the X-H2 and X-H2s, but that’s a slightly different story. There was an X-T3 WW, which was an X-T3 without an external battery charger included in the box. The X-T4 ES is an infrared version of the X-T4. Most models have their time, followed by a successor; the few with a second variation were not given a third. The X-T30 is unique, with a third iteration about to crest the horizon. That elevates the camera to legendary status in my books. There is no doubt in my mind that the X-T30 III will be a great success for Fujifilm, albeit without the fanfare that other models in the X-series often get.

Report: 3 Fujifilm Cameras coming Early 2024

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Will a new X-Pro model be announced soon?

According to Fujirumors, Fujifilm will announce at least three new cameras in the “first months of” 2024. Let’s take a look at what that might mean.

First, thanks to Fujirumors, we already know what one of the cameras will be: the X100V successor. We’ve known this for awhile, but we don’t know anything about it other than it will have a new lens. We don’t even know what it will be named. But it will be the first of the upcoming three models, most likely announced at the end of January or the beginning of February.

Second, the rest is a mystery. We don’t know anything. And I certainly don’t have any inside information. Zero. I learn the same way that you do. I can only speculate. But looking at trends (both past and current) it’s not too difficult to make some reasonable guesses. Whether these guesses turn out to be correct is something that only time will tell. I’m wrong about these things often enough that whatever I speculate should be taken with a large grain of salt. This is just for fun.

I think it’s a very safe guess that one of the two remaining models will be the much-anticipated and much-hoped-for X-Pro4. When the X-H2s and the X-S20 were announced, it was at the end of May (of 2022 and 2023, respectively). Don’t be surprised if the X-Pro4 is announced next year in the second half of May. I know the phrase “first months of” makes it seem like it will be sooner than May, but I think it simply means first half of the year. While this is all speculation, I think it’s a fairly safe guess, as far as guesses go.

XPan aspect ratio crop — Fujifilm X-T5 — CineStill 400D v1 Recipe

I don’t know what will be different on the X-Pro4 and what will be the same as the X-Pro3, but I do expect there will be one or two surprises. Fujifilm will do something that is both compelling and perhaps even controversial. I hope that it has the 40mp X-Trans V sensor, plus the XPan aspect ratio as an in-camera option. If Fujifilm were to really think outside the box, they’d throw a 50mp APS-H 4:3 aspect ratio sensor inside of it, which would allow for 25mp XPan pictures. I think most Fujinon lenses would cover APS-H, and Fujifilm could do an auto-crop to 40mp 3:2 for those lenses that can’t. I highly doubt they’ll do this, but it would certainly make headlines if they did.

A lot of people are speculating that the third camera will be an X-E5, but I don’t think it will be. Shockingly, the X-E4 was inexplicably discontinued when there was a lot of demand for it, and as a result the used market for that model has gone crazy. It would make a lot of sense for Fujifilm to rush a successor out ASAP, so as to capitalize on the demand. Still, Fujifilm has suggested that the X-E line might done, plus X-E successors typically doesn’t come out until the end of a sensor generation, which means that an X-E5 won’t likely happen until 2025 (if ever). So I would be pretty surprised if this is the third camera.

The most logical option in my opinion is the X-T30 II successor. This line has been a good seller for Fujifilm, and I think they desperately need a budget-friendly model in the lineup. If you look hard enough it is still possible to buy a brand-new X-T30 II, but it’s sold out at a lot of places, and has been for awhile. My guess is that the successor will be largely identical to the X-T30 II, with the same X-Trans IV sensor but with the X-Trans V processor (like the X-S20). It will have some autofocus and video spec improvements, but will be mostly the same exact camera as the X-T30 II. I bet they call it the X-T30 III, and not X-T40 or X-T50. I suspect it will be announced in late-March or early-April, and it doesn’t even get an X-Summit… or if it does, it’s not the headline product.

Since we don’t know for certain what the second and third upcoming cameras will be, what do you hope Fujifilm will announce next year? Really, at this point it could be anything. Let me know in the comments!