subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 4 April 2020 7
AP What were the most
important aspects of the X-T
range you wanted to retain
when designing the X-T4?
JW Keeping the size and weight
down while upgrading performance
was a challenge. The IBIS (in-body
stabilisation unit) is physically
smaller than its predecessor, but
8x times more accurate. So it was
a technical feat to pull off.AP Can you elaborate?
JW We unifi ed the magnetic
devices; previously spring hooks
were used for some parts. When it
comes to the devices for position
sensing and the actuator, there are
only three in the X-T4 while the
X-H1 had six. At the same time,
this high-performance IBIS unit is
30% smaller and 20% lighter. We
would like to expand the IBIS
function to all our models. When
using shorter focal-length lenses it
offers a real advantage.AP So is that why the battery
has bigger capacity?
JW No, that is more about still
shooters and videographers
wanting more frames per second
overall and longer recording time
on a single charge. So it wasn’t just
the new IBIS unit that necessitated
a new battery.AP How important was it to
balance the needs of both
stills photographers and
videographers in the X-T4?
JW The number of serious
photographers who also shoot
video is increasing all the time, as
they need to stay competitive. The
X-T3 stepped into video a bit, but
the X-T4 is much more of a
full-blown stills and video hybrid- while keeping to the compact
philosophy of the X-T range. The
X-T4 is also a serious camera for
videographers.
AP What was the thinking
behind the screen design?
JW We went for a free rotation
design because some
videographers told us that they
wanted to shoot selfi es, and to
change and check focusing while
recording. This can’t be done with
the X-T3 but the X-T4 has a whole
new mechanism.AP As the product planner,
which aspects of the X-T4 are
you most excited about?
JW After announcing the X-T3,
I met several pros, all over the
world. Most of their requests made
it into the X-T4 and the feedback
so far has been really positive.
They are happy, which makes me
really happy, too. We hope to
attract new Fujifi lm users with the
X-T4, as well as people upgrading
from older models – we are
targeting new and existing users.Meeting the X-T4’s
product planner
Jun Watanabe, the product planner for the X-T4,
gives some extra insight into this new cameramadethehotshoe
fl atter and again,
milled the material.
And of course the
X100V has the
latest X-Processor
4, an Advanced
Hybrid Viewfi nder, a
tilting three-inch
touchscreen,
improved AF and
many more features.
AP Moving on, the Fujifi lm
GFX100 is getting a fi rmware
camera update to improve the
in-body image stabilisation so
it can capture 400MP images
via a high-resolution
composite mode. What were
the particular challenges of
developing this?
MO As you know the sensor is
originally 100MP on the
GFX100 so it’s a real challenge
to maintain accuracy when you
go up to 400MP.
AP What impact has the
spread of coronavirus had on
your business this year,
particularly in regard to supply
chains and labour?
SA It has defi nitely had an
impact, because the X-T3 and
X-T30 models are made in
China. After the Chinese new
year fi nished, workers were
supposed to have returned to
work but only about half of them
did. The situation is now
improving, but this did cause
delays. Also a lot of components
come from China, so even
factories in Thailand or Japan are
dependent on Chinese parts.Jun Watanabe displays the powerful
but compact IBIS unit from the X-TThe X-T4 is still compact but is ‘more
of a full-blown stills and video hybrid’Fujifilm has revealed
more about the
innovation on its
latest productsThe GFX100 will shoot
400MP images due to a
firmware update