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Fuji's intel on Nikon

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Chris Dodkin

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Now that we see the new Nikons - makes me wonder if Fuji have a mole within the Nikon camp?

I could be wrong, but it sure looks like Fuji got a heads up on the Z designs, and moved quickly to release a competitor ahead of Nikon.

The X-H1 looks a lot like the Zs, the ergonomics, the styling, IBIS - and was a big departure for Fuji from their existing design themes.

Almost like they knew they had a future model to compete with! ;-)

Then there's the Nikon 58mm f/0.95 S lens announcement. An 'ultimate' fast prime lens, to set a standard.

Well what do you know, Fuji announce well ahead of the Nikon launch, that they are doing a 33mm f/1 for the X-Series.

Amazing coincidences - two of them

What are the chances? ;-)
 
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
 
Rob-in-Alberta said:
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
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Not that Nikon cares cause they're you know...Nikon. People would buy it even if it was crap.
 
BaeckerX1 said:
Rob-in-Alberta said:
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
Click to expand...
Not that Nikon cares cause they're you know...Nikon. People would buy it even if it was crap.
Click to expand...
yes, like when Mazda basically copied the BMW designs. I dont think BMW cared, people aren't really saying " I am going to buy the $30,000 Mazda 3 and not the $60,000 BMW 328"
 
I think the most likely explanation is that all camera manufacturers seem to be reaching a consensus about the most ergonomic camera body size. The Z6 & 7, X-H1 and G9 are all different sensor sizes but have similar bodies.

Personally, I prefer a smaller body, like the X-T2, but that's just me.

As for the lens, Fuji have mulled over that lens before, if rumours are to be believed, so Nikon probably had a similar thought process. Though making it manual seems a massive own goal to me. What better way to advertise the focusing accuracy of mirrorless than making an AF full frame f 0.95 lens?
 
Chris Dodkin said:
Now that we see the new Nikons - makes me wonder if Fuji have a mole within the Nikon camp?

I could be wrong, but it sure looks like Fuji got a heads up on the Z designs, and moved quickly to release a competitor ahead of Nikon.

The X-H1 looks a lot like the Zs, the ergonomics, the styling, IBIS - and was a big departure for Fuji from their existing design themes.

Almost like they knew they had a future model to compete with! ;-)

Then there's the Nikon 58mm f/0.95 S lens announcement. An 'ultimate' fast prime lens, to set a standard.

Well what do you know, Fuji announce well ahead of the Nikon launch, that they are doing a 33mm f/1 for the X-Series.

Amazing coincidences - two of them

What are the chances? ;-)
Click to expand...
 
I think it's rather a case of design convergence and learning from the opposition. e.g. the lens roadmap is something Nikon picked up from Fuji who in turn picked it up from Olympus. As for the design, it is equally easy to state that it is copied from the A7 iii series.

Just look at all the current DSLRs. They pretty much all look about the same. Departing from a tried-and-true formula is a risky proposition. One that I'm sure Nikon did not want to add to all the other risks they were taking.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pritzl/
 
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I'd disagree, mainly because Fuji already had a clear and successful retro look design path, and then suddenly produced something completely different out of left field.

Which now makes sense, when you see the Nikon.

Then add in the abrupt move to IBIS, something which had previously been downplayed by Fuji.
 
f/1 is still f/1 - and takes significant investment and commitment to produce, regardless of sensor size.
 
Chris Dodkin said:
Now that we see the new Nikons - makes me wonder if Fuji have a mole within the Nikon camp?

I could be wrong, but it sure looks like Fuji got a heads up on the Z designs, and moved quickly to release a competitor ahead of Nikon.

The X-H1 looks a lot like the Zs, the ergonomics, the styling, IBIS - and was a big departure for Fuji from their existing design themes.

Almost like they knew they had a future model to compete with! ;-)

Then there's the Nikon 58mm f/0.95 S lens announcement. An 'ultimate' fast prime lens, to set a standard.

Well what do you know, Fuji announce well ahead of the Nikon launch, that they are doing a 33mm f/1 for the X-Series.

Amazing coincidences - two of them

What are the chances? ;-)
Click to expand...
 
Chris Dodkin said:
I'd disagree, mainly because Fuji already had a clear and successful retro look design path, and then suddenly produced something completely different out of left field.

Which now makes sense, when you see the Nikon.

Then add in the abrupt move to IBIS, something which had previously been downplayed by Fuji.
Click to expand...
I would argue that the Sony A7 series was a bigger influence on the X-H1 than a rumored Nikon body.
 
dfom said:
Chris Dodkin said:
Now that we see the new Nikons - makes me wonder if Fuji have a mole within the Nikon camp?

I could be wrong, but it sure looks like Fuji got a heads up on the Z designs, and moved quickly to release a competitor ahead of Nikon.

The X-H1 looks a lot like the Zs, the ergonomics, the styling, IBIS - and was a big departure for Fuji from their existing design themes.

Almost like they knew they had a future model to compete with! ;-)

Then there's the Nikon 58mm f/0.95 S lens announcement. An 'ultimate' fast prime lens, to set a standard.

Well what do you know, Fuji announce well ahead of the Nikon launch, that they are doing a 33mm f/1 for the X-Series.

Amazing coincidences - two of them

What are the chances? ;-)
Click to expand...
Another odd coincidence is the release of Fuji’s lens roadmap back a few weeks ago. In addition to the forementioned 33mm lens, it also included a 16-80 mm/f4 zoom lens, with OIS and weather sealing. Looks to be somewhat similar to Nikon’s new Z mount zoom lens just released with the Z body cameras.
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You must be seeing something I am not. I don’t see a 24-120mm lens in Nikon’s Z lens roadmap. Do you? BTW, Nikon’s 24-120mm f4 FX DSLR lens is so poor beyond 50mm when shot wide open that calling it a a constant f4.0 is actually deceptive. It only gets useable at f5.6 beyond 50mm.
 
BaeckerX1 said:
Rob-in-Alberta said:
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
Click to expand...
Not that Nikon cares cause they're you know...Nikon. People would buy it even if it was crap.
Click to expand...
You came out of hiding just to take that shot or what?
 
stevo23 said:
BaeckerX1 said:
Rob-in-Alberta said:
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
Click to expand...
Not that Nikon cares cause they're you know...Nikon. People would buy it even if it was crap.
Click to expand...
You came out of hiding just to take that shot or what?
Click to expand...
Huh? I've been around. Also, it wasn't a shot. I never said it was crap. I just said people would still buy it IF it was. It's called brand name recognition and brand loyalty, neither of which are bad things to a company looking to make money. I'd say the same thing about Apple. It also was really about how I doubt they'd care if Fuji did copy their camera strategy, because of their dominant market share. It couldn't be construed as a knock against Fuji either (I love my Fuji gear). Reading comprehension is a skill you should master before calling people out. Sheesh.
 
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I think Fuji made the X-H1 as a stopgap while they master their IBIS tech. They needed to put something out there with IBIS before Nikon and Canon. Once they master it (make it smaller) they'll put in into the X-T line and they will consolidate the X-H and X-T lines into one flagship once again.
 
marbles504 said:
I think Fuji made the X-H1 as a stopgap while they master their IBIS tech. They needed to put something out there with IBIS before Nikon and Canon. Once they master it (make it smaller) they'll put in into the X-T line and they will consolidate the X-H and X-T lines into one flagship once again.
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Very well said!
 
BaeckerX1 said:
stevo23 said:
BaeckerX1 said:
Rob-in-Alberta said:
Corporate espionage in the tech world is cold war esque, even in Japan (or especially in Japan? you make the call)

I am sure Fuji knew all about the Z series years ago and Nikon knew that Fuji knew and Nikon knew about the XH1.
Click to expand...
Not that Nikon cares cause they're you know...Nikon. People would buy it even if it was crap.
Click to expand...
You came out of hiding just to take that shot or what?
Click to expand...
Huh? I've been around. Also, it wasn't a shot. I never said it was crap. I just said people would still buy it IF it was. It's called brand name recognition and brand loyalty, neither of which are bad things to a company looking to make money. I'd say the same thing about Apple. It also was really about how I doubt they'd care if Fuji did copy their camera strategy, because of their dominant market share. It couldn't be construed as a knock against Fuji either (I love my Fuji gear). Reading comprehension is a skill you should master before calling people out. Sheesh.
Click to expand...
Writing is a skill you should master.
 
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marbles504 said:
I think Fuji made the X-H1 as a stopgap while they master their IBIS tech. They needed to put something out there with IBIS before Nikon and Canon. Once they master it (make it smaller) they'll put in into the X-T line and they will consolidate the X-H and X-T lines into one flagship once again.
Click to expand...
I can see XT getting IBIS, but I was under the impression that XH-1 was a divergence and would continue to differentiate itself.
 
Everyone has a mole in each other. Otherwise Sony wouldn't even have released the A7III. It was a defensive move hedging against a Nikon MILC release this year, that's the only reason why the "bang for the buck" ratio is so high, a very un-Sony thing they did.
 
wy2lam said:
Everyone has a mole in each other. Otherwise Sony wouldn't even have released the A7III. It was a defensive move hedging against a Nikon MILC release this year, that's the only reason why the "bang for the buck" ratio is so high, a very un-Sony thing they did.
Click to expand...
Are you saying bang for the buck is un-Sony, or releasing things in the spirit of direct competition is un-Sony?
 
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