Last lap in weight reduction? Switch to Fuji XT-5 ...

[Manfred M]

Fuji badly underestimated how popular the X100VI would be, so they simply did not have the stock to meet the demand.

In a previous "life" I was responsible for introducing new product launches into factory production. We were dependent on the accuracy of the marketing and sales department forecasts (which were never accurate). About 80% of the annual sales of a product would take place in the first 3 - 4 months after the product was launched so we had to ensure that we had enough product available in the stores to be sold (this was a couple of decades before online business).

If the forecasts were to optimistic, we were stuck with inventory that did not turn over. If the forecast was too low, we could not get the product out quickly enough. It's more than just being able to product the goods (which meant the production lines could not produce other products that were also selling well). Supply chains could not always deliver the raw materials even if we had production capacity.

This is exactly what Fujifilm experienced with the X100VI. Demand exceeded expectations and they simply could not meet up with the demand. Nikon had exactly the same problem when the D800 was launched at it took close to a year for them to match production with consumer demand.

I would not get too upset at Fujifilm. Every camera manufacturer in the world could have this happen to them. I had the opposite experience. The GFX100s ii was extremely popular as well and I had mine in my hands about 2 days after the product was launched.

[lunaticitizen]

Fuji badly underestimated how popular the X100VI would be, so they simply did not have the stock to meet the demand.

In a previous "life" I was responsible for introducing new product launches into factory production. We were dependent on the accuracy of the marketing and sales department forecasts (which were never accurate). About 80% of the annual sales of a product would take place in the first 3 - 4 months after the product was launched so we had to ensure that we had enough product available in the stores to be sold (this was a couple of decades before online business).

If the forecasts were to optimistic, we were stuck with inventory that did not turn over. If the forecast was too low, we could not get the product out quickly enough. It's more than just being able to product the goods (which meant the production lines could not produce other products that were also selling well). Supply chains could not always deliver the raw materials even if we had production capacity.

This is exactly what Fujifilm experienced with the X100VI. Demand exceeded expectations and they simply could not meet up with the demand. Nikon had exactly the same problem when the D800 was launched at it took close to a year for them to match production with consumer demand.

I would not get too upset at Fujifilm. Every camera manufacturer in the world could have this happen to them. I had the opposite experience. The GFX100s ii was extremely popular as well and I had mine in my hands about 2 days after the product was launched.

By the time Fujifilm resolves this matter the Fuji X100VII would have been out, and then it repeats...

I wanted to buy the X100V two years ago around the time the war started, but local stores had no stock at all. Not even on display at any of their physical locations So I gave the money to UNICEF for the benefit of Ukrainian children 👍

Now instead of GFX100RF -which undoubtedly must be much more expensive than the X100VI- maybe I can use the money for some home improvement

[JDW in Oz]

I too went this way in 2022, during the Covid lockdown period. Still not sure why. For something to do maybe...

I have already written about this in an earlier post (#28), so permit me to summarise.

At my age (late 70s) reducing gear weight is a consideration, but I can still cope with heavier cameras if they fit into a backpack - I travel in Asia and often go to isolated places to find old colonial buildings. My Nikon D700s are like bricks to me, but they produce the goods. Ditto my D800s, a little lighter than the old 700s but still heavy. Lenses I limit to two or three when I'm on the move, and most of those stay locked in my hotel anyway. So not a great concern.

Back to Fuji. Initially I bought XT1s and an XT2. Neither did what I needed them to do, and I was dissatisfied.

An XE2 came my way which pressed all my right buttons. Then last year, an almost new Xpro2, which I'm sad to say I've not bonded with. Similar problems to the XT range, plus poor consistency in image sharpness. I've had it checked and the verdict was, it's probably just the camera.

I now plan to trade in the Pro later this year for a Nikon, either a Z6/Z6ii (secondhand) or Z5 (new) if prices in Australia drop, which I doubt they will, but our camera shops aren't doing well and there is room to bargain.

The Fujinon lenses are good but the cameras, meh.

I've read various posts here including notably #18 by Chataignier, which did help, a little. Many thanks to this poster.

'm a retired architect and I do occasional stock photo shoots for publishers, so my standards may be ultra high compared to those of the usual snapshooters. My old Nikons D700 and D800, which I intended to part with but fortunately didn't, do what I expect of them. So it will be back to Nikon for me when I find one at a reasonable price. (Z5 new in AUS $2300+, secondhand from $1200, with reasonable warranties.)

We live and we learn. The fun in photography comes from many varied aspects, including the buying of and playing with new gear.

All this written, I do wish I hadn't parted with as much money as I did to get into Fuji.