Once Flagship, Now Forgotten. - The Death of the Fujifilm X-Pro Series
Fujifilm’s once renowned flagship camera, the X-Pro series seems to have been abandoned.
Say what you will about how Fuji is “secretly developing it on the backend”, it’s taken far longer than expected.
Cameras that should have come after the X-Pro4, we’ve gotten before, like the X-T5, the x100vi, and even the upcoming X-E5.
Plus, any “rumors” of an X-Pro4 usually just ends up being a different camera.
People keep saying “next year”, “next year”, “next year”, but they said that every year prior as well.
Last year with the release of the X-M5, I thought to myself, “It might finally be time to let go; an X-Pro4 ain’t coming.”
Fuji’s recent announcement of the X-E5 only further confirmed this for me.
So why did this happen?
The X-Pro series was by no means unpopular, and everyone nowadays seems to want a fourth gen.
Well, let’s dive into it.
This is Fujifilm’s abandoned camera line.
The Significance of the X-Pro Series
Honestly, when I first began shooting Fujifilm, I didn’t care too much about the X-Pro series.
I liked the design and shape of the X100 cameras more, specifically the top part which made it more like an even box.
It was a silly thing to dismiss a camera just by it’s look, but hey, I’m human.
And if I had to pick, it was the x100v all day every day.
But over the years, seeing the progression of Fujifilm cameras makes me rethink.
Because when compared to the other interchangeable Fujifilm options now, I’d place the X-Pro series first or second on my list.
The shape of the X-Pro3 has also really grown on me…
You see, besides the form, utility, and function of the camera, the X-Pro line IS Fujifilm, or maybe was Fujifilm.
The first of it’s kind, the X-Pro1 wasn’t just another digital camera.
Like the first gen x100, it had a hybrid viewfinder, allowing you to emulate a rangefinder style experience.
Plus with all the manual dials and controls, you could get a near film experience, without the hassle of film.
No one else was doing it quite like this except maybe Leica, which would cost you several grand more.
That combined with the developing Film Simulations was almost Fujifilm’s way of saying: this is what photography needs.
Combining the positives of film and the convenience of digital was the point.
Because in an era where cameras progressed to the tech side, Fuji chose to prioritize the experience.
And they did so in a non-gimmicky way - these were real cameras, not toys.
The X-Pro line wasn’t just a couple of mirrorless cameras with manual controls and a nicer viewfinder.
They were cameras that representing a blend between the new and the old.
As if to say, “Let’s move forward without forgetting our past.”
The Downfall
Despite the many rumors out there, we haven’t gotten any “real news” of an X-Pro4.
Fuji hasn’t announced it’s dismissal either, but I just think that’s them keeping our hopes up.
It feels like the X-Pro line is there just to keep us hoping and excited for each new camera, and then disappointment when we realize it’s something else.
You can contribute the downfall of the X-Pro series to several different things:
One would be the controversy of the X-Pro3 - it’s screen was divisive as some saw it to be cool, others thought it was pretentious.
Second would be the overwhelming success of the x100v, causing Fujifilm to think “we need to make more cameras like that”.
You could also argue that they’re too expensive to make nowadays - the X-Pro3 had partially titanium bodies.
And since Fuji has shifted most of their production outside of Japan, it could be that the X-Pros cost too much to make.
But at the end of the day, the X-Pro4 is simply not a priority for them.
I feel like nowadays they’re looking to appeal to the broader film enthusiast hobbyist, rather than the niche more serious street photographer.
I can’t say I don’t understand it, but I’m a little sad by it.
Because it’s my opinion that their focus on niche appeal is what made them so successful in the past several years.
The X-Pro cameras were by in large street or documentary photography cameras.
The manual controls, the hybrid viewfinders, the design and shape.
The same applies for the x100 series.
These are street photography cameras that coincidentally, work really well for other genres.
Why?
Because street photography requires you to be observant, candid, and opportunistic.
Form, function, and size all play a role and depending on where you shoot it’s going to be much tougher with a large DSLR.
Manual controls means the ability to change your settings without looking at your screen.
When combining these features and philosophies of a street or documentary approach to simple everyday photos you get a blend of timeless and candid looking images.
Your everyday life turns into more and you begin to see the world in a different way.
That’s what I think was so special about photographing with these cameras.
You could argue that other recent models can do the same thing like the X-M5 or the upcoming X-E5, but I think it’s a different philosophy.
And although investing in a next gen X-Pro might seem like a waste of money, I think it could work out really well.
So, even though it’s probably not coming, I made a little X-Pro4 wishlist.
My X-Pro4 Wishlist
Whatever the case, I think Fujifilm would have great success if they simply made an X-Pro4 based on the the X-Pro2.
I’ve only owned the 1 and 3 but the second gen is widely regarded as “that camera”.
It improved upon a lot of the problems in the X-Pro1 and had a normal screen making it a great workhorse for many street and professional photographers alike.
So on the off chance that we do ever end up getting an X-Pro4, this is my wishlist:
keep the general build and aesthetic - titanium isn’t necessary but it is cool I guess…
add all the new gen sensors, processors, simulations, screen and viewfinder updates
allow the iso/shutter speed dial to prop up like in the VI
IBIS would be neat but honestly not necessary
a flush tilting screen like in the V or VI would be really great
or if they wanna go crazy, the screen of the X-T5 (just more fluid and low-profile like the VI’s)
And please, don’t just take and add a hybrid viewfinder to a different camera - it won’t be the same.
If they just did that they’d have a really solid camera without having to do anything revolutionary.
Of course this might make the X-Pro4 generic and like all the other cameras - and I do appreciate the X-Pro3 for being different.
But that might be what the X-Pro line needs right now.
But what do I know about product development, I’m just a guy who takes photos and talks to a camera.
All in all, the X-Pro series is a series of cameras that holds a special place in many people’s hearts.
Beyond just the simple mechanics and use of the cameras, the series represents the company’s values and brand as a whole for the past decade.
And they fill a niche that seemed to prioritize not only quality of photos, but user experience, unafraid to go in a direction that other companies were.
Perhaps that’s why they’re being so careful about it, because they know what it means and they don’t want to release a dud.
But the longer it takes the harder it gets, and it seems the priority is now “expensive everyday cameras with half the functions”.
Currently I don’t have my hopes up for an X-Pro4 to be announced soon.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if with great irony, an X-Pro4 is announced shortly after this article is posted.
I wouldn’t be too mad at that honestly…
I think there’s still a chance here, and if Fuji makes the right move, could make a lot of enthusiasts happy.
And who knows, it might appeal to more people than they think.
So, I hope you found this useful or helpful.
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