When the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 Pandemia the World became a quiet place. Empty streets, empty shops, empty restaurants, empty schools and offices. There were some differences around the world but the general approach was to keep social distance, to avoid gatherings of people, and all non-essential businesses were practically closed. Including the photography business. And while everyone switched to “survival” mode, following news on the TV, storing toilet paper and hand sanitizer, the photography companies used the time to evaluate their businesses, create new strategies, and build new products. A calm before the storm.

Half of the year passed and now we see the calm is about to end… it’s time for a storm. Of course I’m speaking about the photography industry, not the pandemic, although I wish it would have ended by now.

We have some Canon models that are about to launch soon – Canon R5 and R6, we have the long awaited Sony A7SIII coming, and we have news from Nikon as well – the updated Z6s and Z7s. Some lower end bodies have been rumored to be released soon too. Plus, all manufacturers are preparing some “mouth watering” lenses for us, starting with the new Sony G Master 12-24mm f2.8, which was already announced a few days ago. I told you… the storm is coming.

When the first images of the new Fuji X100V leaked I felt a little frustrated that Fuji decided to add a swivel screen, rearrange the buttons, and make all edges sharp and clean. I thought it kind of mimics Leica. And it does to a certain extent.

But when the camera was announced, and I saw the detailed images and videos, I started to like the concept. There is still something I like more in the previous model – X100F but in general I have to admit the changes are for good and the design may grow in me once I get my hand on the camera.

Fujifilm just announced the 5th generation of their legendary X100 series camera – X100V. Fuji X100 was initially shown at the Photokina show in September 2010 and was introduced in February 2011. I remember the hype when the first one came out. It was something new, something different, it was beautiful, it was powerful, it was sexy and almost pocketable. Of course it was slow, and probably that was the reason it never reached my camera bag.