Infrared conversion specialist Kolari routinely shares teardowns of recent cameras, such because the EOS R5 II in October, and the Nikon Z8 and Hasselblad X1D II 50C final 12 months. The most recent new digital camera to go underneath the surgical knife (or screwdriver) is the Fujifilm X100VI. Launched earlier this 12 months and nonetheless onerous to search out, the X100VI has charmed photographers and reviewers alike with its upgraded 40-megapixel sensor, in-body picture stabilization, and nice built-in 35mm f/2 equal lens. Whereas the X100VI doesn’t look too totally different from the entrance and shares some options with its 2020 predecessor, there may be, as Kolari’s specialists present, quite a bit that has modified with the X100VI. “After preordering this digital camera again in February 2024, we’re glad to say we’ve lastly acquired the lengthy awaited Fujifilm X100VI,” writes Phillip Andrew Iglesias for Kolari. “One of the vital attention-grabbing options of this digital camera is its hybrid digital and optical viewfinder (EVF and OVF respectively), whether or not you need to see the precise scene the lens is capturing versus the scene as an in-real-life viewing.”
Instruments in hand, Kolari begins disassembly. Per normal, it begins with the digital camera’s baseplate, after which pulling again covers to entry further physique screws. And in typical digital camera vogue, there was a screw that managed to remain hidden in the course of the first go. As soon as this nefarious fastener was positioned and eliminated, it was time to take away the digital camera’s rear panel, which should be performed rigorously because it’s related utilizing ribbon cables. With these cables indifferent, the workforce moved on to prime panel elimination and getting the digital camera’s circuit board out of the physique. The highest panel had three extra ribbon cables, though it remained related on account of a soldered connection. By this stage, new cameras usually seem like each different digital camera. Certain, there are variations, however the fundamentals are often constant. Nonetheless, within the case of the X100VI, after eradicating the screws holding the sensor in place, Kolari discovered a shock. “Three screws fixed the sensor cowl to the body. This turned out to be an enormous shock. We thought we might be capable to entry the sensor after eradicating these screws, however we discovered that this half, the sensor cowl, was simply one other layer of elimination that wanted to be performed. What’s extra — there’s a PCB proper behind the sensor! Now we have by no means seen this in a digital camera earlier than.” With that surprising twist tackled, it was time to take away the sensor, and “lo and behold, the PCB half was merely part of the sensor itself.”
Kolari says that Fujifilm mirrorless cameras are usually “among the many most troublesome to disassemble due to their complicated inside designs.” Nonetheless, the X100VI, surprises and all, bucks this development. “It was a fast and simple teardown,” Kolari concludes. Kolari affords infrared and full-spectrum digital camera conversion companies beginning at $299, though these costs are discounted to $224 for the vacations. The Fujifilm X100VI can also be out there to buy already transformed for $1,999.99, with varied infrared and spectral conversion choices out there. And sure, it’s in inventory, not like common X100VI cameras elsewhere. Picture credit: Kolari
