Kaizen: more colours for Focus Peaking in future + Telephoto primes will come + 23mm in October

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Yesterday, at the Canadian Fuji event, the company gave more informations about the future firmware strategy and new lenses.

Fuji will carry on to improve its products via firmware update. This won’t be the last major firmware update, and all the X-cameras will be constantly improved.

Here is what the upcoming firmware will bring! But what can we expect in future?

FIRMWARE

  • Download the firmware on July 23rd and you’ll get focus peaking…  In future (not with this update) we can also expect different colours.
  • Fuji listened to us and is working on the long expected minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO, so there is hope it will come in future firmware updates!

LENSES

  • New tele photo primes will come.
  • The 23mm f/1.4 will be released in October, the 10-24mm in December and the 56mm f/1.2 in January 2014… ALL with aperture ring!

btw, I’m wondering if there is any company before Fujifilm that has uploaded the Focus Peak Highlight on a camera through a firmware update. Do you know one? [FR-readers told me in the comments that Pentax and Sony enabled Focus Peaking via firmware too]

Anyway, Fuji is listening to us and will continue to follow the Kaizen path. That’s great! So all these wish lists on Fujirumors about firmware improvements were not for nothing. Thumbs up for Fuji’s Kaizen-spirit!

So just keep it up guys! What’s next? Face detection could be a useful feature, as a FR-reader suggested in the comments.

Thanks a lot to an anonymous FR reader who shared with me via rumor box this news (original article at vk.photo-blog can be read here or read his dpreview forum post here.)

Now spread the word on facebook and twitter.

Wanna switch to the X? Then check out the prices here:
Fuji X-PRO1: [shopcountry 12882] Fuji X-E1: [shopcountry 12881] Fuji X-M1: [shopcountry 13828] Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 12883] Fuji X20: [shopcountry 12884]

have a great day!
Patrick

More details about the new X-PRO1 and X-E1 firmware on July 23.

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On June 25 Fujifilm announced a new firmware for the X-E1 (Ver 2.00) and X-PRO1 (Ver 3.00). Now the company added some more details about it:

“In addition to the version-up content was announced on the 25th of June “FUJIFILM X-Pro1/X-E1” firmware, we have also added improved focusing accuracy when shooting the subject of low contrast.”

1. Improved AF speed on most existing XF lenses.
Thanks to an updated algorithm, faster AF speed is achieved with the following XF lenses:
XF14mmF2.8 R
XF18mmF2 R
XF35mmF1.4 R
XF60mmF2.4 R Macro
XF18-55mmF2.8–4 R LM OIS

NB: To benefit fully from the improvements above you will need to upgrade your XF lens firmware as well as your camera firmware

2. Addition of a “Focus Peak Highlight” function for manual focusing.
A “Focus Peak Highlight” function, as featured on the FUJIFILM X100S and X20 cameras, has been added to the X-Pro1 and X-E1 via this firmware update. It assists accurate and sensitive manual focusing by enhancing the outline of your subject in high contrast.

3. Improvement of the method to change magnification during manual focus.
Just press the dial to activate image magnification during manual focus and then rotate the dial right or left and the camera will alternate between 3x and 10x, whichever direction you turn.

4. Improvement of focus precision in various scenes
The focus detection algorithm has been improved to provide more accurate focus precision for low contrast subjects and scenes containing horizontal stripes.

5. XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens:
Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) is improved when recording videos. The OIS has been improved to reduce image blurring when walking and recording video footage.

source fujifilm (found via digicame via ephotozine)

ONLINE! X-M1 impressions of Max Angeloni (riflessifotografici) with 27mm samples

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image courtesy: Max Angeloni (RiflessiFotografici) Fujifilm X-M1 Fujinon 18-55mm
[definitely, the “soul” is in the photographer]

Max Angeloni of riflessifotografici just posted his first article about the X-M1 here (English version). Who’s the target group of this camera? Why will photographers who are coming from a DSLR feel right at home with the X-M1 (more than those coming from the X-PRO1/X-E1)? And do you want to enjoy some beautiful shots taken with the [shoplink 13828]X-M1[/shoplink] and the following lenses: [shoplink 13829]27mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12887]18-55mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12888]14mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12892]55-200[/shoplink]? Then check this article out here (English version).

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

image courtesy: Max Angeloni (RiflessiFotografici)
Fujifilm X-M1 Fujinon 27mm 1/4000, f/2.8, Iso 200

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X-M1: high demand and limited supply + leave the point and shoot world behind

The X-M1 is scheduled to be released on July 29. But now AmazonUS says: “Due to high demand we anticipate being unable to fulfill all customer orders with our first allocation. Product supply from Fujifilm is very limited“.

I really hope that people who purchased the X-M1 won’t have to wait for their camera as long as those who bought the X100S (and are still waiting!).

The X-M1 is tailored to those point and shoot customers who want to “upgrade“. Fuji now delivers them a user-friendly camera where they can experience a touch of professionalism: a great image quality in one of the smallest cameras with APS-C sensor, easy to use, tilt screen, face detection, fast processing times (EXRII), focus peaking, WiFi, mode dial and still the opportunity to adjust shutter speed and exp. comp. (and aperture) through the dials (depending on how you set the mode dial).

Sure, no viewfinder (and no option to add it as accessory!!!) can be a deal breaker for enthusiasts and pros. But the X-M1 is more something for those who want to step-up from a point and shoot camera, leave the “automatic snapshot world” behind and turn photography into a real hobby (but it could also be a fine camera for those who look for a small, compact backup camera that deliveres the same image quality and colours of the X-PRO1.)

And if the X-M1 sales well Fuji will have more resources to speed up the development of their high end models. So, Fuji, after “conquering” the mass market with the X-M1 (and the upcoming X-A1), please go back to the roots and focus again on the high end models.

And to what concerns the “X-soul” debate, at the FR-facebook page Matthew said: “It’s a camera, a tool you can use or not. Pretty sure the “soul” is in the photographer.”

Now, it’s up to you to see if the X-M1 fits in (or not) with your needs.

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore