Do you remember the rumor of September 2013, where I wrote: “Fuji will launch a cheaper and smaller X100S without viewfinder, smaller body and 23mm f/2.8 lens. The name could be X70.” ?
Well, I knew the rumor was right at the time of sharing, but Fujifilm has dropped plans on it later on.. and so I had to live with the usual S*itstorm on FR ;).
But we could have a comback now, at least according to our trusted Japanese source. The source said that this time Fujifilm decided to go ahead an make it. Our source did not specify the specs, but it did say that there will be a New Lens.
Looks like the X100 series is going to get a little sister… and the Ricoh GR a serious competitor!
If the Japanese source is (once again) correct, then it shows how rumors can be right at the time of sharing, then wrong, and then eventually right again, according to the continuously changing plans at the Fuji HQ. This drives me nuts… but that’s my problem ;-) .
That’s it… feel free to tell us your dream lens for this little camera… and there is a first poll about the X70, too.
This time it’s a matter for the boss: Fuji Guy Billy will show you the X-T10 TOP FEATURES (including the new AF-system) in this video – Rico’s X-T10 First Look
So the source was right (thanks). The countdown has to start again, the Fuji X-T1 FW 4.0 will come on June 29 – I guess at usual at around 5AM London Time – Midnight in NY (if there are no last second delays ;) !)
Here are the features you will get:
(1) New AF system with Zone and Wide/Tracking modes for effortless capture of moving subjects
(2) Improvement of AF accuracy
(3) Eye Detection AF
(4) Auto Macro mode
(5) AF improvement in the Movie mode
(6) Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation
(7) Exposure Compensation control in Manual.
(8) Finer lines on the framing grid enhances visibility
(9) Name of Silent mode changed to avoid confusion
About Nr. 9: I made a proposal at the FXF, to rename “Sound & Flash OFF” to “Sound & FLash”. It just would be clearer, what do you think?
On June 29, you’ll be able to download here. Full details about new FW here.
When I first shared the rumor with the date of the Firmware 4.0 release, I knew that it was a risk, since Fuji will probably change it once they get their feedback about bugs and potential improvements.
So here we are again, with another delay… In fact, a trusted source told me that the (amazing) X-T1 Firmware 4.0 has been pushed back for a few more days to June 29! As usual, I expect it to come at about 6:00 AM London Time (midnight in New York).
Those who already installed the BETA, remind the following tips when you use the new AF-system for tracking:
1) For AF-tracking with CL or CH (focus between each shot), you have to use Mechanical Shutter (MS) only. It doesn’t work with MS+ES (electronic shutter) enabled
2) Turn Off face detection to enable PDAF
3) High Performance Mode ON
UDPATE: by FR-reader Tomáš Tuček: “An editor of the Czech website Digiarena.cz announced the firmware in an article today in the morning, with a link to the official firmware site of Fujifilm. As we wondered where the new firmware is, he wrote in the evening that Fujifilm CZ sent a corrected info with the date of 29th (someone mistook the Mondays). The conversation, in Czech (google translated)”
TRACKING TIPS For AF-tracking with CL or CH (focus between each shot), you have to use Mechanical Shutter (MS) only. It doesn’t work with MS+ES (electronic shutter) enabled
+
Turn Off face detection to enable PDAF
+
High Performance Mode ON
_ _ _
A must read in these days is definitely this FXF thread, where people from all over the world, who have installed the “Fujileaks” 4.0 FW, share their findings… which is mostly enthusiastic. Just go through it here and read by yourself.
I have FW 4.0 Beta on my X-T1, and I’m happy with the improved AF-speed (especially on slower lenses like the 35mm). It might be just a Placebo, but I feel like there is less hunting.
And what about AF-Tracking?
Sure, the new Zone AF and Wide Tracking AF are very welcome additions and definitely user-friendly features! But how well do they really work?
I have to say that I’m very happy with my own tracking tests, but personally I’ll set aside my final judgment, for 3 good reasons:
1) I have on my X-T1 some kind of BETA firmware leaked on the web. I don’t know which version it is. The final version might improve it further. 2) I’m not a PRO, and if I try to track ice-skaters, I won’t get the results a skilled photographer can get. Also, AF-Tracking is something I don’t really use normally. For the way I like to shoot, I’m mostly in AF-S or Manual Focus. So I’m not the ideal person, who can test & judge the performance of the Tracking. 3) I would like to see what you can make in different shooting conditions/subjects
That said, I can’t really complaint about the tracking. As you can see from the video I’ve shared here, the Camera has no problems to follow a subject (in this case with Zone Mode). Taking shots in CL (dropbox – my dog running) gave me a high percetage of keepers. As you can see, the AF-system lost my dog on the second shot, but locked on it again in the third shot… tracking it correctly until it run out of the frame.
Also looking at Rico’s FW4 AF Tracking test, there is hardly anything to complaint about it. Another one, who is happy with the new tracking, is FXF member Jean Mareaux (Flickr). He tested it on his dog using the 56mmF1.2 and shared this link to the downloadable images.
Initial Conclusions: :) :) :) .
As said, for the final judgment, I’ll wait the official firmware (if I can install it) and more feedback from other photographers.
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