This Guy Claims You can Upgrade Your Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 to f/1.6 via Firmware plus Viltrox Official Statement to FujiRumors

 

I actually wanted to ignore this news (for reasons I will explain below), but readers keep sending me the video, so it is time to address it.

According to a video shared by Stefan, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 is actually firmware upgradable to f/1.6!

To be clear, this is not an officially released firmware. It is circulating on the web and has been picked up by Stefan Malloch on one of his youtube videos.

I did contact Viltrox back in May about this, and the screenshot below will show you their answer.

Dont’ Do That

After Viltroxs’ answer, I did decide maybe it is better to just ignore it, as I do not recommend anyone to download an unofficial firmware, which could potentially create problems to your lens. Or, when a new firmware with the same number is officially released, you might not be able to update your lens, as the lens will think you have it already installed!

But given that apparently the news spreads anyway, at this point it’s better to address it on FR, too.

Is this Possible?

Now, it’s not unusual, that lenses are actually potentially faster, than the manufacturer says. For example, the Fujinon XF-16-55mm f/2.8 aperture blades are closing down a bit, even when the lens is used wide-open at f/2.8, hence for the most part of its range the XF16-55 is potentially even faster than f/2.8.

This could be the case also with the Viltrox 85mmm f/1.8.

But even if it would be possible to unlock the extra 1/3 stop of light via firmware, I’d not do it, unless it’s a final firmware officially released by Viltrox.

You can check out the videos below.

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Videos

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Focus On Glass: Fujinon XF 50-140mmF2.8 Even Better with Future X Bodies and Why no OIS on XF 16-55mmF2.8

We already reported in this post, about the first episodes of the Fujifilm series “Focus on Glass“, which included the XF8-16mmF2.8 and the GF30mmF3.5.

Now new episodes have been uploaded at Fujifilm Spain, this time about two lenses, that we can define the “workhorses” in the X mount lens lineup, the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 and the Fujinon XF50-140mmF2.8.

It includes statements made by Fujifilm managers and engineers about those lenses, which I will report in written form here, to make you safe some time ;)

Fujinon XF50-140mmF2.8

  • no excuse is allowed for this lens:
    – autofocus has to be fast
    – image quality has to be impressive
    – weight has to be light
    – size has to be compact
    – it has to tick all boxes
  • it has outstanding resolution
  • a flawless lens
  • clear color reproduction
  • minimal chromatic aberration
  • Fujifilm is proud of the result
  • 23 glass elements inside with many ED lenses
  • the more the Fujifilm X bodies evolve, the more the potential of this lens is executed
  • an engineer says he can see its performance extended even further in future

Regarding the better performance in future, they probably refer to autofocus speed, but possibly also to sharpness. We know from this Fujifilm manager statement that Fujifilm X glass can resolve at least 32 megapixel, hence, Fujifilm might hint that the XF50-140mmF2.8 is one of those lenses that is currently underperforming on the 26 megapixel X-Trans sensor.

Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8

  • in order to maximize optical performance, Fujifilm decided to remove OIS, it was not an easy decision
  • it’s a must have lens
  • you can attempt any photo shoot with this lens
  • a reliable partner
  • no excuses are allowed, when making a red badged lens
  • Fujifilm would give it 5 stars

I have been told in the past by my sources, that the optical performance at the wide end did not satisfy Fujifilm completely, hence they decided to remove OIS. At that point in time a strongly debated discussion, but now that Fujifilm offers cameras with IBIS, we can say that in the long term this was the right decision.

You can see both videos down below.

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FOCUS ON GLASS – VIDEOS

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Meike Metal Hand Grips for Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujifilm X100V

Meike has released new metal hand grips for Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujifilm X100V cameras.

They are currently available at eBay here and probably soon also at AmazonUS here and Co.

Fujifilm X-T4: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera
Fujifilm X100V: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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Top 10 July Posts: Full Frame kills APS-C? :: Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 and XF50mmF1.0 Rumors :: Fujifilm X-H2 Dreams and More

I did my best to run FujiRumors during my holiday in South Italy, and I hope you did not notice all too much that I was busy with jumping into crystal clear water, eating ice cream and enjoying cool beers (my reward after months of COVID-19 caused home teaching).

But now I am at home again, and FujiRumors has all my attention again… so, get ready for some good stuff coming in August ;).

And in case you were busy with holidays too and missed some of our articles, here is a list of top ten July posts that you should better not have missed.

With that said, even on holidays, be careful, take your precautions and make sure to stay safe.

  1. Fujifilm APS-C is Dead? Nikon Z5, Sony A7III, Canon R6 vs the Fujifilm X Series Art of Balance
  2. RUMOR: Fujifilm to Launch Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 Mark II
  3. Fujifilm X Lab Episode 2: The ACROS Magic, Fuji X-T3 Autofocus Regrets, Kaizen Updates and Looking Forward to X Series Future
  4. Astrophotography with Fujifilm: Get Stellar Results with Fujifilm APS-C and Medium Format Cameras
  5. Nikkei: “Japanese Camera Industry Strangles Itself. 88% Decline in 10 Years. On the Brink of Extinction, Unless…”
  6. The Fujifilm X-Pro3 will Save Photography and More Companies Should Take the Risk to Do Unique Things
  7. FR-readers Wishlist Corner: Fujifilm X-H2 Dream Features, Fujifilm X-E4 Survey, Fujinon XF 135mm F3.5 and More
  8. Fujifilm X-T4 Firmware 1.02 Tested: This Pro Videographer is Blown Away by Improved IBIS and Wishes the Same for Fujifilm X-H1
  9. Fujifilm USA Explains How You Can Become a Fujifilm Ambassador in 3 Steps and Announces X Photographers Program Changes
  10. RUMOR: Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 Coming 2020 for Around $1,500

Do not miss:

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The Power of Fujifilm Colors: See Pure Fuji Colors in Action at our New Fujifilm Film Simulations Group

Let’s start with a curiosity:

The same guy at Fujifilm, who crafted the original films like Velvia, is still in charge of developing new film simulations. Yep, he is responsible for Fujifilm’s color science since 50 years now! We reported about Minami-San here. A life devoted to colors.

A devotion, that translates into those lovely film simulations, Fujifilm X and GFX shooters usually appreciate a lot.

Personally, I am at a point, where film simulation are one of the reasons, I would not leave the Fuji system anymore. I mean, it’s nice to know I come home from a 2 weeks holiday with many images, and that those lovely film simulations will save me lots of editing time because they give me great results out of the box.

And then I thought…

Many of you reading this blog, maybe don’t own a Fujifilm camera, maybe you just think to get one, and maybe you wonder what’s all the buzz around these “film simulations”.

Well, in order to show you this, I decided to launch e new facebook group, dedicated to Fujifilm film simulation: Fujifilm Film Simulations Facebook Group.

In this group, images can be edited in all their parts (sharpening, shadow/highlight recovery etc), except for colors. The colors must come purely out of the Fujifilm camera (or be applied in post in Capture One / Lightroom)

So, if you are curious to see the Fujifilm film simulations in action, or if you want to share your own images and display the power of Fuji colors, then feel free to join here.

The Power of Film Simulations – IMAGES

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Square Lens Hood for Fujinon XF27mm f/2.8

FR-reader Daniel informed me about square hoods for the Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 by squarehood here.

Personally, as a XF27mmF2 owner, I prefer not to put any square hood on it, to keep the lens as compact as possible.

But yeah… it actually looks good on the 27 ;).

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Sony A7sIII vs Fujifilm X-T4: “Fujifilm X-T4 comes with Top-notch Features at a Much More Affordable Price”

Maybe the news might have passed under the radar, overshadowed by the Fujifilm announcement of the Fujifilm EF-60 flash and the Fujifilm EF-W1 commander, which everybody talks about today.

But I’d like to dedicate a space to a new camera that has been announced today, just in case you didn’t know, and it’s called Sony A7sIII.

It’s a fantastic camera, mainly for video, and it’s basically Sony’s statement that you better do not mess with them, when it comes to full frame cameras with great video performance.

BHphoto has put up a comparison roundup, where they compare the Sony A7sIII with the following cameras:

Overall they talk very good about the new Sony A7sIII and it wins many comparisons overall, although it’s though to compare cameras, which, in some cases, serve a different purpose.

However, overall, one of the cameras that comes out best from this comparison, is the Fujifilm X-T4, because, as they write:

the X-T4 comes in with a top-notch feature set at a much more affordable price […]

It does take advantage of that sensor size to create a smaller, yet still super-capable stills and video system that comes in at a much more affordable price point.

Read the full comparison here.

This kind of underlines once again the strength of an APS-C system: the balance!

But we have already discussed the balance vs. compromise argument in this dedicated post.

Congratz Sony, it’s a wonderful camera. But also congratz to Fujifilm, for releasing such a well rounded package with the X-T4.

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The Camera Industry Crisis: Who Will Fall and Who Will Survive? My Opinion, Your Vote!

Recently we published an article, where Nikkei experts predicted a dark future for the camera industry. It’s an interesting one, that goes beyond the statement “smartphones are to blame for that“. Make sure to read if first here.

This is kind of a follow up article to that.

Here are a few considerations, and then feel free to say your opinion in the comments and to vote the survey down below.

Let’s start!

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Fujifilm EF-60 Flash and EF-W1 Commander Officially Announced

Fujifilm just announced the following two products:

Coverage:

Press Release and Videos

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