Fujifilm’s November Firmware Update: Autofocus Fixes, New Features, and More Enhancements to Come (+ My Take)

Earlier today Fujifilm has shared a video with their “October announcements“. You can check out all details in this article.

Among the others Fujifilm promised firmware updates to come in November.

First off: they did say that they got lots of feedback from customers especially regarding the autofocus. Based on that feedback, Fujifilm is now working to improve the firmware. But there is more, so let’s check it out:

The Good

  • Firmware update coming in November
  • Cameras mentioned: Fujifilm X-H2, X-H2s and GFX100 II
  • Improved Subject Tracking while video filming
  • Face/Eye detection while video filming
  • F-Log2 C for wide color gamut
  • Timecode Synchronization by Ambient Lockit devices through wired connection

The Questions

  • are other 5th generation cameras (X-T5 & Co) also getting the improved AF while filming?
  • what about AF-C tracking in stills?

The Surprises?

It almost passed unnoticed, but Fujifilm also said that they are considering further enhancements. So it looks like we are not yet done with Kaizen love for 5th generation cameras.

What could it be?

Well, I don’t have that much anymore on my wishlist, but if I could pick one thing, then I’d like to get the fully automatic subject tracking of the Fujifilm X-S20. I also suggested Fujifilm how this could be implemented on other Fujifilm cameras in this article here.

Of course, feel free to share your wish with the Fujifilm community in the comments down below.

My Thoughts

Fujifilm (like many other brands) often tends to conceal significant bug fixes under the vague term “minor bug fixes.” This article dives deeper into the issue, offering real examples of what Fujifilm has masked with this phrase—some of which were rather embarrassing. Read more here.

This time, though, Fujifilm is putting a spotlight on the autofocus improvements. To me, this signals that they’re taking it more seriously than ever, with a firm commitment to finally getting it right.

It’s also evident that while Fujifilm recognizes the issues, they’ve chosen not to rush a fix like they did with the June firmware. Instead, they’re taking extra time—and probably conducting more thorough testing—to ensure this firmware update works as intended.

I guess they’re well aware they can’t afford to get it wrong this time and it looks like Fujifilm has embraced this challenge, as evidenced by the emphasis they placed on the upcoming autofocus improvements in the video released today.

But again: I believe it only when I see it.

And the Fujifilm X-T5 & Co?

We will see what happens in November, but I would not be surprised if the Fujifilm X-T5 and other cameras would get a bunch of improvements too. Maybe not everything the flagship X-H and GFX cameras will get, but it just makes sense that some of the improvements find its way down also to lower end models.

But again, that’s a pure speculation of mine, not a rumor whatsoever.

Overall, after today’s firmware announcement I am definitely more confident. Fujifilm Japan has spoken and finally addressed the issue publicly. But I have learned not to celebrate too early and wait to see what happens in November with the new firmware.

Fujifilm Announces New Firmware Updates (Better AF and More) and X Summit on October 14

Fujifilm has just announced three things:

  • GFX challenge grant program updates
  • Firmware updates coming in November
  • Fujifilm X Summit on October 14 at 1PM GMT in Tokyo at the Clay Studio (Fuji’s design center). The theme of the X Summit will be “design”. From product design to engineering design, Fujifilm will deliver “new information to you” from design perspective. “You won’t be disappointed with the X summit.

As for the firmware updates they say:

We strive to improve our products by making improvements and adding new features through firmware updates guided by feedback we receive from our users.

Recently we have received comments especially about autofocus, to improve performance.

In response, we are developing a new firmware for X-H2, X-H2S and GFX100 II.

This updated enhances subject tracking stability when shooting video.

The improvement by firmware updates are not limited to autofocus. We will add two new functions for video shooting. It’s F-Log 2C, which has a wide color gamut, and timecode synchronization by Ambient Lockit devices through wired connection.

[…] We are currently considering further enhancements.

Fujifilm Wins Awards, but Not That Many… and Why That’s Good News

Fujifilm has won awards. But not so many this time.

Maybe Fujifilm finally came to reason and understood that it does not make sense to waste lots of money into paying for winning nonsense awards.

We remind you: using the RedDot award logo for one product and one year costs thousands of dollars (something between 4K and 8K). You can actually check out yourself how much each RedDot award costs here (in addition to the registrations fees that have to be paid upfront).

There were times in which Fujifilm won 23 RedDot Awards. That’s an expensive price to pay to brag with meaningless awards.

RedDot

Red Dot Design Award 2024: Branding & Communication Design category

  • Dedicated application for “instax Pal
  • Product package of “instax Pal”
  • Visual branding activities (Visual Identity)

Idea Award

“IDEA 2024” Bronze Award winner

Fujifilm products in IDEA 2024 finalists

Market Share 2023: Fujifilm 430,000 Units Sold and 6% Market Share

Nikkei has published the global sales number and market share of digital stills and video cameras sold in 2023. The numbers are based on data from CIPA and JEITA and have been reported by the Japanese website dclife.

Here are the numbers for 2023:

  1. Canon … 3.34 million units (46.5%)
  2. Sony … 2 million units (27.9%)
  3. Nikon … 810,000 units (11.3%)
  4. Fujifilm … 430,000 units (6.0%)
  5. Panasonic … 260,000 units (3.6%)
  6. OM Digital … 180,000 units (2.5%)
  7. Ricoh Imaging … 60,000 units (0.8%)

Nikkei writes that the decline in the global market share of digital cameras is slower than before, and the demand for high-performance mirrorless cameras is increasing. Nikkei says “high-performance mirrorless is strong, and the market is recovering“.

This is more in less in line with the market share given to us by Techno Research System, which is limited to mirrorless cameras, though.

  • Canon 41,2%
  • Sony 32.1%
  • Nikon 13.2%
  • Fujifilm 8%
  • Other brands 5.5%

Considering that Fujifilm has no dedicated video camera, nor DSLRs in offering, it is safe to assume that the vast majority of the 430,000 units are X and GFX camera sales. Not sure if the (almost dead) Fujifilm Finepix line is included in the list, but even if it would, it would be a negligable number.

Let’s put context to these numbers.

In 2023, Fujifilm launched 2 cameras

Moreover, in 2023 Fujifilm kept struggling to produce and ship what they had announced in previous years.

The list could go on forever, but bare with me if I stop it here to avoid to turn this article into a rant.

All I’ll say is that the number, 430K, is way below of what Fujifilm could have shipped if only they figured out a proper way to produce more gear rather than relying on creative, flawed and no-cost solution like using blockchain to improve parts procurement.

They did not increase production (except now for the X100VI). They did not hire more workers. They did not expand factories. They just accepted things as they are and so we got to absurd situation like the one of the X-E4, which was launched in January 2021. I noticed the X-E4 in stock only once in October 2021 and then it was mainly out of stock everywhere until it got discontinued in 2023 while tons of people still had one on pre-order.

The Fujifilm CEO calls this a “normal” situation, but I have not seen other brands struggle as much with deliver as Fujifilm. Sure, it’s not all Fuji’s fault, as nobody could have thought that Fujifilm’s popularity would expload like this. But the years passed, and Fujifilm failed to adjust to the new high demand.

Anyway… it is what it is.

Fujifilm sold 430,000 cameras in 2023. But it could have been easily twice as much if they’d have been able to ship their gear properly worldwide.

Lady Gaga with Fujifilm X-T3, Apple and Microsoft United by Fujifilm Love, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas using Fujifilm and More – Famous X Shooters and Fuji in Ads

Famous X Shooters and Fujifilm in Ads

It’s been a long time that I have not done a “famous X Shooter” roundup and a roundup of Fujifilm gear used in ads.

Today I am going to catch up with it by delivering a rather big one :).

Thanks to everybody who has passed what they’ve spotted around!

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, a renowned American singer, recently starred in a T.V. commercial where she is seen using a Fujifilm X-T3 camera! The commercial is for Nurtec ODT, a migraine medicine. You can see the full ad on YouTube here (screenshot above)

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What’s Hiding Behind Fujifilm’s “Minor Bug” Fixes?

Every time I report about a new firmware update, I get asked (such as here): what’s hiding behind the mysterious phrase “fix of minor bugs“?

That’s a legit question, also considering that, in rare occasions, updating the firmware can actually introduce new bugs (this happens with every brand, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Co. They all struggle with that).

So why update the firmware for a minor thing if your gear works just fine?

Well, unless your gear has a specific issue that the firmware update addresses, it’s generally a good idea to wait a bit before updating. Just to see if some issues come up with the new firmware.

I don’t do that, honestly. I update immediately. But I also don’t photograph weddings or do professional work with my gear (oh well, except for this wedding, but that one I shot for free).

And yet…

even if the firmware addresses a “minor bug”, I strongly recommend to update anyway sooner or later..

Why?

Well, because sometimes the bugs are not really “minor”.

For example: in 2020 Fujifilm released a firmware also for X-T4 and it gave us a “minor bug fix”. At that time I was in holiday in Southern Italy and I took some time to try to find out what it really fixed. Well, it turned out the minor bug fix was actually a major one, as it drastically reduced the exposure stepping in video.

This was a major complaint and a major bug fix, but Fujifilm did hide it behind the phrase “fix of minor bugs“.

Other times, the “minor bug” might be better called an “embarrassing bug fix”. In fact so embarrassing, that Fujifilm (but that’s valid also for other brands) doesn’t want you to know what it is, hence they don’t elaborate on that.

For example, I think it was the X-Pro1 that got a “minor bug” fixed, but what it really fixed was that the focus point worked “mirrored”, so if you moved the AF box to the bottom right of the frame, the camera would actually focus on the top left of the frame.

This is why ultimately I always recommend to update your gear, even if Fujifilm calls it just a smaller bug fix.

If you want, wait a couple of weeks and then see if there are reports here on FujiRumors or in Fuji Forums about problems with the firmware. And if there aren’t, update! What Fujifilm calls “minor” might not really be that minor in the end.

And in any case remember: if for some reason a firmware would break certain features of your camera, Fujifilm will release a free follow-up firmware fix and don’t charge you $700+ like Sony :D.

Fujifilm Q1 FY2024 Financial Results: Strong Professional Digital Camera Sales Boost Revenue (+33,8%)

The Rise of Fujifilm…

Fujifilm has announced the financial results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 (April 1st, 2024 to June 30, 2024).

In short we can say the professional imaging division is growing strong with revenue up +33.8% compared to last year.

Always in terms of revenue, the professional imaging division (+33,8%) grew even stronger than the Instax division (+17.8%). Now the revenue difference between Instax and professional photography gear is of 18.5 billions of Yen (74.6 for Instax and 56.1 for X, GFX and Fujinon lenses) compared to the gap of 21.2 in 2023.

No wonder that the Fujifilm CEO called their photography business their new goldmine.

With all these great numbers, Fujifilm increased their imaging division financial forecast for 2024:

  • + 6.3% revenue (from 480 to 510 billions of Yen).
  • +12% operating income (from 100 to 112 billions of Yen).

Despite…

So all good and keep going like this, Fujifilm?

Well, not really. We will always find something to moan about. ;)

And particularly, it’s a pity to see that these wonderful data coming in despite Fujifilm having had much more trouble to ship their gear than any other brand.

I can only imagine how the numbers would have skyrocketed, if only Fujifilm would have been capable of matching the terrific demand there is for their cameras and lenses.

Dear Fujifilm:

you have to understand that meeting your sales targets is not enough. What you have to meet is the true demand for Fujifilm gear.

That’s why I can’t find huge joy in the numbers you’ve shared today: I keep thinking at the figures you could have achieved, if only you’d have been able to produce more gear with proper hard work and solid investments instead of trying out some creative solutions that brought no results.

The Report

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Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash Announced

Godox has just announced the new Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash.

A curiosity: anyone out there who has used both, Godox and Profoto speedlights? Because my impression is that the Godox gear is a no brainer, but maybe there are strong arguments in favor of Profoto gear.

One that comes to my mind is that it seems Fujifilm cooperates more closely with Profoto, because certain bugs happen only with Godox gear and not with Profoto gear.

Key Features

  • One-Tap Sync with Optional X3 Trigger
  • Compatible with Most TTL Systems
  • 600Ws, 1/512 to 1/1 Power Output
  • Up to 360 Full-Power Flashes
  • Flash Duration: 1/220 to 1/11,760 sec
  • 1/8000 sec High-Speed Sync
  • 0.01-0.9 sec Recycling Time
  • 40W Bi-Color LED Modeling Lamp
  • Upgraded TFT Screen for Onboard Control
  • Includes Battery & Charger

Godox AD600Pro II
BHphoto – Amazon – Adorama

Fujifilm X-T4 Extended Spectrum Infrared Camera

Wait, a Fujifilm X-T4 infrared camera?

If that sounds new to you, here is recap:

Well, now the Fujifilm X-T4 IR Extended Spectrum is back at BHphoto, this time even more affordable than at its original listing (now $1,899 instead of $2,199).

I find dedicated IR version a great way to give “older” cameras a new life.

I just wish they were made available for the large public, since as of now sales restrictions apply that you can read at the dedicated BHphoto page (click “CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT”). Included in the list of people who can purchase it are “professional artists” and “professional qualified Buyers and videographers that intend to use the purchased Infrared and Extended Spectrum Products for the creation of fine art.”

Latest and Greatest vs. Oldie but Goldie: this Fujifilm Roundup Has it All

Mixed Zone

I guess it is a bit normal that we are drawn to the latest and greatest, the newest and most shiny stuff.

But truth is: there is PLENTY of wonderful gear out there that has its age, but still delivers wonderfully.

And look guys, I know what I talk about, because I did just photograph a family day trip on the mountains with my X-E3 today ;).

So I thought about making a roundup of a different kind: include all the latest and greatest stuff (the 5th generation cameras and the newest lenses), but also the older gear we hardly ever talk about now (4th gen. cameras or older and older lenses).

I hope there will be something among it that you’ll appreciate as much as I did.

Latest & Greatest

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