Fujifilm said they are aware of the “comments” of the Fujifilm community regarding the latest autofocus issues and they promised firmware updates to fix that.
The fix will come in November for their flagship Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2 and GFX100 II cameras, but also other fifth generation cameras such as the X-T5, X-S20 and “more” will get firmware updates this year, as Fujifilm officially said here.
Sure, it takes time. But to a certain degree I can understand that.
Fujifilm knows they have to get it right this time, so they’re likely testing the firmware more rigorously than ever, which is surely costing a lot of time and money.
But the big question is: how well will the autofocus firmware really work?
Well, maybe we might not have to wait until November to see these autofocus improvements in action.
In fact, we could get our answers as early as October 14 with the launch of the Fujifilm X-M5.
Why?
Well, Fujifilm has been aware of the autofocus issues for months now. They already began addressing them with a firmware update back in June. Since then, they’ve continued working on the improvements, so the firmware must have evolved significantly from the June version.
And I’d not be surprised if the first camera to actually incorporate the enhanced autofocus capabilities won’t be the X-H2s, X-H2 and GFX100II in November, but the Fujifilm X-M5 coming on October 14.
After all, why not equip the brand-new Fujifilm X-M5 with the most up-to-date firmware available, especially since it’s a fresh release that requires a new firmware anyway? And maybe that’s also why Fujifilm has published a X-M5 teaser poster where they write big “fast autofocus“.
If that turns out to be the case, if the X-M5 is indeed the first camera to feature the new AF algorithm, then by October 14, we’ll already have a glimpse of how well the latest autofocus firmware performs.
When Fujifilm had their X Summit announcement, they promised us autofocus improvements via firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-H2, X-H2s and GFX100 II.
Many, me included, wondered why there was no mention of other 5th generation cameras such as the X-T5 and the X-S20.
Now, I was confident something would come also for those models, which is why I wrote here “I would not be surprised if the Fujifilm X-T5 and other cameras would get a bunch of improvements too“.
Dear Customers,
Thank you for your feedback and comments on our AF system performance.
We’ve been working on X-T5, X-S20 and other models as well, to release the firmware within this year for improved user experience. We will communicate the details as soon as we have more information.
We appreciate your understanding.
So here you have it. Also the Fujifilm X-T5 and X-S20 (and other models) will get AF improvements this year.
What I am not sure is if lower end models will also get F-Log2 C and Timecode Synchronization, but I personally could not care less about those features on my X-T5.
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 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.
FR-reader Hiergeist made a rendering of the Fujinon XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR and compared its size to the Fujinon XF200mmF2, XF150-600mm and also the GF500mmF5.6.
There is a difference in flange distance between G-mount and X-mount of 9 mm – so the lens has to be 9 mm longer at the mount (assuming the optics will be almost identical between GFX 500 and XF 500). Hiergeist aligned the picture along the lens mount.
To be clear:
this is not the real lens, just a rendering
the size of the XF500mmF5.6 is based on the speculation that because it has the same filter size of the GF500mmF5.6, Fujifilm might simply have made and XF version by changing the mount
If that was the case then that is what that lens would look like mounted on an X-H2.
Check it every now and then, open up the page for your lens, and see if the firmware number has changed. If a new number is up, download the zip file, unpack it, open it and see what changes it brings. But beware: sometimes the details of the firmware change are written only in Chinese, so you better use machine translation to understand what the update brings.
Viltrox does not offer any way to be notified about changes, they do not write the date of firmware release on the page (except in rare cases, but also with completely wrong dates), nor do they list their firmware from newest to oldest.
Viltrox also won’t inform you on their social media about new firmware updates. At least not immediately. They might (if you are lucky) make a post on Instagram about new firmware at some point, but that post (if it comes) could be shared weeks if not months after the firmware had already been released.
That’s how things are right now. I hope they will improve the page and understand that good customer experience and service looks different.
Anyway, here are the firmware updates.
Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 ver. 1.0.2 – details here 1. Fixed the problem of lens deviating from the focus at close range at F1.7 aperture. (google translated)
Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II ver. 1.1.0 – details here
1. Adapt to X-T5 X-H2 X-H2S
2. Optimize AF-C speed
Recently we published a bunch of gear/hardware related wishes we have received from the Fujifilm community.
Now it is time to share a bunch of firmware wishes.
by Oli
Here is a link to my blog post about my experiences with the X100Vi and the WCL as a “poor man’s Leica Q”.
I guess you might be able to read German: shashindo.de/fuqi/ (google translated).
There is actually ONE reason why the Leica Q3 is “better” than the Fujifilm X100VI: The handling of the metadata!
Leica writes the crop focal length and crop pixel size in the metadata!
It’s too bad that Fujifilm doesn’t also set the crop focal length in the metadata!
It would also be nice to find the name of the custom setting (aka film simulation) here in the EXIF data. Well, you can still have wishes…
Thought you might be interested ;-)
Or in case you do have access to Fuji Development department somehow, maybe you can drop this there… :-D
And my hope is that, instead of using the same screen we find on the X-S20/X-H2 etc, Fujifilm will give a comeback to the unique tilt/flip screen of the Fujifilm X-T100. I will never understand why Fujifilm dropped that concept as it allows to go in “selfie mode” but still retain the option of a simple tilt-screen function, with the screen remaining nicely centered to the camera.
I think that screen it would have made the X-S20, X-H2 and X-H2S an even more appealing camera to many. So I think Fujifilm missed an opportunity there.
But again, that’s not a rumor, just a hope of mine.
Another curiosity: the Fujifilm X-A and X-M line, as well as the X-T*** line, where Fujifilm branded cameras, but actually manufactured by the Xacti Corporation. And as it is well known, all Xacti made cameras have all been discontinued.
Now, I have not heard that Xacti is back, so I suppose (not rumor) that this time the camera will be made by Fujifilm. But that’s not a rumor, just a speculation. Maybe it will be another Xacti made but Fujifilm branded camera. We will soon see.
I am 57 years old and I have been a press photographer in Belgium for over 30 years.
Like every year, I reported on the parade of July 21, 2024 for the Belgian national holiday in Brussels. This annual report is often an opportunity to renew my archives of the royal families by taking beautiful portraits of them.
When Fujifilm asked me to become their ambassador, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I exchanged my old guns for lighter Fujifilm equipment.
My Fuji equipment: two X-H2S bodies, the traditional optics and also the famous XF 150-600 mm
This fabulous optic allows me to take portraits of members of the royal family with beautiful ambient light.
I placed the 1.4X multiplier on the optics which allows me to work at 1260mm!
I must first of all say that the autofocus, which was sometimes a little hesitant, seems very efficient to me since the latest firmware version. There is no more hesitation, the focus is direct. Small drawback, the aperture… at 1360 mm I have to work at a diaphragm of f:11 at 1250 iso. For a speed of 1/100. I use a lightweight monopod. The subject does not move and this speed is enough. I often run the reports through the Topaz software which increases the sharpness and allows for higher sensitivity subjects to remove slight noise. Although the noise is less and less present at high sensitivity with the XH2 S, the Topaz software allows you to work at high sensitivity without any fear.
Another positive point is the lightness of this lens and its stabilization which brings a lot of comfort to shooting.
In addition, the optical unit moves internally which provides additional comfort when shooting!
If we publish the aperture, this optic in 24/36 conversion allows us to cover focal lengths from 225 mm (without the 1.4X) to 1260mm with the 1.4X. With the multiplier. An absolute weapon in many situations which allows me to compete with my colleagues and produce often different images.
It is without hesitation that I take this lens as soon as I can, which remains light for its focal length and which brings me different images.
I work in RAW and develop them with Capture One software.
All this pictures are done front of the king’s palace in Brussels during the national parade. The distance between the photographers and the royal family is approximately of 70 meters.
Princess DelphineKing PhilippePrincess DelphinePrincess DelphinePrincess Elisabeth
A firmware update was released, and after some users installed it, they noticed the firmware was flawed and the camera is now buggy. So far, nothing new. This just happens.
But when one of these photographers contacted customer service, the representatives acknowledged that the issue could have been potentially caused by the firmware update. Despite this, they are asking customers to send in their cameras for repairs, which will cost (at least) $700.
That’s a shame and should not happen.
And luckily it does not happen to Fujifilm shooters, because this is what happened to a Sony shooter, whose Sony FX3 got apparently broken by firmware 5.00 (see video below).
The video made by Camera Nerds Media runs you through this unreal experience (including recorded calls with customer service).
Camera Nerds Media also went on various Sony forums and he saw that many other FX3 users got the same issue with firmware 5.00. He ends up saying:
I don’t think users should be responsible for faulty firmware updates. That is crazy. […] Now my camera does not work and I lost lots of functionality and I am required to pay for that.
[…]
I posted about this on a bunch of Sony Forums, and the overall theme is that nobody updates the firmware on their Sony cameras because it is historically unreliable and a lot of problems can happen”
To be clear: Camera Nerds Media is a Sony shooter and not a secret agent paid by Fujifilm or Canon or whoever to trashtalk Sony.
Sh*t Happens
Why this intro?
Well, it’s simple: we are used to look at our own garden (the Fujifilm world) and we rightfully moan when something goes wrong there.
But here is the thing: we are so focused on our own world, that we don’t see what’s going on elsewhere.
The Sony issue we reported about today is just one of many. I saw posts with freezes on Sony camera and users have to remove the battery to make the camera work again.
So yes, it’s good to moan, when something goes wrong in the Fujifilm world. But we should be at least aware that modern cameras are high tech computers with lots of complicated coding inside, and that every brand stumbles on that. That’s just normal.
What really matters is how brands react to those issues.
Fujifilm releases free firmware updates to fix errors, whereas in the story we shared today, we can see that this is not always the case with Sony cameras.
Fujifilm Bug Reports
But let’s go back to our little Fujifilm garden.
When I posted the article about a rare bug that drives me nuts, other fellow Fujifilm X shooters wrote me with their own bug reports.
And because I pay full price for my gear and have no connections to Fujifilm, I can freely report about those bugs here on FujiRumors, in the hope Fujifilm Japan will read this (they will), and possibly even release a fix in the near future (of course for free ;) ).
If you have your own bugs to report about, feel free to drop it in the comments.
I have the GFX 100S II and it happened to me it froze too a couple of times in the past month and yesterday I found when it happens:
Using the camera in portrait mode, but turning it 90 clockwise, not counter clockwise (as natural it is)
I know it happened in other models like the GFX 100 II, do you know if that bug has been resolved?
UPDATE: I took the camera to the store where I bought it and the seller said he would contact the Fuji rep about that. Then he sent the camera to be repaired. It Looks like there is an electronic problem, that is what he said to me a few days later. Hopefully the camera will be back soon.
by Cipulot – The Disappearing Indicators
I am sharing with you a pretty interesting thing that is happening with my X100VI with the latest 1.11 fw.
In particular, out of nowhere, in the OVF mode, the indicators stopped being shown even if I had them selected in the settings (video below).
Funnily enough, though, if I enable large indicators, they still do not show up, but if I half-press the shutter, they pop up and then go away as soon as I take a shot/release it.
I tried disabling them, re-enabling, power cycle, and even removing the battery, but the issue persists.
I forgot to mention that even when pressing the DISP BACK button multiple times, the issue persists, even tho that should fix it usually.
UPDATE: As a last effort I reinitialized the camera and it went back to working order. [if you encounter this issue too, reset your camera]
by Alan – the Silent Focus Priority Override in AF-MF
Your July 10, 2024 post entitled “This (Rare) Fujifilm Bug Drives Me Nuts…” got me thinking about the one Fujifilm bug that most bothers me. Actually, mine is more than a bug… because mine interacts with a known Fujifilm autofocus issue that can produce more out-of-focus images than expected. Combined, the bug and issue have the potential to badly effect the AF experience of users and, I expect, reviewers.
The Bug: With AF+MF* enabled, the camera will, without warning, override FOCUS/RELEASE PRIORITY** if it has been set to FOCUS.
Potential Bug Remedy: At the very least, Fuji should grey-out the RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY menu option when AF+MF is enabled.
The Issue and its Importance: The potential advantage of AF+MF* is paradoxically counterbalanced by the potential disadvantage of RELEASE PRIORITY**.
Fujifilm’s competitors allow their users to manually fine tune autofocus (with focus aids such as peaking and magnification), while maintaining control of when the shutter will release in AF-C or AF-S modes (ie, with or without autofocus confirmation/acquisition).
For example, if AF-C loses a bird amongst leaves, manual override will be necessary to regain focus. The rest of the time, when manual override isn’t necessary, the camera should be allowed to acquire focus before releasing shutter, should the user so desire.
Please feel free to post my note on FujiRumors if you think that it would be of interest.
* XT-5: MENU > AF/MF SETTINGS > AF+MF = “OFF
** XT-5: MENU > AF/MF SETTINGS > RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY
