DPReview Tests DxO DeepPRIME XD for Fujifilm X-Trans Files: “Make it Your Default Option for High-ISO Shots”

We recently reported about a comparison made between Canon R5 and Fujifilm X-H2, and we saw that the new DxO PureRAW 3 brings sensible benefits to the sharpness of the X-Trans files, whereas the same software does not really boost sharpness on the Canon R5 with Bayer sensor.

That’s why the reviewer ended up highly recommending to add PureRAW 3 to your Lightroom editing workflow in order to get best results.

In that article, I also told you that you should definitely try out the very new DeepPrime XD X-Trans support for Fujifilm X-Trans files, which is superior to the until now available regular DeepPrime.

Well, if you didn’t test it, then DPReview did that for you.

They call the new DeepPRIME XD support a win for Fujifilm X-series shooters and recommend it to make it your default option for high-ISO shots.

From my testing, the arrival of DeepPRIME XD for X-Trans looks to be a win for Fujifilm X-series shooters, just as it is for those on other platforms. Although it isn’t always going to be your best bet, it performs better than the alternatives frequently enough that if you’ve the time required for its processing, it’s worth making your default option for high-ISO shots.

It’s also worth noting that even when it struggles with things like text, you usually have to be looking at the image very closely to spot the defects. Viewed from a more typical distance, a DeepPRIME XD shot is going to create the impression of more detail and crispness, even if it’s to some extent an artificial invention. When not pixel peeping, that can make the overall image feel better even when a more rigorous examination might tell a different story.

You have to bear your subjects, the viewer and how they’ll be looking at your images in mind when deciding which algorithm to use.
The point here is that you have to bear your subjects, the viewer and how they’ll be looking at your images in mind when deciding which algorithm to use. And we’ll restate that we’ve only shown results at default settings; you can always dial back the strength of an algorithm to improve the results for any given shot.

Overall, I’ve found DeepPRIME XD to be a very useful tool and I’m thrilled that it’s now available for X-Trans shooters too!

So definitely give DxO PureRAW 3 and DeepPRIME XD a look especially if you are on a Lightroom workflow. And make sure to check out the full article and see the comparison images at DPReview here.

Fujifilm Announcements: X Summit BKK on May 24, New Firmware for 12 XF/GF Lenses and FujiKina on May 27

Fujifilm has released a video where they finally announce what FujiRumors is telling you since a weeks: there is no Fujifilm X Summit in April, but it will take place on May 24 (as we told you) in Bangkok. Fujikina will take place on May 27 also in Bangkok.

This is what they say in the video.

  • they talk about the new firmware updates for X-H2 and X-H2s (Frame.io integration)
  • they announce new firmware for XF/GF lenses that reduces focusing noise with certain linear motor AF lenses, smoother aperture operation and improved focus tracking performance during zooming
  • GFX Grant Challenge program updates
  • Fujifilm X Summit in Bangkok announced for May 24
  • Fujikina Bangkok on May 27

FujiRumors has so far rumored two cameras and one lens.

Maybe some of this (or something else) will drop on May 24.

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm Releases Significant Firmware Updates for Many XF/GF Lenses (plus X-A3, X-A10, XA20)

Fujifilm has released firmware updates for plenty of lenses that will make the autofocus more silent, the aperture operate smoother and also give better tracking performance while zooming.

That’s a very nice upgrade especially for video shooters.

Not all lenses will get all these three updates. You can find the full detailed list below.

Firmware Details & Download Links

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Chris & Jordan: The Battle of Camera Brands – Fujifilm vs Canon, Sony, Nikon and Panasonic

Stalman+ hosted Chris and Jordan on his YouTube channel. They talk about DRP shutting down, the Sony ZV-E1 and starting from minute 38:24 they also talk about all camera brands in a section called “Battle of the Camera Brands”.

Regarding Fujifilm, this is what Chris, Jordan and Stalman+ have to say (starts 57:05):

  • they talk about the peculiar vintage look that Fujifilm cameras have that can “outlast technology”
  • love of using, holding and being seen with beautiful cameras, that’s still a factor today. Other companies under-appreciated that factor
  • Chris says that a few years ago the talk in the industry was that you have to go Full Frame or you are going to die
  • Fujifilm very bravely said “let’s stick with APS-C and let’s go one better and make some awesome medium format cameras”
  • Chris said they could make a whole podcast on how successful that whole line has been for Fujifilm
  • they delivered lots of amazing APS-C lenses
  • Chris thinks this was a smart decision, especially now that we look at the new sensors on the X-T5
  • Fujifilm is doing a great job giving people what they want and not having to go full frame to do it
  • you get a solid camera that can do many different things, that looks great and that focuses “yeah…”
  • Staleman+ says Fujifilm is the only camera that he would shoot JPEG straight of of camera or do a non-LOG profile and actually use it
  • the X-H2S is a powerhouse for video
  • Jordan agrees and says that the X-H2S image is one of his favourite out of any format of camera, even comparing it to full frame especially in terms of dynamic range it keeps up really nicely
  • they also listen to us in terms of features. They were the first to let videographers do 48th or 96th of a second shutter speed. Shutter angle and waveforms still missing. Hopefully those will come in future
  • Jordan’s biggest issue with Fuji’s recent launches is that a lot of those cameras haven’t felt completely finished (occasional crashes even with production models, punch-in focus not as sharp as it was previously)
  • Jordan wants Fujifilm to go back to where they were, as the company known for giving you initially flaky products but then they would firmware update the hell out of them
  • Fujifilm has the base hardware to make some of the best cameras out there, but Jordan just does not 100% trusts them at this point
  • Staleman+ says he did not experience such huge issues and crashes, but certainly there are some things that could be improved
  • he adds that he appreciates the operability and physicality of the cameras, the dials etc. It’s so clear what you are getting into as you start operating it and he loves that about Fujifilm
  • Chris said that he appreciates that Fujifilm launched the X-S series of cameras that actually departs from the manual controls
  • if you don’t love the manual dial control and you want an alternative, they are offering it
  • Chris prefers the X-S handling
  • Staleman+ just likes the way they are running the company and also leading the way in some ways when it comes to video, for example with Frame.io integration
  • Kudos to Fujifilm for leading from behind, so being in the position of being a smaller company that are still showing real strength and leadership

So lots of great things are said about Fujifilm, and only two significant points of criticism: improve autofocus even more and keep delivering Kaizen firmware updates.

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Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Canon Full Frame vs Fujifilm APS-C for Landscape Photography – Long Live DxO Pure RAW

The story starts like many other stories: a full frame camera, in this case the high resolution Canon EOS R5 gets compared with a Fujifilm APS-C camera, in this case the high res Fujifilm X-H2.

I hear many of you say now “no, not again!”

But hear me out.

This time it’s a bit different.

This time, the magic of DxO Pure RAW comes into play.

Here is what happened.

Ian Worth used the following gear side by side with the goal to compare the details on large prints:

But he went an extra step. He did not simply load the files into Lightroom to process the RAW files (with Lightroom standard settings) and then print the images.

Nope, he wanted to “help” Lightroom to deal with X-Trans files, and hence used DxO Pure RAW to transform the files into a DNG and only then processed them in Lightroom.

Unfair?

Well, he did the same with Canon files, but DxO did not bring any benefits in terms of sharpness to the Canon files, as opposed to Fujifilm X-Trans files, which definitely saw an improvement if passed through the DxO engine.

The result: the Fujifilm X-H2 and the Canon R5 both delivered very comparable results. Sometimes in certain areas he preferred the details on the X-H2, sometimes on the R5. But overall, both delivered absolutely excellent results.

Not bad for the Fujifilm combo, which costs about half as much as the Canon combo.

Look, RAW files are intended to be processed. And it’s up to everyone to decide how to do that.

But if you own X-Trans cameras and use Lightroom, then using DxO as a plug-in is definitely a recommended step to take into your post processing workflow.

Not mentioned by Ian in the video is the new DxO “DeepPRIME XD” support for X-Trans files, which is clearly superior to the more basic “DeepPRIME”. Now it really handles noise especially in dark areas much better.

The Gear

Understanding Fujifilm Firmware for Camera to Cloud Frame.io

Fujifilm has released the long awaited firmware that adds Frame.io Camera to Cloud support for the Fujifilm X-H2 and Fujifilm X-H2s (and also fixes a few bugs).

You can check out all the details in this article.

Now Fujifilm USA has published a video where they guide you through this new feature and you can see the video above.

Fujifilm Wins Tons of RedDot and TIPA Awards 2023 including the Amazing X-H Cooling Fan

Everybody Wins

After a couple of mojito’s on a Carribian island, the guys who had the brilliant idea to make tons of money by giving away meaningless awards, came up with enough categories to assign prizes to all companies who were so generous to buy the brag-rights to their past awards.

And if you think I am kidding, of course I am. I mean, to come up with categories that differentiate between “expert” and “professional” you have to take harder stuff than just mojitos :D.

TIPA

After a brutally hard selection and extensive tests, TIPA has selected the winners of their 2023 awards.

Here are the Fujifilm products that won:

RedDot

Also RedDot asked ChatGPT to make an extensive list of random products they can award to make money has tested tons of gear on their design and usability and came up with a list of winners.

Fujifilm was able to gain the humble amount of 23 RedDot Award. The photography related gear is this one:

Well done Fujifilm. This means you are a very healthy company if you have money to throw away for these awards.

MARK THIS DATE: Fujifilm X Summit on May 24

Still today, the official position of Fujifilm is that there will be an X summit in April.

But if you follow FujiRumors, you’ll know that the X Summit in April has been canceled and that there will be an X summit in May.

I have no idea why Fujifilm is not correcting the date, but you have to trust me on this.

Today we can also tell you the exact date of the announcement: the next Fujifilm X Summit will take place on May 24.

This comes from trusted sources, so I have no doubts that the date is accurate. Unless Fujifilm decides to cancel it again.

Fujifilm Facebook Groups

Fujifilm X Summit in May :: X-Pro3 with Normal Screen :: Expodeo Exposure Donut :: Fujifilm Managers Interviews & More :: Top 10 March Posts

Here are the top 10 articles for March grouped in two categories:

  • rumors you should not have missed
  • most clicked articles
  • most commented articles

In the third category, only those articles will by linked, that were not already in the first list.

Must Know Rumors

  1. Fujifilm X Summit in May (not April)
  2. Fujifilm X-S20 coming with NP-W235 Battery (Rumor) but not in April (Speculation)

Top 10 Viewed Articles:

  1. Expodo: Meet the Exposure Donut and How it Could Work on Fujifilm Cameras
  2. DPReview is Closing: Good Bye after 25 Years of Excellent Service
  3. CURIOSITY: Fujifilm Switzerland Shows X-Pro3 without Hidden but Regular Tilt LCD Screen – UPDATE
  4. Fujifilm Spain Displays Camera Roadmap with New “Disruptive” Models Coming in May and September
  5. Fujifilm Managers Interview: Talking Fujifilm X-Pro4, Autofocus, Fujifilm X-T5 Sales, 5th Generation GFX, X100V Demand and More
  6. Lightroom Fails with X-Trans V: Are 40MP Fujifilm X-T5 Files Really Softer than 26MP X-Trans IV Files?
  7. Sigma CEO: “APS-C has Still Great Benefits over Full Frame”
  8. DPR Fujifilm Managers Interview: Fixed Lens Fujifilm GFX, X100V Success, Skipping Full Frame was Good Decision
  9. CANCELED: No More Fujifilm X Summit in April – Trusted Source
  10. Camera Autofocus Ranking: Fujifilm X-H2s and X-H2 vs Sony, Canon, Nikon, OM System (Bird Photography)

Top 10 Commented Articles

  1. I am Going to PARIS – But With Which Gear? Your Gear, Photo, Food and More Tips Needed
  2. Fujifilm Spain Displays Camera Roadmap with New “Disruptive” Models Coming in May and September
  3. Let’s Talk Fujifilm X-E Line Future
  4. Lightroom Fails with X-Trans V: Are 40MP Fujifilm X-T5 Files Really Softer than 26MP X-Trans IV Files?
  5. Sigma CEO: “APS-C has Still Great Benefits over Full Frame”
  6. DPR Fujifilm Managers Interview: Fixed Lens Fujifilm GFX, X100V Success, Skipping Full Frame was Good Decision
  7. DPReview is Closing: Good Bye after 25 Years of Excellent Service
  8. Fujifilm X-E4 Discontinued at BHphoto and Other Stores
  9. LEAKED Image of Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN
  10. VOTE :: The Ultimate Fujifilm GF Lens Poll – Let Fuji know What You Want!

Fujifilm X-E4 Discontinued at BHphoto and Other Stores

The Fujifilm X-E4 was launched in January 2021 and the last time I’ve noticed the X-E4 in stock was back in October 2021.

Not even the Fujifilm X100V has such a bad shipping record as the X-E4.

And now, after 2 years only, stores are already starting to mark it as discontinued, as for example BHphoto here (in all its combinations) and the Australian store Camerapro.

It’s a pity that such a beautiful little camera hardly ever shipped and now it even seems to be over for it.

At this point, the Fujifilm X-E5 can’t come soon enough.