Fujifilm GFX 50s Firmware Update 1.01 Available

Fujifilm just released the first firmware update for Fujifilm GFX 50s. This is not the major firmware update we are waiting for and is rumored to be released in May.

The firmware update Ver.1.01 from Ver.1.00 incorporates the following issues:

  • 1. The phenomenon is fixed that in some cases the actual saturation of the EVF display is not changed even if the setting of the EVF COLOR in SCREEN SET-UP is changed. It occurs especially after EVF display is changed to LCD and then back to EVF.

You can download the Fujifilm GFX 50s firmware ver. 1.01 at Fujifilm’s support page here.

Feel free to join other fellow 11,000 GFX owners and fans at the Fujifilm GFX facebook group. Follow the Fujifilm GFX facebook page for 100% GFX news and rumors.

Fujifilm GFX 50s: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm Officially Announces New Firmware for X-T2 and X-Pro2 with 33 Improvements – FULL LIST

Just as rumored, on March 23 (in Tokyo) Fujifilm announced the 33 improvements that will come with the next Firmware udpate for X-T2 and X-Pro2.

The first update will come late March and the second one late May.

Thanks a lot to the sources… and now, dear X-T2 and X-Pro2 owners, enjoy the long list of free updates. You can soon download a complete new camera :)

FULL PRESS RELEASE

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

Fuji Guy Billy: “4K in X-Pro2 is Possible. I’m fighting with Japan for that” :: Fujifilm GFX, X100F, X-T20, FREE Tethered Fuji Software & More

Join the Super Active Fujifilm GFX facebook group & X100F Group

Bigheadtaco Interview with Fuji Guy Billy

Bigheadtaco had a 1 hour talk with Fuji Guy Billy. If you have no time at the moment to watch it all, I made a summary for you guys (you’re welcome ;) ). For the full video click here… but you should really check out the whole interesting interview as soon as you find some time.

Fujifilm X-T20/X100F/4K

  • X-T2 has huge demand [NOTE: we noted this… it’s still backordered at a lot of stores :( ]
  • X100F sensor is more power-hungry, hence they needed to put in the bigger NP-W126s batteries
  • the WCL/TCL MK II has magnets that allows the camera to detect if the WCL or TCL is attached. The old converters also work, but you have to select in the menu if the WCL or TCL is attached
  • 4K: to get close to the F-Log profile for color grading, dial down highlight + shadow tone to -2 and sharpness down to -4, it’s pretty close to the flat F-Log profile (for max. dynamic range recovery capability you still need F-Log)
  • 4K on X-T20 you lose some resolution, because it has no crop (X-T2 has crop) but has a half line skip (min 14:55)

Firmware Update for X-Pro2?

  • The half line skipping when shooting 4K allows the X-T20 to shoot 4K without overheating. Take asks Billy if this could be implemented to the X-Pro2 via Firmware update. Billy answers: “I hope so, it’s something I’m pushing all the time. I don’t understand why the X-Pro2 has no 4K like X-T20, since there is a solution for that. I’m fighting for that in Japan.“
  • Personal Note: Thanks Billy for your efforts to support us and make pressure on Fujifilm… we all send you a virtual hug :)

Fujifilm GFX

  • 2.5 years ago Fujifilm sat down with some key Medium Format photographers, and started developing the G-system from their input.
  • increased tonality + 14 stops of dynamic range
  • Hopefull down the road Capture One will support GFX RAW’s
  • GFX will hit the market at the end of February
  • Fujifilm will launch a free tethering Software (Fujifilm X-acquire) that you can use also with X-T2 & X-T1 at the end of Febraury. (min 29.03)
  • When they talked about the focal plane shutters, Fuji Guy Billy says that they know which sensor technology will come in future, and that “certain technology won’t be needed anymore“, and hence they decided to make future-proof non-leaf shutter lenses. Billy already talked more clearly about the global shutter in the interview with Luminous Landscape
  • Expect to see much more adapters. Fujifilm is very open to speak with third-party manufactures.
  • All 3 lenses are amazing sharp from center to corner, even the zoom lens.
  • Mid 2017 2 more lenses will come: 110mmF2 and 23mmF4. End of 2017 will see the 45mmF2.8
  • Fujifilm changed some of the curves for Astia and Provia, because of the new sensor and its great dynamic range.
  • Focus Bracketing (min. 29:45)

Mixed Stuff

  • Future APS-C lenses: they look at the demand. MarkII version of existing lenses, but also longer primes for sports [I’m sure they saw our poll results :) ]
  • Fuji Guy Billy says he’s aware the WiFi app needs improvements, and he seems confident that it will come. Not sure if you will have to pay for it.
  • Fujifilm is Nr.1 brand in Thailand, especially because of women liking its skin tones.

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, CalumetDE AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Fujinon GF63mmF2.8: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro
Fujinon GF32-64mmF4: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro
Fujinon GF120mmF4 Macro: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm X-T20: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCH AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm X100F: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCH AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm XF50mmF2 WR: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

KAIZEN :: New Firmware Will Allow (Some) Fujifilm X-Series Cameras to Add Copyright Information to Images

photo KAIZEN_zps1fdb780f.png

I’ve already told you here, that Fujifilm plans a new Kaizen Firmware update.

Well, today I have an update for you. According to a FR-source, some cameras, and for sure the Fujifilm X-T2, should get the ability to add in camera copyright to your images.

If this is true, well, then Fujifilm finally listened to a long-term firmware request by the X-shooter community. Let’s hope that also “older” X-series cameras will get this feature… but I would not be too optimistic about this.

And as always, Firmware rumors are tricky. So no matter how trusted or not the source is, take it with a grain of salt.

Fujifilm X-T2 (save up to $230): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera

  • X-T2 + Booster Grip: save $230
  • X-T2 + 18-55 + Booster Grip: save $230
  • X-T2 body/kit Combination Lens Promo: Save $100

enjoy your day…
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

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Sony’s Fast & Furious Hardware Updates Vs. Fuji’s Kaizen Philosophy :: What’s the Better Strategy to Win the Mirrorless Battle? – POLL

fuji-sony

INITIAL NOTE: In all these years of blogging, I’ve learned that every time you compare brands/cameras, the shitstorm is just around the corner. So I’ll say it clearly now: I like the innovation Sony is bringing in the mirrorless market. This article is not to bash on Sony, but just to ask you if you would like Fuji to adopt the same strategy of Sony. If you find something I wrote not accurate, please let me know… you know I’m open for critics and willing to correct statements that are wrong.

Rico’s Fuji X-workshop in Thailand
only 1 space left for English / only 2 spaces left for German

The Fast and The Furious Sony Strategy!

Holy Moly!

Sony just announced the Sony A6500 (BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS), and it comes just a few months after the launch of the Sony A6300. The sensor in both cameras is the same, but Sony build in IBIS, touch screen and improved the AF-performance on the A6500 (reports say the X-T2 AF is superior to the A6300. The A6500 might catch up again). It remains to see, if Sony managed to control overheating better.

Sony shooters might already got used to such a fast camera release rate. Take for example at the Sony A7 series:

Sony A7 + Sony A7r (October 2013)
Sony A7s (April 2014)
Sony A7II (November 2014)
Sony A7rII (August 2015)
Sony A7SII (September 2015)
Sony A9 (planed for 2016, but the April earthquake that hit their sensor factory created a major sensor shortage. Sony even had problems to ship the A7rII)

It’s just crazy how many hardware changes Sony has launched to the original A7/A7r in just 3 years! Basically 2 new Full Frame Mirrorless cameras a year (except 2016 – due to the earthquake): more Megapixel, less Megapixel, Ibis, no Ibis, Phase Detection Pixels, no Phase Detections Pixel… you name it!

This strategy must be quite successful for Sony, because they now adapted it also for the A6000 series. Just 8 months after the release of the Sony A6300, Sony launched the A6500, with hardware and firmware improvements. The question remains open, if the firmware improvements will make it also into the Sony A6300, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sony would decide to leave the A6300 firmware untouched and “force” customers to buy the A6500 for even faster AF.

Fuji’s Kaizen Strategy… “ for longer camera lifespan“

Back in December 2013, the godfather of the X-series, Manager Mr. Kawahara (now retired), said in an interview that Fujifilm will focus on Firmware updates, because “we want you to use our camera longer and longer in your life.” And the press release to the X-T1 Firmware 4.20 reinforced this strategy, since Fuji wrote here: “New X-T1 firmware V.4.20 delivers updated Auto Focus system features, along with several other key upgrades for longer camera lifespan.” I also remember Toshihisa Iida and Fuji Guy Billy confirming the Kaizen Strategy in two video interviews, but I can’t remember where (I’ll update the article if I find the videos).

However, I found another statement by Top Fuji Manager Toshihisa Iida regarding Fuji’s Firmware policy here:

“Of course there’s an argument whenever we introduce a new firmware upgrade that it’s damaging the existing product. So there are pros and cons, but we decided that we really needed to take care of the existing customer first before thinking of the new customer. […] So I think that’s right, to show our customer loyalty for their purchase. […] Because now the camera is costing somewhere around several hundred to a thousand dollars. So it’s ridiculous for us to ask customers to upgrade every two years or so.”

So let’s take a look at Fujifilm’s flagship cameras lifespan, the X-Pro and the X-T line

Fuji X-T1 → Fuji X-T2 = 2½ years
Fuji X-Pro1 → Fuji X-Pro2 = 4 years

However, the X-T1 has actually changed a lot in these years, thanks to many (free!!!) Firmware updates. I’ll mention the 3 major ones, that gave us electronic shutter, new AF-system, new film Simulations, Customizable Q menu… and much more!

18 December 2014 – FW 3.00
29 June 2015 – FW 4.00 + 11 Tips to make the most out of it
17 December 2015 – FW 4.20

Also the X-Pro1 and X-E1/2 got several major Firmware updates. And the X-Pro2 just received a huge update yesterday.

But is this really the right strategy? The development of Firmware updates is expensive and Fujifilm doesn’t make a dime out of it. Actually they hurt sales of newer X-series cameras by upgrading older ones. Sure, it might be good for us customers (longer camera lifespan), but it’s definitely not good for Fujifilms’ finances!

That said, as a customer, I’m obviously a Kaizen-fan and hope Fujifilm will keep this philosophy. But I also hope this won’t affect their business too negatively, because I want them to survive the mirrorless battle… and that brings me to today’s Poll

The Poll

The mirrorless battle has just begun, and it’s clear to me that some companies will perish, regardless how amazing their products are (Samsung died despite having a terrific camera, the Samsung NX1).

Only those companies with the best strategy will survive the mirrorless battle.

That’s why I’d like to know from you, what do you think would be better for Fujifilm: keep focussing on Firmware updates or do it like Sony?

The best strategy for Fuji is to...

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Top Sony Manager Confirms The Fast Focussing Fuji X-T2 is a Threat for Sony A7 series Customers. “We Don’t Have This Weapon Right Now”