Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware Update V4.2

UPDATE: Fujifilm have issued a warning saying there is a problem with V4.2 which can cause the camera to lock up if using AF-C and this will be addressed by the end of January 2016. 

UPDATE 2: 4 February 2016: Fujifilm have fixed the problem and have issued V4.3 which can be downloaded from the Fujifilm website HERE

Fujifilm have a great reputation for updating their cameras on a regular basis to make improvements to the operation.  These updates are usually the result of feedback that the company receive and as an X Photographer I am pleased to be asked by the company for my feedback on how I find using the X-Series cameras and lenses.

Already this year the X-T1 has received two important upgrades and I was involved with the testing of FW 4.0 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this summer prior to its launch which, amongst the may improvement the firmware offered, it significantly boosted the AF capability of the camera.

Today we have  received FW4.2 which has several improvements but the two that are significant are the following

1. Using a flashgun in bracketing or continous shooting modes
2. Making the movie button into a function button that can be set by the photographer.

Before FW4.2 the X-T1 could only fire the flash with the drive mode set to 'S' or single shot.  If CH or CL was selected the flash was disabled.  As a former press photographer and someone who works in sports photography the ability for a camera to shoot several shots with flash in a fast moving environment is extremely important.  As part of my feedback to Fujifilm I raised this point with the R&D department and not only have they listened to me and several other photographers who have said the same thing, they have come up with a solution.  AND, once again, the firmware update is free to download.

Also making the movie button into a function button is a good move.  I reported last year that the movie button was too easily pressed by accident, which then locked the camera up while it switched to video mode.  The solution was FW1.1 which meant you had to keep your finger pressed on the button to select movie mode, which meant it was a lot harder to select it by accident.  Now this button can be set by the photographer to do something else.  I will keep this button for shooting videos but it is very good to have the option if I wanted it.

Here is a full list of what is available for X-T1 users with FW4.2 

• 1.Using a flashgun in Bracketing / Continuous shooting
  Optional flashguns can be used for bracketing and burst photography. When using the EF-X8, which is bundled with the X-T1, the flash fires in ISO, FILM SIMULATION and WHITE BALANCE BKT modes.
  ​*A flashgun may not fire in case it is not charged enough between shootings. And continuous shooting in CL and CH mode becomes ​slow when Focus mode is AF-C.
• 2.Instant AF Setting in manual focus
  Focus and exposure can be locked when the AF-L button is used in manual focus mode. You can shoot after locking AF and AE with your thumb.
• 3.AF+MF operation with AF-L button
  The AF-L button can be used to lock focus in AF+MF mode and you can adjust the focus more accurately using the lens's focusing ring.
• 4.Focus zoom in AF+MF
  The FOCUS ASSIST button can be used for focus zoom and you can focus using the lens's focusing ring with focus zoom activated.
• 5.Additional Custom Display options
  Functions have been added to the DISP. CUSTOM SETTING option in the setup menu.
  Additional Items: FOCUS FRAME / CONTINUOUS MODE / SHOOTING MODE / DUAL IS MODE / INFORMATION BACKGROUND / MOVIE MODE / FOCUS MODE / BLUR WARNING / SHUTTER TYPE
• 6.The Fn7 Button
  The movie-record button doubles as an Fn button (Fn7). Press and hold DISP/BACK to select what it controls.

CLICK HERE to go to the Fujifilm website download page

The procedure for updating your X-T1 is very simple -

1. Take an SD Card and format it in your camera. 
2. Make sure the battery in the camera is fully charged - THIS IS IMPORTANT.
3. Download the FW Update from the Fujifilm website.  Make sure you remove all previous FW updates from the place you download the FW Update to on your computer.  If you don't the computer may add a (1) or similar to the file name and when you try and update the camera the file won't be recognised.
4. Download the FW Update from the computer to the SD card
5. Place the SD Card in the camera. 
6. Holding down the <DISP/BACK> button switch the camera on.  This activates the Firmware Upgrade menu. 
7. Follow the instructions on the screen to update the Body Firmware.
8. When the FW is being upload DO NOT switch the camera off until instructed to.  If you switch it off while the FW is loading you will damage your camera.
9. When instructed switch the camera off and the Firmware is updated.  Format your SD card straight away to remove the FW file from your memory card.

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