First Impressions: X-Pro2 AF-C Function Update

- October 14, 2016

Before I traveled to Japan for the FIA World Endurance Championship race at Fuji Speedway I completed the firmware update on the X-Pro2. The latest software (FW2.0) includes the same auto focus algorithm as the X-T2 but without the custom functions that the newer camera has available. I was interested to see how the new continuous AF would work on fast cars.

I have already been shooting with the X-Pro2 for sport and wildlife since the start of 2016 and the AF functions of the camera were already pretty good. So I was interested to see how Fujifilm could improve the X-Pro2 even further.

Using the XF100-400mm lens at the side of the track I took a variety of images - slow shutter pans to give the sense of speed and faster shutter speeds to freeze the action. In all cases I would track the car using the AF-C function in zone focusing mode (3x3 squares) and the drive was set to CH (8fps).

Tracking cars coming towards the camera was the most noticeable improvement, the X-Pro2 would easily follow the subject coming down the track into a corner. The only issue was when the headlights would cause the camera to lose the lock. It happened on two occasions and the camera would go out of focus. I would have to reset by focusing on the kerbs at the side of the track.

This also happens on the X-T2 (and all other cameras as well) but on the X-T2 you can set the custom functions to stop this happening so often whereas with the X-Pro2 you don't have the option to customise your settings. It is one area the X-T2 holds an advantage.

After the 90-minute session I headed back to the media centre to download the images. The improvements made by Fujifilm are noticable and the X-Pro2 does track the subject better than it did before. It isn't a massive improvement because the X-Pro2 was already a good camera in this regard.

I will keep shooting over the next two days and report further on my findings but so far the new firmware gets the thumbs up from me!