CAPTURE NEW HORIZONS

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 impr...

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 ...

Earlier this week Fujifilm announced another firmware update for the X-T1 (version 4.0) that will improve, among other things, the auto focus.  I did a very unscientific test at Le Mans in 2014 and while the camera did the job, the follow focus ability of the X-T1 lags behind the systems offered by Canon and Nikon. CLICK HERE to see my blog review of the AF-C test at Le Mans in 2014 It seems that once again Fujifilm have been listening to their customers and have adapted the function with a FREE firmware update.  How close the new AF system will be to Nikon and Canon remains to be seen but if Fuji have managed to get close to the flagship DSLR manufacturers it will be a huge plus point. I look forward to reviewing firmware 4.0, especially with the new 50-140mm f2.8 I have on order. CLICK HERE to read the press release on the Fujifilm webbsite

In April 2014 I decided that the new £1100 Fujifilm X-T1 was going to be added to my camera bag alongside the X-Pro1 and X100.  Fast forward to September 2014 and imagine my horror when Fujifilm announced a new 'Graphite' edition of the X-T1 with a raft of important updates including an electronic shutter up to 1/32000s, improvements to the video function and other such items I have talked about on this blog.   Was I going to have to fork out another £1100 if I wanted these improvements?   Well I needn't of worried (not that I was really) because Fujifilm have also announced that the improvements seen on the new camera will be available as a Firmware update in December, one month after the new 'Graphite' version hits the shops. Last year Fujifilm replaced the X100 with the X100S and then provided existing owners with a firmware update that brought a lot of the improvements over to the older model.  As an X100 owner I was very happy by this state of aff...

One of the reasons I like about using Fujifilm cameras is the fact that the Japanese company care about, and seem to listen to, their customers.   On the 17th June I wrote a BLOG about my first two months, and 10,000 frames, with the X-T1.  One of my dislikes was the positioning and the operation of the video button, which was too easily pressed by accident, locking up the camera while it switched to video mode.  I know I am not alone in this and it was great to see that yesterday Fujifilm announced Firmware update V1.10 for the X-T1, which included a fix for this problem.  Instead of the video function starting immediately the button is pressed, there is now a delay where the photographer has to keep pressing the button.  It means that I am less likely to operate the video function by accident from now on and for me this is a good solution.   My only concern is that to end a video recording there is also a slight delay as the button needs to be ...