Fujifilm have been busy, now offering NEW firmware updates for 3 of their X-Series models- the Fujifilm X-T1, X-T10 & X-E2. The Firmware updates mainly address some underlying focusing issues & compatibility with the new Fujifilm XF 100-400mm, but for the X-E2, the update substantially upgrades the cameras Auto-focus performance & some new features.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR DIRECT ACCESS TO THE NEW FIRMWARES ON FUJIFILM.COM & ALWAYS CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE UPDATING YOUR CAMERA
The firmware update Ver. 4.00 from Ver.3.10 incorporates the
following issues:
1. New AF System
(1)New AF system with Zone and Wide/Tracking modes for
effortless capture of moving subjects. (*)
The AF System complements the fast and accurate
49-single-point autofocus system with new Zone and Wide/Tracking modes, which
use 77 autofocus points across a wider area to substantially improve the
camera's ability to capture moving subjects.
(2)Improvement of AF accuracy.
Single-point AF divides the focus area into smaller sections
to more accurately determine the distance to the subject for even greater
focusing accuracy. The built-in phase detection pixels have the detection range
of 0.5EV, an improvement from the previous 2.5EV, delivering phase detection AF
performance that enables fast focusing in low-light conditions and on
low-contrast subjects.
(3) Eye Detection AF. (*)
The firmware update provides Fujifilm's Eye Detection AF,
which automatically detects and focuses on human eyes.
The function allows you to easily focus on the eyes even in
difficult conditions, e.g. when shooting a portrait wide open to obtain a
beautiful bokeh background.
(4)Auto Macro mode. (*)
The firmware update introduces the Auto Macro function,
which automatically switches the camera into the Macro mode while maintaining
the conventional AF speed. You no longer have to press the Macro button to
initiate a close-up shot. This update eliminates the Macro function assigned to
the Macro Button, allowing you to assign a different function to the button.
(5)AF improvement in the Movie mode.
The optimized algorithm delivers a more natural and smooth
AF action during movie recording.
2. Function enhancements
(6)High-speed electronic shutter with a maximum speed of
1/32000sec. (*)
The FUJINON XF Lens series lineup includes a number of fast
fixed focal length lenses which boast very high sharpness with the aperture
wide open, producing excellent out of focus "bokeh". However, fast apertures
are difficult to use if the light is too bright, so to ensure users can create
shallow depth-of-field effects, the camera is now equipped with a fully
electronic shutter offering a maximum shutter speed of 1/32000sec. The
mechanical shutter will not operate at all when any speed for the electronic
shutter is selected, which also delivers a completely silent shooting
experience; perfect for shots of sleeping children, pets, weddings, and more.
In addition, it is possible to set the electronic shutter in 1/3 steps from a
range of 1sec to 1/32000sec.
Notes1: Shutter Sound
The shutter sound can be muted if desired. Use the new
"SHUTTER SOUND" and "SHUTTER VOLUME" options in the setup
menu to choose the type and volume of the sound made when the shutter is
released.
Notes2: The Electronic Shutter may not be suitable for
fast-moving objects. Flash can not be used.
(7)White Balance Bracketing. (*)
Just fire the shutter once and capture the same scene at
your selected white balance setting plus one frame at a warmer and another at a
cooler color temperature. White Balance bracketing can be set in ±1, ±2 and ±3
steps.
(8)Enhanced ISO Auto Setting to AUTO1/AUTO2/AUTO3. (*)
You can use three ISO Auto setting AUTO1/AUTO2/AUTO3 in
menu.
(9)Exposure Compensation control in Manual.
You can use the Exposure Compensation dial to make exposure
adjustments while shooting in the Manual exposure mode with the ISO Auto
setting.
(10)Natural Live View function is just like the naked eye.
(*)
One of the great benefits of an electronic viewfinder is
that 'what you see is what you get'; the final image is displayed in real-time
so any Film Simulation modes or other effects can be checked while shooting.
But users sometimes need to see colors close to how they're viewed with an
optical finder, or to focus on shadow detail, which some high-contrast effects
block out. To aid this, the Natural Live View function has been added and, when
"PREVIEW PIC. EFFECT" is turned Off in the menu, an image close to
the naked eye is displayed during live view.
(11)Finer lines on the framing grid enhances visibility
The lines on the framing grid, which you can choose to
display in the Screen Set-Up menu, have been made finer
making it easier to view the subject.
(12)New Video Frame rates (50P / 25P / 24P). (*)
As well as the existing 60fps and 30fps selections, 50fps,
25fps and 24fps options will be available with the update. 50fps and 25fps
allow video editing in the PAL regions, such as Europe, without converting the
frame rate. 24fps offers a cinema-like view.
(13)Manual Shooting in Video mode. (*)
The update will enable ISO sensitivity selection prior to
shooting videos, as well as the ability to adjust aperture and shutter speed
during movie recording.
(14)Phase detection AF support for Instant AF. (*)
In Instant AF mode, which is operated by pressing the AF-L
button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF,
providing faster focusing speeds.
(15)Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode. (*)
In the current Program Shift mode, the slowest-speed setting
is 1/4sec, but this will increase to a maximum of 4secs.
3. Operability improvements
(16)The new user interface.
The new user interface has been designed with particular
attention paid to the size and layout of displayed settings.
This allows you to concentrate fully on shooting through the
viewfinder.
(17)Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation. (*)
When the Shutter Speed Dial is set to T and the Shutter Type
to Mechanical + Electronic, you can use the command dial to set a full range of
exposure times from 30-1/32000sec. Previously, this was limited to 30-2
seconds. This means you can change the shutter speeds across a broader range
without having to change camera position.
(18)Name of Silent mode changed to avoid confusion. (*)
The Silent Mode has been renamed to "SOUND & FLASH
".
(19)Direct selection of AF area. (*)
The update will let users select the focus area using the
4-way selector buttons, without pressing the Fn key.
(20)Unlocked AE-L / AF-L Buttons. (*)
The function of the AE-L / AF-L button is currently locked,
but will be interchangeable, depending on the user's preference.
(21)Variable Focus Area during MF. (*)
When working in Manual focus mode, the update will enable
changing the size of the focus area during Instant AF with the AF-L button.
(22)Q. Menu customization. (*)
To make the Q Menu (used for quick access of frequently-used
items) even more efficient, the update will allow its items and layout to be
changed to the user's preference.
(23)Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas. (*)
Users will be able to interlock the AF area position with
the Metering area when Spot Metering mode is selected.
(24)Movie Recording. (*)
Movie recording starts by pressing a function button not the
shutter button. "MOVIE" in DRIVE options is eliminated.
4. Other changes with the update
(25)Supports focus limiter function for XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6
R LM OIS WR. To be fully compatible with the lens, the new firmware
supports focus limiter function for FUJINON XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.
(26)"BACKGROUND COLOR" menu.
"BACKGROUND COLOR" menu in "SCREEN
SET-UP" menu is eliminated.
(27)The maximum number of images taken in the continuous
shooting mode.
JPEG in High-speed continuous shooting mode: approx. 28
images ⇒ approx. 18 images RAW in High-speed and Low-speed
continuous shooting mode: 1 or 2 less images than before the update.
The firmware update Ver. 1.20 from Ver.1.10 incorporates the
following issues:
1. Supports focus limiter function for XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R
LM OIS WR.
To be fully compatible with the lens, the new firmware
supports focus limiter function for FUJINON XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.
2. Improvement of the eye sensor's performance.
The phenomenon is fixed, that switching LCD display to EVF
can be slow with some SD cards right after Power ON.
The firmware update Ver. 4.30 from Ver.4.21 incorporates the
following issues:
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.
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.
7. Supports focus limiter function for XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R
LM OIS WR.
To be fully compatible with the lens, the new firmware
supports focus limiter function for FUJINON XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R
LM OIS WR.
8. In AF-C mode, freeze will happen on certain conditions.
(Solution for the issues of Firmware Ver. 4.20)
