It shouldn’t surprise our regular readers that both Michael and I are Fuji X-T1 users.  We have done a number of different reports on this camera and also interviews with some of the Fuji management teams.

A number of years ago I bought my first two Fuji cameras–the X-1Pro and the X100.  Early on Fuji did a number of things right.  They released a lens road map and updated it continuously over the years.  We always knew there would be new lenses coming; they kept on adding them and they met the release dates.  Also, these new lenses kept on getting better and better.

Since then I have sold my Fuji X100 and have purchased subsequent models and now own the X100T, which is a camera that is I keep within easy reach.  It’s a great little rangefinder camera; I’ll post more comments on it soon.

So, what about these new cameras that Fuji keeps giving me?  I purchased one of the first Fuji X-T1 cameras when it was introduced.  It looked like a camera that addressed a number of things that any photographer could wish for.  I could go on about the retro feel, the amazing viewfinder, and the line up of lenses and stunning image quality.  But the one thing Fuji has done with the X-T1 is that they keep making them better without introducing new camera models.

How do they do this? They introduce NEW firmware for the cameras, not just every few years but sometimes within months of the last.  Each version of the software has brought with it incredible new capabilities.  The last firmware featured an electronic shutter that is completely silent.  They have also introduced firmware for their lenses that have improved auto-focus speeds, image stabilization and reliability of the lenses.  Overall each time Fuji releases a firmware they essentially give you a NEW camera.  Maybe that is somewhat of a stretch but the new features and capabilities make me feel that I am getting a new camera for FREE.

Fuji has just announced a new version of firmware that adds even more capability to an already nice camera system.  The firmware is for the X-T1 Graphite and Black models; it concentrates on the focus.  Maybe you have read about it elsewhere but here is what you can expect (Below).

I’m excited about this because now I have a camera that I can use for action shooting, will auto-focus better in low light and allows for exposure compensation in manual mode. Also, unlike before when you had to switch to Macro mode for a close up, it now does it automatically.  Add in eye detection AF for those portraits made with a wide-open 56mm 1.2 lens and things get a whole lot better.

By The Numbers

1. A new auto focus system with Zone and Wide/Tracking modes for effortless capture of moving subjects – The auto focus system complements the fast and accurate single-point auto focus 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 track and capture moving subjects.

The Zone mode allows users to choose a 3×3, 3×5 or 5×5 zone from the 77-point auto focus area. When combined with the AF-C continuous focusing mode, the camera continues tracking a subject in the selected zone. The 3×3 and 3×5 zones at the center, in particular, offer extra-fast focusing with the use of the built-in phase detection pixels.

In the Wide/Tracking mode, the camera displays the area in focus, identified automatically out of the 77-point auto focus area (Wide in the AF-S mode) and tracks the focus area’s subject across the entire 77-point AF area (Tracking in the AF-C mode). This makes it possible to maintain focus on a subject that moves vertically, horizontally, and back and forth.

2. Improved auto focus accuracy – Single-point auto focus now divides the focus area into smaller sections to more accurately determine the distance to the subject for even greater accuracy. The built-in phase detection pixels have increased sensitivity from 2.5EV to 0.5EV. This improvement delivers phase detection auto focus performance that enables fast focusing in low-light conditions and on low-contrast subjects.

3. Eye detection auto focus – The new firmware update provides Fujifilm’s Eye Detection auto focus, 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 an Auto Macro function that automatically switches the camera into the Macro mode while maintaining the conventional auto focus 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. Auto focus improvement in Movie mode – The optimized algorithm delivers a more natural and smooth auto focus action during movie recording.

6. Other improvements

• Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation – When the Shutter Speed Dial is set to T, you can use the command dial to set the full range of exposure times. This means you can change the shutter speeds across a broader range without having to change camera position. This is particularly useful when shooting in the portrait orientation with the Vertical Battery Grip VG-XT1 attached.

• Exposure Compensation control in Manual mode – The Exposure Compensation dial can be used to make exposure adjustments while shooting in the Manual exposure mode with the ISO Auto setting.

• Finer lines on the framing grid enhances visibility – The lines on the framing grid have been made finer making it easier to view the subject.

The only problem is we have to wait until late June to be able to use these new features.  What a tease, but it’s exciting to know what’s coming.

What is really nice about the Fuji firmware updates is that they are easy to install.  Unlike Olympus and Sony that require you to hook your camera up to your computer with a laptop and USB cable, Fuji allows updates through the SD card.  It’s so simple.  Download the firmware, copy it to a formatted SD card, put it in your camera and hold down a button on start up and you are given the update screen.  Just follow directions.  To update lenses, just put the lens to be updated on the camera and run the same procedure.  Easy, fast and no cables required.

So what’s missing? (Hello Fuji, are you listening?)  Where is my HDR update?  Where is the histogram right after an exposure feature?  The X-T1 has the lamest HDR Capabilities of any modern camera out there.  It offers a three-exposure one-stop HDR feature and that’s it.  Sony has one of the most elegant in their A7 system cameras.  You can select a wide variety of HDR set-ups.  My favorite is the five shot 2 stop selection.  And, the one thing I have the hardest time understanding is why can’t I be presented a look at a histogram and an image right after an exposure?

At present, you have to hit the playback button to see the histogram.

A Video Highlighting The New Firmware Features

My wish list . . .

Histogram after exposure
A variety of HDR shooting modes

The above new firmware takes care of my other wishes.

Now I will anxiously await the X-T2.  Give me all of the present features with my wish list and a 24MP sensor and I’ll be one of the happiest photographers anywhere.

Just for the record . . .

My present Fuji system consists of a Black X-T1 and Graphite X-T1

10-24mm lens
18-55mm lens
55-200mm lens
56mm lens
16-55mm lens
50-140mm lens
60mm Macro lens
Extension Tube set
Vertical grips for each

I also have the X-Pro 1, which I hardly ever use anymore, and the X100T which Imuse all the time.

I will buy the 1.4 tele-converter when it is released and in 2016 the 100-400mm lens as well as the 120mm Macro.  Maybe there will be a NEW XT camera soon too.

Thanks Fuji for setting a good example for other camera companies to follow.