Duncan_Andison Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 New firmware v4 has been announce.... links below for the release notes and a short video of what it all means. Very impressive! Looking forward to this one. Notes Video Details of the changes from the Notes Page 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. The Zone mode allows users to choose a 3x3, 5x3 or 5x5 zone from the 77-point AF area. When combined with the AF-C continuous focusing mode, the camera continues tracking a subject at the center of the selected zone. The 3x3 and 5x3 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 AF 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) 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 (5) AF improvement in the Movie 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. The optimized algorithm delivers a more natural and smooth AF action during movie recording. 2. Other improvements (1) 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. This is particularly useful when shooting in the portrait orientation with the Vertical Battery Grip VG-XT1 attached. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) Name of Silent mode changed to avoid confusion The Silent Mode has been renamed to “SOUND & FLASH OFF”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearl Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 WOW. I'll be downloading this one ASAP. Fuji are just brilliant. Thanks for the info Duncan. Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 WOW. I'll be downloading this one ASAP. Fuji are just brilliant. Thanks for the info Duncan. Pearl Yeah, this FW plus the 50-140 could be a big thumbs up for Sports Shooters. Time will tell of course!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Thanks Duncan. I'm busy this morning, will check it out later but sounds to be an excellent upgrade. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Coombs Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Thanks for the heads up Duncan. Very interesting set of improvements there. If its as good as the video cracks it up to be it is indeed a "game changer" and a significant step forward for mirrorless. I'm impressed with the X-T1 as it is for what I do, but this could make me expand the areas that I have traditionally worked in. However, as big a fan as I am of Fuji mirrorless, I am very wary of their hype. Seeing is believing! Bring it on! Lets give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulstw Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 It won't be available for download until late June which is odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I saw something about this on the Fuji-X forum. It does look like a game changer, and I can see new sales of the T1 from some of the holdouts. When the superzoom comes out, I can see these improvements really working for birds in flight. While it will work with the zooms we have now, too much cropping is involved. One of the major faults I have with the AF is when I try to focus on a bird's eye, it is impossible. The whole bird is in the focus box and I might get the nearest wing sharp but seldom the eye. Hopefully someday Fuji will offer a small focus point in an update like I've always enjoyed with Nikon. Betty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike R Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 It won't be available for download until late June which is odd. I am guessing they will await the launch of the XT-10. Even though this will be a simpler camera, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the functions are results of xt-10 development. I am with Sony for the moment but really like the xt1 body. Fuji ir runing a test and buy campaign here. perhaps i should give a kit a go. the campaign kits are xt1 with 18-55 2.8-4 or xti with 18-135... not sure the 18-125 would make me happy with corners? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike R Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I saw something about this on the Fuji-X forum. It does look like a game changer, and I can see new sales of the T1 from some of the holdouts. When the superzoom comes out, I can see these improvements really working for birds in flight. While it will work with the zooms we have now, too much cropping is involved. One of the major faults I have with the AF is when I try to focus on a bird's eye, it is impossible. The whole bird is in the focus box and I might get the nearest wing sharp but seldom the eye. Hopefully someday Fuji will offer a small focus point in an update like I've always enjoyed with Nikon. Betty Seems the new firmware has eye detect. At least on Sony if works most of the time with animal eyes too. Perhaps the same will apply to this new Fuji update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 It won't be available for download until late June which is odd. I am guessing they will await the launch of the XT-10. Even though this will be a simpler camera, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the functions are results of xt-10 development. I am with Sony for the moment but really like the xt1 body. Fuji ir runing a test and buy campaign here. perhaps i should give a kit a go. the campaign kits are xt1 with 18-55 2.8-4 or xti with 18-135... not sure the 18-125 would make me happy with corners? Apparently the FW is still being worked on, hence the delay. I've just seem rumoured specs of the X-T10 and it won't have the new zone focusing it would seem. If that is trure, then the release of the X-T10 would not affect the release of the Firmware. I think it's just a case that they are, "Still working on it" I too hope that the eye detect also works on animals / birds etc. It would be really useful. That said, I'm sure I read that the face detect (Which would need to be on) only uses contrast detection and not the high speed PDAF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulstw Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 If this is going to be as good as the testers have said, then coupled with the new 140-400 they are supposed to be releasing, it could prove to be a great set up for minimalistic wildlife shooters. After using such great glass I doubt I'll ever shift from Fuji. With the attention to just giving their customers what they want, it's a welcomed changed to being a Canon user, where every change meant a new camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 It won't be available for download until late June which is odd. I am guessing they will await the launch of the XT-10. Even though this will be a simpler camera, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the functions are results of xt-10 development. I am with Sony for the moment but really like the xt1 body. Fuji ir runing a test and buy campaign here. perhaps i should give a kit a go. the campaign kits are xt1 with 18-55 2.8-4 or xti with 18-135... not sure the 18-125 would make me happy with corners? Apparently the FW is still being worked on, hence the delay. I've just seem rumoured specs of the X-T10 and it won't have the new zone focusing it would seem. If that is trure, then the release of the X-T10 would not affect the release of the Firmware. I think it's just a case that they are, "Still working on it" I too hope that the eye detect also works on animals / birds etc. It would be really useful. That said, I'm sure I read that the face detect (Which would need to be on) only uses contrast detection and not the high speed PDAF! Yes, if the eye detect works on birds, I will be one happy shooter. I just posted about that trouble on the Fuji X forum in someone else's thread. Hard to get a bird's eye sharp when the whole bird is in the focus box using a too-short zoom. Can't wait for the super zoom to come out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 It won't be available for download until late June which is odd. I am guessing they will await the launch of the XT-10. Even though this will be a simpler camera, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the functions are results of xt-10 development. I am with Sony for the moment but really like the xt1 body. Fuji ir runing a test and buy campaign here. perhaps i should give a kit a go. the campaign kits are xt1 with 18-55 2.8-4 or xti with 18-135... not sure the 18-125 would make me happy with corners? Gosh, all I can tell you is that I have the 18-135 and it is my go-to stock lens. You can look at my images under my avatar, and all of the ones of businesses are shot with this lens. I find it sharp everywhere, but maybe your eye is more discriminating than mine. Everything I've shot with that lens has sailed through QC. Maybe I just have one of the best copies? Who knows. I'm not about to let mine go. Betty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Maybe I will pass on new lenses till the super zoom arrives, although I have been eyeing up a couple of cheaper Samyang lenses. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 Maybe I will pass on new lenses till the super zoom arrives, although I have been eyeing up a couple of cheaper Samyang lenses. Allan Them Samyang lenses are supposed to be rather good. Manual, but good. The only downside (an upside if they increase sensor size in the future) is that they are FF lenses but optimised for the X mount. I'm out of the lens market now until that 100-400 arrives! Just as a side note for anyone using Capture One. You may want to create a preset that "Unticks" the CA adjustment that is automatically applied. When I was testing the 16-55, I found that not only does it not really work very well (as mentioned by others) but it actually adds CA to the image. As well as this, it also degrades fine detail. I was finding branches, grass and other fine detail taking on a glow/blurred edge to it and when I unticked the CA adjustment, the image looked sharper and lost that slight blur to the edges. It was happening a lot with the 16-55 but I have found it on other images taken with different lenses. As CA is not really a problem that crops up much with the primes and 2 new f/2.8 zooms, I've just switched it off and use the "Purple Fringe" tool in layers to paint out and CA found. It's normally only about a pixel wide and rarely shows unlike the mess that is left when that CA box is ticked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Where is the purple fringe tool? I want that! I have some images taken with another system that has purple fringing. And yes, I noticed the edge degradation, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 Where is the purple fringe tool? I want that! I have some images taken with another system that has purple fringing. And yes, I noticed the edge degradation, too. Purple Fringing tool is directly under the Lens Correction tools. However, you can also use / find the Purple Fringing tool under layers. Set it to 100% and then use the paint brush to apply it to the affected areas. Layer control is only available in the Pro version, not the Express one. If you are using the Express version, you will just use the slider under the Lens Correction tools. I find it is very affective for Blue & Purple CA. For magenta CA, I create a layer that selects only that colour and set the saturation to zero and then use a brush to apply it to the problem area. This is easy enough to do but thankfully, very rarely required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 Where is the purple fringe tool? I want that! I have some images taken with another system that has purple fringing. And yes, I noticed the edge degradation, too. Purple Fringing tool is directly under the Lens Correction tools. However, you can also use / find the Purple Fringing tool under layers. Set it to 100% and then use the paint brush to apply it to the affected areas. Layer control is only available in the Pro version, not the Express one. If you are using the Express version, you will just use the slider under the Lens Correction tools. I find it is very affective for Blue & Purple CA. For magenta CA, I create a layer that selects only that colour and set the saturation to zero and then use a brush to apply it to the problem area. This is easy enough to do but thankfully, very rarely required Duh, I don't use Capture 1. My bad, thought you were talking LR or PS. I almost got excited, there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 haha... no worries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Fuijifilm has released an "AF Handbook" with lots of info based on the soon to be released V4 firmware for the X-T1/X-T10. http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/pdf/x_t1_x_t10_af_handbook_01.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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