I’m sitting in my new office in my new home typing out this article. After two weeks of packing, moving, cleaning, and unpacking… most everything is still in boxes; however, I’ve unpacked enough to get back to Fuji X Weekly.
In case you missed it, Fujifilm released Kaizen firmware updates for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20 (the X100VI also has a firmware update). The highlight is that the Reala Ace film simulation is now available for all fifth-generation X series models. If you haven’t updated your camera’s firmware, you may want to do so now.
Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy that means continuous improvement or change for the better. It can be applied many different ways, but in the case of camera firmware updates, it is simply adding new features or improving existing features (not just bug fixes) for the sake of doing so. This builds customer trust and brand loyalty, because purchasers know that they’re not being left out in the cold whenever innovations occur right after they’ve just spent a bunch of money on a new camera. They can rest assured that the brand cares, which is probably the biggest ingredient for gaining repeat customers.
Fujifilm used to be the king of Kaizen (at least in the camera world), but then they pulled back from it significantly. Now, they’re back at it again—hurray! I would encourage Fujifilm to keep going. Next, they should add Eterna Bleach Bypass and 0.5 Highlight and Shadow adjustments to the X100V and X-Pro3. Then, give Classic Negative to the X-T3 and X-T30 (like the GFX50R and GFX50S have). Those shouldn’t be too hard for them to do. I’d also encourage Fujifilm to update the 40mp cameras with the XPan aspect ratio. Let me know in the comments what Kaizen ideas you’d like to see Fujifilm tackle.
For those who suddenly have a camera with Reala Ace, you might be searching for some Recipes with that film simulation. Well, below are five Film Simulation Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App that use Reala Ace:
I believe the Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm Recipe is the one that Victor Ha, Vice President of the Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions of Fujifilm North America, recently mentioned in a live Adorama broadcast.
During my move, I received a “monthly content roundup” email from Fujifilm. Perhaps you received the same email. Buried near the bottom was an add for the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, an infrared “extended spectrum” version of the X-T4. Back in 2022, I suggested that Fujifilm should release an IR camera as a “wow” product. I’ve wanted to get into IR photography for some time now, so I ordered it.
While Fujifilm did make an IR version of the X-T1, it was not sold to the general public. I’m not sure if the X-T4 ES was intended to be sold to the general public or not, but I placed my order and was charged. If it was an accident by Fujifilm, I’m certain I will get a refund shortly; if it was, in fact, made available to the general public, it must already be sold out, because the link is no longer active. I’ll keep you updated either way.
If the Fujifilm X-T4 ES sold out so quickly, I think it goes to show that there is indeed some demand for natively infrared models. Also, it seems like an excellent way to clear the shelves of some cameras that were perhaps over-produced. I don’t think Fujifilm has that issue at the moment, as all the current models appear to be doing well, but, in the future, if the situation occurs where they have a bunch of parts for a particular camera sitting around waiting to be manufactured but without demand, converting them to IR might be a way to get them sold.
I think that’s it for now. I’ve got a lot more to write; however, I’ll save that for various articles that will be published over the next week or so. Right now I’ve got to get back to unpacking; specifically, somehow making room in the garage for a car. I’ve received a bunch of comments, messages, emails, etc., that I’ve yet to respond to—it might take me several days, but I hope to get to all of them soon. I appreciate your patience!
It’s so good to be back. I have a lot to share—some exciting news that I can’t talk about yet but hopefully I can very soon. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
Welcome back Ritchie.
I love Kaizen updates, well not the buggy ones, but it did not happen a lot – this last one cause a lot of debate, but we have received as promised Reala Ace (Hurrah indeed !).
I remember still vividly the tremendous Kaizen update of the original X100 which get it on par to the X100S. Other brands would have asked you to purchase the new camera instead like Nikon did over the D600 with the D610 !
Coming from IT this was the last drop which make me fully sxitch from Nikon to Fujifilm.
In the digital world I cannot accept, and even more do now with the ecology issues we are facing not have the possibility of firmware update since it is fully possible.
But one could argue also that the X-T30 II is basically a firmware upgrade over the X-T30 (which did not received the goodies).
Do remember thought the need of processor power. Fujifilm always stated since the beginning that they will not incorporate new functionalities even if possible if the responsiveness of the camera (aka added process time required) was impaired even slightly.
This can be also be by the limiting factor of the onboard RAM and size of the resulting firmware which cannot go higher than the install ROM.
In my field it happened recently.
Critical security update with added new functionalities but oversized on older hardware.
Hence the provider said, this and this core functionality given since many years have been dropped so the new firmware can still fit on those older equipment. Of course a bunch of companies are using those core functionalities dropped.
And so cannot upgrade even if the critical security update is more than required!
And the provider said simply: well then just buy the new hardware which still has those missing functionalities !
Millions involved, recurdivr testing, huge migration involved, possible dowtimes…
Unbelievable, but true.
Would you accept to loose a film simulation over a previous one? Not having anymore spot metering or certain AF features you are using daily on your camera!?! I’m sure you will not and get extra load over the social medias if it was the case.
But as said Fujifilm they have a small firmware team doing X and GFX + well the engineers cannot always win over the market & sales department…
And introducing major bugs via a firmware upgrade for adding functionalities was not the first time it happened.
Only last time the response was way faster and Fujifilm did gave for waiting the old firmware via a higher firmware version thus enabling the reversion without being force to send the camera to repair.
Here it seemed Fujifilm was either paralyzed with issue (maybe though), more so having their hand completly full for the next major firmware update that incorporating Reala Ace (maybe 80% of why they did not communicate and push forward the release to end of June instead of this summer), but I think also they did not want to revert to the previous firmware and thus killing the added functionalities just released and linked to the XApp usage (hence a certain audience targeted).
Anyhow this is past now and still some older ‘bugs’ have not been resolved yet…
I agree fully with your wish list of upgrades Ritchie, as I’m waiting too since quite a long time now!
But we have to know unless of a new lens requiring an update on the bodies (like they have done in the past like for lens optimization), older bodies will not receive anything even if it’s possible… Too small team, Vs sales…
But it is nice still to dream about them and more importantly keeping asking for them.
It might come if we continue to request them.
I would love Fujifilm expand this team so they could provide those updates (and without bugs which require also more time and efforts for doing the necessary regression testing, etc).
I do think one of the problems is that the firmware team is stretched thin, perhaps needs to be a little bigger. I do believe it would be worthwhile to hire a couple more people—would indirectly pay off pretty significantly in the long term.
I fully concur!
Be a long while I’m wishing this team be reinforced…
> … older bodies will not receive anything even if it’s possible… Too small team, Vs sales…
They are not paid for SW development, but for camera sales.
It would be great to have an opt-in option to purchase “next gen” firmware for older bodies – adding Reala Ace, and extended bug-fix support, essentially a new “product” release cycle.
I.e. I could buy second hand X-T4 or X-T30 II, and purchase the new software for it. No ecological waste, and developers (company) gets paid for doing the new software without selling products.
I think Sony tried something like that. Not sure how successful it was or wasn’t.
Ritchie! Congrats on the move! And also, I’m sending a lot of strength your way, we have moved more than 2 years ago and i’m still tired!
Can’t wait for the exciting news to come!
Thanks so much! 😀
I’d love it they’d allow the XT-4 to record directly to an external SSD. I believe the newer ones can do that. It’s already got the usb-c cable. Should just be a software patch.
Yeah, that seems like something that could be tackled in a firmware update. Appreciate the input!
Reala Ace looks nice for landscape photography, and walk-around.
Fujifilm could add Reala Ace to X-T30 II, as this seems to be designated as an entry level body currently. Reala Ace would make more interesting – no artificial software limitations / omitted features, just a lower tier.
It has older X-Processor 4 with worse auto-focus and other specs. However, not everybody seeks such specs. And, also could be used as backup camera to not have to swap lenses. I.e. having tele-wildlife lens on X-Processor 5 body (X-S20), and wide lens on X-Processor 4 body (X-T30 II, or X-S10).
I’d be really surprised to see it added to a model with X-Processor 4, but you never know. I think that would be a nice gesture on Fujifilm’s part. I appreciate the input!