Fujifilm just released three firmware updates, one for the X-H2s, one for the X-H2, and one for the GFX100 II. Among some video improvements (F-Log2 C, anyone?) and minor bug fixes, the main headline is autofocus improvements. Essentially, Fujifilm fully fixed the AF bug that had been plaguing these cameras for the last handful of months. Fujifilm has said that more firmware updates for other cameras (the X-T5 and X-S20 were specifically mentioned) are coming before the end of the year—my guess is in December.
I’ve never had a problem, personally, with the autofocus on my Fujifilm X-T5 or any other model. Mostly, it seemed to affect people using some specific settings in some specific scenarios. So some photographers were greatly affected, some only sometimes, and others were not at all. Obviously this was a big deal for those greatly affected, so it is excellent news that the fix is now available—yea! For those not affected, I always recommend waiting a little while (at least a few days) before updating the firmware in case there are any issues that come up (this isn’t just for Fujifilm, but any product by any brand).
Some people provided Fujifilm with valuable constructive feedback that I’m sure helped tremendously with this firmware update; however, in my opinion, there were others—haters, constant complainers, and trolls—who (sadly) only gave destructive criticism that has to some extent hurt the brand and community (which I believe was the goal for some). Their voice, unfortunately, seemed quite loud, and some of that can be attributed to trolls using multiple accounts, pretending to be multiple individuals in comment sections, Facebook groups, and forums. A troll says something outrageous, a normal person gives a reasonable response, and then the troll replies multiple times, pretending to be multiple people; those reading it might assume that the troll is “right” just because so many seem to agree with them (but it is only one person)—once you know what to look for, it’s quite easy to spot. This is toxic, and crazy (literally, not just figuratively). I would encourage website owners and administrators to crack down on this behavior; however, I know it’s hard to do because trolls will usually return under a different name. I would hope that these firmware updates would quell the outrage, but I’m sure it won’t, as it was never really about the AF for many of them—the AF woes were merely a means to reach an end (attention, chaos, trouble, hate, etc.).
Now that autofocus has been fixed via firmware, we can finally get back to appreciating just how truly wonderful our cameras are, because they are. It’s such a great time to be a photographer, we are all pretty lucky.
In other news, Amazon has the Fujifilm GFX100S II discounted to $4,599.99 with a $399.01 coupon that you have to click. I think this is a Black Friday deal.
When I was in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a week-and-a-half ago, Bryan Minear let me try his GFX100S II, and I was blown away by it. Such amazing image quality! I think, with the size and weight, perhaps it requires more thoughtful consideration of when and where to use (I tend to like smaller gear, such as my X100VI and X-E4). Also, I didn’t care much for the PASM controls. And even at $4.6K, it’s still well outside of my budget. With that said, this is an extremely affordable and capable medium-format (“more than full frame”) digital camera. If you’ve been thinking about buying one, it might be a good time to do so.
Really well said Ritchie!
Recently my wife convinced me to join Facebook as she said there would be loads of good groups I could interact with. I’m actually, I think quite a solitary photographer. What I found was there were indeed some good groups but also lots of people like you indicate in your piece above. I became quite anxious in fact, usually on behalf of other people! And do you know what, I can do without out it. I’ve deleted my account and feel so much more free with my photography. I’m back to not trying to please anyone but myself!
I also love my X-T5 and love your recipes – keep up the great work!
This is what I can tell you: in real life, Fujifilm photographers are the nicest people. I’ve met hundreds, maybe nearly a thousand, this year in-person, and they’ve all been wonderful. Unfortunately, there are way too many toxic people on the internet. I would bet that some of those toxic people in the FB groups (and elsewhere) have never even used a Fujifilm camera and wouldn’t dare, but they pretend to because they hate Fuji so much and want to cause trouble. There was a survey awhile back that showed Fujifilm as the most hated camera brand by those who use other brands. I think because Canikony cameras are similar enough to each other, but Fujifilm really broke the mold, and sometimes people don’t like things that are different. So there’s a weird prejudice toward Fujifilm from some non-Fujifilm users, and some of those people have literally crazy behavior. It’s weird. But in-person, you don’t find that.
With the GFX you throw out 85% of pixels on a 4K monitor, that’s a lot and I’m left wondering if what you are left with is any better than with APSC
GFX is unnecessary unless you just really, really enjoy pixel-peeping, or you routinely print posters. I’d love to print very large, but unfortunately my wall space isn’t nearly enough, and I don’t have a market to sell them. So it’s pointless for me right now, but I dream of taking a 100mp GFX to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite and places like that, and making large prints.
As you talked about the GFX, I’ll go a little bit OT with a question… I always wondered about the “crop factor”. Is there anything similar with a greater sensor? I mean, with an apsc a 20mm lens will be considered a 30mm equivalent on the full frame. How should be considered, for example, a 30mm lens on GFX full frame equivalent?
The GFX crop factor is 0.79, so a 30mm lens on GFX would be full-frame equivalent to 24mm. A 38mm GFX lens would be equivalent to 30mm on full-frame; however, there is not a 38mm lens… 45mm is the closest, with a full frame equivalent of 35.5mm.