I’ve received a bunch of feedback from Fujifilm photographers over the last few years about one specific thing, and I have never had a good answer to it. But just today I received a note from Fred Miranda with an excellent idea on how Fujifim could possibly fix the issue without too much trouble.
On some X-Trans IV and all X-Trans V cameras, the Custom Settings presets (often called C1-C7) save a lot more than IQ parameters. Focus settings, self timer settings, and even sound settings (and a whole lot more) must be programmed into the Custom Settings. The problem is that if you adjust some parameter because of the situation you are photographing in, the camera will forget this setting and restore whatever is saved into C1-C7 whenever the camera is powered off or goes to sleep.
One example is the focus mode on my Fujifilm X-E4. Since Fujifilm did not include an M/C/S switch, you have to set this within C1-C7. Since I mostly use autofocus lenses, this isn’t typically a problem, but whenever I use a manual focus lens, I need to set it to “M”. Whenever I power the camera Off and then On or change to a different C1-C7 Custom Settings preset, I have to set it back to “M” again. Otherwise, I must reprogram my Custom Settings to be “M” instead of “S” or “C”, and remember to change it back the next time I use an autofocus lens.
Another example is in situations with bright highlights (such as shooting into the sun), I prefer to use DR400 with the Reggie’s Portra Recipe, instead of DR-Auto, which will only choose DR100 or DR200. If I make this change and the camera goes to sleep, when I wake it up, it will be back at DR-Auto, unless I reprogrammed the Custom Settings preset with DR400 (which I’ll have to remember to change back).
There are probably a thousand different examples that I could give, and the specific ones that might annoy you the most might be different than what annoys me, but the larger point is that this is an annoyance for a lot of people. Some learn to “deal with it” (it is what it is) or sometimes they sell their X-Trans V model and return to their older camera. I think it is something that Fujifilm should address, and it might even be an easy fix.
The Custom Settings presets used to not behave this way—in fact, it doesn’t on my X-T30, X-T4 and X100V. C1-C7 used to be just for the IQ settings, which are the Film Simulation Recipe parameters. All the other settings—focus, sound, etc., etc.—were set within the menu. I think this worked well, except that “Base” was confusing (until you realize that it simply means the settings you are currently using). There are advantages and disadvantages to both concepts, so I don’t think simply going back to the old way is the answer. But the new process has some problems, for sure.
Fujifilm’s solution is Auto Update Custom Settings. If you Enable it, when you make a change, the camera will remember that change, and automatically adjust your C1-C7. However, one issue is that if you Enable Auto Update Custom Settings, your C1-C7 will most likely drift out of whack over time, and eventually not resemble what you programmed. This probably works for some, but it isn’t a good option for everyone. I always select Disable.
The proposed solution that Fred Miranda shared with me is a simple firmware update. In the Edit/Save Custom Settings menu, when you select (for example) C1, there are two empty lines: one above Edit/Check, and one below Edit Custom Name. Perhaps at the bottom Fujifilm could add Save IQ Settings Only, with the option to Enable or Disable. It could be default disabled (and, out of the box, the cameras would work the same as they do today), and enabled only if the user wants it to be enabled (what I would choose).
If you Enable Save IQ Settings Only, then all of the other options—AF/MF, Shooting Settings, Wrench, etc.—are greyed out when you program your C1-C7, as you won’t be able to set those within C1-C7. Whatever you have programmed into the Menu when no C1-C7 is selected (a.k.a. “None Selected” or, in the Q-Menu, “A/S/M/P”), is what those settings will be. Basically, it would make your C1-C7 function like it used to, and only be IQ (Recipe) settings.
What’s cool about this is that not only would it give you the choice, but it would give you the choice for each Custom Preset. You could Enable some, and Disable others. It gives you a lot more flexibility with how C1-C7 operates (make it work best for you). This seems like a fairly simple firmware update to create, so it shouldn’t require a lot of resources to implement. An easy fix, as they say, that should make everyone happy.
Now I don’t know if it would work with the PASM models, like the X-H2s, X-H2, X-S20, X-S10, or X-M5. The concept might need to be modified or completely nixed for those cameras, I’m not sure (I don’t own any, personally). But for the X-E4, X-T30 II, X-T5, X100VI, and X-T50, it should work like a charm. The X-T5, X-T50, and X100VI might be a good starting point. And it should definitely be implemented in future cameras—there’s plenty of time to bring this to whatever is in the pipeline.
I want to thank Fred for sharing this idea with me. I hope that Fujifilm reads this, and, if they do, takes it into consideration. This would improve the experience for many on the newer models, and I think it will prove itself worthwhile in the long run.
This is why i still did not upgrade from the X100V to the X100VI.
It seems so confusing to me, and just don’t want to deal with something like that. I love the simplicity of this on the X100V.
There are pluses and minuses either way. I prefer some things about the new approach, so it isn’t all bad. It does take some getting used to, but once you are used to it, you might prefer it (some do). Fred’s idea is great because it would allow you the choice.
Well, Auto Update Custom Settings works well enough for me. I use C positions as intended in all brands – store a bunch of shooting settings for specific shooting scenarios, like Portrait, Concerts, Street, etc. Sometimes (especially in concerts) I have to tweak one or two shooting parameters for the session, and keep it that way for the day. Auto Update Custom Settings works very well for this.
To avoid your C positions go crazy, it is simple (at least in the newer cameras): save you settings in the Xapp. In the end of the day, or in the start of the other, just reload your configurations in the camera, and good to go.
This solution graying out some areas will confuse a lot of users – like actual gray options in the menu already confuses a lot of people.
The biggest problem (and the one that could me make leave Fuji) is that Fujifilm, the brand that created Film Simulations and made people liking that, is now the HARDEST brand to use custom film recipes. All brands allow to creat custom color profiles, store them, and use exactly like any other color mode – we have to go to the process of creating the recipe and putting it in a C position. If I have C1 with my Portrait shooting parameters, with Reggies Portra (which I love too), and want to use them with a B&W recipe, no way. Have to store ALL THE SETTINGS in another C position, just change the recipe.
For this, is a even simpler firmware update: just create some filem recipe slots in the Film Simulation menu. Done. Zero modifications needed in the other parts of the firmware.
But looks like Fujifilm thinks that their film simulations are touched by the hand of god, and makes the users life a hell to use custom color profiles.
The problem I have with the XApp backup-restore is that if you decide you want to reassign an Fn button, now all of your backups must be replaced, or else when you restore them the Fn button will be wrong. But some do use this, and it works well for them.
The way I set up my C1-C7 on my newer gear is that I program C1 exactly as I want it (all settings), copy-and-paste C1 into C2-C7, then adjust the IQ (Recipe) parameters for C2-C7. But for your approach, where you have portrait camera settings and maybe landscape camera settings, that wouldn’t work for you, it doesn’t sound like.
So as I understand your suggestion, you would be able to customize the different film simulations into Recipes, then when you choose Classic Chrome, it will be Reggie’s Portra (for example), because that’s what you set it to be. These could be Custom Film Simulations 1-7, and each Custom Film Simulation could be assigned to your C1-C7. Did I get that correct?
Good point about the Fn button. I usually keep the button layout unchanged after customization for muscle memory purposes, but I agree that some people might want to change it depending on the shooting scenario.
About the simulations, is a bit more than that (but not so complicated to implement in firmware – in theory): the Fujifilm original film sims stay untouched, as they are today. But there would be like 5 or 6 extra empty custom slots in the end of the Film Simulation menu.
In each of these slots, you could program your recipe as you do today – choose a base film simulation and tweak the IQ settings. Then you could save with a custom name.
To use it, it would function as any original Fuji Film Simulation, without the need to alter any other part of the firmware (since they are stored in the Film Simulation menu, it would be like a firmware upgrade with a new film sim – like Fuji did with Reala Ace).
Not so customizable as the Fred’s idea, but with much less effort needed to tweak the rest of the firmware, the C settings become again a “shooting scenarios” settings, but with the option of changing the recipe in a pinch without having to reprogram the recipe. And you could also use the recipe outside the C settings – in plain aperture / shutter priority modes, or in video mode.
The best description would be: is like you received a new film sim by Fuji (like Reala Ace), but is a recipe that you made.
Something like that could work, and would probably make the most sense for cameras like the X-H2s, X-H2, X-S20, X-S10, and X-M5, since the concept of how C1-C7 works is a little different than the other models, like the X-T5, X-T50, X100VI, and X-T30 II.
(replying your last reply here, the option did not show there)
I think it would be great for the X-T and XV line too. Probably not so much for the general shooting parameters, but all the Fuji cameras have all that hassle to store recipes in C positions when they should be treated as additional film simulations.
Lumix now have their LUT system. Sony have their color profiles. They don’t have to resort to C positions to store them – both are places to store your custom color profiles, and use it without any worries everywhere you want on the camera, all modes, both in video and stills.
Fuji showed how custom color profiles are powerful, and a lot of users were attracted by recipes (specially because of this site 🙂 ). But now Fuji is arguably the brand that makes the most difficult use of them.
It makes sense, but as a long-time Fujifilm user it warps my brain just a little (🤣) because C1-C7 used to be essentially just for Recipes. So in my head that is its purpose. But with the newer models it coupled other settings to it. Now in this proposed decoupling, C1-C7 would become something completely different than what it was for years and years, and what it is on the older models. With that said, it isn’t illogical. Maybe it is what needs to happen?
Hi Richie and Marcio, I was also frustrated when changing individual C1-1C recipe perimeters settings while shooting, only to lose those when the camera shut off. When my XT5 first arrived I started using Auto-Update and while I still like it, it can be frustrating to lose track of the previously saved recipe then have to it look up again. But I also *like* the convenience of Auto-Update when experimenting with recipes and want to save my adjustments.. so auto-update eventually got an assigned button on my D-pad that I switch on/off depending on the situation. Between the dedicated button and those red dots (noting any changes) on my Q-Menu, it’s been a simple adjustment to just toggle on or off as needed.
I never thought of toggling it on and off. Definitely a creative solution—thanks for sharing!
Correction to my response above (senior moment, lol). I assigned Auto-Update to “My Menu”, not the D-Pad.. but having that function easily accessible was the main point, as I like to switch it on/off.
Thanks for the update/clarification 😀
Hahah, I just had this issue today. For me it is always the Auto ISO settings, I cannot remember the amount of times I have saved it in situations to be a minimum 1/60 S.S. and then I turn off the camera and get to a next location and it is selecting 1/30 again, would be great if only the I.Q. setting are saved but I have found some other things being saved in custom settings like eye auto focus on my portrait custom setting but not on my other ones, so I dunno what the win is hahah, maybe we can select in the settings menu what EXACTLY we want saved in our custom settings and what we don’t, could take a long time at first but then you are happy once everything is setup.
On my newer cameras, I program C1 with the settings as I want, then copy-and-paste C1 into C2-C7 so that they are all identical. Then I just replace the Recipe in C2-C7 to be what I want them to be. That way I don’t end up with something like eye AF being one way on one, and another way on another.
I wouldn’t be against having the ability to choose which items are or are not included in C1-C7. Seems like a decent potential solution, I would be an board with that.
The auto, cont, manual switch is particularly problematic. In some cases you want it to be saved but in others you don’t. For example on my x-h2s I have a bird Cx and I want that to be in ‘C’ mode on power up. But for my landscape Cx, I don’t want it saved but want it as last used. A switch just for that one exception in each Cx would be nice. I do love recipes (I became a recipe user about a year ago) and I only use those on my x-t4 . My h2s camera has functional Cx’s. One for landscape, one for birds, one for animals, one for portrait and one for video, all are set for raw only. I tend to use that camera for wildlife only but also for landscape when a mid zoom or 100-400 is required. I’d love it if an x-h3s would have a video/still switch and 7 more Cx for video, that would free one slot on the still side and give more quick video options. I’m sure people who 50/50 still/video would love that
Yep, another idea that a lot of brands are using – a switch for still / video, with Custom slots for each mode. +1 for that too.
My X-T5 and X100VI have a C1-C7 for stills, and a C1-C7 for video. Just switch to Video, and program those C1-C7. I’m sure it is the same for the X-H models and all X-Trans V cameras.
I could see this idea as a potential problem for cameras like the X-H2s. The way they work, and the way people use them, is a bit different than the X-T series. So it might not be a good universal solution for all models.
Yes, having an option would be great, that way if want to use for shooting scenarios (action, landscape, etc) can save additional settings, but if want to use as film recipes can just include IQ items. Be great to help align with older models so my X100V and X-T5 work similar. I had in past hoped they’d add option to chose what settings are part of what is saved for C1-C7 similar to the disp custom settings where can toggle items on or off in the display.
Either a simple Enable or Disable, or the ability to toggle the specific individual items that are included in C1-C7, would work for me.
Wow, this is exactly what I hate about my X-T5. Thank you!
I hope they address it quickly, so you can get back to loving your camera. 😀
They just need a global setting, recipe settings, and an advanced mode.
Global = make changes for all all including custom.
Recipe for your simulation recipes that don’t make changes to global
Advanced = how it works today.
This is just plain simple UI/UX that’s tried and true. Their current implementation is for the lowest common denominator of users. Their UI/UX is definitely designed by developers who don’t understand their customer base. They want to give as many options as possible; which is not what most people want.
If you don’t have any C1-C7 selected, that is your Global settings (whatever you programmed into the Menu). The option for Save IQ Settings Only Enable/Disable would then be your toggle for Recipe vs Advanced.
Yes, this. I just completely stopped using Custom settings because of this. It totally ruined the desired experience. I used to love Custom settings; it was one of the magic parts of Fujifilm. Now it is basically unusable. Really hope they would implement these proposed firmware changes.
I hope so, too. Fujifilm does read this website from time-to-time, so you never know.
My first Fuji Camera is the X100VI and I thinked I would like the custom profiles/recipes but I actually hate them and never use them exactly because of that! So annoying that they differ after short time.
I would recommend disabling Auto Update Custom Settings. That way they don’t drift.
Yes i know, i did that but still its not good.
I test out alot of settings and therefore have to change them in all profile afterwards.
For example: i also own a Sony A7SIII and therefore used to have good AF.
I just cant decide when to use which AF mode on the X100VI and change it around alot. What would you say is the way to go on X100VI?
I always recommend AF-S. Move the box around using the joystick to where you want it to focus. If you use Face/Eye, if there are multiple people, it will focus on the one where the focus box is located, if it is located near one of the faces.
So if I understand correctly, Id need to save a “base set” of default settings as a custom setting and then use that each time I want to return from a “recipe” based custom setting ? . As I just set up a bunch of customs would I be better resetting the camera to default, saving that as C1 and starting again ?
The way I do it is I set C1 exactly as I want it. This takes some time, but I makes sure everything is exactly as I want it to be. Then I copy-and-paste C1 into C2-C7, so they are all 100% identical. After that, I just change the IQ (Recipe) parameters of C2-C7 for whichever Film Simulation Recipes I want there. I hope that makes sense.
Hi , just experimenting with the above. Does selecting “Off” in the custom settings menu have the same effect as setting C1 as a “base”setting ?
“Base” (found on cameras prior to the X-S10) simply means “The settings that are currently being used.” On the newer cameras, Custom Settings “Off” means that it is now using whatever settings you have programmed into the Menu. It’s like a bonus 8th Custom Setting preset.
Thank you for this article.
I have a XS-10 and I have wanted to upgrade since I discovered this problem. Now that I know that the XT-5 has the same problem I am feeling very sad.
You are very right when you say that getting back to the old system is not a solution either. Although I use my C1-C4 mostly for custom recipes, I have used them for “Custom scenarios” in the past, like “a preset for flash photography”.
Just to add more frustration to the experience: in cameras without manual controls like XS-10 or HS-2, the Custom presets will also store the shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings, which is even worse since you might start using your camera by exposing correctly, and then decide to switch to a different custom recipe to find your parameters are gone
I think Fujifilm should definitely consider if the current process is working for their customers, and, if not, figure out how to improve it. There’s certainly room for improvement, in my opinion—there does seem to be a fairly easy fix that they should consider—but I also can make it work for me. Thanks for the comment!
I’ve had a similar thought but why not allow the user to select exactly which things are saved and which are not? This could use the same kind of UI as DISP. CUSTOM SETTING already does, where (on my X-T5) there are 5 pages of checkboxes that you can pick and choose.
That would work. I’m not sure it would make it any more simple (at least not initially), but at least it would give you more control/customization.