Fujifilm released a new set of firmware updates, which they had promised would come before the end of the year: one for the X-T5, one for the X-T50, one for the X100VI, one for the X-S20, and one for the GFX100S II. This is simply an autofocus fix for the bug introduced earlier in the year that was partially fixed already, and should be fully fixed now. Unlike the firmware updates last month for the X-H2s, X-H2, and GFX100 II, this one doesn’t include F-Log2 C or some of the other improvements that were given to those cameras, only the AF fix. It’s possible those things might still come in a future firmware update, but I’m not sure.
I haven’t yet updated any of my cameras, because I always like to wait awhile—you never know if there will be some unexpected issue. For example, Sony famously released a firmware update earlier this year that cost their customers $700 to fix. A good rule of thumb is to wait a week or two to see if any issues arise. Most of the time there is not an issue, and I don’t suspect any problems with this one specifically, but since it does happen every once in awhile, it’s prudent to wait at least a few days, and if something major comes up, it should be well known by then.
I’m sure that you’ve read about the AF woes somewhere, or seen a YouTube video or two about it; however, in my opinion it has been largely overblown and misunderstood. Let me explain why.
First, most people weren’t affected. Some were, for sure, but not the majority; however, the large vocal outcry caused a bit of hysteria, which made it seem like a much bigger issue than it actually was—essentially, trolls took over the Fujifilm corner of the internet for awhile. A few different people told me something to the effect of, “I didn’t know my camera was broken until I saw it demonstrated on a YouTube video, and now I’m mad because I paid a lot of money for it.” It didn’t affect them personally and they would have never known without someone telling them, but since they did know, they were pissed. A lot of people got angry over something that had no negative implications for them personally, only the idea that it possibly could.
Second, Fujifilm’s AF can perform very different depending on the specific lenses used and the specific settings programmed, and if you are using lenses and/or settings that are not ideal for the specific situation, you might get less than ideal results. An example of this comes courtesy of Camera Conspiracies, as Kasey discovered that his prior criticisms of Fujifilm’s AF—including the bug—were at least partially user-error by him. I suspect that is true of a lot of the criticisms, but people tend to get offended when you suggest that the gear isn’t the primary problem. Perhaps something can be said of the intuitiveness of the AF system—there’s certainly room for improvement—however, a lot of the blame that was directed at the camera wasn’t fully the camera’s fault, but largely the lens and/or setting choices made by the one using it.
Third (and this is related to second), some people seem to want AF to automatically focus precisely as they wish it would without any input from the user. It’s like if you put your exposure triangle into full-auto, and then complained that it didn’t choose the specific aperture, shutter speed, or ISO that you wished it had. Autofocus doesn’t necessarily mean that you should set-and-forget it; like with the exposure triangle, a little control can go a long ways. After all, we’re photographers, not merely button pushers. I see people all of the time create wonderful images and videos with the gear that supposedly has sucky AF, and it isn’t a limiting factor for them (proving that it isn’t sucky after all). As Ansel Adams famously stated, “The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.”
Fourth, I think some people have unrealistic expectations of how Fujifilm’s AF should perform, ignoring that the Canikony brands have been developing autofocus systems since the 1960’s and ’70’s, have significantly larger R&D budgets for it, and have even prioritized AF over image quality in recent years. Of course theirs is better, but that does not mean Fujifilm’s AF is bad, because it is not—far from it. If you could take any current Fujifilm model back in time 15 years, you’d shock the camera world with seemingly impossible technology. Photography has been around for nearly 200 years, and videography for over 135 years, and not just since the invention of our incredibly capable modern gear. People created amazing photos and videos in the past with their subpar gear (as compared to what is available today), so literally nothing should stop you from doing so with your superior gear. If something is stopping you, it is only you, and you have the power to change that.
Thankfully, Fujifilm’s AF has been fully fixed. Can it be improved? Sure, just like everything else, there is always room for improvement (there is no such thing as a perfect camera). Those who continue to moan about it are either haters, constant complainers, or trolls, or they are experiencing user-error and are blaming the gear instead of themselves. It’s beyond time for all that negativity to end—I’m sick of it, and I know a lot of other people are, too. Let’s get back to enjoying our gear, and creating awesome content with it.
Absolutely in agreement, Ritchie. Also getting fed up with constantly hearing rumours of Fujifilm going full-frame as if being APS-C is a stigma of some kind that they need to shake off. Thanks for flying the Fujifilm flag!
The only chance of a full-frame Fujifilm camera would be with an X100-like model… and since they’re making a GFX version, there’s no chance of full frame. While some might disagree with Fujifilm’s approach, I think it was actually quite genius, and it is working out very nicely for them.
Thank you, Ritchie. I’m in full agreement. I don’t know what all the fuss was about! I’ve been a Fujifilm user since the original X100 and XE1, now with the V, XT5 and XS20 and their AF systems are in a totally different league to what they were back then when, somehow, I actually managed to get subjects in focus!
Yes! You’d think it impossible, based on many comments, but I can actually autofocus quite successfully on my older models. The newer models are even better.
The focus’ bug, and the time taken to solve it by fujifilm, 6 months!!! which is uncomprehensible to me, is the reason why, late in october, i switched to Sony that’s far forward than fuji in focus’ performances.
I’m sorry to say this, but this is the truth…
I purchased a Sony A7 IV awhile back… and hated it. Sony is not for me, for certain, and that’s ok, because not every camera is for every person. Different strokes for different folks. Hopefully with yours, Sony doesn’t do you dirty like they did with their FX3 owners, who had to pay $700 to fix a problem created by a firmware update. Yikes! Like my dad used to say, the grass is always greener over the septic tank.
I love my X-T5. Some folk are never satisfied. Even if you the camera in words what you wanted it to do, folk would complain that it didn’t understand their accent.
Those are the constant complainers… the glass is always half-empty, and they tend to jump from brand-to-brand because they’re never content. There are also the haters who pretend to have a Fujifilm camera so they can talk trash on forums and in the comments section, but in reality have never owned one and never will.
I fully agree Ritchie, thanks. So how about the following:
““I didn’t know my brain was broken until I saw it demonstrated on a YouTube video, and now I’m mad at my neighbour because I need to have someone responsible for my stuff.”
🤣 🤣 🤣
I wish it weren’t true….
🤣 🤣 🤣
Just tested v3.10 on the X-S20, after 2 days away filming with the v2.01 and i can say the transitions and speed are noticeably better.
Thank you for the report. 😀
It’s working!.I did extensive testing today on my XT5 and GFX 100s ii and the GFX100S ii was actually ok before the update. BUT noticed it was a little more snappy! And it was nailing focus. Yes I have my XT5 back!!
I appreciate the report 😀
Completely agree Ritchie. I switched to a Fuji XT5 late last year, formerly a Nikon user. I love the camera and not had major issues with AF. Keep up the good work. Just upgraded the firmware and all looks good !
I appreciate your kind comment!
I have now tested the ‘new’ AF with my X-S20 for several hours indoors and outdoors. In video mode. And I am very satisfied.
I use +2 for the tracking sensitivity and 0 for the AF speed. I mostly use this setting in video mode because I want a natural look in the clips and not a digital look like some YouTubers like. The nice thing is that I can set this as I need it. But for my test I only tested +2/0. The lens I used was the relatively new XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR, which I also like to use for landscape, street and architecture videos, when I travel.
I appreciate the detailed report, thank you!