Fujifilm just released some firmware updates today for a bunch of cameras. We need to talk about this right now, because there are reasons why you may not want to update your camera.
The specific models with firmware updates are Fujifilm X-T5, X100VI, X-T50, X-S20, X-M5, GFX100RF, and the X half. For all of these updates, “Wireless communication security is enhanced while camera is connecting with a smartphone application or external device wirelessly.” Extra security is good, although I’m not too worried about the wireless communication security of my camera, personally. But, then we find out that if you do this update (aside from the X half, which is a different story), your camera will no longer work with the Cam Remote app, and it won’t work with any of the Instax Share SP printers, either. This update removes some functionality from the cameras, and doesn’t add anything other than a more secure connection.
I never update to the latest firmware right away. It’s always a good idea to wait a few days, if not a few weeks, just in case there’s some bug. It’s happened before with Fujifilm cameras—most famously the autofocus bug last year—but also with other brands (including Canon just last week), and even non-camera products; it’s not a Fujifilm issue, but a tech issue in general. If there is a bug in the firmware, let someone else discover it first. You can save yourself a major headache sometimes just by waiting. The X half update is probably fine (just make sure you also update the X half App), but I’d still wait a few days just in case.
The problem is that this particular firmware might shy you away from updating your camera ever again. For example, I don’t use the XApp; instead, I use the old Cam Remote app. Why? First, the XApp is only compatible with the newer cameras, and since I have older models, I have to use the Cam Remote app for those—I’d rather have just one app for all of my Fujifilm models, for the sake of simplicity and consistency. Second, I’ve figured out how to make the Cam Remote app work quite well for me. I know that it’s rated very low in the app store, but once I figured out how to get it to consistently connect to my cameras without trouble, it’s become easily four stars in my book. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; since it’s working really well for me right now, I’m not going to update my cameras, which will force me to use the XApp. Now if Fujifilm updated the XApp so that older cameras could connect to it, that’s a different story entirely. Fujifilm: if you really want everyone to migrate to the new app, make it compatible with more cameras.
You may or may not feel similarly about the Cam Remote app. Maybe—like me—you still use it, even though it’s not the latest. Maybe you don’t have any older models, the XApp works great for you, and you hated the Cam Remote app anyway when you did use it a couple years ago. But, perhaps, you do connect to an Instax Share SP printer sometimes, and maybe that’s a reason not to update the firmware. Honestly, instead of taking away compatibility with Instax, Fujifilm should add it to all the cameras. There’s no good reason why you cannot print on an Instax Link directly, and it’s a shame that you cannot on most models. Now, if you update the firmware, you can’t print directly on a Share SP, either.
This security firmware update takes away functionality, so you may want to consider avoiding it if you use the Cam Remote app or print to Instax Share SP printers. Maybe you are concerned about how secure the wireless communication is on your camera, and the improved network security level is worthwhile to you. In that case, I’d still wait a few days, but then update. Since I’m not all that concerned about it personally, I’m not updating my cameras, except for the X half probably this weekend.
I read the details for the X-T5 firmware update, and had a similar reaction to this news. Past updates have generally fixed bugs and/ or enhanced the functionality of my cameras. My old X-E2 was a stunning example of how firmware can enhance functionality.
This update sounds more like a threat than anything beneficial to consumers. I don’t know what Fujifilm is thinking, but I’ll be sitting this one out.
I don’t think this was intended to be a Kaizen update, but more of a security update. Perhaps there’s a real issue that this is addressing, but I’m definitely not worried about my camera (or even my phone) being hacked while I transfer pictures. I’m sure the risk is really, really small for most people.
This is embarrassing 😔
I wouldn’t call it embarrassing. I’m sure there’s a reason why Fujifilm felt it necessary to put out a security update, but I’m also sure that my personal risk of being hacked while transferring pictures is really, really small, so I’m not concerned in the slightest, personally. Others might appreciate the higher level of security, though.
Indeed more than embarrassing I would say.
I like the idea / term of security update,not Kaizen one. It fits Ritchie.
In IT world, many times a security update is issued to close the unsecured doors as it should.
But doing so can cut old depreciated functionalities which are based on less secured comm chanels / or even exploiting the less secure coding.
On those cases, as the company considers those functionalities as fully depreciatied and not producing anymore business revenues (or not enough as only few customers are still using them), do not have an issue to bring them down. After all, the clients could have upgraded since a long time ago (IT time, and meaning also to pay again).
Here Camera Remote app and the SP1/2/3 Wi-fi only printers are long gone.
And in a way we are fortunate that Fujifilm did not kill it before !
The implied code has passed from firmware to firmware updates and camera generations without being really being modified until now.
Like for the Advanced filters ones (well to the exception between the X-T1 and X-T2 where the ISO limitation on the Advanced filters, which came from compact cameras, was lifted).
So I have no difficulty to imagine / understand in a IT way that it was a no brainer for Fujifilm firmware team to kill those functionalities on current maintained cameras.
But here, we are not dealing with an IT company…
What I learned, and as I now understand, this security firmware update was specifically to make these cameras compliant with an EU regulation that goes into effect next month. I hope they were/are working on something better, but it just wasn’t going to be ready in time, so this is just a temporary bandaid (but I don’t know if that’s true, we’ll see).
Thanks a lot Ritchie, for posting this right away. I was just preparing you a direct email to do so!
As an IT guy, I’m very much concerned about security and the current security ‘farwest’ we are in (and especially to BT devices with generaly lack of proper support and follow,-up once they are sold).
About killing the old Camera Remote app, it might be difficult with the older cameras which do not have BT chips. X App is really built around BT usage as it’s fortunately is the primary way to connect. So I can see the ‘logic’ in this latest updates.
But while until now I was more than generally happy of Fujifilm firmware updates, the ones for the original X100 convinced me to go fully to the brand, and many updates of the X-T1 and the likes brought much needed bug fixes and very much desired added functionality (and sometimes added film simulation like lately).
For this last batch, upon reading what they brought on last gen cameras, I couldn’t help myself and simply screamed out: WTF / Bloody Hell !
Even more so, when at the Fujikina Brussels event in May, when I met Kunio & Shin. During our 20 minutes exchange (!) I especially requested that Instax Link Printers compatibilty like done on the X-S10 be expended to other last gen cameras (!!).
And we discussed this here already in other past posts.
Instax is core and is the cash machine for the camera division of Fujifilm. I really with this update fail to understand what they are doing.
X-Half is clearly a X rebranded Instax camera (Wide Evo) and is working with the Link BT Printers (!!!) by default in a way. The X-E5 might too work with thtm from what I’ve search.
So again WFT is doing the firmware team on X and GFX systems ???
Are we obliged from now on to mandatory go through our smartphone to print via dedicated apps (one for each link Printers / Instax size !!!), so to be able to produce an Instax to someone out of our camera ???
With auto resizing during standard transfers, the resolution is OK for an Instax Mini or Square, but so so to my taste for a Wide. Unless with my RF of course. Do obliged too to upload full res (even more slower process).
With on-board and processor power giving in X-Trans V, this is a real shame. You can process internally a RAW but not print anymore an Instax!
I’m really pissed off 🤬
For my street photography this is a big bummer. At least with the SP1/2/3, you could before print directly, not extra quick but still be in the moment while engaging / finishing the conversation after taking a shot. Now going though uploading, go to the dedicated app, etc. You need extra time which many times you do not have 🤯🤮
I can understand the removal of legacy old app / old communication way (basically here the full WiFi initial connection which is slow and not really secure), but come on then you make room for extra coding and Link BT Printers code already exists!
The X-S10 got both!
You could Fujifilm replace the depreciated codes by the ‘new’ ones and add the Link BT printer functionality in those updates
That would have been a long awaited and good Kaizen update ! Not a regression !
I really failed even more to understand this split of strategy having the Instax on one side (smartphone only nearly) while after many years via the X-E5 we have at last acknowledgement of recipes and X-Half making the bridge.
Will we have to wait many years to get the Instax integration back in X & GFX ???
I know: different little teams, not really talking to each others…
But from the external this seems very silly.
I would have hope that were big money is made it is pushing, but clearly the marketing department still failed to see / think clearly. Not new. That’s a shame.
Like you Ritchie, I’m using too the old app Cmera Remote, having older cameras.
And I will definitely skip those updates. For my GFX100RF there is not much bugs being sorted out, so I’ll wait.
But do note that unless the Community scream out (like for the AF issue, which here I’m doubting), next firmware updates for the ‘affected’ cameras will continue to integrate this functionality regression (*) 😓
(*) I’m still hoping with that clearing of code, that next firmware updates will bring the Link BT printers compatibly at last🤞
In the meantime and until next firmware updates that will brings needed bug fixes and functionalities that will make the decision very hard not to update to, I will have still my loved X-E4 + X-Pro3 + XQ2 to able to print on my SP2 & 3 directly (until one of them stop functioning of course).
It is hard to believe that one side of a huge company would SNAFU their connection to the most profitable part of their photo business (Instax). Then again, FUBAR is everyday for these companies. And I never ever update.
Indeed @Larry Adams
It’s hard to understand. The two sides should be working closely together; apparently they are not, which just is unfathomable.
I have been shooting more Instax than digital lately, first with Instax and Mint cameras, then a Nons Instax square back on a Hasselblad, then a Mercury Instax wide back on a Mercury camera using Mamiya Press / Polaroid SE camera lenses. Now I am building my own cameras for Mini, Square and Wide Instax backs, using Mamiya Press and possibly Hasselblad lenses (the mechanical difficulties here may defeat me, so I have fall-back design using other Press lenses). I have used the Instax printers with my Fujifilm cameras, sometimes with the wonky Instax connection, sometimes with the better iphone apps, using the phone in between the cameras and printers. Fujifilm is not helping their business by making it harder and harder to print Instax from X and GFX cameras.
They really need to integrate and streamline the process, instead of treating these two departments as if they’re separate companies and not a part of the same team.
From what I’ve learned, it’s my understanding that this firmware update was specifically to comply with new security regulations going into effect next month in the EU (Fujifilm cameras were apparently non-compliant). Maybe this should have been a firmware update just for European customers, and not worldwide? Perhaps that would have complicated things too much, and that’s why they didn’t?
So I guess I understand to a degree “why” they did it, but taking away features is not a good look overall, especially when the community has been asking for years for increased Instax compatibility, and not less.
Maybe this was just an emergency quick-fix for the EU, and a more long-term plan is in the works for firmware and maybe even Instax compatibility in-general. I have no idea.
No issues then for me, I hated the old app it never worked for my X-T2 or X-T3, I don’t print directly to my Instax but from my phone and I enjoy the newer x app… updated…worked like a charm on my X-T5 and 100VI
@Randy, yeah as wrote Ritchie Camera Remote is not the best app to say the least! Compared to other it’s crap. But as wrote too by Ritchie, when you can make it work, it does what it should do.
For working well with my older cameras which are not able to work with X App and lay very well never be incorporated to it (as it might also require a firmware update for them especially with this last update done Fujifilm).
I’m very pleased that the way, aka going through the smartphone only, satisfy you plainly 😁👍
It can be way less frustrating indeed when you especially want to add filters, edit / crop / move in your image the Instax you want to produce and visualise it before printing.
I’ve got the case many times with the Square format, to a less extent with the wide.
And consider the Instax cost…
I moved to the Link BT printers / Evo cameras because of that.
And indeed it is via the apps a way better user experience, which many shares.
And I fully assume that what Fujifilm is also taking the same assumption and pushing for it, as it is also easier for them too.
By the way, once the Instax apps are created and made available, I never see afterwards much updates of them.. Likewise for Instax Evo firmware updates or Link BT printers… A very few at the start after a couple of months. Then nothing.
Well you can consider that they all do not require much updates once they are produced. But at least on app level you can have bugs, and Android has A LOT of OS versions and hardware to support, so you could expect at least on Android part some maintenance being done.
You get unfortunately nearly none!
A bit, let them live and die. Not much investment is done there too.
Likewise for firmware, app design on Fujifilm part is lacking a lot on support side. I like the app a lot but they could be way better. Fujifilm could easily lead the market if given additional staff and means.
A shame too considering the Instax market and its high potential.
That’s good to know. I’ve heard reports that some Android phones have not worked well with this update (which is why it’s a good idea to wait). I also have come to learn that this update was to comply with a new EU security regulation that goes into effect next month.
Welcome and indeed for the EU regulation. Nothing new as it is an extension of the RED cybersecurity requirements which gives everyone a transition period:
“The European Commission has confirmed a 1-year extension of transition period for the Delegated Act (2022/30) to the Radio Equipment Directive (RED)(2014/53/EU) aimed at improving the cybersecurity of wireless devices available on the European Union’s market. These cybersecurity requirements will be mandatory from 1 August 2025.”
Like the GPRD, EU is now at last enforcing for the protection of its citizens what should be done to have secured radio communication (WiFi, BT, etc) and least at the minimum level (like what is done the GPRD for private data).
The RED directive is not asking extraordinary things. Just not letting well known and largely exploited security holes and get to the minimum (at present time) security measures / levels…
As usual and already wrote here it is a wild jungle on cybersecurity with as usual corporate companies doing nothing or not much if not forced to by legal ground / means.
Which EU is now doing (like also for the USB ports jungle by forcing a uder friendly standard: USB-C).
So why I’m mad even more so as an IT guy / EU citizen is that instead of correcting and updating culprit codes / implementing the BT Link printers compatibilty (which are better handled as you can see with the X-Half firmware security update), Fujifilm decided simply to remove the codes!
Easy pizy. No headaches on their part and no need to pay extra hours to teams.
To note also: On pairing with the X-App, as there the code has been updated to better secure comm (sic !), the actual token you get last time on connecting your camera to your phone / XApp has to be renewed. Hence why you have after upgrading to pair again from scratch and you need to be careful on following correctly each steps.
The RED directive should have concerned all running hardware (like for the USB-C at the start of the legislation process). So Fujifilm should like all other companies issue corrections for all it’s hardware using radio components. So back to the X-T1. Hence a huge work.
Negotiations have been fine and transitioning period as this is generally the case on such conditions being issued.
So now it concerns only the on-going / new commercialised products.
So it is a bit (sorry) bullshit and poorly done / acted from Fujifilm and again as usual on the very last moment.
The RED directive has been put in place since quite a time and EU legislation process takes a while to get through all the EU bodies before it get in effect. They are well argued / amended all along the complex legislation process with many times huge lobbying activities. Fujifilm has an EU HQ, so surely EU law specialists, etc…
So Fujifilm could have prepared itself since a long time and not rushed such crappy firmware updates…
But again typical behaviour (don’t fix something broken or here don’t fix something that cost you a lot to do if there is no background local/country legislation forcing you to do so). Fujifilm is far from being alone in that behaviour.
I was expecting way more from such a company though.
Quite disappointed here to say the least. Hence my initial reaction.
Thanks for the detailed information. This is a lot more than I previously knew.
Welcome Ritchie 😁
Now I see that Fujifilm has just issued newer firmware updates after this batch for the Fujifilm X-T5, X-T50 and X100VI with only “Minor bug have been fixed.”
I bet this bug is coming from the previous version as the time between the 2 release is extra short.
Of course those .31 versions are fully incorporating the previous one and such the removal of the SP printers.
With such minal correction and not being specified what it is exactly correcting, I’m very sadly skipping too those new updates 😓
I think the minor bug fix had something to do with Android compatibility. Or at least I hope so, because early reports were some with Android phones were no longer able to connect their camera after updating (depending on the make and model of phone). Hopefully this little update resolves that for those with that issue.
I updated the firmware for my brandnew X100VI before reading your article… luckily there were no issues for me after the update from 1.20 to 1.31. I checked the remote through the Fuji App and it fonctions. I appreciate your blog. Thank you very much.
The 1.31 version was to fix a bug introduced with 1.30 (which was the firmware this article was about). Some people reported issues connecting their cameras to some Android phones after 1.30, but 1.31 apparently fixed that problem. Thankfully, Fujifilm was able to get the new one out quickly for those experiencing issues.
Good to know for Android users like me. Thx for the intel Ritchie.