X-Pro1 - Have firmware updates REALLY improved the camera AutoFocus?

[Mr_Toad]

Hi, All,

My apologies for asking about a belabored topic...but I am confused.

😕 <-- see!

Is it correct that various X-Pro1 firmware upgrades, over these last few years, have improved the AutoFocus speed for the camera?

I see some indication of improved AutoFocus for specific lenses...but wondering about the camera, too. (...since the X-Pro1 price is just dandy these days!)

Thank you in advance for your help,

Robt.

 

[taemo]

compared to the 2012/2013 version, the X-Pro 1 AF improved dramatically but it is still trailing behind the XT1 or XT10

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thank you, Mr. Taemo,

Do you feel that the X-T10 body at $799 is a wiser choice? (..albeit a less dandy price than $499 for the X-Pro1 body). 🙂

Robt.

 

[Out to Lunch]

The XPro-1 body is now for sale in some European markets for less than US$ 400. A bargain.

 

[aizan]

I tried the new 35/2 on an X-Pro1 last month. It was a little slow even at EV 7. That may be ok.

 

[taemo]

Thank you, Mr. Taemo,

Do you feel that the X-T10 body at $799 is a wiser choice? (..albeit a less dandy price than $499 for the X-Pro1 body). 🙂

Robt.

I would honestly go with the newer one if you can afford it or see the value on improved AF and sensor, other than that it's about aesthetics, do you want a RF inspired body or SLR?
I've owned an X-Pro1 in the past and for my need, the AF was quick enough to allow me on taking the shot (travel, landscape and occasional portrait).
I'm actually hoping to pick-up a used X-E1 tomorrow for US$200 as I figured I wouldn't be using OVF on the X-Pro1 that often.

 

[willie_901]

As others mentioned, the firmware updates improve AF performance. For me the firmware enhanced usage as a virtual RF camera. This just means I was pleased to operate the X-Pro 1 as I used my Zeiss Ikon M.

Here's the improvements

o AF speed increased with the following lenses due to new focusing algorithms.

14/2.8, 18/2, 35/F1.4, F60/2.4, 18-55/F2.8–4

o Manual focus operation improved by adding focus peaking

o Magnification assist for manual focusing enhanced by enabling 3X or 10X zoom using the thumb-wheel control.

Both focus peaking and magnification are useful with back-button (AFL/AEL) AF operation to confirm the focus was set for the intended focus object.

o AF performance improved for scenes with low contrast or focus regions with horizontal stripes.

To get the maximum AF performance one must disable all power-saving options in the Menu System

 

[B-9]

That's a great breakdown Willie!

I too am back down the rabbit hole, late night browsing really nipped me.

glad to see updates for the awesome 18/2.0

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thank you very much for the very detailed info, Mr. Willie!

I have gone ahead and ordered a new XP1 at the $499...since I can't afford the new XP2.

Hopefully, that will calm my GAS for a while. 🙂

Robt.

 

[willie_901]

Robt.

Enjoy your new XP1. PM me if you'd like some links to sources that discuss approaches to XP1 focusing with Fujinon lenses.

 

[dee]

i went for that US $400 [ UK £300 ] X-pro 1 new option , which will suit my limited demands perfectly .
but I ever seem to be buying obsolete cameras !!
dee

 

[Dogman]

My observation is that the X-Pro1's AF is faster and more accurate than my ability to manually focus a Leica rangefinder. Even 35 years ago.

Dee, I also bought the "obsolete" XP1 and see no reason to regret it. Fuji makes really good stuff. Maybe I will buy the XP2 when it's obsolete and only $400.

 

[texchappy]

I bought my XP1 soon after it was out. There are more bells and whistles as well as much quicker AF on the newer bodies. In fact I'd say that each generation has been leaps and bounds ahead of the previous.

But I'm sticking with my 1! The images it produces and its feel in the hand are just special - dare I say magical. Find the blog by Adam Bonner as it reflects a great look into the camera. To me it's a classic and the first digital body that I haven't wanted to GAS for a newer body.

Good luck and great shooting with your XP1.

 

[willie_901]

My observation is that the X-Pro1's AF is faster and more accurate than my ability to manually focus a Leica rangefinder. Even 35 years ago.
...

I must say my focus and recompose in-focus keeper rate with the X100, X100T and X-Pro 1 was at least as good as what I achieved with my Canonet and Zeiss Ikon M cameras.

Recently I started to use the more advanced AF with the X100T. In Muti Mode subjects near the frame center are selected for focus based on their contrast. For candid work at f 5.6 to 8 this is is quick and reliable. It works well with focus and recompose too once you master the AFL button (menu settings and finding the button).

 

[adamjbonn]

FWIW,

The XP1 and (say) the XF60 is a far faster AF combo in LOTS of light, than the XT1 and the XF60 in low light.

With latest and greatest Fuji X bodies, the AF bottle neck is now the lenses... It's only the newer lenses (iirc, 35/2, 90 and the WR zooms) that can take profit from the increased AF speed of the XP2/XT2 bodies.

 

[willie_901]

FWIW,

The XP1 and (say) the XF60 is a far faster AF combo in LOTS of light, than the XT1 and the XF60 in low light.

With latest and greatest Fuji X bodies, the AF bottle neck is now the lenses... It's only the newer lenses (iirc, 35/2, 90 and the WR zooms) that can take profit from the increased AF speed of the XP2/XT2 bodies.

This is certainly the case.

At the same time the some of the AF hardware limited lenses are bit quicker and better with the new bodies. I found there was a small but real improvement in AF with the 35/1.4 between the X-Pro 1 and the X-T1.

 

[adamjbonn]

I found there was a small but real improvement in AF with the 35/1.4 between the X-Pro 1 and the X-T1.

Yes me too!

There might be a SMALL increase again with the original lenses and the XP2 (or I might be imagining it)

In a perverse way... I actually like that the XP1 offers a uniform AF/BBF speed across all of it's AF points (as all of them are CDAF)

Sometimes with the XT1, I'd select a point that was not PDAF and wonder for a nano second why the camera got slower!!

FWIW I'm not really into AF... I have a Pani LX100 that fills any sort of snap shot, my kid running about type thing AF requirement that I might have.

I even use the XP2 in MF (which in my case makes it about exactly as fast as the XP1, in terms of see/compose/focus/shoot)

That said, I played yesterday with the XP2 OVF and the 'zone' AF [with the 35/1.4] and it was accurate and a lot of fun!!

My personal jury's still out on the XP2...

The files are perhaps not quite as charming as the XP1, but they're very rich and detailed and lovely in their own right.

The implementation of the content of the OVF is awful, the AF-L button is hard to use, the ISO dial feels like it came of a Christmas cracker... I thought the ERF would be more useful, but it's early days yet.

I also discovered yesterday that if you have the optional grip on the XP2, and mount it to a tripod using the socket, then when you unscrew the camera (from the tripod), it also loosens the bolt that holds the grip to the camera.

But it's a good camera overall, and compared to the XP1, that extra stop of mech shutter (+ ES of course) and ISO is not to be sniffed at, and genuinely are of benefit to me. YMMV

I stand by my rhetoric! If you can live with a slow camera, a yester-yester-yester-year EVF, ISO6400 and 16MP, then the XP1 is pretty flawless, it's well designed, well made, easy to set up and use, all the buttons/dials have good haptics.

Not to mention little touches like, on the XP1 when you're in VF only / OVF mode - the XP1 stills displays menus, Q settings etc on the LCD.

The XP2 doesn't, you have to cycle through the view modes back to LCD (or eye sensor) then cycle back again when you're done.

All of the X ILC bodies that have succeeded the XP1 have been richer technically, but IMHO the XP1 is the closest that Fuji got to the correct user experience. (Caveat: I've never played with a X-T10)

YMMV.

@willie_901

I suspect you know all this 🙂 and I know I'm quoting you, but I wrote most of that for the benefit of other readers!

 

[jsrockit]

I'm glad I don't let the small things ruin cameras for me.