gavinlg
Veteran
Hey all,
Just a note to say I downloaded and installed the leaked FW4.0 for my x-t1 today and tried it out a little with the XF 35mm f1.4 on the body.
I was never one to have any complaints about the x-t1 autofocus before - it's always been more accurate than my 5d/1d bodies and more sure footed, but now with the zone AF it's like having an entire new body. The lens doesn't 'rack' at all, just smoothly locks on almost instantly. Crazy improvement in outright speed. The Zone AF seems to be highly intelligent too.
The firmware should be officially available around the 25th-ish of July so prepare yourselves for a nice little present from Mr Fuji
Just a note to say I downloaded and installed the leaked FW4.0 for my x-t1 today and tried it out a little with the XF 35mm f1.4 on the body.
I was never one to have any complaints about the x-t1 autofocus before - it's always been more accurate than my 5d/1d bodies and more sure footed, but now with the zone AF it's like having an entire new body. The lens doesn't 'rack' at all, just smoothly locks on almost instantly. Crazy improvement in outright speed. The Zone AF seems to be highly intelligent too.
The firmware should be officially available around the 25th-ish of July so prepare yourselves for a nice little present from Mr Fuji
GaryLH
Veteran
Gavin..
From the xt10 ads, it looks like Fuji version of the a6000's 3d tracking af. Have u tried some action stuff yet?
Gary
From the xt10 ads, it looks like Fuji version of the a6000's 3d tracking af. Have u tried some action stuff yet?
Gary
gavinlg
Veteran
Gary,
I briefly tried that auto zone tracking thing on continuous mode and it seems pretty cool, but to be honest I never use continuous focus on any camera so I can't compare it to anything really.
GaryLH
Veteran
Well can't wait for the 25th to roll around.
Thanks,
Gary
Thanks,
Gary
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Thank you! Looking forward to this.
back alley
IMAGES
do we know what the firmware update for the xe2 will do?
willie_901
Veteran
Thanks for sharing this.
I have never regretted switching to the Fujifilm X-Series.
I realize it's fair to be critical and complain that Fujifilm should have done this at the same time the CPUs became more powerful.
Another view is one of the ways Fujifilm is building their brand is by incrementally improving their products at no additional cost for customers.
I have never regretted switching to the Fujifilm X-Series.
I realize it's fair to be critical and complain that Fujifilm should have done this at the same time the CPUs became more powerful.
Another view is one of the ways Fujifilm is building their brand is by incrementally improving their products at no additional cost for customers.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
That's my take
MCTuomey
Veteran
I must be on another planet. My 1D/5D Canon bodies AF more reliably than my X-T1, one-shot and even more so in continuous mode. I shoot a lot in dark venues. Conditions where the fuji AF kerfuffles: strong background highlights/specular reflections, lack of moderate-to-strong subject contrast, a whiff of intervening objects between me and the subject, moving or not. Now, I'm not talking about speed only, but also about AF accuracy in low light, cluttered stage conditions. I've learned to deal with some of these trip-ups, but am impatiently waiting for FW 4.0, hopeful that some of them will be addressed.
gavinlg
Veteran
Honestly, it must be user differences. The problem with DSLR focus, for me, is not the speed or the low light ability (although I'm convinced my x-t1 will focus in lower light), it's the fact that shot wide open with a f1.4 or f1.2 lens probably only maybe 60% of photos are usable due to inaccurate AF. Worse in dim light, still pretty terrible in good light. With the x-t1 it's 95% are exactly where I placed the focus. I'm not a spray and pray type, or a continuous autofocus type. My tips would be increase your focus spot size till its about medium, make sure power save mode is OFF and high performance AF is ON.
FW4.0 is still ruling me. In good light my 35mm behaves almost like a modern USM prime on a high end dslr body - quick and decisive.
I'm so skeptical... but I hope you are right.
PaulW128
Well-known
Guys;
Read something this morning (Fuji Rumors I think) that said the XT1 firmware is delayed, supposed to release 6/29 now.
I have an XE2 so i'm keeping my fingers crossed for an update to that camera as well.
Best,
Paul
Read something this morning (Fuji Rumors I think) that said the XT1 firmware is delayed, supposed to release 6/29 now.
I have an XE2 so i'm keeping my fingers crossed for an update to that camera as well.
Best,
Paul
f16sunshine
Moderator
Seriously..... No exageration???
Pardon my skepticism please.... The f1.4/35 wins for me as my primary lens but.... I hate it st times for it's clunky focus.
I'm hoping the upcoming 2/35mm will replace the clunky focus of the 1.4/35mm.
If what you say holds true for the mass release of 4.0 , the 1.4/35 gets a new lease.
I love the rendering but ... It comes at a price.
MCTuomey
Veteran
Gavin, all three done, since day 1. Must be user difference, my old 1D III is just a lot better in the tough stuff than the X-T1, even with $300 non-L lenses. Likely my subject matter is part of it. Performers move a lot, even it's just rocking from the waist or neck. Specular highlights or stage lights in the background anywhere in the vicinity of the focus square seem to set the X-T1 on a focus adventure. Same for a monochrom patch of anything. Wheeeeeee, watch it rack in/out, take a breath or two, and then back to shooting.
gavinlg
Veteran
I think you'll be pretty chuffed with this update then.
MCTuomey
Veteran
I've surfed around looking at some other "pre-reviews" of FW 4.0. They're commenting pretty much exclusively on the effect of the update on the 35/1.4. If the update only improves AF on this lens, and maybe only one or two others, I'll be disappointed. The X-T1's poor focus performance isn't limited to just a few lenses in my experience. Its low light and continuous AF (in)capabilities need help if there's anything to Fuji's ability to compete with dSLRs beyond single shot AF in good light and contrast-y subjects. I'm a big Fuji fan (couple bodies and a range of lenses), really would like to see AF more responsive and decisive at lower EVs. It's really the last piece for me for low light work with Fuji X-series, camera handling and x-trans files being otherwise so good for this purpose.
willie_901
Veteran
With the existing firmware, the X-T1 (and X100T I assume) offer satisfactory AF performance... even for action photography. Achieving the highest possible AF performance does require some on-line research and practice. Other mirrorless brands could be easier to use and faster.
All contrast-detection AF (CDAF)systems are potentially more accurate than DSLR phase-dtection systems (PDAF). This is how come DSLRs employ systems for factory/technician and user AF calibration adjustments.
CSAF's reputation is that it is slow and less useful in very low light. These disadvantages are co-dependent as many subjects in low light situations naturally have low contrast. PDAF is better suited for very low light, but it's not immune to problems.
Fujifilm in particular started out using CDAF systems that seemed to be repurposed form their exiting P&S products. The resulting mediocre performance level severely damaged Fujifilm's X-Series brand.
The current CDAF/PDAF hybrid system is a different story. Not only are the newest CPUs able to execute more sophisticated firmware code, but the lens hardware is improved as well. However there is an learning period is required to make the most out of the AF system. One can argue this transition should be easier. One can also argue it's a mistake to assume the current Fujifilm AF system is insufficient based on their initial, older AF technologies.
As far as the 35/1.4 Fujinon lens goes, the lens focuses quicker in CDAF mode on the X-T! than with the X-Pro 1. PDAF is useful as well. So CPU speed and firmware improvements do make a difference for this lens.
Still that lens' AF speed and smoothness is limited by its AF motor design. On the X-T1 it is no worse than some similarly priced Nikon primes I used on the D300/700.
I'm switching to the new 35/2 Fujinon ASAP. My motivation is based on size, but the expected improvement in lens AF technology is another benefit.
All contrast-detection AF (CDAF)systems are potentially more accurate than DSLR phase-dtection systems (PDAF). This is how come DSLRs employ systems for factory/technician and user AF calibration adjustments.
CSAF's reputation is that it is slow and less useful in very low light. These disadvantages are co-dependent as many subjects in low light situations naturally have low contrast. PDAF is better suited for very low light, but it's not immune to problems.
Fujifilm in particular started out using CDAF systems that seemed to be repurposed form their exiting P&S products. The resulting mediocre performance level severely damaged Fujifilm's X-Series brand.
The current CDAF/PDAF hybrid system is a different story. Not only are the newest CPUs able to execute more sophisticated firmware code, but the lens hardware is improved as well. However there is an learning period is required to make the most out of the AF system. One can argue this transition should be easier. One can also argue it's a mistake to assume the current Fujifilm AF system is insufficient based on their initial, older AF technologies.
As far as the 35/1.4 Fujinon lens goes, the lens focuses quicker in CDAF mode on the X-T! than with the X-Pro 1. PDAF is useful as well. So CPU speed and firmware improvements do make a difference for this lens.
Still that lens' AF speed and smoothness is limited by its AF motor design. On the X-T1 it is no worse than some similarly priced Nikon primes I used on the D300/700.
I'm switching to the new 35/2 Fujinon ASAP. My motivation is based on size, but the expected improvement in lens AF technology is another benefit.
Jack Sparrow
Well-known
FYI, the leaked FW is a beta version.
That said, it shows some great promise for what's to come. The 35mm is like a totally different, brand new lens!
That said, it shows some great promise for what's to come. The 35mm is like a totally different, brand new lens!
Paul Jenkin
Well-known
My wife has the X-T1 and I have a Nikon D800 and an F6 (I also have an X-Pro1).
I will be very interested to see if the upgraded AF on the X-T1 feels as quick and responsive using the 23mm/f1.4 as the F6 and D800 feel with an AF-S on the front. I'd also be interested to see how the new focusing compared in action against the Nikon's 3-D system.
I don't doubt that the Fuji will be excellent but it will have to be on its toes to compete or beat the Nikon.
I will be very interested to see if the upgraded AF on the X-T1 feels as quick and responsive using the 23mm/f1.4 as the F6 and D800 feel with an AF-S on the front. I'd also be interested to see how the new focusing compared in action against the Nikon's 3-D system.
I don't doubt that the Fuji will be excellent but it will have to be on its toes to compete or beat the Nikon.
MCTuomey
Veteran
I shot youth sports for years with Canon 1D bodies and several teles (300/2.8, 400/2.8, 200/1.8). I'm an average shooter, admittedly. After a year with the X-T1, my take is that its AF performance for what I've experienced as action photography is not satisfactory if the comparable is mature dSLR performance with good lenses. Sure, one can make anything work, but by any reasonable measure like a reasonable hit rate over many exposures in continuous or predictive AF mode, the X-T1 needs some help when judged from my background. "Satisfactory" performance is going to be different for each shooter, of course. Inexplicable re-racks, failure to grab focus under demanding backlit conditions, locking on peripheral details - none of these is acceptable to me when they occur frequently, and they do with my Fuji gear.
Sorry for the rant-like post. There's a reason we don't see Fuji X-cameras on the sport shooting circuit. I'm done now.