Fujifilm Firmware Update 4 - Autofocus Improvements??? and Reala Ace!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

A few words about this vid and Fujifilm's autofocus: 1. I updated the XT5 right away and used it for multiple shoots and for a family vacation with no issues. I did shoots at my studio as well as location shoots. No issues at all. Every image is tack sharp. I didn't just point the camera at the wall and call that a test LOL. 2. Nowhere in the vid did I say the AF improved. It's basically the same as it was. It did not get worse for me, neither on this update or the last one. Will you have the same experience if you update yours? I have no idea. I can only tell you what happened for me. 3. I am not endorsed in any way by Fujifilm, so those of you who have a grand conspiracy about this can give it a rest LOL.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I think it's better to shoot raw than apply the Sim in post because you get the dynamic range. Yes this creates a bigger file size. We know that but I still think you get more dynamic range and if you're pushing the files a little bit then you better off doing it that way, that's just my view. I like the new Sim is good for a lot of different types of photography so yeah I think it's great. I had a really good play with the auto focus and here's a couple of tips that I give to people as well and I've mentioned this on the Fiji pages.. 1 Try Picking one eye ... I found this to be useful because what the AI would then do the AI wouldn't try to jump to the other eye. 2 In the AF settings there's a sensitivity setting change it to number three. I found this worked really well for portrait photography and a lot of other types of photography as well.. 3 Use the better lenses, especially linear motors.. Make sure your sensor is clean. You would be surprised if your sensor is dirty or getting dirty. This will affect the auto focus and quite significantly. generally on the Portrait stuff that I've done and corporate gigs, weddings and other bits and pieces I get about a 90% hit rate and my other tip is just overshoot a little bit. It's a digital camera. You can shoot more than you need and that way you guarantee of getting the shots, I also found shooting in continuous low not continuous HIGH .... Why? This gives the camera a split second longer to find focus. If it jumps off if you're shooting in continuous high you will continually shoot photos that are out of focus. If you are missing that's just another little tip. Thank you for your video once again Pete. Oh one more little tip and this does help for some reason is using a slightly higher shutter speed and you'd normally want to use. What does this do? Well if you have nailed focus then you're going to get that photo Pin sharp while the green dot is sitting there.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

So many solid tips here, thanks Nev! This is gold. I think that more often than not people just have a slow shutter speed and wind up blaming the af for a blurry image

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Yeah, what I found is just bumping it up.A little bit more than I would normally.And no problems

[@richardzelinka9411]

My understanding is that the problem is with human eye tracking in AF-C mode when the subject is moving. The focus box locks onto the eye, but the lens doesn't achieve focus. Auto face/eye detection of a stationary or very slowly moving subject seems to be OK, which seems to be what you showing. As an amateur landscape-cityscape and travel photographer, I rarely use face/eye detection, but I understand the epic frustration of those who have come to rely on it. Being a procrastinator, I never "upgraded" from the XT-5 v2 firmware, and won't until these autofocus problems are fixed. Whatever "minor bugs" have been fixed, I don't notice them now and my camera does what I need it to do, and I can live without Reala Ace.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes that is what most people seem to be complaining about. The easy answer is, don't update the firmware if you are worried about it. I was so busy with clients when I updated mine that I hadn't been reading about the complaints. I didn't even think there was going to be a problem and their wasn't. The camera worked fine in face/eye tracking for my portrait stuff.

[@babyboy1971]

@@PeteCocoPhotoit did? I only shoot stills. I have to turn off eye tracking and just use single point. Is this only in AFC? AFS no problem?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@babyboy1971 i have no problem in AFS

[@babyboy1971]

@@PeteCocoPhoto even with the eye /face tracking on? If so, that’s good to know, thank you!

[@aroundthemetro]

I wish Fuji would focus on fixing their autofocus issue instead of coming up with new film simulation

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

This is a fair point. I don't know what it will take at this point

[@alexfns2427]

I've been too hesitant to update my XT5 because of all the autofocus issues I see people having after these last 3 updates, glad to hear you haven't experienced or noticed any worsening in the autofocus department

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

If you're happy don't do anything 😂

[@williambooth1253]

I love my X-T5, and I’m standing beside her. That said, Fujifilm has not fixed the issues. I bought my camera back in April. I have done the two firmware updates since then, and my camera has gone way backwards and reliability and functionality. I went to an arboretum the other day to photograph flowers. I had the X-T5 in AF-S mode since I didn’t have a moving subject. The camera would not focus properly within the AF box. What the heck, the latest firmware update now has compromised shooting of still photography. It’s the first time I’ve had a problem with the X-T5 having focusing issues in AF-S mode. These weren’t even “false positives” out of focus images. The camera’s autofocus wouldn’t even give me a green box AF confirmation when focusing on a single, subject flower. I noticed that my focusing box was placed directly on the flower while the camera focused on the background space. Recomposing the scene and half pressing the focusing/shutter release button did not help. And yes, I was well within the focusing distance of the lens and camera. Soon after trying to figure out why my camera was not able to focus well on a single subject, my camera completely froze up. I had no way of getting my camera to reset without taking out the battery. This fixed the freezing up of the camera and my camera behaved better from that point on with its auto focus. I believe there must be bugs still with the firmware update software. My camera is very usable. I rarely use my camera in continuous auto focus, even though I shoot weddings. I’m an old school shooter who knows how to control the camera the way I was brought up in the 70s and 80s. I do not trust the continuous focus, and do not prefer to shoot that way. But I had problems with single shot auto focus.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Crazy. Do you think the problem is dependent on the af mode and options you are shooting? People think I'm carrying fujis water or something but I'm just documenting my experience. In either case, Fuji definitely needs to do better.

[@williambooth1253]

@@PeteCocoPhoto It appears that everybody is trying to figure out if the new firmware updates for auto focus is better when shooting in the continuous auto focus mode. I don’t think too many people are looking into other focusing modes to see if the camera has proper functionality. I’m one of those shooters who does not rely on continuous auto focus. For the most part, I only did the firmware updates so I would get Reala Ace. Perhaps the new firmware update is helping the continuous auto focus user, to be determined? I just had a difficult day with my camera set up in single auto focus mode and my camera go into a freeze up. I can’t but wonder if the new update has affected other camera users with other modes. Everybody is eager to have the continuous auto focus mode to be improved. That’s fine as long as single auto focus mode is not damaged in the process. I guess time will tell and I will report my findings later if my camera still has problems doing BASIC focusing tasks.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@juanturi That completely sucks. I have no idea what's causing all of this but if Fuji doesn't fix it soon they will lose a lot of customers. I mentioned already that I've been using the camera for 2 weeks without issue, including on professional jobs.

[@williambooth1253]

Good news! I just took my camera to Venice Beach and did some street photography using the X-T5 in continuous auto focus mode at the skateboard park. The camera worked flawlessly with the tracking of the moving subject and acquiring focus quickly. I was impressed with the speed of the camera to re-acquire my subject even after the skateboarder left my field of view at the bottom of a pool and reappearing into the field of view back at the top of the pool lip. I need to examine the sharpness of focus within Capture One. I believe 1/1,800 of a second will be ample enough to handle the motion blur. Overall, I was highly impressed! I generally do more single shot auto focus with recomposing my scene with using focus lock.

[@lumberjack3008]

AF improvements: Placebo effect is very mighty... ;-) I am sure that Fujifilms managers are smiling about all these "reports" about improved AF (for birds in flight, sport, toddlers running around...) after every firmware update although they documented the specific use case it addresses 😂

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I didn't say it improved haha. But it still works 😂

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Thanks Pete. I’ll update tomorrow!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Good luck! Hope you don't have any issues

[@Rich-y8n]

Hi Pete. So have you settled on Firmware v4 as solving all the AF Tracking problems with Fuji? Or are there still problems?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Did a shoot the other day using face tracking. Some images were still slightly out of focus. I'd say they still got work to do. I've been using a single focusing point and moving it around manually lately the old school way and sometimes I find this is easier than letting the camera pick and eye and then using a button to switch from one to the other.

[@Rich-y8n]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Thank you for your honest feedback. It’s a shame that Fuji has stumbled so badly at AF. And it seems perplexing that others like Sony and Canon, even Panasonic (!) have been so much more successful at solving their AF issues but Fujifilm is incapable of doing so. I see from many reviewers that the AF issue is not an isolated problem.

[@msturi2002]

Reala Ace is truly a gift from Fuifilm. Absolutely stunning. Just gorgeous!!! My new favorite for sure.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes it's great!

[@errole]

Reala good with studio work and portraits

[@hbphotos]

I was waiting for this update since they added the Realla ace on XT50. And I updated my xt5 as soon as this update realised

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yeah I'm digging it

[@jrperezphotography]

Thank you Pete. Question are you using Capture One as your photo library to organize and view your photos? Also why does capture one not show the name of the film simulation you shot the photo in or am I missing something?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yep I use C1 to edit, tether and organize. The film sims are under style, in the curves drop down. To be clear Reala ace isn't in there yet but I'm sure it will be at some point. I was speaking in general about my editing process 😎

[@donho6523]

I have seen Sony, Canon and Nikon basically lap Fuji on the autofocus front and I've stuck with Fuji. I'm not sure if I'll continue down the Fuji path if they aren't able to keep up. Nice, informative video though. Thanks for your hard work.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you! This is why I'm hanging on to my Canon gear. The AF is simple to use and very intuitive as well.

[@helldriver1957]

I was shooting action photos on Wednesday on my XH2 and also an XH2S which I had hired for the day and the C-AF tracking was awful even though the firmware has been updated. The worst thing I have done was to get rid of my XH1 😔

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

It's just crazy at this point

[@helldriver1957]

@@PeteCocoPhoto I’m in communication with FujiFilm at this point in time but I’m not having any joy at the moment 😔

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@helldriver1957 sorry. Can you downgrade the firmware? They really need to do better

[@helldriver1957]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Not sure, they are still investigating.

[@davidpearson3304]

Apparently I’m in the minority with you. My X-T5 works just fine. I don’t do people, but the tracking has worked fine on birds, dogs, trains, jet airplanes (USAF Thunderbirds specifically and slower commercial aircraft). 🤷🏼‍♂️ And the Reala Ace gas become my go to as well. I think it perfectly fits in between Provia and Velvia. A bit more punchy than provia but not a overpowering as velvia

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

They will say you are either lying or being paid by Fuji to carry their water. LOL.

[@JakeChambersOy]

X-T5 Firmware v3.01 was definitely broken, with the exact same issues as on the X-H2(s). V4.00 is better, but still not on par with v2.10, especially when using wide/tracking without face/eye/subject detection. It's impossible to reproduce the isssues people (me included) had with the way you test it in your video. It's not giving it any justice and is downplaying the issues. V3.01 was causing many missed shots for me on jobs, to the point where I had to downgrade to v2.10 (thanks reddit).

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I've used the camera since the update dropped without issue on multiple photoshoots.

[@nomadictimbo9185]

Hi Pete. When you say you heard a rumor that Reala Ace might be coming to more cameras, did they hint the X-Trans 4 generation? It'd be awesome to have it with the X-T4 cause others have also praised it and said it's like a cross between Provia and Classic Chrome. If so, I'll probably use it a lot for video.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I have no idea haha. Just thought I heard a rumor like that.

[@wilfs1196]

XS20 got it

[@marcusjames1326]

Long Beach Boardwalk Pete? Nice video

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes exactly! One of my usual haunts. Thanks for watching!

[@Ton-x4r]

It is just a matter of time when Fujifilm will release an update so that Skynet will take over your camera😅

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

And then it will crash and they will have to rerelease it 😂

[@TuinleiBob]

They shouldn't improve the AF but include it. I was so happy with my X-T3 and wanted an upgrade. This is not an upgrade but a punishment for my GAS. I will sell it before they get it right if they ever do.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I get that but I hope you are wrong. If they send out another update with a "fix" and it doesn't work, people are gonna go nuts LOL

[@Kim_Alexander]

did you just tried af on family portraits on a flat wall?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

No lol. I used it for multiple shoots including a huge corporate shoot which includes headshots and portraits for a company on fifth Ave. Every image was tack sharp 🤷‍♂️

[@awake780]

I knew procrastination would save me one day…. from downloading the latest X-T5 firmware.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hahaha

[@sunnbike1629]

How do you edit Reala Ace on Capture One? V.16.3.8.23 does not include it. Tis.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I was speaking in general about film sims, not specifically Reala Ace. But I see how that might have been confusing so I edited the vid. Thanks!

[@bongpeninoy6313]

i think the problem is the people who put high expectations on the fuji’s autofocus. they expect it to be sony, canon and nikon autofocus.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Part of me agrees with them. It is 2024 after all, and they are still lagging way behind. On one hand, I don't think it's fair to expect a $2500 camera to perform like a $4000 one. On the other, I do expect it to be solid and reliable.

[@MartinArchea]

Sony a6000, which is 10 years old camera has better autofocus than XH2S. Still not seeing the problem?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@MartinArchea I see the problem

[@dsa4931]

​@@PeteCocoPhotoR6 M2 IS ONLY 1999 NOT 4000....

[@simon359]

I think Fuji needs to start over again, my images seem less sharp after 4.0?? XT5

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Less sharp, meaning it's not focusing properly or something else? "Less sharp" can be caused by quite a few things.

[@simon359]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Sorry, let me clarify, the auto focus isn’t working properly, I’ve been shooting Fuji cameras since the XE2 and I know when things are focusing or not! Back when it was just two firmware updates before, I was getting great results, now things just keep getting worse - why??

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@simon359 i have no idea. This is a separate issue from the af not being as good as another brand. You're taking about a defect or malfunction. I totally get that. I have had no such issues personally but there's no excuse for it.

[@simon359]

@@PeteCocoPhoto I wish I could just get two firmware updates removed, and I would be much happier!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@simon359 can you install the older update from their site? They are still up there

[@asafoadjei1]

You are the reason why Fuji is complacent and why we have not see any AF improvement for the past 5 years. The AF is not OK. Tell them so they improve.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I use my camera every day without issue. The af is indeed, ok. Is it great? Hell no. But it does what I expect and gets the job done every time. I just did a huge corporate gig with my X-T5 and every image was tack sharp. I spent two weeks shooting with this update and the images are all sharp. If it's not doing the job for you, get a canon or Sony. I still use Canon and believe me I know the differences, but it's really about finding what works for you.

[@asafoadjei1]

@@PeteCocoPhoto We know it is ok. However, there is a room for improvement. They have what it takes to make it better, just that they have not been held accountable enough. How can Fuji been releasing half baked products. Imagine Fuji with their colours and Canon level autofocus.

[@usernameperson6374]

@@PeteCocoPhotoWhen I pay full price for a flagship tier camera I expect the AF to be more than okay. Even Sony and Canon low tier apsc cameras have more accurate AF. Fuji is never going to improve/fix the AF when people continue to say that it’s okay.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@usernameperson6374 yes I get that and I'm not arguing with you. The af does the job for me every day without an issue. Just change systems if you are that frustrated and be done with it

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@asafoadjei1 Yes I completely agree. Ironically, I wasn't praising the AF, or saying it was some kind of improvement. I just stated it's the same.... which, for me, it is. There is so much bitching and moaning from Fuji users about AF at this point and putting aside the validity of their complaints, the simple fact is that people should just get another brand if they are that unhappy.