Moving away from Fujifilm? Downgrading firmware?

[@lol-di3tf]

Fuji really needs to fix and improve AF-C performance as soon as possible or they will lose tons of user who is using their cameras. This is not a good sign as they cant even deal with it. And yet, there are quite a lot fan boys refusing this issue and considered as a user's issue which is pathetic. Yes, Fujifilm subreddits. This is a serious problem and yet Fujifilm is not really accepting our feedbacks at all.

[@perhat22photo]

completely agree, and still don't understand people who are defending fuji and trashing those who are bringing the problems to light and expecting fuji to fix the issues they have created.

[@edvard2942]

Remember me ? I've asked you about the white balance lock before I bought the xh2s. (different account comment). And also i've watched all your xt3 videos :D . I agree with everything you said, I used the xt3 for about 4 years and it was very acceptable and good. I think its the best budget camera you can buy xt3/xt4. (second hand). Fujifilm is failing us with the autofocus issues. Edit: after watching the video. Noise on xh2s is actually a very tiny bit worse than xt3/xt4, I've compared them. But its not bothering me FW 1.03 in my tests/experience is the best one for my usecase , 80% video. Looking forward to see your vid about older firmware.

[@perhat22photo]

Bro i didnt realise you watched my stuff, thanks 🫡, probably watched half of your channel yesterday and the day before 😂, great stuff! I agree on the noise thing between the xh2s and xt3, but I think its normal, a faster stacked sensor will produce more noise, thats the cost of being a fast sensor, we also saw that with the global shutter on the a9iii being less clean than other sony cameras. But yeah its not that noticeably worse than the xt3 if you don’t pixel peep. Working on an xt4 review as it seems as the best bang for the buck on the used market, especially for an aps-c camera.

[@JP-jf6bt]

Totally agree, using x-h2s for wedding videography and camera freezing and AF are driving me crazy 😤 also thinking about system change 😖

[@perhat22photo]

its such a pain in the ass 😅

[@m.boissel]

When will the video with the firmware 1.03 autofocus test?

[@perhat22photo]

Just filmed it today, not too much of a scientific test but just my impressions of how 1.03 is to use. Wll be out in the next week

[@55whiplash]

I just returned my X-H2s, I noticed the used prices going down on eBay lately. I hope they hire some decent programmers because Sony, Canon, and Nikon going to eat their lunch.

[@perhat22photo]

yeah fujifilm really lost the plot, they keep putting new gear out and ignoring fixing what they already have.

[@romo9592]

I've come from a similar boat and jumped from Fuji to Nikon (but keeping with Fuji, just downgrading from an XH2 down to a X-Pro2 and keeping my lenses). Ultimately Fuji is a brand who appeals to manual film shooters who want a digital. So AF is not in their endgame unfortunately, especially with X100VI selling like hotcakes. So really, they don't have much of a care of how their AF turns out. For a while I shot on photos on my XH2 (mostly street, travel, cityscape) like a DLSR (single point focus, AF-S) so I've never really run into tracking issues. It was until my last trip where I used AF-C with tracking for some river otters (my favorite animal) where I saw that many of my pictures were just out of focus. I was able to AF-S them in the end, but as you would guess a lot harder considering their speed and size. So last month I switched to Nikon Z6III for a number of reasons down below. But of course, I encourage you to do your own diligence and see what matters to you in the long run. I've been shooting with the camera for a couple weeks now, and I can say the experience is a lot more "easier" than the XH2, because the camera is simply fast. But I do miss the higher res sensor and the color science. Nikon Glass is one and done and accessible when it comes to their primes. The 50 1.8 is ~620 USD new and is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. The kit that came with my camera, 24-70 F4, is small, light, and sharp throughout the lens (very surprising for what it is). I don't find myself upgrading these, but more or less gap filling (maybe an 85 1.8 and 40 2.0 pancake). You can watch a video by BokehTherapy on how good the primes are. Nikon is as close to Fujifilm is with their enthusiast level camera lenses, perhaps even surpassing them. The Z6III is their 'milestone' camera, like how the A7III is the Sony and the R6 MKII is to Canon for the mid level enthusiast price range. The AF is competitive with Sony and Canon, the Sensor (more on this in the third point) is great, video features is highly competitive. It's likely that this will last me another 5 years minimum. Lastly, I was a bit apprehensive about the low light performance in photo and video. However, while there are viral videos focusing on extreme situations from some sources, there are a lot of examples of the camera working simply great in real life scenarios. Jared Polin went over raw images and thought they were pretty good, and that guy is typically hard on Nikon. Wedding Photographer Taylor Jackson showed some harsh examples of photo in low light that came out fine with shadows pushed hard.

[@perhat22photo]

Tis is so well written! Glad you are enjoying the Z6III! I keep hearing great things about the camera and thats also one of the reasons I am so interested in it. As for your first point about fuji being for film shooters, I think that the X-H2 and X-H2s are their attempt to step up to the rest of the camera market, and at the time of their release they really did seem like they might be successful. The X-H2s specifically was marketed as a hybrid camera, praised for its fast sensor and upgraded autofocus (which has since been downgraded). I do think they are trying to compete with other brands in that aspect as well, which is not really going well for them. Anyways, thanks for your comment. It really felt like I was reading a well written article.

[@brettgoulder5208]

One option, maybe not ideal, is a S5IIX with the Samyang 35-150 2-2.8 since it has L-mount. I realize the Samyang might not be quite as good as the Tamron but it's something to consider.

[@brettgoulder5208]

Vlog is as good as Flog for colors. The issue with 1.03 on the X-H2S is it'll probably increase the freezing issues.

[@brettgoulder5208]

But another downside to the S5IIX is there's that 4k60 crop

[@brettgoulder5208]

I'm 80% sure it's going to get the "hybrid zoom" feature that was introduced in the S9, so the 24-70 2.8 is an option too if you needed the reach

[@perhat22photo]

I have looked into it but the lack of 4k60 makes it a no for me, for the rest it does look like an amazing camera and would love to at least try one

[@fotogmike5887]

Is the issue with the Z6iii that it won't simultaneously record video to the second card, or that it won't record to it to the second card in the format that you want? I'm not a video guy, I'm just curious about it since you mentioned it. Incidentally, I'm shooting the X-H2S for portraits, dance, and sports action, and I'm not having any problems with the AF system. But again, I'm only shooting stills. Are you are using Eye/Face AF when you're getting the back focusing problem shooting groups? Thanks for posting your video; I hope you find a solution that you're happy with.

[@perhat22photo]

The z6iii does not shoot video at all to the second card, same as the fuji xt3, really not sure why nikon would design it like that. As for the back focusing, i get it even without using eye-af, might be due to the tamron lens as well, bud I did not have this issue before firmware 6.00, at least not this often.

[@OnlyCitrus]

​@@perhat22photo it is not the lens man. Every other cameras performs good with third party lenses. We cannot give Fuji any excuses for their incompetence.

[@fotogmike5887]

@@perhat22photo Ok, thanks for the response. I'm sorry that you're having trouble.

[@fotogmike5887]

@@perhat22photo Thanks for the reply!

[@SummersSnaps]

Yeh I am in a similar boat and just like you what I want is not affordable. It's doubly not affordable because as a working professional I ought to x2 everything so that means x2 Z6III etc. My findings so far; 1) XH2S Freezes. This is rare with both my units, and it only takes 5 seconds to eject the battery and fix. I have two bodies so basically if it does happen I can still rely on my other camera. It is super rare for me, like 1-3x/yr it will happen. I run one XH2S on 1.03 and the other 5.03. From what I gather Fuji is not alone on freezes and lock ups, I would expect it to happen on Canikony. I just don't find this issue a particular strong reason to leave Fuji per se, but if you are getting a lot of freezes then I think that is not too normal, it really can be contacts and card related. But moving to another system thinking it won't also happen... I dunno man. Cameras today are like computers, crashes are to be expected now. 2) AF. AF is better on 1.03, roll back if you can. Fuji can no longer be trusted for improvements, from now on buy the camera based on what it can do at release date, not what its potential might be. Their kaizen is trash. Rolling back might really put you at ease and solve some things, I would consider this a must move before considering to switch. 3) Now about the other brands. Starting with Z6III. I like (like you) thought this would be the perfect camera, the next camera for me, but a few things concern me. No.1 is the video performance, it really looks very noisy and has problems that has petapixel and Robert May talking about it. So severe are the issues Robert returned his. I think people forget that whilst XH2S is APS-C, it is performing like a FF camera when it comes to video in terms of IQ, dynamic range etc, it is actually incredibly impressive here. I would be wary of the Z6III in this regard, you may 'upgrade' only to realise its performance on video is not as good as XH2S (and that's before we even talk about colours, which I am not a huge fan of with Nikon). Secondly, for a partially stacked sensor, the Z6III is only a 14ms readout speed (XH2S is 6ms). 14ms might sound alright, but when you consider the singular non stacked Canon R6II sensor managing also 14ms read out... what the hell Nikon? WHat is your stacked sensor even doing?!... Compare prices of Canon r6II and the Nikon Z6III... same read out speed, Canon video prolly better, Canon AF prolly better.... but no 35-150.. ! Argh! (I feel your pain). So going to a Z6III is literally a downgrade over XH2S in terms of readout speeds. If that matters to you I dunno, it does to me because I use ES predominantly and shoot under strong artificial light, I don't want banding at shutter speeds that I need to capture people properly... For me, I think I make do with XH2S's for now... I bought them for a reason, that reason.. I'm poor. It's just bad business to move, what I want and need is like triple over budget. Buying a Z6III I can see being risky, a few thousand dollars out of pocket for only 'maybes' its better...

[@perhat22photo]

Thanks for taking the time for writing all of this down! I understand needing backups, as right now I have my xt3 as a backup to my xh2s and I would probably do something similar if I got the Z6III, take a cheaper nikon that still has some capabilities as my backup. And yeah I agree on waiting to upgrade and I am doing that as i have other things i have to invest in right now and even with the issues I am still able to produce the work I need to for my clients with the Fuji. Hopefully I will have significant improvements with the older firmware. Got a wedding this weekend, that will be a good test 🫡 Also, I do not find the z6iii read speed a big issue as I dont mind shooting mechanical shutter and don’t need fast bursts, and don’t think its too slow for video, but yeah they could have done better for sure 🤷‍♂️

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

I shoot basketball and have no issues with AF , using Continues AF with back button focusing. Users with an AF issue probably using a rubbish eye detection/face detection tracking where multiple faces are entering the frame. Would recommend everyone using these settings to move further to Sony flagship body (Canon and Nikon will also not cut it completely, using Z 8 and Z9 too and they get also confused pretty often) .Had no freezing (you should check your camera).

[@perhat22photo]

Glad to hear some people are not having issues and getting reliable performance. I had issues with face/eye with even just a single subject in frame. Btw what firmware are you on?

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

@@perhat22photo Unfortunately it is on one of the body 7.0 and the other body is 1.0.3 or maybe lower. I will probably downgrade from 7.0 to 1.03 , so I have same camera in the hands. Issue is what you make an issue of it , back in days with film manual or single point , shoot and pray something will be usable.

[@perhat22photo]

@@eagleeyephoto8715 if you want message me on instagram and I can send you the 1.03 firmware already modified to read as 7.01 when you load it onto the sd card @perhat22 on ig

[@jkr4624]

When you will post the new video FW7 vs FW1.01?

[@mac69041]

My XT5 had issues with firmware updates prior to v4 firmware, I installed v4 in the hope it would rectify the problems I was experiencing. To my horror it made it unusable, I mostly do bird/wild life photography, bird detection stopped working 100% even AF-C without using detection was not working properly, I couldn’t use the camera at all and with no firmware update In sight, or the guarantee that the next firmware update would resolve the problem I was left weighing up my options. If I wanted a working camera I either wait months or buy a new one, I ended up buying a Sony. Leaving Fujifilm was not an easy choice as I had invested so much money in the system but when repeated firmware updates make your device worse than the last eventually making it unusable I had no choice.

[@perhat22photo]

I feel you, its a shame that this is happening as we were all expecting so much with fuji, and with how much the firmware updates improved the older cameras like the xt3

[@markbusinsky6900]

Same experience with my X-T5. One day it worked, and I loved it, now it doesn’t work and I hate it. Got to go back to Nikon.

[@mac69041]

@@markbusinsky6900 what really upsets me, there is no attempt to resolve the problem. A simple temporary solution could be to offer an earlier working firmware to download.

[@nomadictimbo9185]

Interesting to see the current generation of Fuji cameras having AF problems with the last two firmware updates. I'm currently using the X-T4 for sports videos/photography and just had a client and it worked great. Although I did use "area mode" the whole time and for surfing I use "multi" because I shoot at mostly F8-F11, so the depth of field means I never really have issues. I have to admit that it's concerning that the latest models are having these problems and it's interesting you also are thinking of the Nikon Z6iii and the Tamron 35-150 which is exactly what I would move onto if I were to switch. I'll never sell the X-T4 and it's working great for my needs, but I'm definitely having doubts about continuing with future Fujifilm cameras if these problems continue to happen.

[@perhat22photo]

Thanks for the comment. There are definetely issues going on with fuji and at this point I have no idea if they can even get these cameras to a high enough AF performance to compete, teyll probably have big improvements with the next generation, but by then I think a lot of people will have already switched. I am using an X-T4 these days to test for a video, performs exactly the same as what I'm used to with the X-T3 just with amazingly better battery life, and the ibis is a nice to have. Might be one of the best used camera pickups for the price at the moment (definetely when it comes to APS-C)

[@nomadictimbo9185]

@@perhat22photo great to hear you're using the X-T4! It's an amazing camera! I came close to getting the X-T3, but as you mentioned, the battery life and the IBIS were the main reasons I went with the later model.

[@perhat22photo]

@@nomadictimbo9185 much better, with the x-t4 you also avoid the issue of the internal battery diyng which is great!

[@nomadictimbo9185]

@@perhat22photo yeah it's superb and will probably get a 2nd body when I get the funds because I know the camera so well and it'll make client work so much easier. I also want to get it in silver to pair up with my black model. By the way, have you ever thought of getting the 70-300 because it's a great lens and since the firmware update it's "almost" par focal? It weighs almost the same as the Tamron 17-70 and you get an insane reach, given how compact it is.

[@shaquillenoeltv]

I was 100% team Fuji but when i started doing more professional shoots , the shortcomings became apparent. I have switched to the Panasonic S5II and trust me you should get this camera or the S5IIX - retains a lot of things I love about fuji and other brands whilst also having a great lcd , great colors , AMAZING IBIS , shutter angle , the feature list goes on and on.

[@perhat22photo]

I really like what lumix is doing with the fulframe cameras, would LOVE to have that IBIS in my camera, but the lack of 4k60 is a deal breaker, but I'm assuming the next generation cameras will have it. I am waiting to upgrade untill next year since I have some other things I need to invest in this year

[@shaquillenoeltv]

@@perhat22photo you mean 4k120? because they definitely have 4k60!

[@jmt342]

@@shaquillenoeltv I thought the same thing but it looks like it does an APS-C crop to get 4k60, only 4k30 with full sensor

[@shaquillenoeltv]

@@jmt342 I see a lot of people saying thats a problem but its actually a good thing! if you have a 35mm you technically also have a 50mm and also you have access to apsc lenses as well which are cheaper and smaller

[@perhat22photo]

@@shaquillenoeltv yeah I phrased it correctly. Not having uncropped 4k60 is the issue as I want to have the same field of view between photo and video when shooting hybrid

[@Valerick]

I think lumix s5iix or s5ii is a good option

[@perhat22photo]

Had a lot of people tell me that, just hard getting over the cropped 4k60

[@MikeRinz]

If not for that Tamron I'd consider Panasonic

[@Wildridefilms]

The Samyang version of the same lens is available on L mount

[@perhat22photo]

Yeah there is the samyang 35-150 which is basically the same when it comes to performance, at least from what I have seen. And its a bit cheaper as well. My issue with the s5ii and s5iix is the cropped 4k60. If not that might be an even stronger contender than the nikon z6iii

[@tombarr6879]

You are right. I will never come back to fuji...ever

[@jeanlaurent3003]

Same with my X-H2S and firmware 7.0... It freeze like never before and Autofocus is not reliable at all...

[@perhat22photo]

Had firmware 1.03 for a few days, i only filmed a talking head video for now but it seems to be stable and more reliable. It did not lose focus from my face/eyes during the 20 minutes of recording and reaquired focus easily when i left the frame and came back. Was shooting with the viltrox 56 f1.4 so not even a lens thats praised for af performance. I will be shooting a full wedding on Saturday and will have more info then but for now 1.03 seems better

[@edvard2942]

@@perhat22photo From my experience with 33mm LM vs my viltrox 33mm there's no difference in AF. Actually the viltrox was hunting less than the LM. The only advantage I saw is that the LM sometimes hides the stepping bokeh background in a dynamic shot (very rare cases). This "you need LM to have good af" is a myth. Its not true.

[@perhat22photo]

@@edvard2942 never used the fuji equivalent, I'm both glad to hear that there is no AF difference, so I know I'm not missing out to much, but also disappointed in fuji 😂

[@jkr4624]

@@perhat22photo How was your weeding with the 1.03??? All good? Worth it to come back to that firmware version?

[@perhat22photo]

@@jkr4624 honestly yes. with 7.00 i would often get backfocusing even without eye af, just using afc with a box on the subject. I have not noticed the same issue, shot a 6 hour wedding day and a separate 1 hour portrait shoot for a different client on the same day. no issues, eye af seems much more reliable as well.

[@JeromeMorada]

Z6iii would be a perfect camera, in events coverage we have Z6ii for photo & Sony A74 for video only. To have a Z6iii is a perfect hybrid camera.

[@perhat22photo]

It seems like that, really looking forward to trying one out

[@Sean-yy1cj]

Try Using Touch Focus

[@rezawilliams9400]

Trust me, The only camera worth switching to for videos is Sony A7S3, I recently purchased ZV-E1 alongside my XS-10. Been editing for 5 or 6 years, 90% of my clients using sony cameras and mostly A73 or A74 and some a7s3. the footage that are coming from 7S3 and ZV-E1 are in a different Level compared to A74 or A7C2. So going to Full-frame A74 Sony camera isn't huge upgrade to XH2S except Auto-Focus. If you have the option of getting ZV-E1 used, buy one and use it for a while, I live in hot climate, I use ZV-E1 for short clips like you do, never Overheated on me and about New Nikon Z63, I personally wouldn't suggest it to you, Since you mostly make Videos.

[@rezawilliams9400]

Sell Xh2-S and use your other Fuji camera for photo and get ZV-1/A7S3 for videos. BTW 12 MP is fine for social media photography.

[@perhat22photo]

My work is about 60% photo 40% video, so the 12mp sensor on the A7s3 is kind of a deal breaker. I need something with at least 20mp, and able to shoot 4k60 no crop. I would love to try out the 7s3 or FX3 for a few projects, but wouldn't buy one as it does not fit my client work needs unfortunately.

[@victorlim5077]

My advice. Rent the Nikon Z6iii and see if it fits your use cases. I have tested it and it's amazing.

[@perhat22photo]

I will have to try and do that. Unfortunately where I am now there is not many options for renting but I'll try to find a way. I definitely want to test it before buying.

[@victorlim5077]

@@perhat22photo Definitely. It's your hard earned money. Better to test and decide for yourself.

[@nageshj-v9w]

what about dynamic range all are saying the dynamic range is below z6 2. even christopher frost said that fujifilm xt50 dynamic range is better than z6 3. christopher frost is famous for review lenses and cameras. he has a very good reputation.

[@perhat22photo]

@@nageshj-v9w i did not know about any issues at the time, I am looking into it now, but should probably test one out to have any real info

[@koma7252]

would it be a good advice for someone buying a Fuji camera (X-S20 probably, but maybe H2S) to stay away from any firmware updates? Just keep it factory firmware, would that make it better, or less autofocus problems?

[@perhat22photo]

Not sure at this point, I am resting the older firmware on the X-H2s to see for myself how much better it is (if so). But if you are in the market for a new camera at that price I think the Z6III is a better contender. As for the X-S20 I have never used one myself. If this was six months ago I would probably say get a Fujifilm, but how things are going now I believe there are better options on the market.

[@eyosyastadesse9332]

Been using the X-S20 for a month now. It’s absolutely fantastic. Auto focus works perfect with my use case (fitness videos, street photography). I use a Viltrox 13mm 1.4, and I found the auto focus to work with this better than the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM

[@goawaybaizuo]

I was looking at the xhs2 on the used market. However, I have been looking at the s5iix instead. Have you had any experience with the lumix?

[@perhat22photo]

@@goawaybaizuo I have never used one, looks like a great option and I have heard good things about it, but it does not fit my work because it has a crop when shooting 4k60.

[@nicholascorby3109]

I have the same frustrating problems with the XT5. Mainly low light performance and poor autofocus.

[@perhat22photo]

The autofocus maybe they might be able to fix but no fixing high iso performance, especially with that 40mp sensor

[@akanbilincoln1307]

I will advise you to wait for Sony A7V so you don't regret more in the future.

[@perhat22photo]

Yeah been thinking about it. Definitely not upgrading until next week so there is time

[@JeromeMorada]

we have Sony A74 for video & Nikon Z6ii for photo, I find the Sony Cameras are very slow in Switching Photo & Video, very laggy when On / Off, also very slow buffer or writing especially using not expensive Tough cards.

[@akanbilincoln1307]

​@@JeromeMoradaSony A7v will rock

[@Ryansavagesstla]

Sony BoyZ

[@perhat22photo]

To this day I have NEVER used one 😅

[@lionheart4424]

If you are wanting better low light performance, beware of the dynamic range performance of the Z6 III.

[@perhat22photo]

I have to look into that, saw multiple people mention it. Thank you