Fujifilm Autofocus Workaround for Portrait Shooters 😬

[@ccoppola82]

My workaround is to switch to Nikon. Lol. Seriously loved Fuji back in the xpro2/fujicron days. Small, compact, efficient. Things worked as expected. Since then 1. Build has declined 2. Lens updates got nearly FF sized 3. Subjectively, the xpro3 was/is a failure 4. Now their AF issues are rampant and I have little faith they will reach competitor quality. It was time to switch but I have fond memories of the xpro2

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Do you think they are too invested in the compact cameras?

[@ccoppola82]

@@PeteCocoPhoto if you mean putting their eggs in the x100 series, YES. As to their other compact cameras, they make sense when the lenses are fujicron size. But their lens roadmap seems to focus on ultra performance MTF lenses that look like bazookas on the small cameras. I’d much rather get the much better built ZF, better AF, subjectively better IQ of FF + compact S lenses or even the 26/28 + 40 on FF and I bet they are roughly equal in price to Fujis new stuff. (Xt5 + 23 1.4 = 2600. ZF + 35 1.4 = 2600). Larger maybe but more balanced IMHO. This is actually why I won’t touch canon. Their lenses are either massive + high quality + $$$$ or tiny cheap plastic. Nothing in the mid level which is what I think MOST shooters want.

[@alphakay]

Yes, agreed with all your points, but I switched to Sony 😂. Fujifilm needs to go back to their roots. They had their own niche of being fairly compact and lightweight with character. Now it’s declined in like you said: larger lens and terrible AF issues. It’s like it’s trying to be FF but it never can catch up, when before it was proud to be APSC.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@alphakay i think this is an excellent point

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@ccoppola82 this has frustrated me with Canon as well. they used to have many mid level lenses that were excellent, now it's either a piece of junk or spend $2500 for the good one lol

[@pal2tech]

Hahaha, 😂 I love me some good autofocus video!

[@foveacreative]

But remember, this is not about video autofocus 😆

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I promised myself I wouldn't make anymore yet here I am LOLOL

[@joshdreyfus8067]

Agree on learning to use single spot focusing, I’ve used it exclusively for years. I like being in control and not letting the camera choose and potentially choose incorrectly.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Right - even with my Canon, which has amazing and sticky focus, sometimes it does not choose the right face or eye that I want it to choose. For concerts, I still use a single point focus

[@beepneldo]

If nothing moves on the z-axis, you can still combine that AF-S technique with eye detection, because there it nails it every time. The problem is only with AF-C.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes I forgot to mention that I use eye detect as well with the same settings

[@babyboy1971]

I did a whole paid portrait (headshot) shoot on my XT5 today with single point, eye detect off, choosing the focus point (eye) myself. It’s just like using the XT2 (and my old 5D!). I want Fuji to do better but luckily I trained on film, manually focusing. Great video. Thank you! And really beautiful photos btw. Your work is amazing.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks much, I appreciate it! I want them to do better as well, let's hope they get it together.

[@madfinntech]

Yeah, having skills to save the day is nice, but we should have working autofocus on modern gear that was marketed as having it.

[@amykleck]

Exactly. For stills, Fuji is fine. There is so much more to Fuji cameras than just zippy focus. I shot many concerts with the XT2 with the original 56mm 1.2 and got fantastic results. Sure the latest canon is great for birds. But landscapes aren’t hard to focus on. 😮

[@j4nv]

I upgraded from an X-T2 to an X-T5 in the hope of (way) better autofocus, while you're telling me to go back to the X-T2 autofocus method. Meanwhile praying for the November firmware update

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

No, I'm not telling you to do anything. Just offering a simple workaround for people who are frustrated until the supposed november fix. But Fooj has really painted themselves into a corner here, because if that update doesn't make blazing fast and precise AF people are gonna jump ship in droves

[@BUCKSHOTSTV]

I switched to the Nikon zf and instantly knew it was the right decision. The hundreds of shots I’ve taken, less than 5% missed focused, and it was most likely because I made the error. I would use single point focus with my Fuji and 56 1.2 and almost all of them missed focus and would hit the nose rather than the eye no matter what I did. I loved the Fuji system but since I do use my camera to make money; I just had to finally give up after about 12 years of patiently waiting for Fuji to fix their auto focus issues

[@j4nv]

@@PeteCocoPhoto My "you're telling me" phrasing was a little misleading, sorry for that, I actually meant it in an ironic way. But it made me wonder why I upgraded from my X-T2 to a X-T5 in the first place. Also let me thank you to put pressure on Fuji, together with many others on the platform. I think they're becoming a little complacent. Cheers and keep up the good work.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@j4nv thanks man, no worries! I get the context now lol. But you are right with your sentiments!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@BUCKSHOTSTV Yep, I get it. Gotta use what works for you, esp if you are a pro. There's not time to play games with focus

[@lionheart4424]

Thanks for the video Pete, and this should work good for portraits. I just can't believe that people are trashing KZbinrs for exposing the truth about Fujifilm autofocus. Fujifilm must be criticized in order for them to fix their sh*t. Its unnacceptable that decades old Canon or first gen Sony a6000 wipe the floor with Fujifilm's AF.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yeah I agree things are very toxic. But people are trashing each other. That wasn't my intent here, so I hope it did not come off that way. I just feel bad for people who are frustrated and can just use a simple setting like this to get good results. Even on my Canon, I don't use face/eye detect for the subject matter I talked about in this vid. I find it easier to just point a focusing point at a face and be done with it.

[@dan.knows.photography]

@@PeteCocoPhotopersonally I felt the tone of the video was a bite back against the channels challenging Fuji to fix their shit

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@dan.knows.photography Do you use Fuji? If not why is it a problem to you?

[@dan.knows.photography]

@@iaincphotography6051 I've used Fuji since the xt2.

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@dan.knows.photography Do you have problems with AF (not talking video) just photography?

[@LashahVideo]

:) lol, Pete I know you said you are not apologizing for Fujifilm, but this is an apology video. No one has even complained about the single point, or zone focusing auto-focus not working. The Face and Eye detection work great in single mode. The issue is when you go into continuous mode and trying to track moving subjects. In that area the newer cameras are failing. I am not a Fujifilm hater, I have invested a lot of money in the Fujifilm Camera Systems (I have the GFX100SII, GFX50SII, X-Pro3, X-H2S, and X-T5). I am 100% satisfied with the GFX Camera Systems, but I am frustrated and close to being angry with the X-Camera Systems. My X-Pro3 performs better than my X-H2S and X-T5 in continuous auto-focus mode and that is not acceptable. These cameras cost most than some Full Fame Cameras, so this has to be fixed soon. If the problem is not fixed, I will be selling all of my X-Camera gear and going back to the Panasonic Full-Frame Cameras (2 Panasonic S5II, and 1 Panasonic Lumix S9).

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

haha you missed where I said "there's no reason why their eye focus should not do what my Canon is doing." I made this vid because so many people are frustrated and I figured these simplified settings can help them until the supposed november fix. I completely agree with your frustrations. There's no excuse if your XH2s is performing worse than the XPro3, that is completely NUTS! But I mean there are sooo many vids that just trash the af without giving people any kind of help. That was the point, but people will get from it whatever they want, that's the nature of making these vids.

[@LashahVideo]

If Fuji fixes the auto-focus issues, all of those videos will go away, because no one will be watching them. November is the moment of truth. :) lol Black Friday could have a different meaning for me this year :)

[@GPadugan]

You will be giving up quite a lot going to the S5ii over the Xh2s. Is AF really that important? Also, I shot Lumix a couple years ago in their DFD AF system which sucked far worse than Fuji.......just pointing out all systems (other than canon and sony) have had issues and got over them. It's a lot harder to do when all the patents are taken up. Fuji has to blaze a new trail because they can't license AF tech from Canon or Sony due to cost and X-trans architecture.

[@LashahVideo]

@@GPadugan If auto-focus was the most important thing in a camera for me, I would not use the GFX Cameras. Panasonic S5II is phase-detection and it's really good (rivals Canon and Sony). I have used every camera system on the market with the exception of Nikon and Hasselblad. The X-H2S is Fujifilm flag-ship camera, it's their sports and wild-life camera and this type of camera relies on the auto-focus system. It's not good. The Panasonic S5II (full-frame system) is a better camera and it's several hundred dollars cheaper. I'm already invested and would like for the issue to finally be resolved by Fujifilm. But I want my camera system to do everything that it say on paper, Afterall that's why I had to pay $2500 for it.

[@JeffreyHauser]

Hi Pete. I have been shooting With 2 XT3 cameras & battery grips since 2018. I am very well versed in possible “work- a-rounds” to get the best with respect to autofocus. (Using single point autofocus settings, setting the focus dial mode to manual focus, then using back button programmed for focusing, etc.,etc.) CAF is obviously a completely different story. This is an issue that has been observed across multiple camera platforms. Working professional photographers that are NOT using multiple camera systems for paid vs non- paid or personal work may not have the patience for Fuji to “fix” this issue. There are many things to like about the Fujifilm ecosystem., but I also believe that Fuji is at a “crossroads” in addressing this issue or risk losing their customer base, as many are abandoning the system & moving to Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, etc. Pardon the pun, but the “focus” is now on Fuji to see what solution(s) can be offered. Customers that invest in a top- tier camera, or any camera for that matter, expect that it will work properly, right out of the box.

[@timoteojosue9230]

Hi Pete. I have a x-H2s + 33mm f1.4 and 90mm f2. I shot sports, american football precisely, and since last 2 firmware update i cant really trust the autofocus. Do you have any suggestions that i can try?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I've been using single point AFS which has been working well until they "fix" the firmware, if that does indeed happen

[@cluis3785]

Roll back the firmware. There are a few videos about it. Fuji messed up by trying to predict the target’s location instead of just focusing on the damn target

[@petercookson135]

Using the touchscreen facility to change the focus point is quite easy and effective.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I don't like that because sometimes my nose hits it LOL

[@petercookson135]

@@PeteCocoPhotoTrue! But can easily be turned off.

[@jackrussel9991]

Pete, I really appreciate your video and the message you try to convey. I appreciate the fact that you are doing your best to alleviate the issue and provide a temporary remedy for all making this type of photography. I notice htat he latest cooperation with Chris bring some influence in your communication, and I sincerely like to see this. Having said this we all wait FUJIFILM update, they have to fix the AF issue. This to respect the customers and honor the money they got for the camera. After all is just that simple.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, I appreciate it. And I agree, they need to do right by everyone who has invested in their systems, and some of us have invested a LOT of money, myself included.

[@TungstenOvergaard]

You have a job, rantubers dont (they need to live on the trend). Great video Pete. Believe me, I said other times, I have been shooting sports for the last two years. XT5, latest firmware update each time. Photo, not video. Teenage sports, soccer and basketball. Zone AF all, continuos AF, face detect sometimes, mainly no burst or slow burst occasionally. Manual AF assist OFF. I rarely miss focus (and when that happens, particularly in soccer, are crowded scenes with several kids dressed the same and in different layers). Not having any problem, I don’t change Fuji color and portability for anything (I’m aware video is a different thing).

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks! Just trying to give a little balance here. I feel bad for people who are losing all faith in their cameras. Of the thousands of photos I took over the last few days, only a handful were out of focus. Nothing fast moving but I was in very poorly lit conditions. Camera worked fine.

[@9Mtikcus]

@@PeteCocoPhoto I'm a portrait photographer and AF-S and put focus point on person, is pretty much how I've always done it. Although I do use AF-C for moving targets... but i also use a DOF that actually captures everything that is required in Focus and it is 90% of the time in focus. When it is not I just take another photo To be honest, if all the youtubers and their viewers stop buying Fuji gear, the price will come down on all the current gen gear (granted the price may increase in future if they become Leica V 2 and make way less cameras)

[@call_me_lazarus]

such a trolly video haha.. hilarious... the problem I am having with the xt5 is that when I use AF-S (all I shoot) - that when I focus on something in landscape mode, it focuses just fine - BUT when I turn the camera over to portrait - I can't focus on the same point!! Unbelievable and frustrating...

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Don't shoot verticals 😆😆😆

[@KeenAesthetic1]

I was frustrated and wanted ro take better pictures so I bought the Zf so that dream came true!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Zf is great for sure, and the AF is excellent!

[@emoroch]

Thank for another great video! I generally use the exact same settings that you advocate. I have also used AF-C on many occasions. I have NEVER captured an image out of focus with my X-T3 and now my X-T5. That’s > 15000 images!! My secret, I don’t do video! Never did, never will.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Haha thank you! Yep - I'm a still shooter too and for portraits I have very little to complain about

[@charliejg]

The opening scene flashed me back to Sam Kinison in Back to School, yelling "Say it, say it" at Rodney Dangerfield! LOL! No, according to Kasey(Camera Conspiracies) the lizard/reptile people are at Sony! :-) Using a single point and back button focus is how I have been shooting for a long time with my X-T3. I did utilize AF-C and eye detect once on a HS grad photo shoot. It worked fine. But, most HS girls aren't moving quickly like a professional model changing expression and position. So, it's really not that necessary for me. And, there won't be any update coming for my X-T3 anyway! I think I learned that trick of putting the focus mode to "All" from Omar Gonzalez a few years back. Good stuff! Hopefully Fuji will make your life easier come November! Have a great day.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Haha thanks Charlie. Have a great day my friend!

[@richardcarlson112]

I grew up with manual focus and slide/positive film. While that’s long past and Fuji should have solved their autofocus shortcomings by now, people need to learn how to handle their camera better also.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yep, I think you are correct on both points

[@dan.knows.photography]

If i wanted to focus like that i wouldn't pay xt5 money. Jesus.

[@amermeleitor]

You surely not. But other people happily do. I mean people buy Leica M cameras with only manual focus for a lot more money too

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Agreed. I only offered this as a temp workaround for people who are really frustrated right now. So many vids are bashing the af but none of them are offering any help. That was the point.

[@dan.knows.photography]

@@amermeleitor people know what they're buying with a Leica M. Fujifilm and shilltubers promised amazing AF improvements

[@erlan10]

There is no way to reverse it to the previous firmware?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Some people have done that but I would just wait to see what fix they release in November at this point

[@danielarmstrong2144]

I seriously hope this november update fixes this autofocus curse fuji seems to have right now. Otherwise i'll be strongly considering switching back to sony. I left sony because the images were too clinical and I wanted more character and more interesting colour with less work - but if the AF makes me work harder than i did editing sony colours whats the point? on a nicer note, fantastic images man. Those photos really are incredible.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks dude! And I’m with you. Let’s hope they get it right.

[@madfinntech]

Fuij autofocus is horrendous, but I have also found that using AF-S with only the left or right eye selected usually nails it. Just pick one eye so the camera doesn't have a hard time deciding which one to focus on. Video is another story; it's hopeless.

[@redis8298]

In November the XH2 and XH2s are supposed to get the firmware update, not the XT5

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

They mentioned the XT5 too, just not in the vid but they did not give an exact date

[@karlbratby4349]

LOL... because I'm videoing on a canon... hilarious... funny story to tell. 10 years-ish ago when Fuji 1st came to prominence I was one of the 1st and original (1 of 6) Fuji X photographers, there were just 6 of us on the original Fuji website. I had an awesome penthouse studio and Fuji asked me to do some demo workshops on the Fuji XT1, awesome I thought why the hell not. Model, makeup and hair, the full shabang but the XT1 was awful with its AF and could not get the job done, there were 12 shooters all with XT1's the fuji rep had brought to the studio and all were having issues and making me look bad and fuji look worse... so I pulled out my canon 1dx and an 85mm f1.2 and bang bang bang perfection, handed it around and the attendees loved it, fuji rep did not but agreed the XT1 was dam awful in the studio environment using studio flash (natural light was better but not great) I did a few more workshops for fuji but then dropped them as the cameras back then did not perform. Had a Fuji in my bag since then for over 10 years and they are great but the system has never performed as well as Canon and never will until they have a redesign of the aperture and electronic lens control system, it works very differently from canon and Sony.

[@amermeleitor]

There are reasons why Canon, Nikon and Sony are the most used pro cameras. Fuji has other types of market

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

This story is hilarious. Fuji really painted themselves into this corner not only with a botched up firmware update but with all the hype around the AF being so good when they released the XH2/XT5.

[@cy9nvs]

2:14 lmao

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

lol

[@nunosaraivaphotographer]

Thanks again 🤗

[@makspyat]

The single point AF technique does not work for 3-4 year old kids. A healthy toddler will run a circle around you and your joystick while you are trying to get his eye. I just back-button-focus and recompose my X-T3 every time I need to get my son's photo. I have been with Fujifilm since 2015. Their AF was always annoying, but it turned into a much bigger problem since I became a parent. I regret the day when I chose Fuji. I am not upgrading my X-T3 until they get their act together.

[@foveacreative]

Get an older child to hold the camera then

[@Battlem0nk]

My grandparents always had issues using my Fuji. Ever since they got a Sony it has been smooth sailing. Fuji is kinda like driving stick shift. It is just harder.

[@qin1992]

My “work around” is to use AFC but re-focus/re-track every couple shoots. Trying to keep the box on my son. By shooting a lot, I ended up with usable photos eventually😂 the annoying thing is sometimes it is focused slightly in front of the eye when shooting wide open, so I usually step down to 2.8 or 4.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Well if the november fix doesn't do it I don't think they will ever figure it out.

[@qin1992]

@@PeteCocoPhoto They may fix it by making it at same level as the previous firmware performs hopefully, but I doubt there will be any major improvements.

[@davidbridenstine6358]

Caught Ron Carter's gig, I see.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I was at 2 in the last 3 days documenting the Maestro. Such an honor for me as a photographer, bassist, and jazz musician.

[@nicholascorby3109]

The autofocus on the XT5 (or lack of it), makes it hard to use for street photography..

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I have had success doing street w certain lenses like the viltrox 27mm and the fuji 16-55.

[@MrPlayK]

So Pete, what you actually wanted to say is "if you are portrait photographer, buy $400 DSLR and 3 good lenses instead of wasting money on Fuji", right?!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

That’s one way to interpret it 😆😆😆 I just offered this as a temporary workaround until the supposed firmware fix. If they screw that up they are cooked lol. Hey I use this same setting in my canon r5 when doing similar work too. I prefer it over eye focus outside of a single person in a portrait

[@MrPlayK]

@@PeteCocoPhoto 😉

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@MrPlayK Ironically I use my canon r5 with this same focus setting for my concert photography I just find it easier

[@blackwing7712]

Thanks for this video. I also shoot portraits on the X-H2 and I have given up on AF-C. I use AF-S with face eye detect and back button focus. Nails 100% of the shots. I think that's a better way than continuously moving the joystick.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes I didn't mention that but I have been doing that as well. AFS is the way to go right now

[@Sleepyboiwonder]

Here we go again

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

hahaha, no there's actually some practical advice in here, not just a shit on fuji fest or a fanboy love fest. Just the simple settings I'm using right now that work for me.

[@Sleepyboiwonder]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Yes, twas a great video! Good eye tracking on the video, too 😄

[@colinhoward2200]

Please make this stop - I keep taking videos and photos, and have not had any issues with AF on my X-T5.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I have largely had no issues either, but soooo many people keep asking me about autofocus, and having issues, which is why I made this video. There are tons of videos hating on the AF but very few offering any solutions or workarounds.

[@ebouwens]

Real photographers have to work with limitations and deliver the product. They don't have time to whine all the time. Technology is improving. Thanks for the video. Loved using that 27 1.2 at night in Tokyo. Was awesome.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I'm really happy with the 27mm.

[@umarfarook7775]

Hai, I have fuji XT4 XF16 to 80mm, i do lot of product photography, as per ur experience can u suggest best lens for product photography application XF80 macro XF50-140mm XF70-300mm XF90mm

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Depends on the size and kind of product

[@umarfarook7775]

@@PeteCocoPhoto product sizes will be like electrical measuring devices multimeters, enironment meters, other device 30x 30cm, 100x 100cm.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@umarfarook7775 if they are not that large I would want a macro lens. this way you can get the entire product in a shot and also detail shots too

[@michaelsheehanrealestate]

Hey Pete could not agree more. I have been using Fuji for a wide variety of photography which includes pro sports and I must say I don't have many focusing issues except when I do event photography and the lighting is very dim and the subject has a dark face. or dark clothing.. great video and looking forward to Fuji's fix!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

let's hope they get it right!

[@ronald7482]

I got enough of Fujifilm. Complicated and frustrating. Firmware issues pff I sold my Fujifilm gear and bought the Sony A7RV What a difference 🙏🙏

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I've tried Sonys a few time. The af menu is also pretty complicated but it nailed every shot lol. I think Canon has the best af interface. It's pretty simple and intuitive. And it just works

[@ronald7482]

​ The new sony a7rv has also a new interface. So easy and not so complicated as fujifilm The AF is super From the 500 shoots were only 3 not shark. It's amazing Only the price 😮

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@ronald7482 my buddy loaned me his a7r5 for a test shoot. the af was amazing but I couldn't figure out how to get it to focus where i wanted. I didn't really have enough time with it to figure it out properly tho

[@nevvanclarke9225]

Finally, a video that's focused on solutions. What was ridiculous about those other videos was that you don't ever take photos like that when did you last Take a photo of someone jumping left and right like that? Unless you are a circus photographer?. And my apologies to the circus Photography fraternity. And Pete and I have discussed this and here's my additional kind of thoughts to what you can do as well and I have tried these and they do work now I want to qualify what I want to say. They work some of the time but more often they do.... if you're going to use auto eye detect pick one eye why does this work? Well it stops the algorithm trying to jump to the other eye. It keeps it more still. I would only use linear motor lenses if you are wanting to get you through this period. I would up your shutter speed by about 20%. the reason I think everyone is getting those GREEN false positives is that by the time you press your shutter what is actually happened? Is the green square while it looks like it's on the eye has actually moved because you were too slow so embrace it as a bit of a game try out smart the green square now I know that might sound like a crazy thing to do but that's what I've done. And by increasing your shutter speed you will outsmart the green square because you are quicker than what it can move. Are you with me on that?....and YES bump that ISO up because you can always use the noise reduction software, easy enough. The other chip that I would give is to use continuous slow not continuous high now that's gonna be a problem if you are using flash or strobe lights obviously you don't use that with that setting but if you're doing outdoor portraits with no flash use continuous low, not continuous high. Again, I found this to be slightly more effective in my hit rate.... Okay my last tip and this will annoy some people is don't shoot at 1.2 or 1.4 as this narrows your target think of it as a game of darts you will get a much better hit rate shooting at F2.8.....The last thing I'm gonna say and put an Asterix next to all of this as performance will vary from user to user but this is what I was able to do which has looked at it as a problem and a bit of a game that I was gonna try and win instead of crying on the Internet and saying that I'm gonna sell fujis.... And crying like 3-year-old children who didn't get their chocolate at the checkout man oh man, I'm sick of those people!!

[@oliverlentzen3371]

That‘s not a solution for everyone. I earn my money with dogs photography. Doesn’t work here. I need an reliable animal eye detection! And this doesn’t work on my Fuji XH2s. And even when the eye detection box hits an eye, the focus! is too often not the eye.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@oliverlentzen3371 what F stop are you using and have you adjusted sensitivity and shutter speeds ....

[@oliverlentzen3371]

@@nevvanclarke9225 I am not a hobby photographer doing this for the first time, and I know exactly how to set the sensitivity and especially the shutter speed. 😉 I’ve been with Fuji since 2015. I am in direct contact with Fuji Film Germany, to whom I have sent a lot of examples of misfocusing and incorrect eyedetection-auto-focus boxes. I completely renewed and adjusted my camera settings with a Fujifilm employee to fit my type of photography. But i need a wide aperture for subject isolation. With fast movements, the camera fails 70-80% of the time. Just testet it a few minutes ago.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@oliverlentzen3371 I'm getting about 70% success rate ...which yes needs improving At least they have acknowledged they are working on it

[@nevvanclarke9225]

@@oliverlentzen3371 and I never said you were.... I've been getting around 65 to 70% hitting the eye with my methods. It is difficult doing Dog photography but at least Fujifilm have acknowledged that there is a problem and they are trying to fix it and we just need to be patient. No point in getting upset about something you can't control.

[@Rich-y8n]

Hi Pete. As always, thanks for your comments. I understand people's frustrations of buying something that features AF only to have it not live up to their expectations. Your point is on target. But I also wonder how these same photographers would have fared 50 years ago when AF did not exist. Has anyone ever heard of Martin Munkácsi and his fabulous approach to ACTION photography? Or ERICH SALOMON who secretly photographed the action of diplomats secretly meeting in the 1930s? Have we become so pampered that we cannot imagine a Henri Cartier-Bresson photographing WITHOUT autofocus? Yes, they who paid for AF deserve it but it just makes me wonder.

[@nandysullivan3005]

Back then, not everyone could afford a camera like today; some bought them simply because they could

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Fuji made a big deal about how great the AF was on the new round of cameras, which has added to the frustration. But I understand your point - I learned on manual cameras and then used a single AF point for many years with the lock focus/recompose method.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks Pete for sharing these tips. For stills, I use a single point too. Sometimes, I just focus with the single point and then recompose. Learned that trick from photographer Ben Long.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

That's how we did it back in the day when the camera only had a stationary center focus point lol

[@JackieDElia]

@@PeteCocoPhoto so true!

[@patrickbobet7725]

If you want the best face autofocus go to see my friend Sony. I've switched to this guy name "Fuji (XT5)" 2 years ago and i am the most happy man on earth because my D750 the 24-70, the 70.200 and the 14-24 mm was just a pain to carry around all the time. Now this guy is my best pal. I call him Jiji now. Funny video, great work. PS : I've got no problem with autofocus but its because i am old !!

[@TheCollectorZero]

KZbinrs dissing Fuji Auto-Focus are the same ones making Leica M11 videos 😂 Talking about how “Manual Focus” slows you down and connects you to the photo gods. Crazy stuff man. Great vid Pete.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Haha thanks! I appreciate it.

[@gordonlewis7570]

If anyone asks my opinion on Fuji cameras, my response is, "If flawless continuous AF is what matters most to you, either for still photography or video, look elsewhere. But if compact size and a film-like look is what you're after, along with some of the same (but fewer) focusing constraints as using an actual film camera, then look no further."

[@GPadugan]

Great Video Pete, I don't think anything is going to stop the haters. Even if Fuji fixes everything, they will come up with something else to hate Fuji about. I would like to offer my settings that I use to shoot High School American Football at night in poor light with a XH2s. With these settings I get a 90% hit rate (no one is getting 100% with any system, it's not possible. Anyone that claims that is either lying or has very low standards) Night sports Settings: C-AF (using c-af setting #5) Zone Focus with the small zone, 3X3 No Eye Detect / No Face Detect (can't use this even if it worked because the helmets get in the way) Firmware = 7.0 Mech Shutter 15FPS (ES can cause banding with low quality lighting and the only fix is to change shutter speed) 1/1000 (minimum) 50-140mm F2.8 | ISO 8000 Shoot in RAW Develop in DXO Photolab V7 or V8 I get paid to do this and continue to get paid using the above settings.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Awesome, thanks for the settings!

[@marcosdamata8325]

I get all the rants, because you have to get what you pay for, it's fair. But besides that, I really think that there's an ever growing gear-tech fetishism going on with cameras (or should I say "commodity fetishism"). Not so long ago everthing was analog, manual focus lenses, cheap cybershots and DSLRs (with useless live view and no AF-C), and all our photography heroes worked with them just fine. you think Robert Frank would be a better artist if he had a Sony? Any tool will work fine when you get to know it. Technology makes us spoiled. I switched from Canon to Fuji for the tactile, lenses and UX. If I wanted tech, I'd go to Alphaville. On the other hand: Fuji, please stop promising and marketing what you can't deliver, just stay honest.

[@larrydiaz7156]

That's lovely and all, except that you forget one tiny detail: nobody is getting these features for free. They are paying prices that get higher with each generation of X cameras and they should work fine. Your purism and nostalgia towards photography is completely misplaced here as there is already a line of basic and analog cameras ready for you.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

For 20 years I never used AFC on any camera because the images were always out of focus. It only became viable for me when I got the R5. Sometimes I still don’t like using it even tho it’s flawless on the canon.

[@larrydiaz7156]

@@PeteCocoPhoto And i'm glad that works well for you. Unfortunately for Fujifilm, AF-C is a feature quite needed in this day and age. Cannot conceive sports photography -a proper field in professional photogrpahy- without adequate AF-C in 2024. I mean, you can use analog lenses if you'd like and manual focus to your heart's content, but your composition ought to be better than everyone else's if you are trying to sell the pictures, because everyone else is going to get more photos in focus per minute. Having said that, this whole situation is inexcusable.

[@marcosdamata8325]

@@larrydiaz7156 Agreed, hence my first sentence: I'm sorry for people paying for something and not getting it, no excuses there. But since when people go to Fuji to shoot mainly sports (using the example you mentioned)? How many Leicas or Fujis did you see at the Olympics? Every brand have a focus group and "fast action shooters" never was Fuji's (street and doc, I guess). The problem is those brands marketing their gear as "perfect for everything everywhere", it's never like that. Leica's AF sucks a bunch (and costs more than my 2 kidneys) but they don't give a damn because they don't market it as such, people buy for the manual-oriented experience and "the look". Fuji should follow more of Leica's brand mission and not try to compete with the high-techs. Also, I'm a happy mirrorless shooter (not sports), thank you, film is too expensive ; )

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@larrydiaz7156 I'm completely in agreement with you here - there's no excuse at this point

[@oliverlentzen3371]

That‘s not a solution for everyone. I only do stills. I earn my money with dogs photography. Doesn’t work here. I need an reliable animal eye detection! And this doesn’t work on my Fuji XH2s with the 50-140mm f2.8. And even when the eye detection box hits an eye, the focus! is too often not on the eye.

[@foveacreative]

Did you listen to the bit where he explained about, at great length, what type of photography this was for? Did he mention dog photography?

[@oliverlentzen3371]

@@foveacreative no he mentioned stills 🤔🙈 and even wedding photography won’t work if the people are in motion and not dead.

[@9Mtikcus]

@@oliverlentzen3371 I'd recommend buying a system that you can make work for your job, or hope the firmware update next month makes the camera at least as good as it was before the update that made AF-C worse. I'm still unsure how it doesn't work for weddings or events... guess I'm just lucky to never have a problem. But seriously if you photo sports and action as your main job.... Fuji Cameras were never the best tool for the job, all Fuji Cameras are in high demand so you should get a good price when you sell up

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Ooof. I did, many times, explain the kind of shooting I do and what works for that.

[@foveacreative]

@@oliverlentzen3371 I actually think that Fujifilm's AF is pretty terrible for many uses (and I was working with a pair of X-H2S cameras, with supposedly the best AF they offer). That's why I ditched the brand for my paid work and went back to Sony. But when someone puts up a video which, in a fun way, suggests an old school work around for very particular scenarios, maybe we should take that in the spirit it was clearly intended.

[@snowhite1qazse4]

Those workaround are so basic, every fuji users with 4-5 years exp. already know that. Useless and 0% workaround

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Have you ever considered that, just maybe, there are people watching this video that don’t have 4-5 years of experience though? Perhaps someone out there isn’t the advanced expert that you are? Lol

[@snowhite1qazse4]

@@PeteCocoPhoto Did you even notice a little bit that there are 4-5 years of fuji users watching. LOL

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@snowhite1qazse4 there are people who watch my vids who are total beginners to advanced pros. But next time I will contact you before making a vid to be sure it's relevant to you, the rest of the world be damned LOL

[@snowhite1qazse4]

@PeteCocoPhoto nah... absolute childish meaningless comment. you have amateur IQ

[@Johnny641]

I honestly think the best advisse is to stop shooting dynamic subjects wide open with fast glass. I haven't seen people doing this until I entered Fuji land where fast glass is cheap. Even with sytems that have blazing AF I wouldnt be under F4 for an animal that is moving or iratically moving person.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I shoot at f/1.2 with my Canon all the time and never have an issue. Most of the images in this vid were f/1 - 2.8 or so.

[@nunosaraivaphotographer]

Hello Pete, today in Lisbon start the congress “Addictions 2024” until Friday. I’m the official photographer of the event and I’m using two XH2s and I don’t have problems with the autofocus. Even in low light. Hugs from Lisbon/ Portugal 📸👌

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Awesome, enjoy!!

[@Powerland56]

Boost On, AFC Focuspriority, AF+MF Out!, AF-C + EyeAF with single point. No issues in portrait photographie. So your workflow with AF-S and without EyeAF ist not necessary, perhaps with a X-T2 but surely not with a X-H2s. I‘m talking about photo, not about video.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I will use face/eye detect too sometimes.

[@lumilikha]

EXACTLY. Why do people expect Fuji to be Sony, when they're so far away in terms of resources?? Just LEARN to use your camera. Jeez.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I think it's part that, and part they def screwed up the firmware. But I certainly don't expect my XT5 to perform like my Canon R5.

[@lumilikha]

@@PeteCocoPhoto yeah, I'm definitely not using Fuji for video. :D

[@idkidkikik]

Go learn how to test auto focus then only make the video. Fujifilm eye af is a joke, it detected the holes in behind the lens cap as human eye, and worst, when it finds an eye it will disable the tracking box and there is no simple way to disable it other than going in menu.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Make a video and show me how it’s done champ

[@eduvivan2562]

Dude jesus christ your composition is driving me nuts. Your head is almost shoving the edge of my phone and the background has zero balance. Sorry I’m annoying with these thing.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

If you can’t take this compsition definitely don’t look at any of my portraits 😂😬

[@Flavio.Bucciarelli]

Boring......

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Lol