Sunday Talk: Fujifilm Autofocus Has Me Worried.

[@vianditya]

You were a Nikon shooter right? I remember Omar showed you Fuji stuff and you weren't impressed so I was surprised that you decided to fully switched to Fuji. The funny thing is Omar now fully switched to Nikon for professional works. Why not go back to Nikon? If you like retro styling, ZF is really good camera, if you like DSLR style then Z6iii and Z8 is the best out there.

[@TwoTimesRmedia]

I don't think you can say it's a lack of concern to fix it. I just think they have out of touch people working on it. They swear it's fixed but, it's no where near where it was at launch of the X-H2s. They really need to go back to the drawing board and see why it doesn't appear to be actually using the phase points and it reverted back to mainly using contrast based

[@streets28mm]

I think you should give the Fuji till the end of next year!

[@RandumbTech]

If you need AF for your professional work, you’d be crazy to continue with Fuji. They are great cameras when you have time to enjoy the art of photography and there is nothing at stake. You cannot trust Fuji AF to deliver consistently. It’s always been that way and likely will be for many more years. It’s part of their “charm”.

[@eastcoastiso3523]

I use Fuji for my wedding work and family portrait I moved from Sony to Fuji and it’s working fine for me. Can’t speak for others but for me it’s been awesome.

[@Sleepyboiwonder]

Hopefully the new firmware comes out before your event. They said it’s releasing “this year” so they have until December 31 I guess

[@mrbarkan]

I almost jumped ship to Sony, but the A7IV was a bit off to me in terms of videos specs compared to the X-H2s, and im not disappointed. I've been working with it since august this year, and havent missed anything because of AF. The more i use it, the more I love it. Honestly.

[@bydluck]

Which video specs are suprerior in h2s over a7iv?

[@NickErickson]

On my X-S20, I've resorted to AF-C, single point focus area, decouple AF from the shutter button in AF-C and use back button focus. If using face-eye, just use face detection with no eye detection. Lastly, turn that thing to continuous shooting drive mode. 5 FPS minimum for important moments of people, but you might want to go higher. You may need to play with the AF-C Custom Settings, but I find either Set 2 or Set 6 with Tracking Sensitivity set to 3, Speed Tracking Sensitivity set to 1, and Zone Area Switching set to Center works fairly well for the most part. You'll at least be able to land shots with it.

[@godsinbox]

The fuiji eyebrow focus struggle is real (5 years and counting X-T3>Now)

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

hey Moe - thanks for the shout out 🙂 as you know when I switched from the dials to PASM (X-T to X-H) I missed the dials - for an hour or so!! But my reason for switching was to have a better grip and balance with the 100-400. My bones and muscles are weak and I needed that extra bit of heft to help in hand holding. Most of my stills work is in manual focus so I don't really care about AF that much, and really only use AF for in-studio video (so not taxing at all) and birding (where I find the AF just fine). I did do some light testing after updating the firmware to 7.1 and it seemed to do the job video wise with a Viltrox lens set to f1.4, indoors and in low light. But I hardly pushed it. We've been hit with a storm over the weekend so didn't get the chance to try it out with stills and my 100-400. I think the decision you and other Fujifilm "power" or pro users face is one of look vs convenience. If you love the look Fuji gives and can live with the inconvenience then stick with the system. If you can't live with the inferior AF then find a system that you like the look of AND provides flawless AF. Me, I came from a lifetime of shooting Nikon before switching to Fujifilm. As a former landscape and now more macro and nature based shooter I still use both and love the look both give. My ancient Nikon gear gives me that older, more granular and analogue look while the X-H2 is simply superb at rendering out the finer details. In a nutshell (sorry for the long post) I don't really care about AF and rarely use it even with AF lenses 🙂

[@MoeMorales]

@@duringthemeanwhilst always appreciate your thoughtful responses Nick. Cheers

[@RipeOldBanana]

I've had Canon for a long time and thought I'd try Fuji last year. I really like the image quality but have a few issues with Fuji - and auto focus is not top of my list. Rather, product availability is #1. Ergonomics with large lenses is #2. So for now, like Omar, I use Canon for serious work but carry a Fuji with compact lens for fun and enjoyment. BTW - My Canon gear is mostly from the mid teens and all glass is EF (DSLR).

[@MrRafaelgp]

New firmware for the X-T5 will be released before the end of the year, but it won't solve your problems. I'm an X-H2 user. I have tested the new firmware. Subject detection is better, but you won't see me using it in a paid job any time soon. My advice is to learn to focus using the ON/AF back button in AF-C tracking and zone modes or AF-S single point. If you can't live without eye detection, or find it outrageous that it doesn't work on a modern and very expensive camera, then move on to another brand. It's not the end of the world 🙂

[@beepneldo]

Event photography is really a risky thing to do with the X-T5. Many shots are just fine, but you can never be quite sure. And better hope nothing important happens spontaneously. From what I’ve heard the only improvement for stills in the November 2024 firmware is a fix for the tracking box (focus went to something closer near the box). But nothing in terms of tracking accuracy for moving subjects or fast focus acquisition from far to close distance.

[@JakeChambersOy]

That's also my main gripe with the X-T5. Even after downgrading twice to v2.10 which made it better but still not to the point where I would feel very confident. My solution is to overshoot, which makes culling more tedious after the fact.

[@calokid]

I feel the saaaaaaaaame way. Love my X-T5, I tried Sony once, I want the camera focus to be at least good enough to be a non-issue. I chose the X-T series because I loved having the triangle under my control. I thought I'd shoot more and I definitely did and mostly in manual. It has been wonderful....but AF-C? ...and the mobile app... They make me really think. Also, I am starting to wonder how possible tariffs will affect prices, (meaning it could be time to make up my mind one last time before the GAS musical chairs game becomes too expensive to even entertain)...

[@Mr7Poz]

Hey Moe, I have had the XE2, XPro1, XH1, XT3, XH2. Long story short, the XH1 was my favorite, but I wanted higher IQ. I still have my XT3 and it's great, but no IBIS, autofocus ok...ish. The XH2 is the best of all the previously mentioned. The autofocus upgrade is better than XT3 in video mode. So they have improved. The features are pretty amazing, and I love the PASM dial. I don't miss the ISO button at all. Having said that, I do very simple/talking head pro video work. don't shoot stills professionnally. If I wanted to up my game I would get Sony. The new menu is much better than it used to be. Fuji just doesn't cut it professionally as a reliable workhorse.

[@charliejg]

Ha! First world problems for sure... I'm still using my X-T3 and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Have a great Monday Moe!!

[@hasenmyer]

I keep a few Fuji lenses in my cabinet just in case they get it together. I haven’t had a Fuji body in awhile. I’m hopeful they will get the AF issues solves

[@MoeMorales]

@@hasenmyer sad. I already have my “keeper” lenses selected.

[@hasenmyer]

@@MoeMorales what’s sad is their production is such a mess I HAVE to keep my 27 2.8 b/c it was/is such a PITA to get ahold of one. Fuji as a company has some serious issues

[@MoeMorales]

@@hasenmyeragreed. Inventory, quality, assurance, auto focus, etc., etc.. yet I keep coming back. May just end with an x100f and a sony.

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

Always good to see you sobrino. Here’s my dos centavos, I’m still using the X-T4 (for the past four years) with many lenses, both primes and zooms (all Fuji native lenses) and I don’t have any focusing issues, you’ve seen my photos so you know that I don’t shoot portraits, it’s mainly iguanas and street “stuff”, could it be that it’s because I always shoot between f/8 and f/11? I have to add that I never did any firmware upgrades, when I got the camera I took it out of the box and started using it just the way it was set at the factory, I am one of those people that believe that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. How come PJ only did a cameo appearance?

[@MoeMorales]

You are living la vida mas fina. lol. Pj was tired. 😪

[@Mr7Poz]

Fujis are the best for exactly what you are doing.

[@WelcometotheJones]

I totally get what you’re saying. I love my Fuji xt5 and xh2s, but I’d be lying if I say I don’t miss my Canon gear/results. I quickly remind myself of the reasons I left Canon. I grew tired of having to take a second mortgage to buy gear(no not really but you get the point). I truly believe Fuji can’t figure autofocus out! If they could they would & would totally do it. I’m not sure what we do, rent a camera for your upcoming shot? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@MoeMorales]

Thanks Anthony. I agree and understand where you are coming from…I never got a Mirrorless Canon because of the lack of 3rd party. But maybe Christmas will bring an old friend back into the mix. Whether Sony or Nikon.

[@Mr7Poz]

Yeah, I don't think they can fix it.

[@NeilMcAliece]

I switched from XT2 to XH2 and was a bit uncomfortable going back to the PASM control scheme. Some things are faster to operate on the XH2 and quick access to the custom modes on a dial is nice. On the other hand I miss the XT style exposure compensation dial. When I started picking up more paid work, I grabbed a XT5 as a second body. This wasn't because I hated the control scheme of the XH2, but it would have been boring to own 2 of exactly the same camera bodies. I shoot with both on a harness at different focal lengths for events and have got used to going quickly back and forth. If I'm taking a camera out for personal use, it's the XT5, unless I'm taking out the 600mm lens for birds and wildlife. Re the autofocus, it's been incredibly frustrating that they've left users with worse than release firmware for so long. I've been watching reviews of the 7.1 firmware on the XH2 and XH2S and maybe they've fixed it. I'll probably upgrade the XH2 this weekend and play with it. I've been able to work around the autofocus issues for the most part (eg flicking from AFC to S when it does something really dumb)

[@Mr7Poz]

It's much better. (in video mode). Let me know about stills mode, mine doesn't focus, only tracks.

[@andrescruz9448]

I wouldn't expect any "solutions" by the end of the year, more like early spring and even then they wont be improvements -more like reverting back to earlier firmwares

[@edduffy9366]

Fujifilm has had this problem forever. I had the XT5 and loved the camera, but autofocus has always been Fujifilm’s weakness. I noticed the same issue on my XT5. I just picked up a Nikon Z8 and it has no such issue. Good video.

[@MoeMorales]

Thanks Ed. Z8 would be overkill for me but it is a beautiful powerhouse

[@stevegodsell]

Interesting vid Moe. I've been with Fuji for a while after being a long time user of Canon then briefly Olympus. But settled on older XT's because Fuji don't seem to be messing around with the firmware any more.

[@mmiranda586]

And what’s your opinion about AF of xt50? Improved respect xt5?

[@MoeMorales]

I already sold it due to inconsistency.

[@cameraman655]

I don't know, like many long-time Fuji shooters, I feel somewhat betrayed. Not so much of the failures of the previous updates, but the fact they never really acknowledged those issues, at least not in a sincere way. Perhaps it’s the Japanese culture and the idea of losing face might be unbearable for some. I left Canon after 35 years in 2015 as I left the News biz and frankly, I was burning out. I discovered Fuji a few months later and was rejuvenated, my dials were back, and lenses with actual f-stop rings, I had come home and until now, never looked back. I still shoot professionally, with various publications here in Texas as well as stock, editorial, and so on… Going in, I knew that Fuji had some limitations but I assumed that they would grow, expanding their brand….Looks like I assumed wrong. Like you, I am an X-T5 user, alongside an X-PRO 3/2, X-T3, and X-E2s, and like you, I felt no connection to the X-H2 series, I rented both for testing, probably the most un-Fuji, Fuji camera made to date. The X-T5 version of this update is rumored to be released sometime next month. With the mixed reports I am reading and hearing, I am not that optimistic. But we shall see. Nikon looks like a possibility (Oh, wow…a former Canon shooter of 35 years considering defecting to Nikon, God help me….) with the retro Zf, looks impressive on first glance, but being a 1 card slot rig….pass! I will probably tough it out with Fuji until something better (that I want) comes along

[@MoeMorales]

Well said. Thank you for validating what I thought was me overreacting. I wonder if I could go back home to Nikon… or just keep looking for something like sony or an X-T3!?

[@mlseawell]

I shoot mostly landscapes but over the last couple of years more street photography in little Ogden Utah. It doesn't bother me so much BUT my living doesn't depend on photography. If it did I would be very concerned about my autofocus. Fuji needs to fix this or lose customers. I think the X-T6 will resolve this issue but please fix my X-T5

[@darkfeign]

There's supposed to be a follow up firmware for X-T5

[@JuanKis]

Hey Moe, I was in your shoes, having two systems X-T5 and A7 IV. I love Fuji Color's and JPEG's when I travel. But I hate the false focus and a ton of out of focus photos. I do events, weddings and portraits. I decided to use SONY for paid gigs and Fuji for travel and personal stuff. I decided to sell all my Fuji stuff as I have a lot of gear "just for fun". What I would do for your big coming gig is: 1) Overshoot and don't use Continuous focus, just do single and press the shutter to focus every time. 2) Don't shoot wide open, our customers don't care or know what is a shallow depth of field. 3) if you are shooting indoor in a dark place use a couple extra flashes bouncing to the ceiling, of the ceiling has a weird color, do custom WB. I think is to risky going with a different system being too close. Oh! And as extra safe option, take as a second shooter to your buddy Omar.😂 Best of luck, everything will be great.

[@robmcd]

We really need Omar to use his standing for good. I’ve unfollowed so many channels out of disgust.

[@wymanair]

Rent for the event. Yes, that might mean the event may be a financial net loss, but I think the maintenance of your reputation and the reliability of af-c on an alternative system you are already familiar with…. I think that stress relief is a net positive. My opinion 🤷‍♂️

[@TexpatOTG]

I use Sony. I know it's 'idiot'syncracies. Don't want to waste time learning a new brand. I also only drive Honda motorcycles. Resistant to change. Cheers

[@meyou58]

Fuji dropped the ball on their autofocus and have yet to fix the issue with the latest firmware. I too am totally disappointed and frustrated in not even hearing a word about an upcoming update for the X-T5. I have the X-H2 , X-T5 and X-T4 and can't believe how Fuji failed the customers with an unreliable autofocus.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

TIp put in AF-S Pick one eye - it means it won't jump Up the shutter speed a bit LM lenses are better Use continuous Low not high Back button focus - I have shot one wedding with my XT5 with the current firmware and the miss rate was about 30% but I use the settings. I also used sensitivity number four which did help a bit as well but they are saying they are going to fix it by the end of the year. I now have a GFX 100s II and that thing does not miss at all it might be slightly slower than the XT5 but not by much but it does not miss the eye focus and I can tell you one thing. I will not be upgrading the firmware with that camera.

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

I can't believe their focusing is still so bad. It's really been years. Is it somehow related to the XTrans? All other cams seem to have better AF. Even when Pany was said to have issues, I thought, WOW it's still better than my Fuji's.

[@nativestrong7253]

X-T5 is the photography Fuji camera that plays with video. Need the X-H2s for video centric updates.

[@frankwong9486]

Message from Photographers who take photos before AF invented: switch to MF and be confident !

[@souvik8335]

Try Nikon zf.

[@markyteo]

To be honest, i was sucked in by the whole "kaizen" philosophy and then realized that that's just a marketing hype. The xt20 and xs10, both of which i gotten rid of has cost me many shots so i said goodbye to them eventually. Today, every other cameras I've used, old and new, has been superior or no worse than the Fujifilm cameras in terms of autofocus. And this includes the Pentax Q, Olympus E-PM1 and even the nikon V1.

[@brianw6645]

You are right to be concerned. I was a long time Fuji shooter and sold my XH2S in June of this year to buy a Z8. Even after this latest FW update, it feels as if they will never get their stuff together. I don't regret the switch. If you like Sony, you should go back.

[@jakesdewet3567]

To be honest, this song is really getting outdated. I and many others who use Fuji for serious work tend to find the AF system working perfectly well. I have a Sony A1 and Nikon Z8. I have the Fuji XH2s and XT4. The fuji AF system has its shortcomings but mostly around customisation. With Sony and Nikon, I can set-up, so I have 4-5 focus options dedicated to a specific button. With Fuji I am limited and have to change focus are of settings every time. With the Z8 I have one button set-up on single focus point that I use to set initial focus then press the zone are to change over to tracking, Fuji does not offer this, so I use a small single point to lock an and then have to change the focus are to a bigger area to track more effectively. So often trapped having to use the least effective option to engage the subject. Spend time getting the speed and acquisition settings right and your keeper rate improves. This is easy to fix. Nikon does this through firmware updates and works fantastic. Sony does no firmware updates and when they do you end up with dead sheep. for the money you pay for Sony and the after service upgrading the bodies is non-existent. You have to wait for the next $6500 body to get the upgrade. I have shot Nikon for 40 yrs and still do, trust me the Nikon Mirrorless AF system has it's own challenges. so before you moan go compare price points. If you are prepared to pay the big money for a Z9/8 Ai. A9iii, yes you get better.

[@ourtvchannel]

It's not outdated. I got the XM5 last week, and it's crap at autofocus. Unusable as a video camera despite claiming to be yet another vlogging camera. I am concerned.

[@MoeMorales]

hey Jake. The issue here, at least with me, is I have been using a camera for a certain way for over a year and 1/2 now a firmware update has surfaced an issue I didn’t have before. I will retrain my approach but should I have to? No one is moaning here. Voicing a concern isn’t moaning. Your gear alone tells me we aren’t in the same class. I am a simpler photographer mostly hobbyist these days. And had a system that worked as is. That changed. I said I sticking with it for now as in I will be adjusting my technique. I appreciate your input and hopes it helps others. Thank you Jake.