DxO has launched DxO PhotoLab 8.

They strongly advertise the new DeepPRIME XD2s, but to my knowledge it does not work with Fujifilm X-Trans files. So please just be aware of that. UPDATE: in the video below Peter says that that support for X-Trans will come “in the near future”.

The standard DeepPRIME XD works, though, which does a great job with X-Trans files, so much so that DPReview recommends to make the default option for high ISO images on X-Trans files.

But the DxO PhotoLab 8 is not only about DeepPrime XD2s. There are other improvements you can read down below.

As always, software comes with a free trial period, so you can always check out the software for free and then decide if it’s something you want or not.

As you know, I was very annoyed with Adobe, so I switched to Capture One. And now I really dislike the Capture One policy. So I will download my 30 days free trial for DxO Photolab 8 and if I like it purchase the software myself.

• DxO PhotoLab 8
• DXO Film Pack 7*
  *needed in have access to Fujifilm film simulations profiles in DxO PhotoLab
• DxO PureRAW 4
• DxO Viewpoint
• Nik Collection
• DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD

Press Release

Blazer has just launched the new Blazer Apex 1.33x autofocus Full Frame Anamorphic Cine lenses, which will be available also for Fujifilm X Mount. The lenses are:

• BLAZAR APEX 35mm T1.8 1.33x
• BLAZAR APEX 50mm T1.8 1.33x

They did not unveil the pricing, but to CineD (video below) they say it will be “in line with our Blazar Remus lenses“. The lenses will be ready for Christmas.

These are the world’s first anamorphic AF lenses and it’s nice to see them coming also for X mount.

Stop Hating Film Simulations

When we posted the rumor about the Fujifilm X-M5 having the film simulation dial, there were again some who just snubbing the concept of using Fujifilm Film Simulation overall. For example here:

I’m the Maestro I shot RAW files and make art from them.

I get the point. Shooting RAW opens up lots of creative possibilities in post processing.

But here is the thing: Fujifilm Film Simulation are not necessarily intended to stop you from using RAW files, but they can be a helpful (and extremely time saving) starting point when editing your RAW files.

Here is a real life example from my own shooting experience.

When I shot my best friend’s wedding, I captured everything in RAW (+JPEG). Out of countless photos, I chose 129 to edit. My first step was setting the right vibe by adjusting the colors. Some images called for a vintage look (Classic Chrome), others needed vibrant colors with good skin tones (Astia), some looked best in black and white (Acros), and for tricky indoor lighting, ProNeg Standard or High worked perfectly.

Choosing the right Film Simulation in Capture One was quick and easy – just a few seconds per image – and then I could move on to other edits like cropping and sharpening. This made the color correction process fast and efficient, even with RAW files.

So, it’s a misconception that Film Simulations are only for JPEG shooters. They can speed up RAW editing significantly.

At the end of the day film simulations are just a tool that can be super helpful also for RAW shooters, if they want to save time editing. And of course they are a true blessing for JPEG shooters, as you get the best colors of any digital camera with just a click of a button… or a turn on the dial, if you use the X-T50 or the upcoming X-M5.

• Fujifilm Launches Dedicated Fujifilm Film Simulation Website
• Fujifilm X-E5 in 2025: The Perfect Dial is…? – VOTE

Viltrox has released firmware updates for a few X mount lenses.

But before I share the details, let me say this to Viltrox (who hopefully will read this, but probably not).

Dear Viltrox, your new firmware download page is a joke. It was already bad before, but you were able to make it even worst. Congratulations.

For fellow FR-readers: this is the Viltrox firmware page.

Check it every now and then, open up the page for your lens, and see if the firmware number has changed. If a new number is up, download the zip file, unpack it, open it and see what changes it brings. But beware: sometimes the details of the firmware change are written only in Chinese, so you better use machine translation to understand what the update brings.

Viltrox does not offer any way to be notified about changes, they do not write the date of firmware release on the page (except in rare cases, but also with completely wrong dates), nor do they list their firmware from newest to oldest.

Viltrox also won’t inform you on their social media about new firmware updates. At least not immediately. They might (if you are lucky) make a post on Instagram about new firmware at some point, but that post (if it comes) could be shared weeks if not months after the firmware had already been released.

That’s how things are right now. I hope they will improve the page and understand that good customer experience and service looks different.

Anyway, here are the firmware updates.

Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 ver. 1.0.2 – details here
1. Fixed the problem of lens deviating from the focus at close range at F1.7 aperture. (google translated)

Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II ver. 1.1.0 – details here
1. Adapt to X-T5 X-H2 X-H2S
2. Optimize AF-C speed