Fujifilm X-M5 Reviews: “Autofocus is Way Better than What YouTube Has Been Talking About”

Petapixel reviewed the Fujifilm X-M5. Regarding Autofocus they say:

  • comparing to Canon EOS R10, because that’s one of their favorite cameras as far as autofocus on APS-C goes at the same price
  • not quite the same hit rate of the Canon, but actually surprisingly close
  • in this price range there is nothing out there that gives you 10 bit, Log recording with 6.2K open gate
  • pre-production X-M5 had issue with focusing on the background. Production sample is much better but it can still be an issue
  • overheating: impressing performance for such a small camera body. And you can even use the Fan accessory for even better performance. Extremely impressive
  • probably the most capable video camera at that price

More reviews below.

AF Better than What YouTube is Talking About?

The first of Pav SZ looks actually very good in terms of Autofocus.

You can see the X-M5 keeps tracking the subject even when other people enter the frame. It had a few occasions in which the person turned around and it focused on the shoulder instead of the back of the head.

But as we reported and you can see here, also the Sony A1II (which costs $6,500) exhibits the same uncertainty every now and then. So if a $6,500 Sony camera can mistake a shoulder for an eye, then also the $800 X-M5 should be allowed to do that rarely.

Godwin Isaac (video below), was a bit worried about the X-M5 autofocus, given all the autofocus sh*tstorm YouTube is throwing on Fujifilm autofocus. But he says “autofocus is way better than what YouTube is talking about“.

So why is that? Why are so many people happy with the autofocus?

Pav SZ says that if you use it in real life shooting conditions, it will work just fine. But if you set it up for failure in rather tricky and unrealistic test conditions, it might struggle more than in real life use. So that’s his theory.

I Remain Utterly Disappointed ;)

My position remains unchanged: even in the most ridiculous never to happen absurd and unrealistic test conditions, I want Fujifilm cameras to never fail once. I will always be utterly disappointed if in a nonsense test Fujifilm cameras hunt for a fraction of a second. ;)

Of course I am exaggerating. But the truth is I believe there is still room for improvement, and Fujifilm has to work on it. And I am not kidding here: it’s paramount that they keep working on it. Clean up your code, get the algorithm right. And we have actually shared an article which shows in which areas Fujifilm needs to improve (and can improve, since they got it right with other cameras already):

Even more reviews below.

Video Reviews

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Fujifilm X-H2S (7.10) vs Sony A6700 Autofocus Video Comparison

Fujifilm has released the new firmware for X-H2S, X-H2 and GFX100II. We have covered it already in earlier articles:

And while they all agree it is workable again, FujiRumors has shared also two videos of Edvard, which show in which areas there are still improvements to be done. Especially his findings about the X-T3 should be taken into consideration by Fujifilm. But I refer you to this article.

Now we have, for the first time, a direct side by side comparison between Fujifilm X-H2S with firmware 7.10 vs the Sony A6700.

It has been made by Sony and Fujifilm shooter photorabz using the Sigma 16mmF1.4 APS-C lens as as well as the Brightin Star 50mm F1.4 (he owns both versions, one of E mount and one for X mount).

He also tested the X-H2S with the Viltrox 75mmF1.2 outside for a shoot (stills and video) in real world conditions, where the autofocus performed much better than with firmware 7.00.

Sony A6700 vs Fujifilm X-H2S head to head:

the results are surprisingly good for Fujifilm. I really loved how the autofocus on the Fuji worked during this comparison. Sony cameras have one of the best autofocus systems out there, but now the Fujifilm is not bad all. This comparison test made me more confident to take the Fujifilm again for professional work.

Take this as one more of the many feedbacks we got in these days.

My position remains the same: it’s true that it is workable again and you can go back to work confidently again with Fujfilm gear, but it is also true that the work is not yet finished and there is room for further improvements, which is why in my previous coverage I highlighted in the headline as well as in the intro the findings that Edvard made, which I think are valuable feedback for Fujifilm.

Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 Review by ePz: “Amazingly Light, Fast and Whisper Quiet Autofocus, Excellent Sharpness, Smooth Bokeh”

ePhotozine has published its Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR review.

It’s overall a fantastic lens with the only real negative being its high price. I will share the conclusions below and the full review can be read here.

It’s moderately compact, but amazingly light and easy to handle, reaching out to distant subjects with its 500mm (762mm-equivalent) pulling power. This brings all those small birds and mammals into range, although for some wildlife it may be a little too long for larger mammals and shorter ranges. This is the master of long range photography for Fuji X users, and the results are beautiful. Add one of the Teleconverters and the closest focusing point does not change, so the magnification increases and that long range power pulls even more into our repertoire. There is a price tag, but the results are great and there are few lenses with such a long focal length that can even approach the versatility and ease of use. Highly recommended.

Pros

  • Excellent sharpness
  • Extremely light for its length
  • Low CA
  • Lovely smooth bokeh
  • Weather resistant
  • Fast, accurate and whisper quiet AF
  • Close focusing
  • 5.5 stops OIS
  • Superb flare control

Cons

  • High price

Pre-Orders

[UPDATED] Fujifilm Autofocus Feedback: Mostly Positive and The Curious Case of the X-T3 (or the Root of All Autofocus Issues?)

Time for another autofocus test roundup (see part 1 here).

I will include several videos, including the one of Edvard, who shares interesting findings about the X-T3 which potentially shows where the AF issues with Fujifilm started.

Summing Up All Videos – tl;dr version

  • everybody agrees that now autofocus is workable again, even Edvard
  • some got better results than others, I guess based on use case, testing scenario and settings
  • Adan in “video 7” for example is very impressed and applauds Fujifilm for the improvement and says he is confident to use it now for his professional video work
  • others aknowledge the improvement, say it is something you can rely on for work, but highlight it is not yet at the level of top tier AF of other brands
  • Edvard is the most critical and I will share his findings below (with some interesting findings)
  • UPDATE: Edvard published a second video, which I share below with his main findings
  • there is still room for improvement (and looking at Edvard’s video some of the improvements could be achieved by using parts of the algorithm used on X-T3 firmware 3.00/3.30)
  • and finally… Thierry in Video 1 has simply one of the most beautiful settings and light to record a video (I know it’s unreleated, but I appreciate it when photographers try to give us also a great scenery ;))

My take:

Having a usable and workable autofocus is nice. This takes away stress for those, who rely on autofocus for work.

And that it is workable has been now confirmed by the very same people, who made very harsh videos against Fujfilm in the last few months. So there is no bias there.

My fear:

Most reviewers seem to be overall pleased and happy. But the error the Fujifilm engineers could do now, is to consider the autofocus chapter closed. There is still work to do, and maybe some feedback they get today from these videos can help them to improve further.

Read for it?

Below I will share a couple of videos. I could ignore the postiive feedback, but I think it has just as much reason to exist as negative feedback.

What FujiRumors can do is just to share it all to give you the most comprehensive overview possible.

My personal experience?

Well, none. Because I am still waiting for my X-T5 to get the update, but my X-T5 has so far shot 0 seconds of video in its entire life so I would not be able to compare it to how it was before.

What the April firmware broke, though, was the stills side of it. It did fail on me when shooting still standing people. But the June firmware fixed that, so now I have no issue in taking family pictures.

But don’t ask me for video… my X-T5 does not even know it has this option.

Video 1

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F-Log2 C vs F-Log2 Tested and LUT File for F-LOG2 C Available

Fujifilm just launched the new F-LOG2 C, which gives you wider color gamut over F-Log2.

It has been made available to Fujifilm X-H2, X-H2S and GFX100 II via the latest firmware update.

F-Log2 C 3D-LUT file / F-Log2 C IDT file / F-Log2 C Data sheet

Last updated: 11.21.2024
F-Log2 C LUT_E_Ver.1.00.zip [2.33MB]
*Decompress the “F-Log_LUT２_E_Ver.1.07.zip” file and launch “.cube” file from a movie editor.

Last updated: 11.21.2024
F-Log2 C_IDT_Ver.1.00.zip[4.0KB]

Last updated: 11.21.2024
F-Log2 C_DataSheet_E_Ver.1.0.pdf [88KB]

Below I’ll share a two videos comparing F-Log 2 C with F-Log 2.

First video: we can see that F-Log2 C gives a slightly less saturated look and especially in the orange/red tones are more true to life, which results also in more accurate and pleasing skin tones. He calls F-Log2C a “Gamechanger” in his video headline.

Second video: it’s also testing the new firmware (with Fringer adapter)  in addition to comparing F-Log. In the comments somebody said:

Maan finally the annoying focus pulsing is almost gone… I can’t believe that our cameras were broken for so long!
Thank you for this video!
The skin tones look amazing in FLogC imo.

F-Log2 C looks to be a welcome addition for videographers.

F-Log2C Videos (+ Autofocus)

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