More New Fujifilm Firmware Autofocus Tests: From “My Nikon Z8 Can’t Manage This” to “Usable but Not Yet Perfect”

Thierry Gibralta

Thierry Gibralta shared a follow up autofocus test video which you can see above. I will provide a quick summary, but seeing with your own eyes is always the best option.

  • VIDEO AUTOFOCUS
  • previously constantly pulsing and hunting. Now much less pulsing. Overall for static talking had the X-H2S video AF can be used now
  • walking away and towards the camera, the AF overall sticks to the person. When walking away, it can lose focus for a second or two, but that’s not relevant for his work, because he does not need to film people who walk away from the camera. Focus is not really smooth, there are some steps in the focus, but it is still for sure usable footage. A client would not really notice those AF steps.
  • when running towards the camera, the AF steps are more visible
  • when moving around with frequent turns, with eye AF, as long as the distance does not change too much it is good. If distance changes a lot and if you move out of the frame and then back, the focus can have a hard time. But with face detection he did not have this issue, so if you shoot people dancing, better use face detection
  • in the past, when people passed by in the background, the AF would jump to the person passing by. With new firmware, eye/face detection did not get distracted by people passing by. He tested it with people passing behind and in front of the camera, and it would occasionally lose him, especially if he placed himself on the very side of the frame. If he stays in the center, the camera usually picked him up. But if you are on the side of the frame, it can jump to a person more in the center of the frame
  • camera on the table with objects on the table and camera moved to focus on one object or the other. Multi Mode without subject detection. This gives the biggest problems. The camera did not detect the objects close to it on the table. Multi without subject detection is the worst performing
  • STILLS AUTOFOCUS
  • tracking is working very well and most pictures are in focus (people walking around and on bycicles)
  • success rate is pretty good
  • not perfect. he had instances like tracking a person on a bicycle but then the AF jumped to 2 kids walking by nearby
  • CONCLUSION
  • Autofocus is drastically improved over previous firmware
  • It is not perfect
  • for his work (wedding etc) and what he does, now he can use it for his work
  • he’d like smoother focus transitions and eliminate the times it jumps to another person. Also Multi mode with no subject detection should be improved

Orsonneke1

Orsonneke1 says on dpreview:

I have been testing the latest firmware on the XH 2 wide open on my bordie.

My dog is a good and difficult subject to test focus performance.In the past quite some miss focus on the nostrils , black-white high contrast transition zones.

Even when eyes almost closed and the eyes being surrounded by black fur, the AF performance is now very good! Using the XF 50/1 wide open here with good results, is quite an achievement!

My Nikon Z8 cannot manage this!!

Andrea Cimini

Andrea Cimini was very critical about the mess with Fujifilm’s AF. Now he tested the new version, especially for stills photography tracking mountain-bikers jumping and racing around, side by side with an X-H2S with older firmware.

Conditions: 20fps, strong backlight, electronic shutter, biker racing.

  • with face detection
  • old firmware 93% hit rate (perfectly super sharp images)
  • new firwmare 98% hit rate (perfectly super sharp images)
  • with subject detection
  • old firmware 95% hit rate (the ones not in focus are totally out of focus, NOTHING was in focus at all)
  • new firwmare 99% to 100% hit rate (the totally out of focus does not happen anymore. It can focus on something else)
  • with car/bike detection
  • old firmware: 87% in focus
  • new firmware: 93% in focus
    NOTE: the new firwmare started tracking the subject from more far away compared to the new firmware
  • using wide tracking (not subject detection, but you put the focus box on anything and it will keep tracking it)
  • condition: biker suddenly appearing in the frame
  • old firmware: 85% in focus
  • new firmware:  96% in focus
  • Conclusions so far
  • it’s not at level of competition, but the autofocus is usable again
  • now he feels a bit safer and he can go shooting an assignement without fear
  • electronic shutter gives better results. With mechanical shutter the percentage drops by 10% (at 20fps)

To make it clear: while there was an improvement, for his type of (very challenging) sports shooting conditions (bikers racing inside forests), he thinks Fujifilm must improve even further. But it is workable again.

DPReview Fujifilm X-T3 Review: “Arguably the Best Stills/Video Camera on the Market Right Now” – GOLD AWARD

Fujifilm X-T3 Review

DRPeview just published their full Fujifilm X-T3 review, and it snaps the gold award with an overall score of 88% (the Sony A7III has an overall score of 89%).

It easily beats the Sony A6500, autofocus is improved a lot, although eye AF on Sony is still better. The Nikon D500 would still be their favorite choice for sports photography, but overall the Fujifilm X-T3 is the better choice.

Compared to the Sony A7III they say:

“Putting up more fierce competition is the Sony a7 III which, for a few hundred dollars more, offers the step up in image quality that full-frame can bring, as well as in-body image stabilization and a larger grip. The X-T3 is arguably nicer to shoot and actually out-performs the 8-bit video of the Sony but it can’t compete with its image quality or fully match the Sony’s AF performance. However, the Fujifilm is less expensive and smaller, especially if you factor in the lenses you might want, so it depends on your priorities.”

What we like What we don’t
  • Excellent stills image quality in both JPEG and Raw
  • Impressive 10-bit 4K video capture
  • Traditional dial-based controls with good level of customization
  • Fast, configurable autofocus
  • Rapid shooting with decent buffer
  • Option for separate stills and video exposure settings
  • Effective eye detection system (though not up to Sony Eye AF standard)
  • Eterna color mode great if you don’t want to have to grade your footage
  • 10-bit Log capture (even at 60p) great if you do
  • Includes both headphone and mic sockets
  • Bluetooth makes connecting to a phone easier
  • Viewfinder nicely detailed
  • Dual-hinged screen is highly versatile
  • USB charging is convenient
  • Slightly higher noise levels at very high ISOs than its predecessor
  • Some lenses can’t take full advantage of X-T3’s AF speeds
  • Very quick to drop to a slower, darker preview mode (presumably to save battery)
  • A tripod or gimbal is needed to get the best of the camera’s video
  • No way to quickly toggle Face Detection
  • No non-face subject tracking in video

Check out the full review at dpreview here.

Fujifilm X-T3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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Mirrorless Sports Shootout: Tony Northrup Compares Fujifilm X-T3, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z7, Sony A7III, Sony A7RIII, Sony A9

Mirrorless Sports Shootout

Which one is the best mirrorless camera for sports between the Fujifilm X-T3, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z7, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III and Sony A9?

Tony Northrup tries to answer this in his latest review, and here is what he concludes, from the best to the worst.

Fujifilm X-T3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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1) Sony A9 – WINNER

  • 20 fps and with some lenses (such as the Sony GM 400mm F2.8) it can achieve 20 sharp images
  • no blackout
  • it’s very expenisve, so Tony would push people to Fujifilm X-T3, because it is so much cheaper and a great all around camera

2) Fujifilm X-T3 (with XF50-140) – 2nd PLACE

  • Tony’s favorite camera to use overall
  • 30 fps with no EVF blackout, but tacking tends to slow down to about 12 fps and only an average of 8.5 are in focus
  • tacking side to side is only OK, like the Sony
  • better than Sony A7III and A7rIII
  • APS-C, less DOF and more noise. He says Fujifilm can fix both this by releasing fast lenses (such as the XF200mmF2, which is full frame equivalent 300/2.8 [I add also the XF33mmF1.0]
  • amazing video camera

3) Sony A7R III

  • Very close to A7III
  • more megapixel allow you to crop more
  • workable subject tracking, but not very reliable

4) Sony A7 III

  • dual SD-card slot, but one is only USH-I, which does makes buffer slow
  • whole camera locks up while writing to buffer
  • 5.2 sharp images out of 8
  • better selection of native glass than Canon EOS R and Nikon Z7
  • 8fps on paper, but only 5 in focus on average
  • Sony is not well known for good weather sealing

5) Nikon Z7

  • effective 4 fps, but only 60% in focus, hence about same performance to Canon EOS R
  • impracticable user interface
  • stick with your D500 or D850, where AF works better
  • single SD-card slot

6) Canon EOS R

  • the worst
  • only 2.5 shots in focus
  • slow but accurate
  • no jostick
  • single card slot
  • you can adapt lots of long Canon glass, but focus is not as fast as when used on DSLR

Check out the full video at Tony & Chelsea Northrup Youtube

Fujifilm X-T3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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DPReview TV: Fujifilm X-T3 Review

Chris and Jordan from DPReview TV just published their full Fujifilm X-T3 review on the DPR youtube channel here. Some key points:

STILLS by Chris

  • X-T3 has 1/3rd stop better dynamic range over X-T2 at base ISO, but slightly worst at high ISO (a worthy trade-off for higher megapixel and full sensor PDAF)
  • Rolling shutter very good
  • Eye-Detect autofocus tracking is very good, but Sony still slightly higher hit rate.
  • by far the most capable Fujifilm focusing camera. Easily handle wedding, sports, wildlife etc.
  • Face detection can occasionally lock on something else, and not on face
  • You can’t toggle and select the face to track, if you have more faces in frame

I remind you that lab tests at Photonstophotos here, show that the X-T3 is slightly better dynamic range at base ISO as well as high ISO.

VIDEO by Jordan

  • Skin tones, colors and contrast are impressive
  • Video AF very reliable. Minimal wobbling
  • Jordan would like the ability to tab the subject on touch screen and camera starts tracking like Nikon Z7
  • Separate video/stills exposure if you use silent movie controls
  • 4K video is very clean and very sharp, does not look oversharpened
  • 120fps quality is very good, quite sharp. Less moiree and aliasing than Sony
  • image does not require much post processing
  • one of the strongest video mirrorless out there
  • He says Fuji should better come out with a Fujifilm X-H2 soon
  • X-T100 flippy screen would have been nice

CONCLUSION

  • Fujifilm X-T3 has significant upgrades
  • AF is really that much better
  • better EVF
  • can handle any kind of photography
  • only negative, is lack of IBIS
  • fantastic APS-C camera

Fujifilm X-T3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

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The Top Ten Things to Know about Fujifilm Instax Film – by Robert Hamm

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Guest post by Robert Hamm: RobertHammPhotography.com,  Youtube Channel

The Top Ten things to Know about Fujifilm Instax Film by Robert Hamm

A few months ago, my brother came to visit. It was a special time because I had not seen him in so long. He was also brought his three boys. Adding my two “little men” and myself to the party, our total soon grew to seven. Boy, were we rolling deep!

Humor aside, I wanted something special to document the occasion. Going out on a limb, I chose to photograph most his trip on the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 as well as Instax Mini film. I had to buy the system since I didn’t own the camera or the film. Thank goodness for price matchinI.

I did not know how capable the film and camera would turn out to be. After over 800 images, and a lot of research, here are the TOP Ten things I have learned:

#1: What Is Instax?

Fujifilm describes their Instax film as “…an ISO 800 credit-card-size integral daylight color film designed for use with Fujifilm Instax mini cameras. This glossy film yields superb results under both daylight and electronic flash conditions. Though small, its improved picture quality and greater ease of use make it ideal for snapshots and portraits. Furthermore, it’s easy to-file-and-carry size makes it an excellent choice for documentary or archival purposes, as well as a wide variety of other applications.”

#2: Who is it for?

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