Is Your Fujifilm XH2s Failing You? Investigating the Auto Focus Issue Caused by Firmware 5.01 Update
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- Hi, I'm Tom Wright,
Fujifilm makes amazing cameras, but since the firmware update 3.0, I've been having some focus issues. This video describes the problems and what it means for my recommendations to photographers looking for a new camera.
Let me know in the comments what you think; I'd love to know!
00:00 - Opening Statement
00:03 - What's the Problem?
00:21 - Tracking but not Focusing
02:11 - Has the 5.0 Firmware Fixed it?
03:22 - Are you leaving Fujifilm?
05:11 - Is it just your cameras?
05:25 - Dear Fujifilm
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HAVE WE MET?
Hey, I'm Tom Wright. I'm a photographer, videographer, and educator. I offer consultancy and guided development for established pro photographers. I make videos about gear, tech issues, workflows and share episodes from my Photographer's Coffee Morning podcast.
MY KEY LINKS
🌍 My website / blog - workflowbytomw.com/
📸 Instagram - / bytomw
🎙️Photographers Coffee Morning Playlist - • About Creative Experience
#fujifilm #fujifilmfirmware #fujifilmcamera #photographylovers
For those asking the 5.02 firmware update doesn't change anything in terms of autofocus and you can't rollback firmware on a Fujifilm camera.
Thank you for trying it and reporting back
Recently, Fujifilm launched a FAQ with the recommended settings to get accurate focus. Did you tried this?
Yes, fw 5.02 still has the same problem. I often experience problems in AF-S mode with autofocus error with my xf16-55 and some other lenses. So much time has passed since the release of H2s and can't Fujifilm fix this bug? Terrible treatment of their customers... :(
There’s a new firmware 5.03 out today. Seems to be better, I hope you get the same experience
There’s a new firmware 5.03 and seems to a little better although no mention of it improving on face tracking.
I love that you took the time to make this. Sometimes in forums/FB groups I reference your "why I switched" video when someone asks about switching from Canon to Fujifilm. Thanks for keeping things real and on the record. (I'm still going to send your video to people with questions, but it'll be accompanied by this one in the future)
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing it! Frankly I wish I didn't have to make this video because I really love the cameras outside of this issue.
I just don't want to have people buy into the system as it is now and be disappointed with the results.
Thank you!
Just started noticing my AF pulsing in and out of very easy situations, and this was the only video that confirmed my suspicions.
Heres hoping fuji fixes this soon!
I use an R5 for work, and the af comparison recently has been quite frustrating.
Initially the XH2s was just as reliable as the R5 and didn’t tend to lose its tracking as often. I’m sure Fuji will address this and honestly I’m not in a rush to jump ship.
Finally! Finally and finally! You are the best! Finally someone reporting how terrible this autofocus is! I guess you are one of the few youtubers not paid by fuji! I m so frustrated about this xh2s autofocus. It s unusable! I m using mostly for wildlife and 95 percent of the time the autofocus is behind the subject, even if it s not moving and the background is clean! Of course, the green box is always perfectly drawn around the subject eye! Yet, they came out with this 5 and 5.01 useless firmwares. I honestly don't care about the app compatibility, give me a 2500 dollars autofocus please! Great video! Ciao!
I’m glad you appreciated it.
For what it’s worth Fujis rep in the UK has confirmed this is a problem and has forwarded this to the team in Japan.
Let’s hope they can fix it.
Even if it takes a while the fact they care means a lot to me personally.
@@bytomw great! I hope they can fix it ASAP. As you said, at least make that square red. Although, having 90 percent of the time a red square wouldn't be nice, as well. 😂 I'm wondering if there are 2 types of camera out there: one with autofocus issues and one without. I remember when this model came out there were ppl complaining about the autofocus and ppl happy. The same situation is repeating now... 🤔
Have the same “behind the subject” focus on my xt5.
I went into the metadata and mapped everything out on the image, everything spot on, subject detection, bird, body boundary box, head boundary box, eye point, all perfect. The actual point of focus - on the ground behind the bird.
Fuji locally said send my camera and lens to them so they can check it out 🤷♂️
@@jonathantee1880 thanks for letting us know that it s not just an xh2s issue. I was thinking to give it away for an xt5... Honestly, I doubt it's an issue with your/my camera, since when I m not using their d umb ai it focuses correctly. But I may be wrong. A few TH-camr replied that they didn't experimented this issue, but I m not sure if they use the camera as I do. Definitely it s not a camera and sensor related problem since xt5 and xh2s have different sensors, right?
Wow this confirms what I’ve been going through when using my XH2-S. I felt as though the autofocus got worse and more jumpy with all of the updates and I was losing faith in its ability to consistently hit focus. I’m thankful I use this for more hybrid shooting and have the Sony FX30 where autofocus is a must. Appreciate the video 🙏🏽
I’m glad it was helpful! It’s getting more positive feedback than I expected.
Thank you for the update on the camera! After 9 years with my Lumix GX7, I currently look for a new camera and seriously considered this one. As I will predominantly use it for scenery and wildlife pictures, this is an issue for me in the latter case. Again, thank you for pointing this out!
I would love to see another short video if Fuji manages to fix the issue.
I’m glad it helped! I really love the XH2s but this has stopped me using it for some paid work.
I finally felt complete with my gear and felt that I had a camera that will carry me through my pro work for many many years to come. This is definitely something I hope they fix soon :(
I really doubt this is gonna stay an issue, even if the AF doesn't improve having the AF go back to notifying us when it's not in focus would be enough to make sure we work the problem until we know we have "the shot".
it's not ideal that way but it would be more workable than what we have.
hey @HVRIS what have you experienced in your own instances?
Mer too bro. Me too. Hope they fix this quick. Can’t imagine selling everything all over again
Thank You for your genuine feedback
Anytime. I hate having to post this in all honesty.
Fuji needs folks like you doing beta testing of firmware before they ship it. It's win-win. They get to release a better product and you get to have input on the quality and capability.
I’d love that. I absolutely love these cameras and want them to be the best they can be.
I wonder if there is far too much online pressure on camera companies to fix or improve something far too quickly, and we as consumers of the product keep whining that what we want is not coming quickly enough, pressuring manufacturers to release an update before it is fully tested and mature. In hindsight, I would rather they had taken a bit more time.
@@richardcarlson112 I’d say that seems likely in honesty, Fuji had slower tracking. People complained the tracking got faster at the expense of reliability.
It does seem like a forced error.
I’ve seen something similar with xh2 and 16-55. I now use af+mF and peaking to double check confirm after latest 5.01 firmware. As you said, tracking is fantastic. Right up there with the best from Sony and canon. But it’s the focusing to what has been tracked is the problem. It was much better imho with pre firmware 2 xh2s. One thing though that I really like, Fuji listens and is very responsive to critique. Our local Fuji ambassador said that they want photographers to see the xh2s and xh2 as not affordable viable alternatives to flagship full frame like canon r3, Nikon z9 , Sony a1.
I’m pretty sure we’ll shortly see a firmware update to at least bring it back to original firmware 1.x autofocus and firmware 5.0 tracking reliability.
Also agreed, I’m also waiting this out and working this out because I think the output from the Fuji is much nicer for my wedding work than the Sony a1 that I sold to move to Fuji. However my god do I miss the predictability of the a1 autofocus.
They are super responsive for sure! The Fuji rep for the UK already got in touch and said they have forwarded this video to the engineers in Japan.
Thanks for the testimony. I am an Italian user, I had to sell off my xh2s due to the AF problem with wide angle lenses. The famous update of 21 09 had not changed anything. I also have an XT4, and to get around the problem I have to shoot in MF with the AF button on to focus. Shameful. I only keep the xt4 so as not to sell off the set of lenses that I have purchased with sacrifice over the years. I find it even more shameful that almost all the reviews do not mention these defects. Crazy stuff. I recently purchased an om1, the af s runs like a dream. Thanks again for your testimony.
It's shocking isn't it? The frustrating thing is that this applies to any camera with the new "AI tracking system" from what I have experienced, this basically means that the tracking is useless to a photographer like me.
I'm pretty happy that they keep lauching new cameras though, it means cameras like the GFX 100 that don't have this "new improved tracking" are getting cheaper and I can grab a bargain :)
Thank you so much!!!!♡♡♡♡
Liked and subed.
Anytime.
Hey there, fellow Fuji professional user here. I have a couple things to say (that might help or not);
1) There is a disconnect between what you see on screen/evf and what you get. The absolute proof of this is using manual focus glass where you can see the system is still able to perform all the detecting AF stuff, its just we have a lens on that it can't drive to that focus point. But even their best LM lenses I think are not always able to 'catch up' to what the camera is seeing and detecting. I am not so convinced its algorithm based but just the nature of Fuji AF drive tech. So in many ways (and I think this is true to an extent of all brands) that what we see on screen is not the truth of the outcome, or to expect that outcome, with Fuji it might be the worst of the bunch for sure tho.
2) So what to do about this?
a) Well... I do a lot of orchestra shoots, dramas/plays, conferences, things where people are still but also content where movement is erratic. I use ES mode a lot (almost always unless affected by strobes/lighting) and I think it is a better for AF accuracy than MS, so that would be one of my suggestions, play around with the various shutter modes to see if things improve. Unlike FF cameras in ES mode our bokeh is not nearly as affected negatively, its practically indistinguishable. The strength of the XH2S is the ES mode with the stacked sensor, make it your default for practically every shoot and only bail into one of the other shutter modes when needed (you'll also save wear and tear on the MS).
b) Spam. I hate to say it but 10fps ES is my default, writing RAW to CFe and Jpg to UHS-II, I actually never hit the buffer and I can take 6000 shots in 3hrs! Now that seems like a lot, but when laid out in a library you can see from the thumbnail if the shot is worth working on or not. I click any image of that sequence and typically the first is fine, but if not I scour the rest (in that sequence) to find the best shot. My first cull wave took my keepers to 500, second cull wave 250, third 170, I lightly edited those 170 and handed over to the client, all within half a day. So what I am saying is you must give the AF system a little chance to catch up, and a high burst rate succeeds here (in combination with ES). In fact if you look at a lot of the reviewers of this camera and that insane 30-40fps burst in ES mode its like watching a movie and a lot of those burst shots are in focus, its just 30-40fps is overkill but for me 10fps is adequate for finding that shot with critical focus nailed with favorable expression. Public speaking events is HARD, a fella smiling on the street in favorable light should be easy.
c) Tweak the AF. The AF.C settings are there to be exploited, there are 5 presets all with different combination of configs for different scenarios, you also have a Custom slot to create your own should none of the 5 presets exactly fall into your kind of shooting parameters. I tend to use Set 3 for example.
Honestly I am a little surprised by this video if you're struggling in terms of just street shots in good light or whatever. The fact you didn't mention the AF.C settings perhaps means you haven't played with this part of the camera yet, too lazy too, or just wanted to keep the video short and not overly complicate your disappointment by adding this. I do get it, we live in a time where we want things to just 'work' immediately and right out of the box. I have learned that there is no perfect camera so to bend that camera more to your will can be time consuming. I've had to take my kids out into the garden and do various walking tests in different light and different combination of settings to see what was working best and resulted in the highest keeper count. It's boring to do, but I do find it necessary and it does make a difference. It's up to you, take some time with your Fuji and really try out and test some more, or just buy Canon. I am not a rich man so I tend to squeeze as much productivity out of my cameras as much as I can. Like you I am with Fuji for colours despite being constricted to APS-C and LR issues, and the AF is not at a Canon or Sony level (likely never will be), but I do feel like I am being supported and handheld enough with the work I do and deliver from the XH2S (on f/w 4.00 currently), AF is not a problem for me anymore and (being presumptuous) it looks like I am shooting in crappier lighting and conditions than yourself. I think if you take the time you can save yourself some $$ and get a higher keeper rate.
Good luck, I am subbed to you channel and enjoy your content. Looking forward to your LR vid.
EDIT: Oh also, as I finished this and started looking for more YT videos to watch I see one from a Canon R7 user, uploaded about 13hours ago, all about AF woes 🤣
Quite the opposite. I fully understand how the system works and the different settings available. The problem is that none of them make a blind bit of difference.
The only option I have is to massively overshoot and hope the images I actually want are the ones that some how manage to be in focus.
Either way it’s totally unacceptable for a flagship camera to require babysitting to perform at the same level as me just focusing manually.
@@bytomw I have found the settings to make a difference, especially in video, you can tell the AF.C to take its time shifting between the focus or doing so swiftly and promptly. Notable differences like this are apparent in Stills mode within the AF.C options (if you take the time to properly explore). You might also need to be in ES to appreciate these differences. There are also some other tools like Focus Limiter that might help (but I have not found that to be necessary). What would be nice is if Fuji allowed for rolling back firmware as it sounds like you were more content pre 3.00. Custom Modes are a wonderful thing, perhaps with patience you can find a AF.C config and settings that works for static daytime shooting with subjects well lit. Or... spend $$ on more equipment for certain tasks to complete your tool kit.
I really do sympathize with tech frustrations, my dream camera would be a Fuji full frame with Sony AF, but... its not going to happen, so I compromise with expectations (flagship or not).
I'm not saying that the AF settings do nothing (they absolutely do change the performance of the autofocus especially when it comes to smoothness) the problem is that it doesn't do anything in relation to this issue.
No matter how I set those focus case settings the camera still shows as being in focus when it isn't.
For what it's worth I don't need faster autofocus or for it to track flawlessly, all I want is for the camera to tell me that it's not focused so I can shoot for the shot I need and work the problem.
As is I'm left guessing and the "focus priority" AF mode will hunt indefinitely and completely miss entire scenes without making a single frame.
But genuinely I have tried to work the problem with basically every setting in the camera. None of the adjustments we can make tackle the fundamental issue. The camera says it's focused when it really isn't.
@bytomw By chance do you have AF+MF set to On? There is a known issue (finally addressed in the manual) whereby if you have this set to On then the AF system behaves in Focus Release instead of Focus Priority irrespective if you have set AF.S and AF.C to Focus Priority in the menu.
Also, another tip, AF.C gives 117 AF points whereas AF.S can give 400. 400 AF points gives way more accuracy, so if you're finding soft focus in AF.C it maybe because it cannot narrow down the accuracy enough. For your example shoot in the street with a relative static subject I would opt for AF.S workflow to help increase precision focus.
I have tried both and the performance has been identical set both ways. The footage has it turned off though.
I appreciate you're efforts here but honestly if I don't need AF-C I'm just going to shoot manual focus on the GFX, the image is just so much better I'd rather spend my energy on a system that's gonna hit harder than the X-H2s
After switching back to Sony from Fuji I’m now shooting half to a third of the amount of images I was before. I was waaaayyy overshooting because I knew I couldn’t count on things to be focused how I want.
I’m doing the same right now. 90 images on the GFX focused manually or 500 on the XH2s on the same shoot to cover the focus issues.
I am in the same boat. I have shot the X-T2/3/4 and recently I have missed a lot of shots. It is just harder to get the same results with Fuji so I will get a R6 II and combine it with my 5ds. Even the 5ds delivers better results in certain situations. I will keep my Fuji gear for slower paced stuff.
Absolutely agree with you. Recent updates up thru 5.02 has made my CAF unusable. It’s like the updates have made the camera defective.
It’s better if you don’t rely on the face or subject detection and tracking modes.
But that’s a dealbreaker for me.
After no word from Fuji for months I had to go back to canon. (And honestly I don’t love that)
Totally and it's funny. I turn off my bird ID CAF now, and poof, the perched birds come into focus. Then turn it on again, and the blurry, in focus, out of focus, searching starts up again. I'm going to start bugging Fuji customer service just for the fun of it, Lol. Thanks for the great video Tom!!
Thanks for your video Tom. I am sorry to hear of your experience. I have the XH2S and use it primarily for wildlife and nature. I have not had your problems with autofocus. In fact with the XF 150-600mm lens I have take some amazing photos of birds in flight in some difficult light situations. More than this is it the best video camera for wildlife that I have owned. Peter
I’m glad you’re having a good experience with the camera! Hopefully you never experience issues full stop. I agree on the video front for sure! Amazing camera.
I have this combo on firmware rev 1.0 both camera and lens and debating upgrading to the latest s/w upgrade.
Wondering if you'd be so kind to share if you use release or focus priority for AF-C?
@@user-xm4nw9jc5q Hello Tom, I use Focus priority for AF-C. Peter
Tom, thanks for posting this video. I'm sorry that you're having problems with the X-H2S AF system. My results are quite different, with the AF system being my primary reason for moving to this camera after renting one and testing the heck out of it. Our differences in results might come down to different subject matter, different settings, or a combination of the two. After watching this video a few times I'm convinced that it is most likely both, but we should talk about the settings that you're using.
Rather than waiting on Fujifilm to do something, why don't we try to work through it with some dialogue here so that you and your viewers can both benefit? I can arrange to test things out if necessary when I do my next shoot. My main assistant is working through lots of college work right now, but she should be soon available if we need her for trying things out.
Here is my experience with the camera. After many years of shooting Nikon I switched to the X-T4 because the Z6ii kept giving me mis-focuses on static portrait subjects, even in bright light, and even after I watched a ton of videos on its AF system and tried every setting under the sun. The X-T4 was great with the static subjects under nearly any lighting conditions, but gave the same tracking hit rate in testing with my assistant as the Z6ii (about 60-65%, highly repeatable, with a subject walking towards the camera). I bought a Lumix S 5II after seeing all of the reports of its great AF tracking, but rented an X-H2S to see if it worked with FW 3.0 before killing my finances with a system change. In testing (indoors, normal room light) S 5II tracking was very good, but the X-H2S tracking was near perfect, which shocked me. I ended up returning the S 5II and buying an X-H2S.
After getting the new Fuji I had AF issues with static portrait subjects, but that went away when I changed settings to Shutter AF OFF (so I'm back button focusing), AF-S, Single Point, and Eye AF on. Now all of my static headshots are sharp.
For the tracking tests with the new camera (not the rental) I shot an assistant walking at a normal pace towards the camera, then running straight at the camera, and then dancing in a pattern that went side-to-side. I'm an athlete portrait and dance photographer. The results were excellent. If we can email each other I will load up a gallery of the shots on my website for your review. I think there is a facility on here for getting in touch with other users, but I haven't used it yet.
We made several thousand images of my assistant, and I tried lots of settings to get the right combination for each movement. It took hours, but paying for the assistant and spending the time was well worth it. Let me know if this interests you. FWIW, I started out with FW 3.0 and now have FW 4.0. I will likely move to the new FW in the next couple of days.
Thanks for the detailed comment. I’m really glad you’re loving the system.
So far with the XH2s I have taken over 50,000 photographs and DAYS worth of video and honestly the issue isn’t if it’s possible for me to get an image in focus. It’s the ease and reliability of getting those results.
I own a GFX 50s and honestly for 95% of the situations I shoot the XH2s in i could easily get better results manually focusing that camera the files are wonderful and it rewards me for the extra effort.
The XH2s was my video body first and foremost and my “fast action” camera as a secondary consideration. I still love it for video and until this firmware I had built a practice around how that system worked until firmware 3.0 dropped and that method no longer produced results. That was months ago.
I have checked settings and adjusted on and between shoots and frankly nothing this camera does now gets close to the Canon system i camera from. Let me be clear, the canon loses tracking more often than the Fuji… but when it says it’s tracking it actually is locked on focus.
The Fuji shows focus and doesn’t actually have focus. No amount of adjustment of the AF-C focus case made a difference, switching to focus priority or release priority made no difference.
If the camera isn’t capable of showing accurate focus information or swings this dramatically in its focus’s operation firmware to firmware I’d say we have a problem that’s bigger than my use case.
I’m just gonna lean on my GFX more and rent cameras when I need focus accuracy in AF-C.
@@bytomw I understand. Sorry you're having trouble. Thanks for the response!
No trouble at all, it’s just ground I already covered prior to making the video! It’s clear your aim is to try and help/inform and I love that you took the time out to try and help!
The world needs more people like that 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@@bytomw Thanks, Tom!
Thanks so much for this review. I have one of these cameras and have not updated it to version 3. Would you recommend not updating?
100% I only experienced focus issues after making the update. If you can stay on 2.xx you're gonna be getting an amazing reliable camera!
It's interesting to see this video.
I have two Fuji xt-2's that I used for a number of years, they worked fine for a period of time. Then, after one firmware update, they started missing focus. Using single spot focus, I would place the box on the subject's eye and when I would review photos in the computer I found the focus had missed and back focused or front focused. Checking in camera review, it would indicate the focus point on the correct spot but focus would be way off. I did buy an xt-3 afterwards and haven't had trouble with it but I have never trusted them again to do professional work with. I switched to Nikon DSLR'S D500 & D850 for all my work since and have been cautious about committing to mirrorless since. This was also after foolishly investing in early Sony's, a7r and a7ii, that were hopeless at acquiring focus reliably, particularly in anything slightly challenging.
I was thinking about venturing into xh2 but have seen a few videos now showing focus problems.
Sorry...long rant 😂
No need to say sorry! It’s hard seeing an investment turn out to be a miss step.
I’m currently using a set of Canon R6 ii’s and frankly I’m happy as can be. They aren’t sexy but they are solid.
Mirrorless is one of the very moves I ever made. The Sony A7ii was my first mirrorless camera and for me the single point accuracy was amazing (although the AF sucked by every other metric).
@@bytomw The Canon's sound like a good way to go. I'll sell off all of my accumulated Fuji kit soon and probably venture down the Nikon route as I can adapt a few of my F mount lenses for the time being. Although the D850 & D500 have been super amazing, focus, colour etc, the mirrorless advantages are pretty great.
Thanks for the response and the video, it's all very interesting, sometimes frustrating and always expensive 😁
thank you ! i almost bought the xh2s today,
I’m glad I could help!
I have to try this out. I was recently shooting with my X-H2s for a video im working on. I was shooting some photos of my antsy kids. I've had the issue you are explaining with my X-S10 when I got it and even spoke about it in one of my reviews of the camera and people made it seem like it was user error on my part even though I knew the AF box was locked on the eye and on my subjects. I really hope they fix this issue. I didn recently get a sony A7 iV for situations where someone might pay me because I did shoot my first paid gig and I wasn't 100% happy with the focus on some of the pictures I took. My brother was my second shooter and he uses sony . I liked the pictures he got on his A7 IV and he sent me all the pictures he got they weren't 100 percent perfect but, he had a lot more usable shots than I did , unfortunately.
It's frustrating because for some reason people think that focus problems are user error far more often than they are.
The camera is telling me the scene is in focus, the screen isn't high enough resolution or large enough for me to judge accurately without zooming into an image so I trust the focus indicator.
I was shooting these test images next to my GFX manually focused and only missed images for focus (it's a simple situation) the XH2s missed about 50% of the images I made when shooting in bursts.
I'm not jumping ship. I love fujifilm and the images they make but I can't rely on this the way I'd need to so I'll have to add something to cover that gap.
It's a bummer.
@@bytomw I am in the same boat I don't think I'll ever jump ship. I love the Fuji colors. I will be making some videos talking about lenses and such and I hope this doesn't affect that too much. The X-H2s will remain my A cam for videos but, for paid photos I think I'll have to use my a7 IV.
And let's face it, that's a wonderful camera to use even if it isn't quite as "fun" as a fuji.
Hopefully they will fix it soon. My favourite YT Sony photographer tried the Fuji X-T5 2 months ago and recommended turning eye focus off and rely only on single point focus for best results.
The camera is rock solid if I treat it like it's a DSLR.
But if that's all I need I'll be using my GFX.
This camera was meant to be a flagship with the best AF-C and at launch it was solid if a little behind the competition on the tracking front.
@@bytomw Yeah i agree. I also saw a video from Iamtongue, he made a comparison 6 days ago of the latest firmware. It's really weird, because he has no problems at all with AF. :(
One pro photographer friend went back to DSLR. As an event photographer he missed the infrared beam from the flash. Front focus priority is sadly missed in mirrorless cameras. I agree that in some cases a DSLR is easier on the workflow.
I don’t think I’d personally go back to a DSLR but they are a really nice way to shoot with strobes!
Thank you for making this video, as I was just going to upgrade my two XT3 for a pair of these. I primarily use the Wide/Tracking with a small focus box in C-AF, so would that be affected by this issue? Or is it just affecting subject and eye detection? I've got the 50-140 and the 16-55, so switching to a new camera brand to avoid these issues and get that quality of lenses will be more than I've budgeted, which is a bit disheartening.
It's sadly all tracking modes, if you just used single point AF-S or AF-C with no tracking it was solid in my experience, but that's not how I shoot.
I can say I have been more than happy with my Canon R6ii, its' been super solid.
@@bytomw I appreciate the quick response! Will definitely take that into consideration
I took photos last year with a G9 of bees flying out of a flower. There were some very sharp pictures of the bees next to the flower. This year I tried to recreate this situation on the same plant with the X-H2s. I tried all the settings, AFC, AFS, subject detection on and off. I did not succeed at all in getting a flying bee next to the flower in focus.
Contacting Fuji service was very unpleasant, I think the technician thought I was too stupid to operate the X-H2s.
The highlight was when he told me that the Micro Four Thirds has a much greater depth of field than Fuji. Complete nonsense, I've seen photos like that on the net with flying insects next to flowers that were in focus.
So I asked him if such photos as with MFT are not possible because of the shallower depth of field of the crop sensor (which is nonsense, of course). He then said that he didn't mean that. I should now send photos of these attempts to the Fuji service.
Your experiences show me that I am not wrong, I am curious.
You’re not alone with your focus problems. I really hope Fuji fix this.
It’s true that micro 4/3 will give a greater depth of field at a similar FoV and aperture. Usually it’s about 1 stop. The difference between full frame to APS-C is about the same. (1.4 on MFT is a similar depth of field to F2 on APS-C or 2.8 on full frame if you matched framing and field of view)
That said I’m coming from full frame and medium format and shooting 1.4 and 1.2 lenses and it’s still far worse.
@@bytomw I am aware that MFT has a greater depth of field. But that wasn't the point at all, because simply no bee was in focus with the X-H2s, no matter how hard I tried.
Hey, thanks so much for the video, super helpful for those of us looking to make the move to the Fuji film XH2S, I was planning on picking up a Fuji film XH2 as a second body for stills alongside an XH to S, do you know if this issue also affects the XH2?
It’s a problem with every camera on the latest processor and with their newest tracking algorithm.
That means at least the XH2, XH2s and XT5.
Honestly I can’t recommend the system at all I’d you want to use tracking focus.
@@bytomw Such a damn shame - desperate to get away from my A7IV’s colour, I miss the character of my old XT4, but as a wedding hybrid shooter, I need AF performance 😭
I have an X-H2. I don't know if it is the same issue but have noticed if someone is walking, the camera tracks but 50% of my photos are not in focus. If the person is not walking around a lot, it's not an issue. I don't normally shoot while someone is moving a lot and really like the camera, so it is not a serious issue for me but I do hope it will be fixed soon.
Sounds like it is. The issues happen when either I have to move or the subject does.
Considering this camera is meant for sports it’s a little maddening that it won’t focus on someone standing. Fairly Still.
That’s interesting, i haven’t experienced this amd im using the 56mm f1.2wr which has a servo motor, I would revisit your settings, making sure your focus priority is on focus not release? & what focus custom setting?
The update has been out for months at this stage I have tested it in all the AF modes and Release priorities. It's massively underperforming in all of them, unless I switch to AF-S and as mentioned in the video I'd rather use the GFX in controlled situations.
@@bytomw ok I try it on my 33 see if it’s the same,
Been there. I used to be Fuji shooter, but mostly 'cause of AF (I shoot a lot of "action" pictures) I went to Sony. However when X-H2s was released I kinda went back to Fuji. I did like the camera a lot, but most of my pictures were back focused. Usually not by much, but still. That was with FW 3.0 I believe. So I went back to Sony.
Anyway, I really hope they'll come with a fix to AF, I would love to go back to Fuji. I've 0 problems with Sony at least for now, but there's just something I really love in Fuji images. But as long as camera is a tool for me I "have to" choose the one that I know delivers no matter what.
That's a pragmatic approach and honestly I can't argue with your choices. Sony make SOLID cameras and the AF is top notch.
Yes yes... I've got the same issue with my H2s, specifically, bird eye focus. Real time tracking looks promising, but the keeper rate is far lower than my expectations. The interim solution is to switch off eye tracking, but use the conventional subject tracking instead. You will get higher keeper rate with this settings.
That’s pretty much dead on. If you don’t want to track your subject it’s super solid.
100% correct. That is why I have Fuji and Sony cameras. I wish I could just have Fuji. The tracking is great on them and like you you have false confidence until you look at the images. The focus box and the point of focus are not the same. Very frustrating.
Totally agree with this one. It’s sad because they are lovely in so many other ways.
Sounds like me about the A7iv for sports. The box is on the face but actual focus is not.
Thank you for the video. Please excuse me if this question has been asked and answered already. Does this problem apply to video or just stills? Thank you very much.
It only effects subject tracking in stills in my experience although I don’t use my camera for complex tracking in video.
Always worth asking.
@@bytomw Thanks!
Good one Tom, I am a full time event photographer with a xh2s and pro lenses. The focus is good but not great. Example I shot 3000 images at a 15 hour conference and dinner. I delivered 800 images that were good. For no reason it goes out of focus. When working a room one shot in in and the next is out and back focused. ARRRR I have told Fuji and they will inspect the camera. I agree with you it is the firmware. Like you, I will keep the fuji till they fix it. The Fuji is a great system and I love the images when in focus. To change systems and lenses will cost $15,000 for a full pro kit with 2 bodies, ouch.
It’s more upsetting because I love the results so much when it hits.
Nothing has colour quite like these Fujis.
Having the same problem. I do events with my Fuji X-T2,3 and 4. The focus is so unreliable it is just frustrating. Oftentimes my old Canon 5ds is more reliable. Thinking about getting an Canon R6. Last time my X-T4 with 56mm 1.2 (mark 1) couldn't even get a persons face in focus though the person was not moving and it was broad daylight.
@@fffeuchtner the Canon 5ds is a cracking camera, like the Nikon d850 it just works. Friends who shoot with the Sony, Canon or Nikon don’t have problems with focus. The DSLR’s are loud with no eye detect but in 35 years of shooting I haven’t needed it. A DSLR is better in a studio at f8 200sec at a low iso the mirror less artificially brightens the scene and looks horrible.
Best to have one of each.
Happy shooting 🤘
And this is why, no matter what camera or lens I use, I always let others update theirs first and see if there is a problem. I am sure they will fix it. As for my autofocus and tracking..................... it's awesome. Camera manufacturers have buggered up software up dates on countless occasions, just roll back your update until they sort it.
In fairness this is not a recent update. It’s been 6 months since they launched the 3.0 firmware and I updated because they fixed a bunch of other bugs (like the EVF previewing an image 4 stops brighter than the set exposure when AF-C was engaged and actually allowing us to map iso to something other than the camera too button)
I take it you are seeing these problems even with the 5.00/01 updates.That's a shame.I'm not seeing it but my use will not be like yours.Must check this out again.Hope it's sorted Tom.Thankyou.
It's been an issue on every firmware since 3.0 and all these clips are from 5.1, Honestly I had hoped that the 5.0 firmware had fixed the problem but sadly no joy.
It's honestly a shame because I LOVE the X-H2s.
I'm currently having issue with my XH2 as well, its been the buggiest and out of focus Fujifilm camera I ever owned and Ive had six Fujifilm cameras since switching to Fujifilm. The XH2 has shaken my confidence as well as I still struggle to find a solution or work-around. I do hope they fix the focus issues because I'm sure its entirely software driven.
The best results I got with the XH2s after 3.0 was by not using tracking AF mondes. That means single point or zone focus only.
That said in the end it was pretty much unworkable so I just moved on to another system, video coming (although I have struggled to find time between client jobs).
@@bytomwThanks! So, they literally said theyre not going to fix it? Its crazy how they killed Fujifilm with two new cameras. I still use an XT4 and XE4 which work very well but was really hoping the XH2 was going to be the next level. Just this weekend I had it glitching on me while trying to focus on my subject, I would move the cursor to my subject and it kept moving it back over. It also explains why I keep getting blurry photos when the camera would focus on some off detail on the edge of the picture, in the background.
I'm debating between the A7R4 and the xh2s, I have read that in September Fuji released firmware version 5.03, I wonder if there is a critical fix for focus, I hope to get a reply from you, it's important for me to choose a camera, thanks!
I have mentioned this a tonne in other comments but as of today Fuji haven’t fixed this issue.
I’d choose and A7RV over the A7RIV even if it means saving for longer.
Just out of curiosity…..do you shoot with uv filter on? I have found that since buying the X T5 I get sharp images with no uv filter. Noticed firstly when I purchased the 150-600 fuji lens. Got a lot of missed focus in fact 247 out of 324. No uv almost perfect focus every time . Was the same with my 16-55 fuji.
I don't use an UV filter ever. For video I use ND filters, diffusion filters ETC but none of the examples shown have any kind of filtration.
(For what it's worth a dusty UV filter is essentially a diffusion filter.)
Diffusion filters absolutely reduce the efficiency of many AF systems and not just Fujis.
I’m having the exact same issues! After switching from the Canon R6 and R5 cameras due to their weight and wrist issues, Fujifilm lenses being much lighter, I’m very disappointed with the autofocusing. Being a wedding photographer you can’t miss moments, and I feel I have to buy another camera system, just as you said, to reliably capture those moments. I really hope they fix this soon! Also the low lighting capabilities aren’t nearly as good as Canon unfortunately. Unless you have any tips for that? :)
On the low light stuff there is no getting around it the smaller sensor means more noise at the same sensitivity as a full frame sensor. I never had an issue after de-noise in Lightroom though. That does an amazing job on Fuji files.
I love and have used fujifilm, but I also love images that I know every time I hit the shutter button, the image will be in focus. This is why I have recently gone back to Sony and now using the A1
I can see why. It’s still a beautiful image and the AF is industry leading.
Thanks for your honestly. As a canon shooter who loves fuji too, I am hopeful that they will sort this out. I’m curious, does the new firmware 5.03 help at all?
I have tested every update all the way to 5.02. The 5.03 firmware dropped Thursday but I haven’t been able to shoot with it yet.
Fuji have been in touch and haven’t let me know it’s fixed yet so I’m not holding my breath.
I’ll report back when I have a chance to test 👍
@@bytomw Understood. Thanks for flagging for Fuji and sharing with us all. 🍻
I AGREE!! Just got the new firmware update (Jan 22,2024) and it is still NOT focusing correctly. The focus box turns green that your subject is in focus - but when you look at the image after the shot, it is OOF (at least where the green box was saying was in focus). I have found if I push my AF -ON button on the back of the camera, the image is in focus - but unless this button pushed and held down, my image is OOF. I've had the camera for over 6 months - what a disappointment as I have been a Fuji shooter for 14 wonderful years - well that is up until now!! FIX IT FUJI!!!!
I really wish they would let us roll back firmware!
My XH2 does the same thing. I dont feel the focus accuracy has improved since the XT2 as my hit rate is roughly the same. I have even had misses with landscape shots using single autofocus and the newest lenses. I check focus in the field but you can not judge critical focus until you check it on a computer screen. Its heartbreaking when you get back home and find that the composition and lighting that you like best is not in critical focus.
I don't have first hand experience with the XH2 or XT5 but I teach workflow to professional photographers and all of the Fuji shooters with current generation cameras XH2s, XH2 and XT5 have the same issues (no-one I know has the XS20 yet)
i thought it was the tamron lens!!!!!
i have done a event shoting recently. my boss told me i have good shots but the body is not good enough........and i found out the focus is not as when i pressed the button...
damn
it's been 3 times for event that i change the lens.
thanks for the video
Anytime! I wanted to make sure I told people as soon as I knew.
In my personal opinion, Fuji takes customer’s feedback literally.
Customer cries for faster AF - Fuji’s like “there you go”.
Problem with Fuji af is more likely is (and it was for a long time) - not the speed of af, but reliability.
And when we start to talk about reliability - Fuji’s like “next question”, because we have second big FW update and no improvement. And their super fast action camera doesn’t do what Fuji was tryin declare… or at least it does it at 50% 🤷🏼♂️
That’s a bs to buy a camera for 2,5k and deal with that kind of stuff.
Thanks for bringing this into daylight!
For what it’s worth I think Fuji as a company do a great job. The camera has AMAZING video features at a fraction of the cost of other players.
They aren’t alone with this issue Panasonic also have tracking that their AF system can’t keep up with.
Honestly having to be a little slower would be fine for as long as the accuracy is there.
Please follow up after the latest firmware update. This video is keeping me from buying an X-H2S and i check the comments periodically for an update.
I can’t now. I still hadn’t heard back from Fuji after months and needed a system I could rely on for work. I made the jump back to canon.
Works been crazy but I’ll update on the move back once I have my client projects out of the door.
I just now finally started doing video at the race track with my XH2s. I have to agree, even using subject tracking (automobile in my case) it would pulse in and out of focus with the Tamron 17-70 f2.8. Especially when the cars were moving away from the camera. Granted, these cars are moving fast, but why have a "subject detect" feature and brag about it when it doesn't work as well as they say it should? This has been my problem with the XH2s all along. They brag that it is great for sports/action and that it is "on par" with Sony and Canon flagships, but it clearly is NOT. If you can't make AF as good, then just own it and stop saying it is. I will have to try turning off subject detection for video now, as I have done with shooting photos in the past. Shooting basketball earlier in the year, I had to use my XH2s like I would a DSLR and use spot AF to get any kind of useable photos. Tracking is basically useless forr fast moving subjects right now and I'm not so sure Fuji cares or can fix it of they wanted to. I hope that's not the case because I am heavily invested in Fuji at the moment and I really don't want to switch back to Sony or move over to Canon because they have it figured out.
This makes sense. When I used the XT3 I turned eye detection off because it improved the focus.
When I got the XH2s at launch the problems was fixed. It wasn’t until they improved the tracking with firmware 3.0 that this problem came up.
I use the A7iv with spot AF for sports with the 70 200 GM2 and still get plenty of misfocused pics. The box sticks to the face but actual focus is somewhere else. I have not used other systems but I have to describe Sony's as highly unreliable.
@@benoittissier58 that’s unusual. I had an A9 and A7RIII and they were both spot on. Maybe you have a bad one. The A74 AF should be way better than what I had.
Jet’s experience matches mine with Sony.
The AF system was rock solid on every body I have tried although I haven’t used the A7IV personally (A7ii,A7iii,A7RIII,A7RIV and A7RV)
@@bytomw Mathieu Gasquet got less than 80% with a person walking towards the A7iv. The A7r5 is supposed to be better with its AI chip. It got 75% at the Northrups' running test (A7r5/R5/Z8). I see those as consistent with my results.
I have the same issue with the Sony A7iv for sports. The box is on the face, very sticky, but actual focus is somewhere else. I found that it works well for very white skin with black eyebrows. Thin-rimmed glasses seem to help. It doesn't work at all for blondes with light eyes and light eyebrows. It is never reliable.
The issue was the same regardless of subject in this case. The example video is far from an isolated issue and not the worst performance I have seen sadly.
We did A/B the performance with a Sony A7RV while making these so watch out for that video coming soon.
I mostly do bird photography, and unfortunately I have the same problem using bird detect with AF-C. Did you report it to Fuji? I wonder why Fuji did not fix it yet.
I did and honestly they were initially super helpful but I haven’t heard any for over a month and no signs of a fix.
I really hope they fix the autofocus issues.
Mine is jumping all over the place. I am struggling to hold focus on the subject I’m selecting. The box keeps shifting way across the frame.
Yes…. Eye autofocus is off, I’m not in continuous focus mode etc…. To those that want to comment, I’ve been shooting Fuji for years. I know how to use my cameras.
I hope these fixes come soon.
As a professional, I’m also contemplating dusting of my Canon.
Gaining ISO capabilities on the dial is extremely useful, but, not at the expense of breaking such a fundamental feature of the camera. I just can’t trust the focus on my X-H2 right now and it’s so frustrating!
Frankly that's been an issue for every nice comment there is someone else that's basically saying "Get good scrub" or "you're clearly using it wrong".
I was relieved when fuji confirmed this was an issue and that the team would be working on a fix.
That said It's been a Month now with no word from fuji. I have been forced to buy a 2nd camera kit just to cover the issues that this is causing.
Oh and you can't roll back firmware on a fuji. If you upgraded you're stuck.
Is the problem on the XT5 also? I just avoid using the eye face settings.
I have only got experience with the XH2s first hand but students I have had also encounter these issues on their XT5.
Cool black model.
Tobiah is highly cool, he’s also a world class wedding photographer 👍🏻 it was fun doing his headshots.
I did a shoot over the weekend on my X-T5 for a client and noticed the same thing on recent firmware. I thought maybe I was having the aperture too wide open or something I was doing, then I went back to images I had taken before the update and my hit rate for continuous focus eye tracking was beyond the normal scope
Of maybe I just had a bad day shooting type excuse. I get maybe a 1.2 lens has a thin focus level, but these were slow minimal fast motion shooting. I really don’t want to have to go back to single point focus turn off any tracking because the workflow is so bad
I can’t directly comment on the XT5 because I don’t have one but that’s pretty much exactly how the XH2s is in most situations now.
Have you tried the company cobalt image and there profiles? They say they can accurately color match any camera system. Just curious :) Hope work and your week is week :)
Yes I have, honestly I didn't love the place that it matched them all too and the profiles system in Lightroom is so powerful I'd much rather use that space for something that has a more creative output.
I just boxed up my X-H2S for return after using for 2 weeks. I loved the color/image from Fuji but reliably just wasn’t there. I’m really sad tbh. I’ll be moving to Canon
Sadly I’m with you too at least for the short term. I have an R6ii incoming.
I have the same with the XT5, mine has gone back to Fuji! Never had a problem with my xt2 or xh1, very disappointed!!
It’s basically any camera using the new processor.
I haven’t tested the GFX but I got the same results from the XT5, XH2, XH2S and X100VI
Would you recommend downgradimg the firmwear? Is that even possible?
Personal I’d hold off a firmware upgrade if you can.
If you already upgraded I don’t know yet if you can downgrade but in my case I don’t want to because firmware 4.0 or 5.0 fixed some bugs I was having with other elements of the camera (the EVF would randomly brighten by 5 stops while focusing)
Aside from that I just started bursting much more. I’m taking 4-5 times the number of images I normally would to make sure I get something usable. I really hate that though and even then it’s not always effective.
I just hope Fuji fix this. Even just having the focus point show red when it wasn’t focused would be enough.
if you do video with your newer r6ii how do you get around the ibis wobble?
Honestly I rarely shoot wider than a 35mm for video and I haven’t seen much/any.
I have got a 28mm but again it’s minimal if it even shows up at all.
It’s an effect that’s only an issue if the lens you have has strong perspective distortion so with the right lenses you shouldn’t even see it.
Im facing same issue with my xt4 with 18-55mm{latest firmware}.Feels like I cant trust the camera so many misses it shows that its locked on the subject but when i see on pc screen its not as said in this video.I am coming back to photography after 8 years.I think I can trust my old Nikon d90 more then Fuji Xt4. Thinking of selling xt4 and move to sony.
This particular bug only affects the newest generation of X series cameras. If you’re having problems on the XT4 it might be worth checking in with Fuji to see if there is a hardware or software fault on your specific camera.
Picked up an XH2s 2nd hand and immediately noticed the unreliable focus (even though subject tracking picks up the bird/animal quickly).
I sent in the unit to be checked by Fuji and they seem to say that all their tests point to everything working fine.
Considering how many online threads, forums and this video exist online, I wish they could just acknowledge the issue and give an ETA as to when a proper firmware fix would come out. I was on the verge of picking up the 150-600 lens but now I'm contemplating switching systems (and I've been a Fuji user and own the XT1 & XT3). Super upsetting...
Agreed. It was a massive expense for me but I ended up selling and moving back to canon.
I couldn’t trust the AF in stills with any sort of tracking enabled and much as I love Fuji it’s not worth risking messing up on a job.
My fuji cameras drove me nuts with the AF issues. I ended up selling my XT4s and got the A7SIII.
I don't blame you. I'm currently using an R6II to cover the gaps this issue has left in my camera bag.
Any better in version 6? I've been thinking about upgrading from an xh1 and whether or not to stay in the Fuji system or to go to Cannon or Sony. Thing is, I have a ton invested in the Fuji system, so there would be some sacrifice making the leap. Autofocus will be top of my list as a decision making criteria
It’s no different. Slight changes in the tracking algo nothing improved in terms of real world focus.
@@bytomw Thanks for the response. That's bizarre. Are you experiencing more in video? Or is it equally affecting stills.
It solely affected the tracking performance. I didn’t use that feature in video on the XH2s, the work around is to use a fixed point for focus like a DSLR… but for me at least that defeated the purpose of having the mirrorless camera for stills.
The continual autofocus setting for birds has got worse since the updates. If a bird is in a setting with lots of background branches the camera doesn’t maintain focus on the bird. This happened to me yesterday when photographing Waxwings. I ended up turning it off and using manual back button focusing, but I don’t want to do this all the time as it’s so hard with moving subjects. Please can Fujifilm sort this issue out before I go on Safari in June 2024. Thank for the video.
You're not alone in this, the good news is if you turn off tracking it massively improves things but tracking AF is a big part of how I work.
Hope Fujifilm fix autofocus issues. I love my XH2S. Colors are amazing but lacks AF
I fully agree. I’m currently using the canon R6ii and the colours are nice but I’d rather be using Fuji.
since 5.10 is out is there any diffrence at all? didi you try it????
I no longer have the XH2s to test it but it’s been mentioned in other comments 5.10 doesn’t correct this issue.
Just ran a continous af test with my X H2s on a 75mm Viltrox f1.2 vs Nikon Z7ii Viltrox 85mm f1.8. X H2s had 35 out of focus out of 140 images. The Z7ii faired worse. Sony and Canon are definitely better continous af wise. I've had the Sony A7iv and the R6. I love the Fuji and Nikon but continous eye af tracking are not their strengths.
It's a wonderful camera for sure, but this behaviour is present in both of my XH2s bodies and as mentioned in the video by a number of the photographers I teach.
I'm not going anywhere, I love fuji as a brand and I really want them to fix this issue.
Viltrox is not a good example, if you tried the 90mm f2 a Fuji lens, you would have achieved a lot better.
I was advised by Fujifilmtech to try firmware 5.02 and also to try sportsfinder mode. I've tried with all my Fuji lenses now and have exactly the same problem. Green box for focus confirmation. First image in focus, subsequent ones blurry. I've had a new sensor and front assembly fitted by Fuji but hasn't made the slightest difference. I've asked if there's a known problem and get a woolly reply, almost as woolly as the images. I have suggested, reluctantly that if they can't fix the problem, I'd like to return all my Fuji gear for a refund. Incidentally, the X-T3 which also has had latest firmware upgrade behaves exactly the same. I've tested with XF16mm f1.4, XF50-140mm, XF100-400mm and XF16-80mm. All exhibit similar characteristics. PLease update us if you get a resolution (no pun intended)
That honestly sounds like them trying to make excuses for a fault.
The issue isn’t hardware. It’s absolutely a firmware issue. The system was accurate before the firmware update and now both of my XH2s can’t focus for toffee.
I’ll let you know if they changes.
My X-H2S has just come back for a second time with the firmware version rolled back to 3.0. I saw your comment about Fuji being aware of this issue and that they have sent it to Japan. Is there any way of getting an update on this from someone Tom?
How's the v5.03 Firmware release Tom?
Exactly the same.
Not sure if you sold it, but out of curiosity, did you try this in "Boost" mode?
I always use the camera in boost mode, I’d take better performance over battery life most of the time.
But sadly no settings in camera affected this. It’s a bug with the tracking system.
@@bytomw the fix can't come soon enough. Have you played around with focus/release priority?
@@bytomw one thing I just noticed when re-reading the patch notes on version 3.0.0. "The AF focusing speed has been improved when continuous shooting is started by simultaneously pressing the AF-ON button and the release button while the camera is out of focus. The AF starts to focus at a faster rate than before, even in situations where the situation changes moment by moment, such as in sports. This makes it difficult to miss a shutter release opportunity, even in situations such as sports where the situation changes from moment to moment"
I totally missed the part about simultanously pressing AF-ON and the release button, I've just been half pressing and then taking my shot. Not sure if it'll help improve keepers, but it's worth a shot.
I have been using the X-H2 since it was released, and I can say that the issue with autofocus is not necessarily with the camera. With some lenses, it performs very well in both photo and video modes. I noticed that you used the 33mm f1.4 lens, and the autofocus on that lens is not that good; it needs a firmware update as soon as possible. I believe you should test more lenses before passing judgment on the camera's autofocus capabilities. I know it shouldn't be this way, but it is. The Tamron 17-70mm lens works very well with the X-H2, and the pulsing issue goes away if you update the lens firmware. Did you think maybe your camera has a problem?
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk a culpa nunca é da fuji. Sempre do usuário.
It’s been confirmed by fujifilm themselves that the is an issue with the camera firmware. They said they said they were working on it a day or so after this video dropped… I have heard nothing since then.
@@ImagineFilmes that is what you understood from my comment?
@@bytomw was this a press release?
This was a direct communication from fujifilm one of their UK reps contacted me after the video went up. No it wasn’t a press release. Make of that what you will.
I can say this issue presented with all of their LM lenses and the 56mm 1.2 across multiple bodies and lens samples.
In practice it makes no difference though. If the system won’t focus reliably I can’t use it on paid work.
If it was only slow I’d be fine but it’s not. It’s giving a false positive.
Updated my Xh2s a few days ago. BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER 😭
I feel your pain man. It sucks.
Can we get your thoughts on 2024 latest fw, has it fixed this issue?
It’s still an issue sadly. If you check the other comments it’s been talked about at length, this week I have been shooting with a good friend who has the XT5 and the most modern lenses and he also still has tracking issues.
single point AF is fine though.
@@bytomw currently having this issue with single af
Hi - I'm an amateur who uses Nikon (D500/Z30) - I was looking at the XS20 as a travel camera due to it's size, I assume the focus issues will be the same on this model & perhaps I should stick with Nikon.
It’s a problem with the newest tracking algorithm they added to the new generation of cameras.
If you don’t use focus tracking (3d tracking on Nikon) you’ll be fine, but it’s something I use a lot in my work.
That said I keep looking at the Nikon Zf with desire.
@@bytomw Thanks - the Zf is a lovely camera.
Have you tried the X-S20 yet? - so far I've been pretty happy with the autofocus results
I haven't, this issue affects the XT5, XH2 and XH2s to my knowledge and hasn't effected any other cameras that I have had experience with but honestly I don't know anyone that's using an X-S20.
The newest fw still didnt improve the focus system. It still unpredictable and often miss😊
It looks like they have it sorted with the AI focusing they have announced with the launch of the X100VI but only time will tell.
Thank you so much for saving me $3000. I use gfx cameras but almost bought a xh2/s just for faster autofocus. Maybe ill look at getting a canon R3
\\\you’re in the perfect place for image quality on the GFX, I settled on that paired with the Canon R6ii line (videos incoming when work calms down a little)
did they maybe sacrifice photo autofocus for continous video auto focus performance ?
The focus issue actually had a bigger impact on stills than video.
It’s specificity an issue with the AF tracking modes.
revert the firmware? (edit - nope, not possible - thanks Tom for response)
As far as I’m aware once you upgrade you can’t go back.
@@bytomw well - Today I Learned - I can't downgrade the firmware in my X-T3 and X-T4. I had no idea. The way the firmware page is laid out, I thought you could download old versions, but I also learned, no - you can only download the latest. Bummer.
You should open a support case. It's the fastest way to fix the problem.
Fujifilm contacted me after posting this. They have the files from this video to help diagnose the root of the issue to get it patched.
I already contacted them about other bugs like the EVF brightness bug that they addressed in the latest firmware.
I did however provide that feedback when if first got my camera, I’m not expecting a fast fix and wanted to update my last video with my current understanding
@@bytomw I'm surprised Fuji is monitoring YT and searching for possible problems. Excellent work form them and I'm glad You reported other bugs to them. Usually people just complain through unofficial channels instead of doing it straight to the source. I hope they will fix this problem. I'm planning to buy a second camera and X-H2 is on My wish list but I'm a little but worried about inconsistent AF tracing and pulsing in video mode.
I knew there was a problem. I went to Scotland a few months back and there were images that i know it said where in focus and they weren't or they have a strange softness about them like they seemingly focused nowhere, i put it down to me and user error swaying or something. I generally believe there is something going on somewhere. I get better results when i turn off the IBS i wounder if that's part of the problem. I imagine this will get fixed rather quickly. They will use sales.
can you roll back the firmware?
You aren’t alone. Fuji have confirmed that they are working on a fix right now so hopefully soon this will be a thing of the past.
@@bytomw Thank god! I literally did a wall test to make sure i wasn't going mad, 2 different bodies (the same model xh2s), 15 shots taken with a tripod and timer at different apertures and stabilization off, 4 images are what id consider to be tack sharp the rest are varying degrees of blur 5 are focused no where just blurry. And this is single point not contiunus focus
Hi Tom - what's your view of X-H2s ver. 6.00 please?
I sold my XH2s' I couldn't wait any longer, I can confirm though that the X100VI that has the new AI focus system has exactly the same problems.
I will make a full review soon
They just released 5.02 today. Any update about the AF now?
The release notes don't mention any AF improvements but honestly it's only been available for a matter of hours so I haven't had a chance to arrange a test.
The Notes only mention the following and Fuji haven't been back in touch since I submitted the screen recordings/images.
"The firmware update Ver.5.02 from Ver.5.01 incorporates the following issues:
The firmware bug is fixed that the brightness of the subject rarely gets dark momentarily when shooting a movie with “Mode S”.
The bug is fixed that the banding noise appears in the shadow area in the recorded movie when shooting the Full HD format movie with F-log2."
@@bytomw they usually listen and act. Strange this time. Could be hardware limited
All settings ok? 1. Boost mode ON. 2. AF-C focuspriority 3. AF+MF OFF, because otherwise you have a fallback to realeasepriority! 4. Good AF-C settings, per example setting 2? I have the X-H2s since one year and no such issues as you reported with these settings. I think the worst thing often is, that the users have releasepriority and dont notice it, because they use focuspriority, but did not realize, that AF-MF ON makes releasepriority against their setting there.
I have checked every setting on the camera and fujifilm have confirmed this is a problem and they are working on a fix. It’s just taking them longer than I’m comfortable with to deal with it.
I have cried looking at the missed focus pictures form my X-H2 many times. I overshot by a lot, hoping, that something will be in focus. The candid walking shots were the worst. Slightly out of focus, to where you can't even tell on the camera screen. Very frustrating experience. I really wanted to like this camera, but it looks like I will have to part ways with Fuji.
I'd totally understand that. I'm currently using an R6II as my main body and seeing how long I can hold on before just selling the Fujis and going back to canon.
@@bytomwyup. Im shocked how annoyingly soft my images are coming out. I tested the canon R6ii, but the canon menu isnt efficient for me as fuji - and i do prefer fuji colors. I also shoot mostly with a 35 mm full frame equivalent, and canon has that RF 35mm f1.8 that i didnt like nearly as much as the xf23mm f1.4.
I sold my fuji collection and got a Sony a7IV. I couldn't be happier! Should have switched a long time ago!@@bytomw
Eye AF has never been ideal imo. I’ve experienced the same issues and switched over to Face Detection. Since then, I haven’t experienced the issues anymore.
I shooter fast action too.
Honestly it’s not made much of a difference what mode I use or what settings. If you’re tracking the performance isn’t reliable.
I’m getting better performance with purely contrast based systems than these flagship cameras.
cheers for the video! I was going to purchase the xh2s but I'll pass for now
I’d say that’s wise. It’s still not fixed and I had to move back to canon.
@@bytomw even with 5.03 ?
Absolutely no changes.
Truthy I wish Fuji made a full frame, but that most likely will not happen
I think the GFX line covers that nicely.
I personally manual focus on mine but lots of people love the 100s and the native Fuji lenses.
It’s not much more than a new canon R5C in the UK.
Had the exact same experience but with the xh2. I had been with fujifilm for 8 years so used it as an excuse to sell everything and move to a Sony system.
Nothing like a good justification for new kit ;D in this case though I think it's justified. Not being able to rely on focus is a deal breaker for so many different kinds of work.
Thinking of doing the same. New to shooting family portraits and honestly struggled with my XH2 & XT5 today.
Please try firmware 5.10 and let us know if the focus tracking problem is fixed. I wanna get XH2S and I’m concerned with this issue.
I can confirm that they still haven’t addressed the tracking issue but sadly I sold my Fujis. I couldn’t wait any longer for them to fix a flagship camera so I’m back on canon.
maybe I shouldn’t switch completely from Canon yet, thanks
Sadly I’d wait until the next generation if tracking focus is a priority for you.
The images are lovely (some of my fav colours of any camera) but it’s not worth the uncertainty for the way that u shoot.
I can work in post to improve colour but I can’t re-focus after the fact.
Sheesh, I thought it was finally time to trade in my xt4 for an xh2s. I'll wait some more.
Apparently they actually just made it worse on the 6.0 firmware.
This might be a wait for the next processor generation situation.
Does the inaccurate focus happen with fuji lenses ?
All the lenses I have are Fuji’s most modern optics. Specifically I used the 18mm 1.4 LM, 23mm 1.4 LM, 33mm 1.4 LM and the 56mm 1.2 WR
The examples in the video are 33mm 1.4 LM shots.
All great glass too
Does anybody know if this issue has been fixed yet? And does it just apply to photos, or has the firmware also created focussing issues with video too?
It only applies to AF tracking modes. If you don’t use that as part of your work the cameras are decent.
@@bytomw Ah, so it does affect tracking in video too. That’s a shame. Thanks for the response.
I have exactly the same issue with my XH2S. I can't trust this camera at all
I was honestly expecting this video to go down really badly with the Fuji community but it seems like we are all having these problems, it seems more a case of the margin of error someone is willing to accept.
Interesting announcement from Fujifilm today. Perhaps, they’ve been listening? “The X-H2S, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20 will deliver improved subject detection autofocus performance when using the electronic shutter, and the same cameras, save for the X-H2, will soon have better tracking performance. The relevant firmware updates will arrive this spring.”
A friend of mine was at the launch party in Sydney and got hands on with the AI focus firmware, it looks like that’s the fix we were waiting for.
Iss there a chance your camera model is just faulty? I've heard of people with the same issue and they swapped to a different model and it was fine
Sadly no! I had a bunch and they all had the same issues.
Fuji also confirmed it was a firmware issue and say they are working on a fix.
My only hope is that since the focus was good at launch that this really is just a coding error and a firmware update will get it back to where it was@@bytomw
Could it not be on shutter priority that focus...because shutter priority will shoot even if the pics out of focus
I have answered this in other comments but long story short if you see the camera to focus priority the shutter will not release even when the box confirms focus.
So the choice is out of focus but get the shot or miss the moment and in some cases the camera won’t take the shot.
@@bytomw it could maybe be something wrong with the camera
I had 3. They all have the same issue.
Which lenses do you use? :)
I have the 18mm 1.4 LM, 23mm 1.4 LM, 33mm 1.4 LM and 56mm 1.2 WR.
All the latest primes and they all have the same issues (although the 56mm 1.2 is slower to focus but generally a little less inconsistent)
@@bytomw Have you had your camera checked to see if there is a processor problem? do you use boost mode all the time?
What about focus- / shutter priority? Just a thought.
I have tested basically every setting. In Focus Priority the camera will NEVER release the shutter in the tracking modes. The examples shown are in release priority because I physically couldn’t take photos in focus priority even in a static headshot situation with the tracking features enabled.
@@bytomw This is very strange. With my X-T4 I shoot always focus priority and it works even in tracking. Seams like there is a bug in the AF System and the camera "knows" that the target is not in focus so the shutter does not release. What I think is really disappointing about this is that Fujifilm is not open about it. They could rollback the firmware to a older version (they have done this once before, with the X-T2 if I remember correctly). Well, thanks for this video. I was about to buy an X_H2S for my action sport stuff, but now I will wait and see...
This is specifically a bug with the new generation of cameras X-T5, XH2 and XH2s
What a shame. I was THAT close to selling my Nikon Zf and going to the X-T5 or X-H2.
I’d love to get hands on with a Zf honestly. The sensor from the Z6ii was lovely and better AF is only gonna be an improvement.
@@bytomwI really like my Zf. I like its full-frame sensor too. But the colours of the Fujis are fantastic as JPEG’s, the Zf has no highlight blinkies in the EVF or on the LCD panel while taking the photo and no distance scale in the EVF like the Fujis. I don’t ever take pictures of people running towards me and I only take pictures of static objects and portraits. Maybe the Fuji would be good for me? I’m seeing all the comments about bad autofocus and it is worrying.
As long as you aren’t using focus tracking at all it’s fine. They also have the AI firmware fix due out very soon!
That said I tried the Zf briefly today and I want one!
I’ve been out and about today with the X-H2. I really like it. More clunky than the Zf but I tried the 90mm f2 on the Fuji in the shop and the image quality and bokeh were lovely.
I should have watched this video before purchasing my xh2s
It’s upsetting that it still isn’t fixed. I tried an X100VI the other day and it has EXACTLY the same issue.