MULTIPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON SEP10
X100T, 56APD, 50-140WR, silver X-T1
early in the morning (London Time)
STAY TUNED ON FUJIRUMORS
[UDPATE: The source wrote me again and confirmed: the black X-T1 will get the electronic shutter via firmware update for free (thanks!)]
Hi all,
I know you are used to get answers here at Fujirumors and not questions. I know you’re looking for something well-founded and not for doubts… But hey, dubito ergo sum. So let me risk something different today and share a rumor-riddle with you đ
It’s a long rumor, I know, but read carefully in order to help me to solve it.
An anonymous source with nick-name (who could eventually quickly be upgraded to trusted source) confirmed: the X-T1 firmware will be released in December (at least if Fuji won’t postpone it, as it happened a few times with the X100 firmware)… for both, the black AND the upcoming silver X-T1.
What will it bring? Well, basically everything that the Fujifilm X30 can. Customize the Q menu, full manual control and more frame rates in video mode, the spot metering frame coupling, instant AF will support phase detection, direct selection of AF Area and much more! You should check out Rico’s X30 first look (German Version here) to read more details about it.
And now it’s time for a little rumor-riddle… the electronic shutter! Will it be part of the firmware update, or does it require a hardware update (sensor replacement)?
Oh wait, I already hear some saying that the firmware rumor is BS, as an electronic shutter can’t be introduced to cameras via firmware update. Well, just for your interested, Olympus added an âelectronic first curtainâ (electronic shutter) in the OM-D E-M1 and E-P5 via firmware update to eliminate vibrations caused by the mechanical shutter. So it can be done… it just depends on the sensor.
Now let’s go back to December firmware upgrade and what various sources told me about.
The anonymous source with nick-name (which will very likely be part of the elite team of trusted sources after the 10th of September) didn’t expressly include the electronic shutter in the December firmware-email it sent me via rumor box.
Now, does this mean that just the rumored limited edition silver X-T1 will feature an electronic shutter, and the classic black X-T1 can’t be upgraded via firmware update? I still can’t answer this question…. and since I can’t contact the source, I ask the source, if possible, to clear this up by contacting me again via rumor box.
However, I recall another rumor, shared by a new source here:
-
âThere will be firmware improvements to the X-T1, but there will be a hardware improvement as well. A limited edition X-T1 will be available with it pre-installed but existing models could be upgraded with the money worth of new parts.â
Will the electronic shutter require such a hardware improvement for the black X-T1 (sensor replacement)? I’m right now investigating this.
At the moment we have this situation:
– A trusted source told us that a complete new firmware upgrade for the X-T1 will come. See this rumor of August 15.
– A new source told us of a firmware update in December, which will bring also the electronic shutter. See this rumor of Agust 22.
– Another new source told us that there will be a firmware & hardware improvement for the black X-T1. A limited edition will come already with it pre-installed, but existing X-T1 can be upgraded âwith the money worth of new partsâ. See this rumor of September 5.
–Â Right now, an anonymous source with nick-name, who shared a lot of stuff (which will probably be correct), told us about the X-T1 December firmware update, shared some more details, but didn’t include the electronic shutter in its list.
The options for now are basically these:
1) There will be a firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to the classic black X-T1. No sensor replacement needed. [UPDATE: The source contacted me again and confirmed this option]
2) Only the silver X-T1 will feature an electronic shutter, and you have to change sensor on your classic black X-T1 in order to get the electronic shutter (and pay for the new parts).
3) Or maybe the truth could be somewhere between option 1 and 2, so there will be a paid firmware update to get the electronic shutter (no rumor about this, just an idea of mine).
4) The rumors are plain wrong, and no X-T1, black or silver, will ever get an electronic shutter.
So, my friends, welcome to the rumor jungle I have to deal with every single day đ . Make up your own mind and feel free to drop your solution to the enigma in the comments down below. Personally I’m undecided between option 1 and 2.
For now, I will keep the electronic shutter in the rumored firmware features, that should come with the firmware update in December. But I’ll put my best into this rumor, and try to update you as soon as possible…. thanks for you patience.
If there is anyone out there who could help us to understand, feel free to contact FR, anonymously via rumor box or also via email at fujirumor [at] gmail.com
cheers,
facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter
If the Hello Kitty version didn’t convince you, than maybe you need the real man âFUJI-RARRI FXX”. Super fast shutter speed (32,000), UHS-II SD-cards and guess what? Exactly, fastest AF of the world… even when you use it with MF lenses đ
Thanks Oliver Reyes for contributing to the FujiHumor segment.
64 Responses
Would it be a little odd if the updated silver version didn’t have a touch screen?
Maybe the OS updates are too substantial to whack one on?
I don’t think it would be odd.
That said, a touch screen is one update that could require hardware replacement.
1) There will be a firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to the classic black X-T1. No sensor replacement needed.
This is what I think – taking into account the fact that lately, Fuji brought us some new models (X30 and the upcoming X100T) with no major modifications to the lens, sensor, processor. Like the story with the black X100S (wich is the same as X100S with silver-top), if a new X-T1 will arrive with silver-top, will be the same as the all-black version, maybe with the “Classic Chrome” profile as as specific difference. But we have to wait and see.
I’m glad they want to upgrade the X-T1, but I still wait for Fujifilm to think about us, X-Pro1 users, with some nice firmware upgrades. It’s about time!
Great work, Patrick – stay strong!
the soruce contacted me again and confirmed: There will be a firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to the classic black X-T1. No sensor replacement needed.
I hope so, since in my country there is no Fuji Service
What about firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to X-E2?
I’m afraid it won’t… or at least, I never heard about it. I’d just be content with the WiFi remote control and Classic Chrome Film suĂmulation. Let’s cross fingers
Patrick- have you heard anything about xe2 update that will use right and left controller buttons as Fn buttons?
All these X-T1 firmware updates with no mention of the X-E2 have me slightly worried about the lifespan of the X-E2. I am happy with the way it functions at the moment but it would be nice if some new features and fixes were implemented.
Exact. The Fuji X system consists of more then only the X-T1.
Welcome to my XE-1 world đ To be honest, if you got more features and improvements added than the camera came out with, you are already ahead of the game.
If you kept up with the posts you’d have seen it was mentioned a week or so ago that the X-E2 is getting a minor-moderate update in December as well.
http://www.fujirumors.com/ricos-book-fujifilm-x-e2-beyond-manual-available-download-40-discount-910/
Note Rico’s comment
X-E2… but no word about any of mentioned above features. I wonder if Fuji does play with X-E2 users… to press them to move for X-T1. Not fair… all about X-T1, nothing about X-E2. Why Patrik can not get any rumor about X-E2 firmware upgrade ?
What about firmware updates on the x100s?
Forlornly hoping for option 1.
CONFIRMED by the source: There will be a firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to the classic black X-T1. No sensor replacement needed.
I wonder when they’re going to do the back button upgrade
What? No Fuji smartwatch?
The X-T1, like many (most) digital cameras already uses an electronic shutter to take video. The problem with using that same electronic shutter for pictures is that with the higher resolution, and a conventional sensor build, it is actually slower(!) to read data from the sensor by electronic means, than it is to use a mechanical shutter (remember that if you are not using a mechanical shutter, it is left in the “open” position, and the sensor continues to be exposed to light, so the data from the sensor needs to be read very quickly, and limitations on this reading speed effectively limit the max electronic shutter speed possible).
Now in this case, we are being told that the shutter speeds are going to be higher with the electronic shutter. This can mean one of three things:
1) The higher shutter speed options will only be available for slightly lower. So it will effectively be an “extended” mode for special situations. This can be implemented purely via a firmware update.
2) They will include a higher level of electronic circuitry with each pixel in the sensor, which will allow them to read the whole sensor very rapidly. This will result in reduced picture quality, as more of the sensor is being dedicated to non-optical components. I really doubt that they will do this, as it doesn’t fit with the Fuji Philosophy in my opinion, but if they did, it would require a hardware sensor replacement.
3) They are using a coupled sensor, which means a sensor behind the main sensor. The data captured by the main sensor is transferred to the second sensor behind it (this can be done super quickly), which frees up the main sensor for the next exposure while the second sensor is being read by the camera. This has the potential to maintain both image quality and higher shutter speeds, but the technology here still needed improvement, and the costs needed to be cut down the last I heard. It possible that Fuji have solved these problems though. This option would require a hardware upgrade.
4) there could be some new technology that Fuji has developed, or some other method that I’m unaware of. In this case of course, all bets are of the table…
On point one above, I meant slightly lower resolutions.
5) They could overclock the processor, dramatically reducing battery life.
Hahahahahahaah. You always have the most awesome comments.
Ok, no more x-100, X-pro1 and X-E1 update, now i have serious doubts about kaizen.
A lot of improvements to do:
-battery percentage.
-full manual video.
-Usable rear button/dial for approach manual focus when the camera still record the previous photo, that way you can ready the next shot before the camera finish work.
-compress raw
-Side-by-side image comparison
-electronic/silent shooter
-move the focus area(manual focus) in magnification preview.
-HDMI- use external display for live view, this function is only for image playback.
and few to improvements that have been made ââin other models:
-intervalometer
-colour peking
-less intrusive distance scale
I have a few more, but i can’t remember.
Are you seriously using the X100 as an example of the lack of kaizen? Fuji has kaizened the s**t out of that camera!
“Serious doubt about kaizen….” as a former Nikon user, and xe-1 owner I can tell you that the improvements already applied to the xe-1 goes far beyond what any other manufacturer would call a firmware update. The xe-1 has been vastly improved already and although I would love to see more I could not fault Fuji if they decided not to deliver more improvements on the xe-1.
It could also be said that Fujifilm released half-baked devices that necessitated BIG firmware upgrades. Sony are worse, but there are so many holes in the X experience that are due to a company lacking the patience to release when ready.
IMHO their devices are functional & usable on release date (ie very few bugs …) and they keep working for free on said released devices, which is not the same in my view. Considering they keep improving a year after release, I can hear the clamor “Fuji is dead, they haven’t release the xe-xxxx or the X100xxxx, that’s not a good sign”. How are manufacturers supposed to behave to please every one of us ?
Talking about half-baked devices Nikon of late is a good (bad?) example: they don’t release an upgrade, but a new model… (D600, SB900 to name but a few) or have a early recall (D810) which way would you like Fuji to go ?
Nikon have their own host of problems, largely stemming from hubris. But as in incumbent, Fujifilm have released devices with broken interfaces:
X100s:
1. only full stops on aperture, necessary to use aperture knob and sub-command dial
2. no way to manually select half-stops or third stops on exposure.
3. lens resets focus when playback/preview of shot
4. no instant manual override
5. inability to magnify and pan around an image for fast, accurate focus check
– much more.
X-Pro 1:
* all the above, plus more, and:
1. no way to manually select maximum flash sync
2. poor quality bottom plate can get wrecked from medium tripod plate use
more
X-T1:
*all the above, (minus manual flash sync) and more, plus
1. poorest in price category and below door flaps
2. impossible to press rear buttons
3. no differentiation of button by feel
etc., and so on.
I’m no Nikon fan, though I appreciate that they are less apt to change on a dime, and have one basic interface that applies generally across all cameras, cheaper ones being more prone to menu-diving, more expensive ones sharing the same or almost the same interfaces. Their lenses have ONE interface, and that is it. Fujifilm has at least six.
For a system that has been out for just 3 years, it has undergone more ‘editing’ and changes than a typical website, and far more than good camera systems that have been on market for ten years.
They are functional devices, but chaotic, and poorly planned.
Sony are worse in many ways, but I think most of us can consider Sony an electronics/gizmo company and not a camera company. Fujifilm should know better and better respect the photographer.
From what you say I understand that you cannot use any of cameras in the Fuji lineup. Fine, to each his/her own. If you are not too heavily invested in the X system then it is probably time for you to switch brand. Note that I am not being sarcastic, just a sincere and honest conclusion derived from what you say. I personally don’t feel that most of what you list as being “a big issue” but can appreciate that you feel differently.
So, if someone makes some reasonable observations about usability or features, then he must be incapable of use the camera, so of course ‘this is not the right tool for you’ and ‘change brand’. Ok.
I think we have all the rights to be critical, in a good way, if it’s necessary, As a x100s owner I have no problem to say that’s a great camera, indeed it is.
As photographer also, my standpoint is that there’s much room for improvements I don’t even know where to start.
Fuji, as many company out there, design their cameras with the average user in mind, and it’s fine, of course. It’s more money for they pockets and more people happy. They looks at the numbers, it’s not a non-profit corporation, I think people knows that and it’s fine with that.
But the average user doesn’t always mean a photographer. It’s two different worlds, so sometimes this translate to a sacrifice in usabilty, functions, pro-features etc.
They have the potential to do better, I don’t see what’s the problem in pointing out this.
Please note that I never said or implied that ohm Image was incapable of using his/her camera. I just said that if there were usability issues that he/she found unacceptable I was hoping he/she had not invested too much in the system. Don”t put words or intentions in my mouth
I think, since english is not my first language, I read (interpret) ‘cannot’ like ‘incapable’ in this context, it could be. Probably because too often I see similar arguments against someone who is making some legitimate and good critiques.
Better to move on now đ
The problem for me is that I like what Fujifilm _appear_ to be doing. I have a Sony A7r for shooting magazine stuff (on the road) and have since sold my D800 (for events where the X100s suffices).
I would very much like to invest in the X system, but it is a very whishy-washy system at the moment. I feel that Fujifilm haven’t spent enough time with non-fans and real nit-picking photographers.
They have their Zachs and that’s all they listen to.
I’m one of those curmudgeons that’s not happy with any digital camera on market today… with the exception of the M.
The M hasn’t ruined or changed its basic operation (other than hand-holding problems now that the film lever is gone) in a long time. It is perfect. In fact, it arrived nearly perfect.
Fujifilm change too much too often. It is the reason that the only thing I’ve invested in is bodies. I use them for events. I’m a professional photographer. Most of what I do is still life audiophile stuff (speakers, amps, DACs, earphones, etc.)
I don’t have any commercial examples up, but this is sort of what I do: http://ohm-image.net
Using the camera and getting good results is not the same as using and enjoying the camera because the camera has a great interface. Currently the X cameras _look_ like they have great, easy-to-use interfaces, but even button shape, size, and placement, is poor. AF/L button isn’t differentiated by feel. Even for non-sports photographers, an AF/L or AF-on button is vital as it keeps exposure and focus separate, not to mention doesn’t tie AF to shutter actuation and accidental exposure.
The construction issues are real, not imagined. They should never have made it out the door. The lens designs constantly changing with interfaces that follow no usability standards are shortsighted designs made by engineers that didn’t spend enough time making hard choices.
These are real issues. I think that the majority of X users are fans, or enthusiasts that are into the hardware and that’s fine. But enthusiasts don’t tend to worry about inconsistencies because they don’t affect them.
It’s the same in the portable audiophile world. It’s actually worse there. But that doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be such a thing as _good_ design and implementation.
If design is only skin deep, it is a failure. And so far, the X has only gone a little beyond skin deep.
I think the lack of instant manual focus override is shared with most (maybe all) lenses designed for intensity contrast-based AF systems. Different motors than for phase-detect AF are needed, and they don’t allow true MF override. Thus the choice between clutch and MF by wire.
I wish that were the case. AF lenses for dSLRs work both in contrast and PDAF AF. It depends on whether using live view or the optical viewfinder.
Early AF Nikkors (screwdrives) had awful MF feel in comparison to older AiS and some of today’s better AFS lenses, but they offered 100% instant feedback of where the lens was focusing, the distance, and didn’t rely on motors to move the lens in and out. The current design drains battery from every single step, even if ‘manually’ focused.
This _is_ a problem of choosing the lowest common denominator motor-only lens interfaces.
No product is updated forever and it’s unrealistic to expect that. What I have advocated (as well as others) is a different model. You pay for significant updates to firmware. It could spawn its own revenue stream and cottage industry.
How about…
– the silver X-T1 has the firmware and a top dial that covers the new shutter speeds
– a firmware update for existing X-T1s delivers the 1/32,000 shutter speed, and the user can use the rear control wheel to select this speed when the top dial is at 1/4000
– the existing X-T1 can be hardware upgraded to the new top dial
…?
All I hope is that Fujifilm will stop fracturing the user experience. Decide on one thing and stick with it. We don’t need a play button to change every device, or to select manually from a knob _and_ a sub command dial. That is ridiculous. If it was intended to eventually be that way, that is the way it should have been at first.
If not, Fujifilm released the X-T1 too early and are now just fixing mistakes.
Please Fujifilm, just give us a solid user experience that doesn’t change twice a year. The faux-retro is one thing, but no retro camera from a proper company completely changed its user experience/UI every half, full, or even every several generations.
Part of the problem is having to serve a knowledgeable audience and a casual one. I agree that having one set of user experience that’s well thought out is best. However, once economics forces a release of variable aperture lenses, etc. then usually one paradigm isn’t enough. But even when you don’t have that particular issue you see people run into other physics issues.
For example, I have seen many times where people (even knowledgeable) wonder why their macro lens isn’t f2.8 (for example) when they focus close to 1:1. And then add in all the confusion of 35mm equivalences, etc.
Still, the X system is pretty new, only being a few years old. It’s not unreasonable to expect them to feel their way through mistakes and rough edges for a couple of years. It would be nice to have things more refined out of the gate — and I expect that in a couple of years — but the other systems out there have been out much longer and have had more time to iron out their quirks.
I agree largely with what you are saying. The problem is that Fujifilm designed their cameras to _look_ like older cameras with interfaces to boot.
The problem is that the same fully electronic cameras were less limber in many ways than those cameras. Not a single lens that came out in the first year and half had hard stop focus limits, labelled distances, still not a single one has real-time manual override and relies on gimmicks like clutches.
No helicoids, some cameras, like the X-Pro 1, still can’t manually select the fastest flash sync speed. The list goes endlessly on.
And now we have another rumour of software that will ADD new functionality. It’s too much. Too much all over the place with absolutely no anchor except this:
Fujifilm X cameras have aperture rings (sometimes) and exposure dials (sometimes). Apart from that, there is nothing tying the system together.
Working pros and photographers that are used to quality machines designed for humans, not ideas (not like Zach or other like-everything-to-appear-badass internet personalities) need better, need cohesion.
I’m not a fan of any system out there now but M and Phase One, but have thrown in with X. There’s an idea that is good out there but if I switch my fanboy brain off, there is little that is truly laudable about the system as a system.
Now about a dial with half stops up to the 8000th instead of the rarely used (but still usefull) very high speed ?
December for the firmware? that’s a long wait… I hope it has an intervalometer and timed bulb settings
The Ferrari version looks alright, but I’ll take the faster Mercedes version.
Can I get a Kia version that’s a little bit slower and much cheaper but comes with a 7 year warranty?
I can’t get past the thought that the hardware upgrade will be twin sd slots
My reasoning is that:
1. x-t1 was originally rumored with twin slots
2 the single ad slot looks like it includes a blanking panel that covers where a second slot would otherwise be.
I suspect that the electronic shutter could be firmware enabled. I can’t imagine what uses a speed of 1/32000 sec could be other than bragging rights though…
How about shooting at high noon in broad daylight with 56/1.2 wide open, while using strobes to illuminate the scene?
… while standing on the sun
With such shutter speed, one can also achieve really cool bokeh effects while photographing a nuclear bomb tests.
Cool that’s exactly what I NEED!
Flash won’t sync at that speed. Xt1 doesn’t have a leaf shutter
1/32’000 wouldn’t be of much use I agree, but 16’000 would five the X-t1 the same versatility as other camera supporting 1/8000 and having a base ISO of 100 (ie most high-end DSLRs).
I often found myself in need of a ND filter when shooting contre-jour at f/1.4 and no, it’s not stupid, I like portraits taken this way.
What about XPro 2 ? it’s been a while since we haven’t heard about it … Nothing coming up for the Kina ?
In theory, there should be no problem implementing an “electronic” shutter via a firmware upgrade, just don’t magically expect this to increase (decrease?) and reach 1/32000. If they implement electronic first curtain shutter (which I believe is what is meant by “electronic shutter”), it can only work within the boundaries set by the mechanical “second” shutter (as far as I understand you need a mechanical “second curtain” & I can still hear a click when I press the shutter button :).
What this means is that an X-T1 with electronic shutter will still only go to max. 1/4000. Perhaps there is a potential gain in sharpness across the board, due to less vibration, but then again I am not a shutter expert. Scenario #3 I see as very unlikely.
However, one might wonder what tomorrow’s announcements might bring, the 1/32000 figure seems to show up quite often. Perhaps the X100T announcement will shed a light on this. If this rumour means that the X100T will have a leaf shutter capable of 1/32000 shutter speed, this will have no relation to any focal plane shutter improvements in the X-T1, since they are completely different constructions.
1/32000? ..if it is only available in the “new” x-t1, the old will suffer a significant drop in price ….
CONFIRMED: There will be a firmware update that will bring electronic shutter also to the classic black X-T1. No sensor replacement needed.
Any news if the x-e2 will het this update as well?
I don’t know, working on it
peter paul mary. just fix the flash system already.
Nice to see these updates via firmware. I still want to send my X-T1 in for the better D Pad. That said I would wait if there were other hardware options coming.
Fuji: Here is a re-post from three months ago regarding hardware upgrades.
“Here is a thought: Most seem to agree that the service and support is
industry leading, I for one love how Fuji is listening. I think that
Fuji should just make all the improvements in a batch (light leak,
buttons, and viewfinder) and just make future units GEN2 starting with a
specific serial number. Any person that bought prior to that can send
in their camera and for, say $100 plus shipping, and they can get all
the upgrades. This really addresses the issue they have where people
are waiting for the next model or to see what bugs may arise. Now that I
have the X-T1 I would prefer that to saying OH SHIT! if I had only
waited 3mo.”
OK, this semi-E-shutter is clear for X-T1: when flash-sync is 1/180s, 1/4000 is done by the two shutters following each other at approx. 1/22th height of the sensor. Before that goes an electronic pixel-erase/emptying that should get the tweaking. If this erase-signal is travelling syncronised at the half of the exposing gap between shutters (or at that distance ahead of the 2nd shutter), you get 1/8000sec, if it’s at 1/4 of this gap from the second shutter, you get 1/16000sec. In case of X100T this pixel-emptying cannot be linear travelling, but should be momentary, so, I am still not quite sure, how will X100T implement this (CCD clearup I understand, but this is CMOS).
I am waiting a tiny bit more mature flash system from fuji: 2nd curtain sync is one thing, focal plane/hss is a much more needed feature. (Not to mention PDAF + patterned AF-assist light). If they think the same, I expect shutter-exchange as a service-based upgrade for X-T1 (and release, please some i40-like flash instead of this dumb Sunpak EF42, Oly FL36R and 580EX2 are not that much fun to use).
(I’m now counting endless days till a totally kai-zen X100s upgrade, I don’t need 1/32000, just the software customizations)
X-T1 is expensive already, what we need is definitely not a limited X-T1 at higher price. It should have been a new camera with new sensor at that price, 1/32000 or not.
Anybody knowing the x-e2 is getting the same update?
To clear things up, are all the XT-1 Graphite Silver Edition Features listed here http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_t1/features/page_06.html coming to the black XT-1 via Firmware Update in November? Will the black XT-1 also get the December Firmware Update with even more features?