Fujifilm Releases V2 Firmware Update for X-Pro1

Rest Easy Fuji X-Pro1 fans, the long-awaited Firmware Update Version 2.0 is here. This new firmware update promises significant improvement in the speed of auto focus, improved manual focus and processing/writing speeds.

Per Fujifilm, the improvements made by this firmware update include:

1. Improved performance of Auto Focus^*1

Focusing in challenging lighting conditions, where light is either very low or very bright, will now be much faster in Auto Focus mode. The focusing distance has also been improved, allowing you to get closer to the subject and capture a great shot without switching to macro mode.

2. Manual Focus improved performance

(1). Improved Operability – The speed of the image coming into focus when turning the focus ring has been vastly improved. When adjusting the focus using the electronic viewfinder or the LCD panel on the back of the camera it is now much easier to focus, always displaying the image closer to full aperture with minimum depth of field.

(2). New addition of 3x magnification for checking focus – The 10x magnifications / focus check feature on the X-Pro1 has been well received and in this firmware update an additional 3 x option is now available. It is also now possible to find the optimum focus point whilst viewing the entire screen.

3. Improved writing speed/ processing speed.

(1). Improved writing speed to memory card - At maximum speed the X-Pro1 can now write to memory card twice as fast as before. ^*2

(2). Improved speed for playback after shooting – Image playback now occurs less than one second after pressing the image playback button. On some previous occasions, for example when using continuous shooting, you had to wait until the images had been processed before they could be shown on screen.

4. Other additional functions

(1). New addition of “Auto (6400)” to the ISO setting
*1: The effect will differ according to the attached lens.

*2: The effect will differ according to the card type and image file size.

The firmware update is available on the company website: : http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/

Fujifilm also recommends you update the firmware for your Fujinon XF lenses at the same time.

Fuji X-Pro1 Firmware Update Version 2 Coming September 18th

For all of those folks who have been loving their X-Pro1 but really wishing the autofocus and manual focusing was a bit better, there is hope! With a significant firmware update Fujifilm is promising a much faster autofocus in all lighting situations. Also the manual focus speed is supposed to be dramatically improved with much less focus throw and a new 3x magnification option for precision focus tasks. There are a few other major improvements, but read about them in detail in the press release copied below! Just a little prewarning for you too, the update will erase your user settings, so get those written down or remembered for when you have to set the camera back up.
Read More Here…

Sneak Peak of the New Olympus m.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

Our rep from Olympus stopped in today to demo the new 60mm macro lens that they are releasing to accent the wonderfully full Micro FourThirds lens lineup. It is a pre-production sample and so I will not be able to give you any sample images from the lens, but I do have a few of the lens and some remarks about how it handles and what I am looking forward to with it as well. I only had this lens for a whole two minutes so my remarks are to be taken with a grain of salt. I did not have the time to really put it through some paces and understand fully how it works, but here’s the sneak peak anyhow:

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro Lens mounted on a silver Olympus OM-D E-M5 Body with battery grip

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro Lens

This lens is awesome. It has a great build quality with responsive AF and very quick macro focus. The lens focuses down to 1:1 at a distance of 0.19m. There is a 1:1 macro lock function that can be accessed by holding the magnification selection dial to the setting during the focusing, and then is held there until you refocus and it resets itself to the normal focusing mode. The 60mm (120mm in 35mm equivalent) makes for a wonderful close up image that is tight and a focus area that is very well separated from the fore- and background. This lens really is a joy to use in the short time I had it in my hands, but I am looking forward to providing a more in depth look at it when it is released and we have a copy to demo further. If you would like to check it out yourself Charles, the Olympus rep, is in store with the Olympus 60mm Macro on display (along with a whole slew of other m4/3 cameras and lenses) for today and tomorrow and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the lens or the Olympus system of photography equipment.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera Becomes a Reality

Well that was a short-lived rumor. Just yesterday we reported on the rumored Samsung Galaxy camera, but now we have the actual product announcement just one day after specifications started surfacing for this impressive ICC. So here is the beauty in it’s full glory:

Samsung Galaxy Intelligent Compact Camera - Detail of Shutter Button and Grip

Samsung Galaxy Intelligent Compact Camera - Touchscreen Android Interface

Samsung Galaxy Intelligent Compact Camera - Front

Samsung Galaxy Intelligent Compact Camera - Front with Lens Extended

Samsung Galaxy Intelligent Compact Camera - Top

Featuring the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, 3G and 4G access with instant Cloud backup all via Micro-SIM cards (presumably to be purchased through a data plan carrier) along with a plethora of abilities via the massive Google app garden, this camera is set to be a game changer in the consumer camera arena. Stay tuned for more news an a review the moment we have access to one of these beauties.