Is Your Fujifilm XH2s Failing You? Investigating the Auto Focus Issue Caused by Firmware 3.0 Update!

Whats the problem?

As a professional photographer, it's crucial to have reliable gear that consistently delivers high-quality results. In recent times, many professionals have embraced FujiFilm cameras for their exceptional image quality and unique features. However, there is a growing concern regarding the autofocus capabilities of these cameras. In this blog post, we will delve into the challenges faced by photographers when using FujiFilm cameras and explore how these issues can impact their photography workflow. Whether you're a professional photographer or an aspiring enthusiast, understanding the limitations of your gear is vital for achieving your creative vision.

The Initial Impression

When the FujiFilm XH2S was first introduced, it received significant attention in the photography community. Its video capabilities and image quality quickly captivated the interest of many photographers. Influential content creators even recommended these cameras, praising their performance. However, a change occurred with the 3.0 firmware update that led to a noticeable decline in the autofocus reliability.

The Tracking Issue

One of the standout features of the Fuji Film XH2S was its impressive autofocus system, surpassing even the renowned Canon R6 at the time. The camera was reliable and consistently locked onto subjects, providing photographers with the confidence to capture their desired shots. Unfortunately, the 3.0 firmware update brought about a shift in this reliability, introducing inconsistencies in the autofocus performance.

The Misleading Green Box

With the firmware update, the FujiFilm cameras gained a new focus algorithm. While this algorithm indicated that the camera was locked onto the subject's eye and in focus, it didn't always accurately track the subject. This meant that photographers would see a green box around the eye, signifying that focus was achieved, but upon reviewing the images, they discovered that critical focus was missed. This discrepancy between what was displayed on the screen and the actual focus of the image created frustration and undermined photographers' confidence in their gear.

The Professional Photographer's Dilemma

For professional photographers, the stakes are higher when it comes to capturing the perfect shot. They need to ensure that every image delivered to clients meets the highest standards of quality. Unfortunately, with the autofocus issues experienced after the 3.0 firmware update, professional photographers have faced challenges in guaranteeing consistent focus accuracy. This has forced some photographers to consider alternative camera systems, such as Canon, Sony or Nikon to supplement their Fuji Film bodies for situations requiring reliable autofocus.

A Word of Caution

While the autofocus problems discussed here are of concern to professional photographers who rely on precise and consistent focus, it's important to note that these issues might not be as significant for photographers who primarily work in controlled environments or shoot subjects that don't involve fast action. If you fall into these categories, the Fuji Film cameras might still be suitable for your needs.

A Hope for Improvement

This blog post is not intended to criticize or shame Fuji Film; rather, it aims to shed light on the challenges faced by photographers using their cameras. The image quality produced by Fuji Film cameras is undoubtedly beautiful, and many photographers still have a strong affinity for them. The hope is that Fuji Film acknowledges the autofocus issues highlighted by photographers and takes steps to address them in future updates. Until then, it's essential for photographers to be aware of these challenges and make informed decisions about their gear choices based on their specific shooting requirements.

How can a professional photographer stay in control of their editing?

Why we lose control of our Lightroom Workflow

We've all been there. You get back from your shoot, set your bags down, and watch your images import onto your computer, and while you watch that progress bar, you realise that you've taken way more photographs than you anticipated.

It hits you just how long it will take you to work through all these images and get the final selections edited and ready for your clients.

Your backlog has been piling up over the last month. Let's face it; something has to change.

The temptation you face at this point is to outsource to a third-party company. They promise to cull your images down and colour correct them so you can finally send off the gallery to your clients! You're trading time for money and control over the final product.

There's a better way to work.

Your clients book you for your vision. Photography is an art form and a craft. It's about more than just pressing the button on your camera. The equipment you use, your eye for colour and composition, and the way you edit your work all come together to build something greater than the sum of its parts.

Your clients book you because they trust your eye. They have seen your work and love what you do, so they trust you to work with them. Leaving a piece of that puzzle to someone else will dilute your vision, at best, and at worst, can stunt your growth as a photographer.

Building a solid workflow allows you to design an efficient process that preserves your ability to shape the final images directly. This approach is the only way you can truly design the look and feel of your images over the years and organically evolve your visual identity.

Your editing style matters. Learning how to work smarter and faster gives you back control without needing to send those edits out to someone who cares far less about your work than you do!

Protect your brand

If you want to reach the pinnacle of this industry, the main goal is to produce work that's instantly identifiable as yours. A potential client has to pick your work out from a sea of other photographers. If you use the same editing company as another photographer, you're giving up an opportunity to stand out.

Spending time on your own editing process, understanding what your client sees, and making adjustments to make your vision clearer to them are fundamental parts of building a visual identity. Think of your editing workflow as something to craft with the same attention to detail as the photographs you make. The difference is your workflow can be more than just a performance art. 

Together we can experiment to find your ideal look, then build systems that get there faster. It's all the creativity with none of the drawbacks.

Take back control 

Your visual identity is something worth building. Like everything that matters, true growth does not come quickly. 

By being dedicated to edit your own work, your committing to continually improving and refining the look and feel of your images to better match your brand, visual identity and your client's needs. 

Outsourcing editing will only give you time back. And if thats the only thing you need, efficient workflow systems can fix that problem for you. 

Keep control. Develop your eye. And get your life back. 

Do Instagram Reels Suck?

Photography on Instagram is dead?

I have heard a lot of people complaining about the fact that Instagram's leading more heavily into video and I really do hear what you’re saying. It's difficult to be a creative and have somebody tell you that your art is less important than somebody else's. This update massively de-emphasises the still image, that affects so many different disciplines. Photographers, artists, illustrators graphic designers all make incredible incredible artwork that is not design to move.

Move with the times

I think that if we ignore this trend towards motion we're going to be in trouble, honestly as much as I prefer photography, the reason Instagram is trying to make these changes is because it's what their data is telling it then that we enjoy. The data is saying that as a whole we spend time watching videos. We enjoy connecting with people when we can see and hear them and as a result of that those mediums that don't include audio or motion are seeing less success.

We can all get frustrated by this and to be frank, I think we've got a good reason to be upset. It’s pretty clear that Instagram is not evenly waiting stills with video. Our platform has changed and we had no say in the matter.

Data is King?

But if you ignore the fact that video is getting more traction. I think you're probably doing yourself a disservice.

If you're a photographer you have a head start because the cameras that you're using to make your Stills most likely have a video function. As a result of that you can almost instantly produce content that’s going to look and feel incredible compared to essentially any other business owner.

If you're not a photographer or if you're the kind of person that does not want to learn how to use video on their main cameras. You have an incredibly powerful tool in your pocket. The phones we all use to access these services produce, crisp, clear and frankly amazing video!

Feel the Fear, do it anyway

There's every reason for you to be upset. But what happens when we ask ourselves why? What is it about video that makes you afraid?

Is it the fact that you're gonna have to speak frankly and candidly to a group of people that you can't see or interact with? Is it the fact that it requires more thought and effort? or Is it just that it's a new discipline? or is it because you wanted the thing that you make to be the only thing you were judged on? and in my case, it was definitely the latter.

I wanted to be known for being a photographer and a photographer only but the more that time wears on I realize that is no longer a luxury that I have as a creative business owner.

Video is the Future

Whether or not Instagram decided to make these changes, video is the future. It's the future not because Instagram says so but because people like to interact with people they know like and Trust.

Hopefully hearing me talk to you will help you to get to know me better. I want your business to succeed. And part of that success now looks like making the effort to move into video format in some way shape or form.

Move with the times

If you're not sure how to do that drop me a DM when we can talk about it. I want to help you win.

For anybody out there that's on the fence about whether or not to get started making videos. Please start now. People use to say you first 10,000 photographs of. Are you worst? And it's the same with video.

The first time you pick up the camera and record yourself is gonna feel awkward. I'm sat here right now feeling awkward and sat in my living room, my kids toys are literally all around me, I cleared just enough space to make this video and nothing else.

It’s nerve-wracking but I'm here to tell you that you can do it. I believe in your ability.

I know that not only you an incredible photographer. You are also somebody with something to say, that's valuable. Your clients like you for a reason and the people that haven't met you yet will love you for a reason.

You just need to show them why your work matters and talk a little bit about the things that light you up.

NAS Storage VS Desktop Drives For Photographers

Affordable Backup Storage Solutions for Photographers

Many of you will have heard about NAS (Networked Attached Storage) drives but It’s less common that a drive would be called a DAS (Direct Attached Storage). in this video we are comparing a Two-Bay Synology NAS drive and a Desktop (DAS) Hard Drive from Seagate.

Price Per Terabyte

At the time of this video the Synology enclosure with 12 terabytes of storage costs around about £750 the desktop attached storage drive from Seagate with 16 terabytes of storage was £350. So for the price of one Synology Enclosure with two 6 TB drives inside, you can have two of the Seagate 16 terabyte drives. Clearly the price of the Network Attached Storage (NAS) is significantly higher than a more traditional desktop drive.

NAS VS DAS

We're going to start by looking at this option from Synology. The enclosure is designed to allow you to put two hard drives inside, connect this to your router and this drive will allow you access to your files anywhere in your local network (hence the name Network Attached Storage). The connection speed that you've got to your router over your wireless network is much much slower than a fast wired connection you would get by plugging directly into a desktop drive. So if you’re looking for a faster More stable connection drive directly attached to your computer will be the better choice.

Storage Recommendation for Photographers

We're going to talk in a separate video about why you might want to choose NAS over a Desktop Attached Storage (DAS) solution it but for the majority photographers if you're looking for a quick solution look for desktop drives forget about the NAS, It's more expensive and if you don't know why you need it, you probably don't need it.

If you want to know how contact me by DM on instagram or using the button at the top of this page.