21 replies to this topic

[Jager]

Reading the forum on the Fuji X100 version 1.20, I too noticed the focusing problems w/v 1.20. However, I also found the final focus at f/2.0 is not as sharp as the focus at f/4.0. By this I mean the X100 will focus sharply during the focusing sequence with a half press of the shutter release, but will then quickly go out of focus when the photo is taken. F/2.8 is also out of focus in the final picture, but from f/4 on the image in the focusing green box and final picture are in sharp focus.

My final photograph focus used to be sharp at f/2 and f/2.8 with version 1.12/1.13. This is not good at all with the problems in version 1.20. I am calling Fuji repair US tomorrow and asking them what the heck is going on. I feel it will result in a trip to repair. I sure hope it's covered under warranty.

[soundfanz]

Reading the forum on the Fuji X100 version 1.20, I too noticed the focusing problems w/v 1.20. However, I also found the final focus at f/2.0 is not as sharp as the focus at f/4.0. By this I mean the X100 will focus sharply during the focusing sequence with a half press of the shutter release, but will then quickly go out of focus when the photo is taken. F/2.8 is also out of focus in the final picture, but from f/4 on the image in the focusing green box and final picture are in sharp focus.

My final photograph focus used to be sharp at f/2 and f/2.8 with version 1.12/1.13. This is not good at all with the problems in version 1.20. I am calling Fuji repair US tomorrow and asking them what the heck is going on. I feel it will result in a trip to repair. I sure hope it's covered under warranty.

Why would you send it in for repair? Did you have these problems with 1.13 firmware? I suspect not because you didn't mention it.
Why not just go back to the previous firmware if you don't like the 1.20 update?

[DragonEye]

Reading the forum on the Fuji X100 version 1.20, I too noticed the focusing problems w/v 1.20. However, I also found the final focus at f/2.0 is not as sharp as the focus at f/4.0. By this I mean the X100 will focus sharply during the focusing sequence with a half press of the shutter release, but will then quickly go out of focus when the photo is taken. F/2.8 is also out of focus in the final picture, but from f/4 on the image in the focusing green box and final picture are in sharp focus.

My final photograph focus used to be sharp at f/2 and f/2.8 with version 1.12/1.13. This is not good at all with the problems in version 1.20. I am calling Fuji repair US tomorrow and asking them what the heck is going on. I feel it will result in a trip to repair. I sure hope it's covered under warranty.

I did a quick test at f/2.0 and found it as same as before the 1.20 update. f/2.0 has always been soft compared to f/4 and higher, especially in macro.

[Bashar AR]

when you upgrade the camera resets everything, maybe you had sharpness cranked up before and its back to default now

[brett maxwell]

do you mean "sharp" or do you mean "accurate"? pretty much all lenses are less sharp wide open than they are two stops down, so your description is a bit confusing. Are you saying that the camera initially achieves accurate focus but then shifts the focus just before capture, and that this phenomenon only occurs at large apertures?

[Jager]

I tried to go back to 1.13, but it did not work. And no, I did not have the focusing issue with version 1.13. My X100 was sharp at f/2. and 2.8 before. Furthermore, as others have related, the 1.20 FW update has caused changes in the focusing distances. This is an issue with 1.20, which I like for the RAW button change and the faster focusing, but would rather have my camera works like it did previously while Fuji fixes these bugs.

I mean sharp. Having been using manual focusing lenses since 1970 and AF cameras and glass since 2005, I would like images to be sharp and AF accurately focused. I didn't have the problem before, so I would just like to have my X100 operate as well as it did previous to 1.20

The out of focus change occurs just as the image is recorded. When the AF green box illuminates a split second before capture, the image appears sharp and accurately focused. Then the out of focus occurs and the image is recorded. (I tested it using a tripod, so it is not camera shake)

[Jager]

when you upgrade the camera resets everything, maybe you had sharpness cranked up before and its back to default now

No, I reset all my settings. I am aware of the reset when updating FW. Thank you.

[BrianKraft]

You should be able to revert back to the previous firmware. Not sure why you couldn't. It would nice to see samples of your sharpness comparisons between 1.13 and 1.2.

[Lomandra]

Have just done some tests using AFS with both OVF and EVF at F2 and F2.8 and results are perfect focus and sharp. So I don't think that FW 1.2 is the problem.

[fireblade]

loaded the 1.20 and have no dramas with focus issues in MF, locks on and sharp.
AFS focus in dim is superb.

[Jager]

loaded the 1.20 and have no dramas with focus issues in MF, locks on and sharp.
AFS focus in dim is superb.

I just got off the phone with Fuji USA repair regarding the macro f/2.0 and f/2.8 out of focus issue. The tech was able to replicate the problem that I described. In other words, the problem does exist.

For those who are unclear what the problem is: In Firmware 1.20, when close focusing in macro mode at f/2.0 and f/2.8 the camera will get achieve/show sharp focus just before the focus point box turns to green . When the camera focus box turns green, the camera goes out of focus and the out of focus image(diffused, not sharp) will be recorded. Like I stated at the beginning of this post; the repair technician had the same issue on his X100 at Fuji US repair when he used macro mode at f/2.0 and f/2.8.

I also found another bug w/1.20. When the film simulation settings are on Astia and Velvia the "Sharpness" setting in the exif file are not listed when the push button toggle displays the picture exif. The sharpness settings are displayed in the exif readout for Provia and B&W film simulations, but not for Velvia and Astia. The tech also found this occurred on his X100 at Fuji US repair.

The repair tech made note of these issues and the manual focus AFL-AEL button problem which they pass on to Fuji Japan. He said if enough people complain about the firmware issues Fuji is very good at listening and fixing the issues.

The tech told me he is going to reset his firmware to version 1.13 and see if the issues he and I saw in 1.20 are in 1.13. I will let you know what the comparison shows when I hear.

The macro focus issue is a camera/software issue and not operator error.

[brett maxwell]

I just got off the phone with Fuji USA repair regarding the macro f/2.0 and f/2.8 out of focus issue.

Do you have that number handy? I'd like to complain about the AF in MF mode with v1.2, we need to make sure they know this is a big issue.

[Jeff Charles]

I just got off the phone with Fuji USA repair regarding the macro f/2.0 and f/2.8 out of focus issue. The tech was able to replicate the problem that I described. In other words, the problem does exist.

I have not been able to replicate the problem. I am not saying it doesn't exist.

In any case, Fuji has recommended that f/2 and f/2.8 should not be used at macro distances. They state "However, when shooting macro shots with an open aperture in the neighborhood of F2, spherical aberration tends to occur. It is therefore recommended that an aperture value of F4 is selected for macro applications."

Jeff

[jdbish]

I also found another bug w/1.20. When the film simulation settings are on Astia and Velvia the "Sharpness" setting in the exif file are not listed when the push button toggle displays the picture exif. The sharpness settings are displayed in the exif readout for Provia and B&W film simulations, but not for Velvia and Astia. The tech also found this occurred on his X100 at Fuji US repair.

This has existed in all previous firmware. I talked to the fuji techs about it several months ago and they have the same condition.

[Jager]

Do you have that number handy? I'd like to complain about the AF in MF mode with v1.2, we need to make sure they know this is a big issue.

The repair info for Fuji USA is:
FUJIFILM North America Corporation
1100 King Georges Post Road
Edison, NJ 08837
Attn.: Repair Dept.
Phone: (800) 659-3854 (x3461)
Fax: (732) 857-3471 or (732) 857-3472
Hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm EST

[Jager]

I also found another bug w/1.20. When the film simulation settings are on Astia and Velvia the "Sharpness" setting in the exif file are not listed when the push button toggle displays the picture exif. The sharpness settings are displayed in the exif readout for Provia and B&W film simulations, but not for Velvia and Astia. The tech also found this occurred on his X100 at Fuji US repair.

This has existed in all previous firmware. I talked to the fuji techs about it several months ago and they have the same condition.

You are correct. I did testing in both FW 1.13 and FW 1.20. The EXIF info error/bugs exists in both versions.

The macro focusing at f/2.0 in v 1.13 allows closer focusing distances than v 1.20 allows. F/2.0 is soft in either version, however, f/2.8 is better in v 1.13, IMO. Furthermore, the focus speed is much, much faster and improved in v 1.20 in both macro and normal distances.

So far version 1.20 compared to v 1.13:
1.) Messes up manual focusing and using the AFL-AEL button for manual assist.
2.) Increases the distance the macro mode has to be used at.
3.) Still omits "Sharpness" EXIF data in Astia and Velvia film simulation and shows the "Sharpness" EXIF in B&W and Provia, just as it did in v 1.13.
4.) Definitely increases focusing speed in AF-S.
5.) Allows custom settings for the RAW button.
6.) Helps access auto ISO settings in the menu, but not when either the RAW or Fn button is chosen for ISO.

Overall, until Fuji can issue some bug fixes for v 1.20 that have been discussed here on this forum, I will stay with version 1.20. I have hardly used manual focus in the past and can live with the greater macro distances and fuzziness at f/2.0 and 2.8, for a while any way.

Thanks for all the input during this discussion. It really has gotten me thinking more about the X100 features and how people use their camera.

[wchutt]

In the lens section of the X100 web site

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Fuji recommends:

"While adopting a focusing system of a fixed rear lens element group and an adjustable front lens element group, the lens has been designed to hinder the occurrence of "image plane error" when taking a macro shot. However, when shooting macro shots with an open aperture in the neighborhood of F2, spherical aberration tends to occur. It is therefore recommended that an aperture value of F4 is selected for macro applications."

I have no idea if something has changed in macro or close- focus behavior with the new software. But it's clear the lens was not designed for use wider than f 4 in close up situations.

[Bashar AR]

i have not played with manual focus with the X-100/macro, but you are right, my macro shots at F2 seem less sharp with 1.2

[Fredrik]

I also found another bug w/1.20. When the film simulation settings are on Astia and Velvia the "Sharpness" setting in the exif file are not listed when the push button toggle displays the picture exif. The sharpness settings are displayed in the exif readout for Provia and B&W film simulations, but not for Velvia and Astia. The tech also found this occurred on his X100 at Fuji US repair.

This has existed in all previous firmware. I talked to the fuji techs about it several months ago and they have the same condition.

I have actually been told that Velvia and Astia are film simulations, thus sharpness is not applicable. Hm. But you say it existed in 1.13?

[wchutt]

Getting a sharp macro photo at f 2 is impossible (compared to the sharpness at f 4).

[gleeman]

micro AF - F2.8 sharp as before

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micro AF - F2 soft(as expected) and slight forth-focusing
since i've played this camera last year,not only in firmware 1.2

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I don't use F2 in macro mode.

[Fredrik]

For those who are unclear what the problem is: In Firmware 1.20, when close focusing in macro mode at f/2.0 and f/2.8 the camera will get achieve/show sharp focus just before the focus point box turns to green . When the camera focus box turns green, the camera goes out of focus and the out of focus image(diffused, not sharp) will be recorded. Like I stated at the beginning of this post; the repair technician had the same issue on his X100 at Fuji US repair when he used macro mode at f/2.0 and f/2.8.

Feels like this was fixed in 1.21, no?