FUJIFILM さん、 聞いてください！(Please listen up!)

[TangoMan]

Dear Mr Fujifilm,

I write to you on behalf of all those who like to do flash photography. Please make the hot shoe operational at all times on all of your cameras.

Why deactivate the hot shoe? It's infuriating. Point in case : I'd love to use the film simulation braketing to have both black and white and color jpg when I shoot. It can be done in only one shutter actuation. Why cut the flash signal when I chose bracketing? I am left in dismay at this oversight. And if I want to shoot a three frames per second, and I know my flash can handle it (it can even handle 8fps!), why deactivate the hotshoe and make me angry?

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Allow me to also express the sentiment of all those early adopters who saw the impressive achievement of the JPG engine on your early cameras, the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and X-A1. The outstanding image quality is what attracted us. With these cameras, we could shoot JPG with confidence at ISO 6400, knowing the skin tones and rendering would be natural and totally すごい！(amazing). We, professional high volume people shooters, who need both ISO 6400 and great skin tone rendition, have been waiting to upgrade our first generation cameras to newer ones with fast AF subsystems, but sadly the newer cameras apply unwanted and unacceptable bluring and tinting to skin tones. The infamous "high ISO skin waxing" should be made optional, else we don't buy. I and others are holding off on Fuji camera and lens purchases until we see that our cameras have a path of upgrade that includes both fast AF and Image Quality at least as good as the first generation of X cameras had. The X-E2 and X-T1 have strong selling points, but they both disappoint strongly in that regard.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Yours patiently,
An early adopter wishing he could upgrade his X-camera to an X-Pro1 Jpeg Engine with an X-T1 AF system.

 

[meagre offerings]

Dear Mr Fujifilm,

I write to you on behalf of all those who like to do flash photography. Please make the hot shoe operational at all times on all of your cameras.

Why deactivate the hot shoe? It's infuriating. Point in case : I'd love to use the film simulation braketing to have both black and white and color jpg when I shoot. It can be done in only one shutter actuation. Why cut the flash signal when I chose bracketing? I am left in dismay at this oversight. And if I want to shoot a three frames per second, and I know my flash can handle it (it can even handle 8fps!), why deactivate the hotshoe and make me angry?

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Allow me to also express the sentiment of all those early adopters who saw the impressive achievement of the JPG engine on your early cameras, the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and X-A1. The outstanding image quality is what attracted us. With these cameras, we could shoot JPG with confidence at ISO 6400, knowing the skin tones and rendering would be natural and totally すごい！(amazing). We, professional high volume people shooters, who need both ISO 6400 and great skin tone rendition, have been waiting to upgrade our first generation cameras to newer ones with fast AF subsystems, but sadly the newer cameras apply unwanted and unacceptable bluring and tinting to skin tones. The infamous "high ISO skin waxing" should be made optional, else we don't buy. I and others are holding off on Fuji camera and lens purchases until we see that our cameras have a path of upgrade that includes both fast AF and Image Quality at least as good as the first generation of X cameras had. The X-E2 and X-T1 have strong selling points, but they both disappoint strongly in that regard.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Yours patiently,
An early adopter wishing he could upgrade his X-camera to an X-Pro1 Jpeg Engine with an X-T1 AF system.

Flash photography matters not a jot to me personally, but your points around the mkll xtrans sensor I agree wholeheartedly with. If the next generation of x cameras render skin the same as the mkll at high ISO I will just buy another xpro1 to go with my present xpro1.

Very best

Pc
--

Galleries by paul cheeseman

www.pbase.com

`im a simple man, i use simple tools, and i shoot what i see` L S Lowry (but bastardised by me).

 

[BillyInya]

Dear Mr Fujifilm,

I write to you on behalf of all those who like to do flash photography. Please make the hot shoe operational at all times on all of your cameras.

Why deactivate the hot shoe? It's infuriating. Point in case : I'd love to use the film simulation braketing to have both black and white and color jpg when I shoot. It can be done in only one shutter actuation. Why cut the flash signal when I chose bracketing? I am left in dismay at this oversight. And if I want to shoot a three frames per second, and I know my flash can handle it (it can even handle 8fps!), why deactivate the hotshoe and make me angry?

Not really an issue for me but I hear you.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Allow me to also express the sentiment of all those early adopters who saw the impressive achievement of the JPG engine on your early cameras, the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and X-A1. The outstanding image quality is what attracted us. With these cameras, we could shoot JPG with confidence at ISO 6400, knowing the skin tones and rendering would be natural and totally すごい！(amazing). We, professional high volume people shooters, who need both ISO 6400 and great skin tone rendition, have been waiting to upgrade our first generation cameras to newer ones with fast AF subsystems, but sadly the newer cameras apply unwanted and unacceptable bluring and tinting to skin tones. The infamous "high ISO skin waxing" should be made optional, else we don't buy. I and others are holding off on Fuji camera and lens purchases until we see that our cameras have a path of upgrade that includes both fast AF and Image Quality at least as good as the first generation of X cameras had. The X-E2 and X-T1 have strong selling points, but they both disappoint strongly in that regard.

Totally agree. But as long as people can still get hold of an X-Pro1 or an X-E1 then they can still experience the wonders of Fuji jpegs at any ISO. But then again there's not too many X-Pro1's and X-E1's left now. I've got two X-E1's so I'm OK.

My bet is the issue will not exist in the next new Fuji cameras which will leave the X-E2 and X-T1 with the dubious honor of being the only Fuji cameras suffering from this problem.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Yours patiently,
An early adopter wishing he could upgrade his X-camera to an X-Pro1 Jpeg Engine with an X-T1 AF system.

Exactly. That would be a great camera and I would own one for sure.

 

[TangoMan]

Allow me to also express the sentiment of all those early adopters who saw the impressive achievement of the JPG engine on your early cameras, the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and X-A1. The outstanding image quality is what attracted us. With these cameras, we could shoot JPG with confidence at ISO 6400, knowing the skin tones and rendering would be natural and totally すごい！(amazing). We, professional high volume people shooters, who need both ISO 6400 and great skin tone rendition, have been waiting to upgrade our first generation cameras to newer ones with fast AF subsystems, but sadly the newer cameras apply unwanted and unacceptable bluring and tinting to skin tones. The infamous "high ISO skin waxing" should be made optional, else we don't buy. I and others are holding off on Fuji camera and lens purchases until we see that our cameras have a path of upgrade that includes both fast AF and Image Quality at least as good as the first generation of X cameras had. The X-E2 and X-T1 have strong selling points, but they both disappoint strongly in that regard.

Totally agree. But as long as people can still get hold of an X-Pro1 or an X-E1 then they can still experience the wonders of Fuji jpegs at any ISO. But then again there's not too many X-Pro1's and X-E1's left now. I've got two X-E1's so I'm OK.

It can't hurt to forward a copy of this to the various fuji website that collect user's feedback.

My bet is the issue will not exist in the next new Fuji cameras which will leave the X-E2 and X-T1 with the dubious honor of being the only Fuji cameras suffering from this problem.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Yours patiently,
An early adopter wishing he could upgrade his X-camera to an X-Pro1 Jpeg Engine with an X-T1 AF system.

Exactly. That would be a great camera and I would own one for sure.

I would also buy one or two in a heartbeat!

I sent the message to Fuji. I hope other people will do it, so that they can realize how important this is for many people.

 

[Pic Man]

Ask them to add classic chrome to all Fujifilm cameras via firmware update while you're at it. Much obliged

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/luke_forrest/

 

[FBoneOne]

Could not agree more with your points. And instead of going all in with fuji I just spent a few grands on Nikon gear because the XPro1 lacks AF and flash performance and the XT1 lacks flash and jpg quality.

If the fuji lenses were not that amazing, I would have moved away, but the XP1 is so close to ideal and the lenses just nail what I need... I hope the XP2 will be all you describe and more.

 

[fatpixel]

The jpg quality issue with the x-e2 was a big time let down for me personally. Of all the Fuji cameras including the x-t1 it was the x-e2 which I wanted most. I got the x-e1 instead which means my jpg's are great at any iso but I feel let down I had to go and get the older camera just to get the best jpg quality Fuji are known for so I agree with you.

As for hoping Fuji are listening to you and they get this fixed with the x-Pro2 or x-e3 or x-t2 this has got to me a monster understatement. I am sure they will as talk about this is all over the place.

My raw processing is improving but I still find it really hard to match the jpg quality I get straight out of my x-e1 most of the time.

 

[TangoMan]

Just wondering if anybody would send the message to fuji over their regular feedback channels (websites). So far, they never replied, but the number of us doing it would certainly help in making the message heard.

Don't you want to have both great quality JPG at High ISO AND fast AF?

 

[BillyInya]

Just wondering if anybody would send the message to fuji over their regular feedback channels (websites). So far, they never replied, but the number of us doing it would certainly help in making the message heard.

Don't you want to have both great quality JPG at High ISO AND fast AF?

I get this with my X-E1 right now. The AF is plenty fast enough for me and the IQ at any ISO is stellar.

I am sure Fuji are reading these forums and I am not surprised they choose not to have a presence here. Does any major manufacturer have an official presence in any forum here? I can not find one.

 

[Ivanoff2013]

Hello, colleagues!

I absolutely agree with the opinion expressed here. (Sorry for my poor English...)

I am the X-M1 owner, and I have to say that I disappointed too with unnatural waxy skin tones and absence of "true" film modes. I don`t like "modern" type of FUJIFILM picture.

Last software update from june 2014 for X-M1 showed, that FUJIFILM are not interested in improvement оf this budget product.

So no any kaizen to X-M1 and it is very bad

 

[evoprox]

Dear Mr Fujifilm,

I write to you on behalf of all those who like to do flash photography. Please make the hot shoe operational at all times on all of your cameras.

Why deactivate the hot shoe? It's infuriating. Point in case : I'd love to use the film simulation braketing to have both black and white and color jpg when I shoot. It can be done in only one shutter actuation. Why cut the flash signal when I chose bracketing? I am left in dismay at this oversight. And if I want to shoot a three frames per second, and I know my flash can handle it (it can even handle 8fps!), why deactivate the hotshoe and make me angry?

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Allow me to also express the sentiment of all those early adopters who saw the impressive achievement of the JPG engine on your early cameras, the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-M1 and X-A1. The outstanding image quality is what attracted us. With these cameras, we could shoot JPG with confidence at ISO 6400, knowing the skin tones and rendering would be natural and totally すごい！(amazing). We, professional high volume people shooters, who need both ISO 6400 and great skin tone rendition, have been waiting to upgrade our first generation cameras to newer ones with fast AF subsystems, but sadly the newer cameras apply unwanted and unacceptable bluring and tinting to skin tones. The infamous "high ISO skin waxing" should be made optional, else we don't buy. I and others are holding off on Fuji camera and lens purchases until we see that our cameras have a path of upgrade that includes both fast AF and Image Quality at least as good as the first generation of X cameras had. The X-E2 and X-T1 have strong selling points, but they both disappoint strongly in that regard.

They've done that before when they 'upgraded' the X10 (EXR) and gave us the X20 (X-Trans). Quite a few upgraders from the X10, myself included missed the jpgs from the predecessor and returned to the X10 despite all the innovations on the X20 (see the discussions on the neighbouring Finepix forum and elsewhere).

One technically simple solution against the observed "flattening" (for lack of a better term) would be the option to turn the noise reduction entirely OFF but so far they don't want us to do that. I don't get tired of repeating my point but shoot any X Fuji against a camera with a comparable sensor, preferably with the same adapted lens. Start with low contrast, uni coloured surfaces, shoot RAW and jpg and compare.

It's time to thoroughly debunk some of that X-Trans or 'best jpgs in the business' BS once and for all. Local or micro-contrast is no myth, it's there or not, depending on the subject - the light - lens - sensor and signal processing. You notice or miss it or you don't. In the end it's all a matter of personal preferences but I do prefer my images less ironed and shoot RAW anyway.

Regarding the AF speed of my X-Pro1 I'm more or less OK with how it performs. It's MUCH, MUCH better than three years ago and I didn't buy the Fuji to shoot sports, cats or toddlers anyway.

So please do the kaizen thing and fix it. どうもありがとうございます (deeply bowing with anticipated gratitude)

Yup, and once you're at it don't forget that OFF option for the wax engine.

Yours patiently,
An early adopter wishing he could upgrade his X-camera to an X-Pro1 Jpeg Engine with an X-T1 AF system.

 

[Mr Spocko]

I have to agree with the OP the older generation models had much nicer jpegs less NR smearing and more grain like, also they had a smoother contrast better DR in jpegs no question over the newer models.

The flash issue is one that should have been sorted from "day 1" it is important to many and Fuji have taken a long time on this, not to mention they will have to update firmware again to support it properly (HSS etc)

I sold my X-M1 as I didn't like the jpegs and bought an X-E1 far happier with the rendering on that camera

I would add one more point to Fuji stop overstating the ISO as well!

 

[BRPWS]

Looking back at Xpro1 and xe1 jpegs I have to agree that the newer models need a firmware/software upgrade in regards to the waxy look at high iso. I think Fuji thought what they did would approach a broader market.

While I am primarily a Raw user, there are times that Jpegs are essential for expediency and there is no doubt that the primary selling feature originally was the image quality. I am sure Fuji can take a step backward and give back that quality. Well not sure but very hopeful.

 

[TangoMan]

I have to agree with the OP the older generation models had much nicer jpegs less NR smearing and more grain like, also they had a smoother contrast better DR in jpegs no question over the newer models.

The flash issue is one that should have been sorted from "day 1" it is important to many and Fuji have taken a long time on this, not to mention they will have to update firmware again to support it properly (HSS etc)

Thank you, please also mention it directly to Fuji, they need to hear that feedback.

I sold my X-M1 as I didn't like the jpegs and bought an X-E1 far happier with the rendering on that camera

What was wrong with the M1 jpegs? No professional film simulation and no B&W filters, that's understood, but what else? Couldn't you find what you want by adjusting the tonality, noise reduction etc?

 

[Whitesands]

You can have smooth skin tones or play connect the dot with your favorite APSC non X-trans camera....Pick one.

 

[Mr Spocko]

Thank you, please also mention it directly to Fuji, they need to hear that feedback.

Lots of people have mentioned this one should not need to raise it very obvious Fuji should know this without even asking

I sold my X-M1 as I didn't like the jpegs and bought an X-E1 far happier with the rendering on that camera

What was wrong with the M1 jpegs? No professional film simulation and no B&W filters, that's understood, but what else? Couldn't you find what you want by adjusting the tonality, noise reduction etc?

The jpegs on the X-M1 could be adjusted to a degree out of the box they are poor way too much contrast so you can drop that down. Unfortunately it's not easy to match the older cameras which at default levels are smoother in tonal range and rolls off shadows and highlights, DR is bad on the new Fuji cameras in jpeg

I don't like the smeary jpegs off my Sony cameras but at least the DR is good

Even with NR right the way down the newer cameras can't match the older ones at high ISO they are not the same even both put down to -2

Again this should not have to be mentioned a number of reviews have pointed this out, yet Fuji continue to ignore the problems.

 

[Sal Baker]

Looking back at Xpro1 and xe1 jpegs I have to agree that the newer models need a firmware/software upgrade in regards to the waxy look at high iso. I think Fuji thought what they did would approach a broader market.

While I am primarily a Raw user, there are times that Jpegs are essential for expediency and there is no doubt that the primary selling feature originally was the image quality. I am sure Fuji can take a step backward and give back that quality. Well not sure but very hopeful.

For RAW shooters who need/want occasional high ISO OOC jpegs, this works very well. It's a workaround, not a fix, but it only takes a few extra seconds and produces great Fuji jpegs from newer X-cams...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55447858

Sal

 

[TangoMan]

Thank you, please also mention it directly to Fuji, they need to hear that feedback.

Lots of people have mentioned this one should not need to raise it very obvious Fuji should know this without even asking

"Should not", maybe, but that isn't taking responsibility for the outcome and it will not get you far.

Maybe they should know it, but we are the ones who end up with the same flawed cameras if we don't speak convincingly enough.

I sold my X-M1 as I didn't like the jpegs and bought an X-E1 far happier with the rendering on that camera

What was wrong with the M1 jpegs? No professional film simulation and no B&W filters, that's understood, but what else? Couldn't you find what you want by adjusting the tonality, noise reduction etc?

The jpegs on the X-M1 could be adjusted to a degree out of the box they are poor way too much contrast so you can drop that down. Unfortunately it's not easy to match the older cameras which at default levels are smoother in tonal range and rolls off shadows and highlights, DR is bad on the new Fuji cameras in jpeg

I don't like the smeary jpegs off my Sony cameras but at least the DR is good

Even with NR right the way down the newer cameras can't match the older ones at high ISO they are not the same even both put down to -2

Again this should not have to be mentioned a number of reviews have pointed this out, yet Fuji continue to ignore the problems.

And that is why you SHOULD mention it to them. Nowaday, reviewers and self-appointed experts are a dime a dozen and barely know their stuff, so Fuji has every right to feel they know better than "a number of reviewer". I personnaly don't agree with the idea that the jpegs of the x-m1 can't be adjusted to taste.