Relations between current settings and custom settings

Each time that I think I have gotten a good handle on the Fuji X menu system, something happens that makes it clear that I do not have a complete understanding. The latest involves the relationship between the C1-C7 Custom Settings on the X-T3 and the camera's current settings.

I had thought that changes in any of the C1-C7 settings could only be made either through (a) complete copy of current settings or (b) selective changes done via Edit/Save Custom Settings. Apparently not. Today I realized that I needed to change the FOCUS LEVER SETTING from the default setting of ON to PUSH TO UNLOCK, so I did so. I thought I would need to make the same change in the Custom Settings, but found that the change was already made in all 7 of the Custom Settings. So, some changes made in current settings do get to the C1-C7 settings. This prompts the following questions.

1. Does this mean that changes to any current settings that are NOT on the list of things that can be changed via EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTINGS will get applied to all the C1-C7 settings as well? If so, will this also apply to the X100T?

2. What settings are in the C1-C7 bins when the camera comes from the factory? I had assumed that they were all set to the same factory defaults as when the camera is turned on for the first time. I did not inspect each of the Custom Settings on my X-T3 when I first got it, but they all had different Film Simulations.

Forgive the verbosity for what might be simple questions. I have not found answers in the manual, but maybe I have missed a footnote or two.

jamesmck wrote:

Hi James

Each time that I think I have gotten a good handle on the Fuji X menu system, something happens that makes it clear that I do not have a complete understanding. The latest involves the relationship between the C1-C7 Custom Settings on the X-T3 and the camera's current settings.

I had thought that changes in any of the C1-C7 settings could only be made either through (a) complete copy of current settings or (b) selective changes done via Edit/Save Custom Settings. Apparently not. Today I realized that I needed to change the FOCUS LEVER SETTING from the default setting of ON to PUSH TO UNLOCK, so I did so. I thought I would need to make the same change in the Custom Settings, but found that the change was already made in all 7 of the Custom Settings. So, some changes made in current settings do get to the C1-C7 settings. This prompts the following questions.

1. Does this mean that changes to any current settings that are NOT on the list of things that can be changed via EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTINGS will get applied to all the C1-C7 settings as well? If so, will this also apply to the X100T?

There are many settings that are not part of the custom profiles. The focus lever setting is one of them. Another one is the shutter type (MS, ES, etc.) or the photometry. Also, obviously, AF-S/AF-C/MF is not part of the custom profiles ('obviously' because it's a mechanical switch on the body).

WB shift was not part for a long time but now with the newer models, it is. Thanks God.

You can select and edit your settings for each custom profile in the menu. All other settings are not part of the custom profiles.

2. What settings are in the C1-C7 bins when the camera comes from the factory? I had assumed that they were all set to the same factory defaults as when the camera is turned on for the first time. I did not inspect each of the Custom Settings on my X-T3 when I first got it, but they all had different Film Simulations.

Don't remember.

Forgive the verbosity for what might be simple questions. I have not found answers in the manual, but maybe I have missed a footnote or two.

For Fujifilm beginners, it may all not be quick to understand.

Also, it is not obvious what settings affect jpeg only and what settings also change the raw.

Once you got used to it, it works great. I've been a Fujifilm addict for more than 3 years.

Regards,

Martin

I think that the thing to remember is that mechanical switches override anything in the custom settings. It’s a little frustrating but it makes sense. If the custom setting overrode the mechanical switches you would not know by looking at the dials/switches what mode you are in.

I find the custom modes on the X-S10 more useful as the camera has fewer dials and switches and some of the dials are unmarked therefore the custom modes can be used to set the camera up for different tasks (I guess like most other PASM based cameras).

On the other X series cameras that are not PASM based, I get the impression that the custom modes are really just for tweaking JPEG preferences like film sims, sharpening etc.

Here's a thought on this I hope is helpful:

jamesmck wrote:

1. Does this mean that changes to any current settings that are NOT on the list of things that can be changed via EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTINGS will get applied to all the C1-C7 settings as well?

Only the list of settings specified in the manual:

https://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x-t3/menu_shooting/image_quality_setting/index.html#edit-save_custom_setting

2. What settings are in the C1-C7 bins when the camera comes from the factory? I had assumed that they were all set to the same factory defaults as when the camera is turned on for the first time. I did not inspect each of the Custom Settings on my X-T3 when I first got it, but they all had different Film Simulations.

If you really want to know you could run a complete reset - I seem to remember that the film simulation was the only setting that was different and all the others were in the "neutral" position - but it was a long time ago

DF Paul wrote:

...

To me, the single hardest thing in making the switch was understanding how the "concept" of the camera, and especially custom settings, had changed. Back in the old days, the custom settings related to how you actually used the camera. For instance, sometimes you shot still lifes, so you had certain focus settings for still lifes. Sometimes you shot sports, so you had completely different focus settings for sports. You could save different "banks" of custom settings for those things and switch between them with one knob, as you probably know.

This is probably the best answer. You are completely right about this. Fujifilm custom presets follow a different philosophy!

Back in the old days, the custom settings related to how you actually used the camera. For instance, sometimes you shot still lifes, so you had certain focus settings for still lifes. Sometimes you shot sports, so you had completely different focus settings for sports. You could save different "banks" of custom settings for those things and switch between them with one knob, as you probably know.

Btw I never liked the classical presets concept with its landscape, sports, portrait, night shot etc presets. I had it on my former Pentax but never used those presets. It feels to me like an e-piano in autoplay mode.

So, to respond specifically to your point, I think this new Fuji "concept" is what's really behind your frustration. You can't save focus settings as part of a custom settings bank, because the "concept" here is that custom settings are for image quality stuff like image size, film simulation, grain size, etc etc.

Exactly! Fujifilm custom presets are about the look. Hence, it is logical that shutter type, photometry, focus mode are not part of the presets because these are not look related. WB shift was not part of the presets for a longer time but in the meantime, it is (which is logical).

Lastly, I hope I'm right about this, and I hope it's helpful!

Regards,

Martin

Thanks, everyone, for the thoughtful assistance. I will have to keep in mind (better) that the Custom Settings are just aids in manipulating JPEGs, and that "global" settings set via the standard menus (as opposed to EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTINGS) are just that, and will apply everywhere.

On my XH-1 image size and quality are not part of them. They are about the look.

I found the global C settings very useful on Canon cameras, I mainly had day and night sets, at times a set for a shoot set-up. I liked the way I could dial in a change to anything, while walking about, knowing it would default back to the saved set when the camera went to sleep a few minutes later.

Some of this was caused by a menu driven approach, and not having dials to look at quickly. Even so I would like to be able to save global settings.

I know the look style presets are popular on Fuji, I have not found them useful.

Yeah this is a bit confusing on Fujifilm, but it's probably mostly down to the physical controls.  Most cameras that offer full custom modes use the PASM style mode dial, so it's easier for them to control things "in software".

I think the X-S10 is the one exception in Fujifilm's line up, as it has a PASM dial - so the custom modes allow you to save a lot more camera settings, like other cameras do.

DF Paul wrote:

Here's a thought on this I hope is helpful:

And, just like that...I understand how simple it really is. Thanks!

Rightsaidfred wrote:

DF Paul wrote:

...

To me, the single hardest thing in making the switch was understanding how the "concept" of the camera, and especially custom settings, had changed. Back in the old days, the custom settings related to how you actually used the camera. For instance, sometimes you shot still lifes, so you had certain focus settings for still lifes. Sometimes you shot sports, so you had completely different focus settings for sports. You could save different "banks" of custom settings for those things and switch between them with one knob, as you probably know.

This is probably the best answer. You are completely right about this. Fujifilm custom presets follow a different philosophy!

A few more thoughts about this. Fujifilm is carelessly loose when using the term "settings." There are the JPEG plus Dynamic Range and D Range Priority settings. Let's call these the "appearance" settings, that are the basis of the C1-C7 Custom Settings. Then there are the remainder of the many, many settings in the various menus. Let's call these the "additional" settings, and call the "appearance" plus the "additional" settings the "complete settings."

Now, if one accepts the offer to SAVE CURRENT SETTINGS while in the EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTINGS option, one might expect that to mean the complete settings. But, no, only the appearance settings will get saved. This could make a big difference if one were saving current settings in C1 so you could use C1 to restore order if you had changed a bunch of "appearance" and "additional" settings. So, how does one make a backup copy of "complete settings?" The Fujifilm Acquire application apparently does this: "All of the camera settings except for DATE/TIME, results of CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE, and customized QUICK menu can be backed up and restored."

While it may seem like there are as many as eight copies of settings on the camera - the one now in operation and the seven in C1-C7 - but in fact there is only the copy that the camera is presently in (the so-called Current Settings). The "appearance" settings in C1-C7 are simply overlays that merge with the "additional" settings upon request.

Am I correct in all of this?

It's pretty easy to see, if you go into "Edit/Save Custom Setting", select one of them, and select "Edit", it will then show you the menu and settings. Everything greyed out is not available, only the options in white can be changed/saved into the custom setting slot.

On the X-T4 (in my case), and this will apply to most other models - it's just a handful of settings in the IQ menu, you can't store AF settings etc.

On the X-S10 (with it's PASM dial, it relies more on software-based settings) - you can set just about everything else (not quite, but close), such as shooting mode, aperture, drive mode, focus mode, etc.  This is probably closer to what you're used to on other camera models, it's quite a departure from Fujifilm's usual setup, but I believe it also applies to the GFX medium format models, too.