XF 18-55 Firmware version 3.24

Perhaps others have posted and I missed it, but Fuji has updated firmware for the 18-55 posted on 9-29-2022. Issue improvement sounds fairly significant (if somewhat unclearly stated)...

The firmware update Ver.3.24 from Ver.3.23 incorporates the following issue:

Resolution of the still image has been improved at using the “MECHANICAL SHUTTER” or “E-FRONT CURTAIN SHUTTER” in on the specific conditions

Curious to know if anyone who has updated has seen an improvement and is aware of the "specific conditions" that are unspecified(!)

Yeah I updated back then. It sounds like they may have done something to reduce shutter shock? Not sure exactly how the lens would play into that, but it might have something to do with locking down the lens elements and components differently when in those shutter modes?

I have missed it; thanks for posting it.

To get some more feedback I googled it and came up with a couple of negative comments:

"Oct 21, 2022
After updating to this firmware, I have noticed that the whirring sound that the OIS normally makes when the camera is turned on has gotten noticeably louder. It was audible in a quiet room from up close even before (with firmware 3.22), but now you can clearly hear it even from a distance of 3-4 feet. It is the same with both of my cameras (X-T2, X-E3).
Anybody else has experienced this?"

"assa jez 3 weeks ago
Updated the 18-55 and I have a weird noise now, like a motor squeezing with no reason. hear it at start up and it can last as long as 10 seconds, I would advise against updating if you have no problem currently especially when the improvements are not even noticeable."

Not from the most credible sources (I know, you can find lots of weird stuff if you try :-), but just may be worth noticing. Having a very good copy (from 2012) I am somewhat apprehensive to change anything since it is not possible to load a previous update...

Too bad that Fujifilm does not explain the "special conditions" mentioned in the update.

jacob

jm10 wrote:

I have missed it; thanks for posting it.

Oddly enough, I realize I did make the update sometime soon after it was announced, but forgot! Quite the surprise to find when I finally checked on the FW ID. I do remember that there was unhappiness with Fuji for not explaining how it works with the .dat files (04 and 46) in the folder... no worries... download both onto the SD card and the lens will magically know which one is needed.

To get some more feedback I googled it and came up with a couple of negative comments:

"Oct 21, 2022
After updating to this firmware, I have noticed that the whirring sound that the OIS normally makes when the camera is turned on has gotten noticeably louder. It was audible in a quiet room from up close even before (with firmware 3.22), but now you can clearly hear it even from a distance of 3-4 feet. It is the same with both of my cameras (X-T2, X-E3).
Anybody else has experienced this?"

No, still certainly lots quieter than the 70-300 (which isn't anything I'd complain about either).

"assa jez 3 weeks ago
Updated the 18-55 and I have a weird noise now, like a motor squeezing with no reason. hear it at start up and it can last as long as 10 seconds, I would advise against updating if you have no problem currently especially when the improvements are not even noticeable."

Not from the most credible sources (I know, you can find lots of weird stuff if you try :-), but just may be worth noticing. Having a very good copy (from 2012) I am somewhat apprehensive to change anything since it is not possible to load a previous update...

Again, no... Unlike some hardware sources (Viltrox I'm pointing at you), Fuji does proper vetting and you can pretty well depend on the FW after about 2 weeks (there have been a few times when FW was updated again because problems were minor found after initial distribution, but by now those issues would have been found.

Too bad that Fujifilm does not explain the "special conditions" mentioned in the update.

Yeah, they are historically consistent about handing out obtuse explanations for FW updates. Glad that the engineers writing code are several pay grades higher than those writing up the tech info for public consumption.

Someone mentioned that Fuji has made some changes in how OIS and IBIS interact, and that might be the "special conditions." Or changes in how the newer IBIS bodies coordinate with OIS (seems plausible).

It is frustrating that my new 70-300 is supposed to have OIS on when the body is mounted on tripod, but earlier lenses don't have that recommendation. It would be nice to know what's going on - including an explanation why Fuji - via the bodies - insists that both OIS/IBIS is supposed to be either on or off, not one of each. Some of us are curious!

jacob

JNR wrote:

jm10 wrote:

I have missed it; thanks for posting it.

Oddly enough, I realize I did make the update sometime soon after it was announced, but forgot! Quite the surprise to find when I finally checked on the FW ID. I do remember that there was unhappiness with Fuji for not explaining how it works with the .dat files (04 and 46) in the folder... no worries... download both onto the SD card and the lens will magically know which one is needed.

To get some more feedback I googled it and came up with a couple of negative comments:

"Oct 21, 2022
After updating to this firmware, I have noticed that the whirring sound that the OIS normally makes when the camera is turned on has gotten noticeably louder. It was audible in a quiet room from up close even before (with firmware 3.22), but now you can clearly hear it even from a distance of 3-4 feet. It is the same with both of my cameras (X-T2, X-E3).
Anybody else has experienced this?"

No, still certainly lots quieter than the 70-300 (which isn't anything I'd complain about either).

"assa jez 3 weeks ago
Updated the 18-55 and I have a weird noise now, like a motor squeezing with no reason. hear it at start up and it can last as long as 10 seconds, I would advise against updating if you have no problem currently especially when the improvements are not even noticeable."

Not from the most credible sources (I know, you can find lots of weird stuff if you try :-), but just may be worth noticing. Having a very good copy (from 2012) I am somewhat apprehensive to change anything since it is not possible to load a previous update...

Again, no... Unlike some hardware sources (Viltrox I'm pointing at you), Fuji does proper vetting and you can pretty well depend on the FW after about 2 weeks (there have been a few times when FW was updated again because problems were minor found after initial distribution, but by now those issues would have been found.

Too bad that Fujifilm does not explain the "special conditions" mentioned in the update.

Yeah, they are historically consistent about handing out obtuse explanations for FW updates. Glad that the engineers writing code are several pay grades higher than those writing up the tech info for public consumption.

Someone mentioned that Fuji has made some changes in how OIS and IBIS interact, and that might be the "special conditions." Or changes in how the newer IBIS bodies coordinate with OIS (seems plausible).

I saw this also; could be...

It is frustrating that my new 70-300 is supposed to have OIS on when the body is mounted on tripod, but earlier lenses don't have that recommendation. It would be nice to know what's going on - including an explanation why Fuji - via the bodies - insists that both OIS/IBIS is supposed to be either on or off, not one of each. Some of us are curious!

All Fujifilm lenses I own (including the 70-300 mm) were tested multiple times on a sturdy tripod; OIS ON or OFF made no difference at all. Using X-T2. I will also include the Tamron 17-70 here. Don't know how IBIS behaves on a tripod...

jacob

jm10 wrote:

JNR wrote:

It is frustrating that my new 70-300 is supposed to have OIS on when the body is mounted on tripod, but earlier lenses don't have that recommendation. It would be nice to know what's going on - including an explanation why Fuji - via the bodies - insists that both OIS/IBIS is supposed to be either on or off, not one of each. Some of us are curious!

All Fujifilm lenses I own (including the 70-300 mm) were tested multiple times on a sturdy tripod; OIS ON or OFF made no difference at all. Using X-T2. I will also include the Tamron 17-70 here. Don't know how IBIS behaves on a tripod...

Thanks, Jacob! Great to know. I've got the X-T2, as well.

Early IBIS on Pentax - the recommendation was to turn it off. However, I suspect the newer versions are much more sophisticated and figure out the situation on their own.

I'm a bit concerned - based on a recent thread on this forum posted with long exposure images - that the Tamron 17-70 doesn't play well with IBIS. If so, too bad as the lens clearly is very capable. Fuji might need a FW update to include a separate on-off for IBIS to resolve any third-party OIS issues... but that might not happen anytime soon.

jacob

A little late to the party but I just attached my 18-55 (previously updated to v3.24) to my XT30-II and as hard as I try, I barely hear the OIS from the lens. And I'm in a quiet room at home with my hearing aids on.

Robmas4229 wrote:

A little late to the party but I just attached my 18-55 (previously updated to v3.24) to my XT30-II and as hard as I try, I barely hear the OIS from the lens. And I'm in a quiet room at home with my hearing aids on.

You are not too late. Thanks for taking the time to test. Good to know - another data point

jacob

I can also confirm that my 18-55 is also almost inaudible with no change after the firmware was updated to version 3.24.

Don

DonAH wrote:

I can also confirm that my 18-55 is also almost inaudible with no change after the firmware was updated to version 3.24.

Don

Thanks for the confirmation Don! Still curious what exactly was the reason for this update...

jacob

jm10 wrote:

DonAH wrote:

I can also confirm that my 18-55 is also almost inaudible with no change after the firmware was updated to version 3.24.

Don

Thanks for the confirmation Don! Still curious what exactly was the reason for this update...

jacob

My guess is it has to do with shutter shock at certain shutter speeds.

Don

DonAH wrote:

jm10 wrote:

DonAH wrote:

I can also confirm that my 18-55 is also almost inaudible with no change after the firmware was updated to version 3.24.

Don

Thanks for the confirmation Don! Still curious what exactly was the reason for this update...

jacob

My guess is it has to do with shutter shock at certain shutter speeds.

Don

You could be right Don. I saw somewhere a guess that it is related to interaction between the lens OIS and the body IBIS. After all there are more IBIS equipped bodies out there these days...

jacob

Novampire wrote:

I am getting that annoying whirring noise after the update to 3.24. It does not sound ok, and it does sound like something is wrong. Have been searching everywhere online and although some other people are experiencing the same, I have found no solution. Fujifilm support said I could send the lens for check up, but as it is out of warranty there would be a charge involved. I don't want to pay for something I did not do. The lens was working perfectly before doing the update.

Anyone has experiences this and solved it?

Does it make the whirring noise with OIS off and on ?

FalaFhel wrote:

I have noticed a major problem with this firmware update for the lens XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS;
Updating from Ver.3.22 to Ver.3.24 my lens started doing some really weird whirring sounds once turned on and then after some time it stops and begins again.
Everything was inaudible before doing this update and now it feels like this update just botched my lens.

After doing some googling it seems that it’s not that uncommon issue.

Any ideas what to try?
Sell the lens and buy another one with old firmware?

Does it do that if the body is set to MF? What about with OIS on/off?

Just checked my copy on my XT20 and the OIS makes no sound at all. I did check to make sure it was working which it definitely is.

LAH50 wrote:

Just checked my copy on my XT20 and the OIS makes no sound at all. I did check to make sure it was working which it definitely is.

If I'm remembering this correctly, when I made the latest lens FW upgrade, two files were provided - and the lens supposedly knew which one to load. So, it appears likely that the XF 18-55 hardware changed somewhere down the line - and the two versions need differing versions of FW.

My XF 18-55 is silent or close to it; no change since 3.24 AFAICT. It seems some of us got lucky in that regard, and some not.

It would be nice if Fuji would clarify the situation, but that does not appear to be in the cards.

FalaFhel wrote:

imnotmarvin wrote:

FalaFhel wrote:

I have noticed a major problem with this firmware update for the lens XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS;
Updating from Ver.3.22 to Ver.3.24 my lens started doing some really weird whirring sounds once turned on and then after some time it stops and begins again.
Everything was inaudible before doing this update and now it feels like this update just botched my lens.

After doing some googling it seems that it’s not that uncommon issue.

Any ideas what to try?
Sell the lens and buy another one with old firmware?

Does it do that if the body is set to MF? What about with OIS on/off?

Yea. I tried with MF and OIS on/off, basically toggling every setting and then turning it on afterwards - still makes this weird whirring/humming/buzzing sound every. time. Powering on the body itself without lense. Of course, no weird sounds lol.

I've tried re-installing firmware like 10 times. Tried powering it off, removing battery and putting in another battery. Sadly nothing seems to be working.

I wonder if there's any way to get access to the new beta update or downgrading software. (last one seems to be impossible)

Downgrading is not possible (I wish it was). One exception is when Fujifilm provides a special "upgrade" which is really a downgrade. Happened before, and was used as a temporary measure until a permanent fix was found and posted on the official website...