Firmware Friday: New features for Fuji H1 and T2; Improvements for Sigma lenses and strobes too

 

 

Our Firmware Friday roundup returns bringing news this week from three companies: Fujifilm, Nikon and Sigma. There are a fair few cameras in the mix, including both the Fuji X-H1 and T2, several of Nikon's Coolpix A-series cameras and the W300, plus three Nikon DSLRs. (That's the D610, D810 and Df, if you were wondering.) And courtesy of Sigma, there are also numerous lenses, a couple of mount converters and even a flash strobe in the mix this week.

Let's get right down to what's new!

Fujifilm X-H1 and X-T2

A fair few of the changes made in firmware version 1.10 for the Fuji X-H1 and version 4.10 for the X-T2 are shared, including support for new lenses (MKX18-55mmT2.9 and MKX50-135mmT2.9), a new 999-frame focus bracketing function, enlarged and customizable viewfinder overlays and Fuji X Acquire camera settings backup support. However, there are also a good few items unique to each camera, as you'll see in the official release notes below.

Here's the full release notes for the Fuji H1 v1.10 update:

1. Addition of “Focus Bracketing”
   The update will enable the photographer to shoot focus distance bracketing up to 999 frames. When the photographer begins shooting, the focal location is shifted with each activation of the shutter by the step of focus shift set from 1 to 10.

2. Compatible with the newly developed cinema lens FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 lens and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 lens 　
   The upgrade will add compatibility for the newly developed FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 lens and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 lens

   1. Aperture information can be displayed on the monitor. The upgrade allows users to select T-stop or F-stop.

   2. The upgrade allows users to check the focus distance with the distance indicator shown on the monitor.

   3. Automatically corrects the distortion and the color/brightness shading.

   4. Camera automatically calculate the White Balance based on the lens position and deliver the color expressions with Film Simulation modes.

3. Enlarged and customizable indicators or information 　
   The upgrade allows users to enlarge indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. This upgrade will also enable users to customize the location of where the information is shown on the display.

4. Enhanced Phase Detection AF during movie recording
   Enabled phase detection AF at smallest area size when in single point AF, making phase detection AF active all 6 area sizes both in AF-S/AF-C mode.

5. Expanded Phase Detection AF Area options during still shooting
   Phase detection AF is now available in the smallest size single AF point when shooting in AF-S and AF-C modes. This takes the total phase detection AF areas to 6.

6. Enhanced Bluetooth®* connectivity via “FUJIFILM Camera Remote” app.
   The upgrade allows users to utilize the following functions with the latest “FUJFIILM Camera Remote” app.

   1. It synchronizes "date and time" and/or "location information" of smartphone and tablet devices when used with cameras with Bluetooth® capability

   2. The upgrade allows users to select multiple smartphones or tablet devices by paring the cameras.(Up to 7 devices)

   3. Update the firmware** of compatible cameras that offer Bluetooth® capability via smartphone or tablet devices.

   4. It supports Bluetooth® wireless remote control camera shutter release** for cameras that offer Bluetooth® capability.
      * The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by FUJIFILM Corporation is under license.
      ** An upgrade to the latest “FUJIFILM Camera Remote (Ver.3.2.0)” is required to operate firmware update and camera shutter release.

7. Addition of Fn button support for “IS Mode”
   The upgrade allows users to set the Fn button as “IS Mode” for quicker setting changes.

8. New functions are added to store and read of camera settings by FUJIFILM X Acquire.
   Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. With “FUJIFILM X Acquire” (ver.1.7 or newer), CUSTOM REGISTRATION/EDIT settings are also stored and read.

And here are the release notes for the X-T2 v4.10 update:

1. Addition of “Focus Bracketing”
   The update will enable the photographer to shoot focus distance bracketing up to 999 frames. When the photographer starts shooting, the focal location is shifted with each activation of the shutter by the step of focus shift set from 1 to 10.

2. Compatible with the newly developed cinema lens FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 lens and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 lens
   The upgrade will add compatibility for the newly developed FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 lens and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9 lens

   1. Aperture information can be displayed on the monitor. The upgrade allows users to select T-stop or F-stop.

   2. The upgrade allows users to check the focus distance with the distance indicator shown on the monitor.

   3. Automatically corrects the distortion and the color/brightness shading.

   4. Camera automatically calculate the White Balance based on the lens position and deliver the color expressions with Film Simulation modes

3. Enlarged and customizable indicators or information
   The upgrade allows users to enlarge indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. This upgrade will also enable users to customize the location of where the information is shown on the display.

4. Addition of F-log SD card recording
   The upgrade allows users to record F-log movie data into their SD card.

5. Addition of 1080/120P high-speed video mode
   The upgrade allows users to shoot 1080/120P high-speed video (1/2, 1/4 and 1/5 speed slow motion), ideal for recording spectacular slow-motion footage

6. Enhanced Phase Detection AF
   Latest updates to the AF algorithm provide the following performance enhancements :

   1. The low-light limit for phase detection autofocus has been improved by approximately 1.5 stops from 0.5EV to -1.0EV, raising the precision and speed of autofocus in low-light environments.

   2. The range at minimum aperture has been expanded from F8 to F11. For example, even when using the XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR with the tele converter XF2X TC WR, phase detection autofocus can now be used.

   3. Major improvements have been made to the AF-C performance while operating the zoom, which provides major benefits when shooting sports and other scenarios in which the subjects moves unpredictably.

   4. Finely-detailed surface textures of wild birds and wild animals can now be captured at high speed and with high precision as a result of improvement in phase detection autofocus.

7. Addition of “Flicker Reduction”
   For enhancing the quality of indoor sports photography, the upgrade allows users to reduce flicker in pictures and the display when shooting under fluorescent lighting and other similar light sources.

8. New functions are added to store and read of camera settings by FUJIFILM X Acquire
   Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. With “FUJIFILM X Acquire” (ver.1.7 or newer), CUSTOM REGISTRATION/EDIT settings are also stored and read.

9. The problems below occurred in Ver.4.00 are fixed.

   1. When RAW files, which were taken by X-T2 (before firmware ver.4.00), are converted in camera (ver.4.00) or by “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”, they are not converted properly.

   2. When pressing the shutter button halfway under certain conditions, the live view can flicker.

   3. In rare cases, a hang-up can occur in HC mode and so on.

Download firmware version 1.10 for the Fuji X-H1 here, and version 4.10 for the X-T2 here.

Nikon Coolpix A10, A100, A900 and W300; D610, D810 and Df

Last week, we told you of minor new firmware for a raft of Nikon DSLRs. This week, that rollout continues as similar firmware arrives for three more Nikon DSLRs, as well as four Coolpix-series cameras. In all cases, just as last week, the sole change made in any of these updates is to show only the names of major cities in the currently-selected time zone while in the time zone display menu, instead of all cities. If that sounds like a change you need or you're hoping for a stealth fix on another issue, download at the links below:

• Nikon Coolpix A10 firmware version 1.1

• Nikon Coolpix A100 firmware version 1.1

• Nikon Coolpix A900 firmware version 1.3

• Nikon Coolpix W300 firmware version 1.2

• Nikon D610 firmware version C:1.03

• Nikon D810 firmware version C:1.14

• Nikon Df firmware version C:1.03

Sigma 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, 18-135mm, 24-70mm and 100-400mm lenses; MC-11 mount converter; EF-630 strobe

And finally for this week, we come to Sigma. The Japanese lens manufacturer has new firmware for seven of its Art and Contemporary-series optics this week, all in Canon EF-mount form. The company has also issued updated firmware for its MC-11 mount converter, both in its SA-E and EF-E variants, and shipped an update for the EF-630 flash strobe as well.

In total, the list of Art-series lenses updated to version 2.01 includes the 35mm F1.4, 50mm F1.4, 85mm F1.4, 135mm F1.8, 18-35mm F1.8 and 24-70mm F2.8. These are joined by one Contemporary-series optic, the 100-400mm F5-6.3. In all cases, the new firmware for these lenses resolves an issue with decreasing continuous burst capture speed with some camera bodies.

As for the mount converters, the EF-E variant gains new support for the previously-mentioned lenses running their new 2.01 firmware, plus for the 105mm F1.4 Art lens in Canon-mount form. The SA-E variant's firmware includes support for the Sigma-mount variant of the same 105mm F1.4 Art lens, as well as for the 70mm F2.8 Art lens.

And finally, the latest firmware for the EF-630 flash strobe for Sigma or Canon bodies resolves an issue with occasional communication failure after resuming from Auto Power Off.

All of these updates can be installed using Sigma Optimization Pro. You'll also need to own the company's optional USB Dock accessory to update your lenses, and its optional Flash USB Dock accessory for your strobe. And that's all for this week's roundup. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check back next time for more firmware news!

(Camera parts image courtesy of Kelly Hofer / Flickr; used under a Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0 license. Image has been modified from the original.)