As a pretty new FujiFilm X-T1 owner, I’m super stoked to see such an awesome list of updates to this already amazing camera! I’ve got to say that FujiFilm has been listening pretty well to current owners and have implemented a number of awesome changes! There are quite a few things that have been added to this revision.

I’m excited to share a truncated yet still somewhat long list (at 10) that I’m personally looking forward to! If you’re an owner, you’re going to love the boost that the camera is going to get! I’ve added my little notes in italics for each bullet.

This firmware update can be downloaded be at the following link: X-T1 Firmware Update @FujiFilm

FUJIFILM Corporation will be releasing firmware upgrades for X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition to enhance operability and functions.

Fujifilm is striving to keep the level of technology offered on this model as up to date as possible so that purchasers of X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition will have greater longevity of use.

  • High-speed electronic shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000sec.

    • The FUJINON XF Lens series lineup includes a number of fast fixed focal length lenses which boast very high sharpness with the aperture wide open, producing excellent out of focus bokeh. However, fast apertures are difficult to use if the light is too bright, so to ensure users can create shallow depth-of-field effects, the camera is now equipped with a fully electronic shutter offering a maximum shutter speed of 1/32000sec. The mechanical shutter will not operate at all when any speed for the electronic shutter is selected, which also delivers a completely silent shooting experience; perfect for shots of sleeping children, pets, weddings, and more. In addition, it is possible to set the electronic shutter in 1/3 steps from a range of 1sec to 1/32000sec. The Electronic Shutter may not be suitable for fast-moving objects. Flash can not be used.
    • This is perfect for those, like me, who own some really fast lenses and live in a ridiculously bright place… like Las Vegas. The Vegas sun will no longer be an excuse to not shoot!
  • Classic Chrome Film Simulation mode brings more creative power to the X Series

    • The X Series’ Film Simulation modes represent Fujifilm’s wealth of experience in color reproduction technology. New to the suite of effects is Classic Chrome, which delivers subtle colors and beautifully muted tones reminiscent of vintage reversal film. Using Classic Chrome on cityscapes, for example, will give shots a historic feel, while fashion photos gain an emotive, nostalgic look. Classic Chrome strengthens the film simulation line up and enhances the creative power of the X-T1.
    • A couple of you may have already noticed that Lightroom 5 with the new Adobe Camera Raw update included the Classic Chrome profile under the Camera Calibration section of the Develop module! Any new artsy things make me pretty excited, this is no exception!Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 2.08.42 AM
  • Natural Live View function is just like the naked eye.*1

    • One of the great benefits of an electronic viewfinder is that ‘what you see is what you get’; the final image is displayed in real-time so any Film Simulation modes or other effects can be checked while shooting. But users sometimes need to see colours close to how they’re viewed with an optical finder, or to focus on shadow detail, which some high-contrast effects block out. To aid this, the Natural Live View function has been added and, when “PREVIEW PIC. EFFECT” is turned Off in the menu, an image close to the naked eye is displayed during live view.
    • Just like it says– we sometimes need to see colors close to how they normally look!
  • Direct selection of AF area

    • The update will let users select the focus area using the 4-way controller, without pressing the Fn key.
    • This is a big one for me. I’m an advocate of focus point control– if you haven’t been picking your focus point, you’ve got to try it!
  • Variable Focus Area during MF

    • When working in Manual focus mode, the update will enable changing the size of the focus area during Instant AF with the AF-L button.
    • I imagine that this will help achieve focus and will hopefully help out with the already cool Focus Peaking feature that the X-T1 has.
  • Q. Menu customization

    • To make the Q Menu (used for quick access of frequently-used items) even more efficient, the update will allow its items and layout to be changed to the users preference.
    • Who doesn’t like customization?! Answer: People with no soul.
  • Phase detection AF support for Instant AF

    • In Instant AF mode, which is operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF, providing faster focusing speeds.
    • This is one of the main changes I’ve been waiting for! I love that little button! The focusing speed is already pretty quick, so making it quicker is double awesome!
  • Instax Printer Print

    • Photos can be directly sent from the camera to the Fujifilm instax SHARE Smartphone Printer to instantly print on Fujifilm Instant Color Film instax mini.
    • Okay, I had to get one of these for the sake of getting one. I already own a FujiFilm Mini 90 that I carry around with me. Getting instant prints to friends is fun, having a more capable camera to make instant prints– that’s even more fun! I do have to say that this would probably take away some of the special feeling that the Mini 90 has to offer. Perhaps I’ll be wrong. I hope I’m wrong. I really like my Mini 90. Cool idea none the less.
  • Expand EVF/LCD displaying types in manual exposure mode

    • In manual exposure mode, the EVF/LCD displays a preview of your composition showing the selected settings. The option to turn off preview exposure in manual mode is further enhanced with the addition of an option to turn off white balance preview. The update will give users additional flexibility when using external flash equipment such as modelling lights of different colour temperatures.
    • When you’re shooting at night in the studio with this camera, you’ll typically want to adjust the white balance to match the strobes. Well, doing so makes your electronic viewfinder and LCD displays shift color– in my case, yellow. The yellow that you’ve been staring at can trick your eyes for the brief moment that the picture pops up for review. so turning the white balance preview off should save my brain a bit or processing power.
  • AF+MF

    • AF+MF function enables seamless manual focusing. After half pressing the shutter to autofocus on the subject, fine adjustment can then be made using the manual focus ring.
    • This was something I was lucky enough to have on my previous selection of Canon cameras and lenses. Sometimes my movement would shift the focus ever so slightly, and I’d want to manually adjust for the movement.

These updates are going to make this camera even more capable than it already is! I don’t shoot movies much, but there are some good updates for those video shooters as well. The full list of updates can be found over at FujiFilmUK.