Billed as “The Biggest Firmware Upgrade in the History of the FUJIFILM GFX System,” a number of free firmware upgrades have been announced for the GFX100, GFX 50S and GFX 50R. The GFX100 also gets enhanced gimbal/drone support and RAW video output capability to an ATOMOS NINJA V and 4K RAW video support.
Here’s the breakdown:
FUJIFILM GFX100 (Download Ver. 2.00)
- “CLASSIC Neg” Film Simulation mode
- “ETERNA Bleach Bypass” Film Simulation mode
- “Color Chrome Blue”
- Phase-detection AF in low-light conditions down to -5EV
- Enhanced Face / Eye AF performance
- Auto mode added to focus bracketing
- Ability to adjust exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation) from a computer when shooting stills
- Software that supports some tether-shooting functions
- More photo-editing applications now support the import of rating information, assigned in camera
- With compatible Gimbal / Drone that supports these functions, users will be able to start / stop video recording, specify exposure settings for video (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation), and make manual focus adjustments.
- Ability to output maximum 4K/29.97P 12bit RAW video data using HDMI to an ATOMOS NINJA V, in Apple ProRes RAW
- Simultaneous output of RAW with Film Simulation / F-Log / Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)
FUJIFILM GFX 50S (Download Ver. 4.00)
- “CLASSIC Neg” Film Simulation mode
- “ETERNA” Film Simulation mode
- “Smooth Skin Effect”
- Low Light Priority AF-S mode
- Enhanced Face / Eye AF performance
- Auto mode added to focus bracketing
- Ability to adjust exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation) from a computer when shooting stills
- Software that supports some tether-shooting functions
- More photo-editing applications now support the import of rating information, assigned in camera
- The maximum number of photos that can be saved in each folder on an SD card has increased 10 fold from 999 to 9,999
FUJIFILM GFX 50R (Download Ver. 2.00)
- “CLASSIC Neg” Film Simulation mode
- “ETERNA” Film Simulation mode
- “Smooth Skin Effect”
- Low Light Priority AF-S mode
- Enhanced Face / Eye AF performance
- Auto mode added to focus bracketing
- Ability to adjust exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation) from a computer when shooting stills
- Software that supports some tether-shooting functions
- More photo-editing applications now support the import of rating information, assigned in camera
- The maximum number of photos that can be saved in each folder on an SD card has increased 10 fold from 999 to 9,999
It’s Here: The Biggest Firmware Upgrade in the History of the FUJIFILM GFX System
Mississauga, Ont., June 30, 2020 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation announced today the availability of its highly-anticipated firmware update for the GFX System. This firmware update provides significant additional capabilities to each GFX System digital camera for photography, as well as considerable new capabilities for video shooters, including 4K RAW video support for the FUJIFILM GFX100.
For Video: Firmware Update Supports GFX 100 4K 16:9 RAW video output via HDMI
This new firmware update will soon allow the FUJIFILM GFX100 to output 4K RAW video up to 29.97p via HDMI, which can then be recorded to an Atomos Ninja V 5” HDR monitor recorder*1 and encoded into 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW for compatibility with a wide range of grading and editing software.
*1 Features relating to Atomos Ninja V require download of an expected further firmware update which is expected to be issued by Atomos in July 2020.
The successful collaboration between Fujifilm and Atomos will make the GFX100 and Ninja V combination one of the only Large Format camera systems of its kind to record 4K RAW footage. GFX100’s 100MP 4:3 ratio Large Format CMOS sensor is 44mm x 33mm in size (∅54.78mm) and can record 4K video at up to 29.97p in the following image resolutions:
- UHD 4K 16:9 (43.6mm x 24.6mm, ∅ 50.06mm)
- DCI 4K 17:9 (43.6mm x 23.1mm, ∅ 49.37mm).
Both resolutions will be able to be recorded at bit rates of 100Mbps, 200Mbps, or 400Mbps. Currently, only UHD 4K 16:9 output will support RAW output.
“The look of large format video has become very popular because the combination of longer focal lengths and the camera sensor’s physical size can create an incredibly pleasing image with shallow depth of field and incredible compression.” said Victor Ha, senior director of marketing and product management in FUJIFILM North America Corporation’s Electronic Imaging Division. “This gives cinematographers further control over their creative visions and – with the addition of a PL adapter for GFX – opens up the possibility of cinema lenses, like the FUJINON Premista large format cinema zoom lenses, being used with GFX100 in production. It’s pretty exciting!”
The GFX100 sensor is among a handful of cameras in the world that has an imaging surface of at least 44mm x 33mm (∅54.78mm). “Coupled with the Atomos Ninja V and its ability to encode Apple ProRes RAW, this system will give filmmakers a whole new way to create images,” Ha continued. “By harnessing the power of RAW, the resulting images will have amazing depth, detail, and dynamic range for post-production, which is ideal for HDR finishing or to give greater flexibility in Rec 709 SDR.”
Simultaneous recording of RAW via HDMI, while recording Film Simulation / F-Log / Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) internally to a memory card is also available as a result of this firmware update.
With GFX100’s image sensor, In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), and now, compatibility with Atomos Ninja V, this large format camera system is small and light enough to hand hold, place in tight corners, mount onto gimbals, or use on drones. Additionally, when coupled with compatible gimbals or drones, users can start / stop recording, specify exposure settings, and make focus adjustments via remote control.
For Photo: GFX System Firmware expands the capabilities of in-camera image processing
– The Film Simulation function, which offers diverse color and tonal reproductions similar to those found in traditional film, will be expanded by the new firmware update for all GFX System digital cameras – GFX 50S, GFX 50R, and GFX 100. The new firmware will add the “CLASSIC Neg” mode, simulating color negative film traditionally chosen for snapshots, to all three models. “ETERNA Bleach Bypass” mode, which simulates the film processing technique of the same name, will be added to the GFX100.The “ETERNA” mode, which replicates the colors and tonality of Fujifilm’s motion picture film, will be added to the GFX 50S and GFX 50R.
– The “Smooth Skin Effect,” will now also be available on the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, smoothing the appearance of human skin; an ideal feature for portraiture.
– The “Color Chrome Blue” feature, which adds depth to color and tonal reproduction in blue skies and other primarily blue subjects, will be added to the GFX 100.
GFX System Firmware enhances autofocus performance
– The new firmware will allow the GFX 100 to deliver even faster, highly accurate phase- detection autofocus (AF) in low-light conditions, down to -5EV. The firmware will also give the Low Light Priority AF-S mode to the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, to improve AF accuracy of those cameras in low light.
– The firmware will improve Face / Eye AF performance for all three GFX System digital cameras.
– In addition, the Auto mode will be added to focus bracketing across all three GFX System digital cameras. Users can specify the starting and ending points, and shooting interval, and the camera will automatically determine the number of frames and steps required.
Firmware broadens and expands upon various other functions – based on customer feedback!
– In all three GFX System digital cameras, the firmware will allow users to adjust exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation) for still images from a computer when using software that supports certain tether-shooting functions.
– In all three GFX System digital cameras, the firmware revises the in-camera rating system to be readable by even more photo-editing applications.
– For each of the GFX 50S and GFX 50R, with the firmware update, the maximum number of photos that can be saved in each folder on an SD card will increase from 999 to 9,999.
Firmware enables remote control functionality from gimbal / drone via USB communications
– With this firmware update, combining the GFX 100 with a compatible gimbal / drone that supports remote control functionality will allow users to start / stop video recording, specify exposure settings for video (shutter speed, aperture value, ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation), and make manual focus adjustments.*2 Guilin FeiYu Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Gudsen Technology Co., Ltd., SZ DJI Technology Co.,Ltd. and ZHIYUN (alphabetical order) have announced the intention of offering compatible products for the new GFX System firmware update.
*2 Functions that can be controlled vary from gimbal to gimbal.
The new GFX System firmware is compatible with the below camera models via the below links:
List of compatible models:
Firmware version: FUJIFILM GFX 50S（Ver. 4.00）
Firmware version: FUJIFILM GFX 50R（Ver. 2.00）
Firmware version: FUJIFILM GFX100（Ver. 2.00）
About FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging
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About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of five operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including: photographic paper; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products; film; one-time-use cameras; and the popular INSTAX® line of instant cameras and accessories. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras, lenses, and content creation solutions, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the graphic printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars and other optical imaging solutions. The Industrial and Corporate New Business Development Division delivers new products derived from Fujifilm technologies. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. sells and markets a range of FUJIFILM products and services in Canada.
For more information, please visit www.fujifilmusa.com/northamerica, go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter, or go to www.facebook.com/FujifilmNorthAmerica to Like Fujifilm on Facebook. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings cutting edge solutions to a broad range of global industries by leveraging its depth of knowledge and fundamental technologies developed in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Its proprietary core technologies contribute to the various fields including healthcare, graphic systems, highly functional materials, optical devices, digital imaging and document products. These products and services are based on its extensive portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic and imaging technologies. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the company had global revenues of $21 billion, at an exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com
About Atomos Ninja V
The Atomos Ninja V features an accurate 5” 1000nit HDR high brightness screen that will allow users to view the GFX100 RAW signal in HDR in a choice of HLG and PQ (HDR10) formats. The monitor also offers touchscreen access to tools like waveforms, magnify or engage peaking check focus for each angle and make any adjustments to get the perfect shot. A free Atomos update to enable GFX100 compatibility is expected to be available from Atomos in July 2020.