Day: December 19, 2014

Review of Fuji X-E2 Camera Body Update Ver 3.00 and Camera Remote APP

by Stanley LearyWi-Fi
 

Two changes happened today for my Fuji X-E2. The first is a new firmware update, and the second is a new app that lets you remotely control the camera. The photo above shows the APP on my Motorola Turbo Android phone and the Fuji X-E2 on a tripod with the 18-55mm lens.

This update is excellent and that all Fujifilm X camera owners will love.

X-E2 Camera Body Firmware Update Ver.3.00

Details of the update:

1. 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. After playing with this I did find this to be a really valuable upgrade. It works great. You must be in Single and not Continuous Focus Mode.

2. Enhanced wireless function for shooting from your smartphone or tablet devices*

By downloading the free FUJIFILM Camera Remote** app to your smartphone or tablet devices, users can use the Remote Control function, which allows a wealth of control, even from a distance. This functionality is great for a wide variety of shots, including group photos, self-portraits and animals in their natural habitat.

* Android™, smartphone and table devices, iPhone / iPad.

** After updating the Firmware Version 3.00, FUJIFILM Camera Application app cannot be used.

Requires installation of FUJIFILM Camera Remote app to your smartphone or tablet devices

 

FUJIFILM Camera Remote

3. New Classic Chrome Film Simulation DID NOT TEST [Since I shoot RAW and post process I am more pleased with this than the out of the camera JPEGs]

The X Series’ Film Simulation modes represent Fujifilm’s wealth of experience in color reproduction technology. “Classic Chrome”, which delivers subtle colors and beautifully muted tones reminiscent of vintage reversal film, has been newly added to the existing selection.

4. Interval timer shooting DID NOT TEST [Maybe one day, but just haven’t done much time lapse]

The new Interval timer shooting function allows X-E2 users to capture time lapse photography. Set the starting time, the shooting interval (1 sec. to 24 hr.) and finally the number of frames (1 – 999), and the camera does the rest.

Here are the screen grabs from the app:

 

 

 
REVIEW OF APP
 
The APP connects with the camera much faster and more reliably than the previous one. However, the APP will disconnect you from your present Wi-Fi connection and look for the Fuji X-E2, which was a real problem with the earlier APP.
 
Overall if this were the only improvement, this would be great.
 
Once connected, you can touch the screen where you want the camera to focus as long as you are in AF mode. You can control all the functions of the camera that I could test.
 
There is no real-time action as I had hoped. Instead, there seems to be a little delay. However, the wait is not due to Wi-Fi, and I know that the Nikon D750, which I am comparing, does a far superior job connecting and controlling the camera.
 
I commend Fuji on upgrading my Fuji X-E2; however, I wasn’t ecstatic about the performance, given what I can do with my Nikon D750.
 
While I am very thankful for the Fuji Firmware upgrade that Nikon seldom does on their cameras–I am not impressed with the performance compared to their competition, like the Nikon D750 W-Fi camera.