memory card

Fuji X-T2: Firmware Update Procedure

Jeff

One of the reasons to consider a Fuji camera is the ongoing support Fuji offers its users. Some camera manufacturers sell their camera to someone and unless there is a major problem, the firmware rarely gets updated.

Fuji, on the other hand, continues to support their buyers by improving the performance of their cameras by updating the software often with new capabilities. Yes, of course they use updates to correct poor performance or problems, but they don’t stop there.

Last week I learned that my relatively new Fuji X-T2 was eligible for a firmware update. I updated the firmware once before, but I couldn’t remember exactly how to do it and believe me, this is one area where nobody wants to make a mistake. I discovered that there are more warnings than a photographer can shake a stick at while I was reviewing the correct procedure.

I did what most people would do under the circumstance, and I went to the web to determine the best procedure.

Here is the procedure I used: (I give official documentation at the end and I would suggest your read that as well as watching the video.) I found comfort in reviewing the correct procedure from different sources just to make sure I understood it completely.

NOTE: There seem to be many steps, but it is easier than it appears. Just take your time and follow the instructions carefully. Please read this entire web page and information at the links before proceeding. It will give you confidence!

  • 1. I visited the Fuji firmware update page and located the latest firmware upgrade for my camera which was represented by the entry in the table on that web page:

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    X-T2 Firmware update listing

  • 2. Since I knew I needed the update, I clicked on the Firmware-Download link and checked all the necessary agreements!

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  • 3. The file, FWUP0010.DAT, was waiting for me in my downloads folder. I could see that it was 53.5 MB

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  • 4. The next thing needed is a newly formatted memory card. There are couple of ways to do this. P. 203 of the User’s Manual provides the basic outline**:

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      A. – Press the Menu button on the back of the camera and select User Setting (the wrench) –> Format
      B – Choose the slot that has the memory card you want to use and press MENU/OK.
      C – You have to confirm the choice. Naturally, all data on the card will be erased and lost so make sure there isn’t anything on the card that you will need. You can always select CANCEL at this point if you are unsure.
      D – If you are sure you want to format the card, choose OK and let the camera do its work.

    ** Fuji owner’s manual

  • 5. Once the card is formatted correctly, insert it into your computer and copy the .DAT file recently saved as the Fuji firmware download. Don’t change the name of the file or do anything to it other than copy it to the card.

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    NOTE – The copied file needs to be in the main directory or root directory of the card. It should not be in a folder and technically, it should be the only thing on the card! (Just drag and drop it onto the newly formatted card and you will be fine)

     

  • 6. Eject the card from your computer and carefully insert it into the camera.

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  • 7. Fuji warns users to make sure they are using a fully charged battery. You can insert the battery into your camera to check the power level. Make sure it is fully charged.

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  • NOTE: Firmware updates can take some time. You never want to interrupt an update so be careful in handling the camera so that it is not turned off or disturbed in any way. I just put it down with the screen facing me and let it go through the paces. Fuji suggests that the update can take up to 90 seconds. When waiting for the process to complete, it may seem like a long time, but let it run through the steps. You will be notified when the process is completed.

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  • 8. With the camera turned off, press and hold the DISP/BACK button while turning the camera on. You should see a menu indicating the firmware version. It may give both a body and lens version. Now you can let go of the button.

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  • 9. Make sure BODY is selected and press the OK button on the back of the camera. Pressing the up button should highlight the word “OK.” DO NOT SELECT LENS as this upgrade is for the body’s firmware only.

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  • 10. Press the OK button and the camera will update the firmware. When the update is complete, the screen will show the current firmware (updated) version.

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  • 11. Fuji recommends that you turn off the camera at this point and check the firmware version; good idea. (see step 8 above). It should list the updated version.

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  • 12. Fuji also suggests that once you have checked the firmware version and the upgrade has been successful, you should reformat the memory card so that it can be used for photos and doesn’t become a source of confusion later.

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Here is a video offered by Fuji if you prefer learning that way.

NOTE: The video seems to imply that users should remove the lens, but I did not find that necessary with my X-T2 and the video actually addresses that particular issue so don’t be concerned. You can leave the lens in place with the X-T2

You can also read the Fuji web page detailing the complete procedure which is basically what I outlined above.

I hope newcomers to the Fuji system, especially the X-T2 find this information useful!


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017



My Photography, Hiking, Exploring Procedure

Jeff

As I stated or implied in my YOY (Year Of Yosemite) post Introduction, we had a grand time exploring the trails and mountains of this historic national park. When it comes to photography, I am really a fairly average amateur, but I am getting better. On this particular trip, I had three cameras with me:

My steadfast Canon PowerShot A590 IS which has been to so many places over so much time and still continues to provide faithful captures.

A PowerShot SX50HS which I use for birds, wildlife and anything that needs reach or isolation. I can easily open the aperture and isolate a subject. It has its drawbacks, but it fits into my particular work flow. I usually shoot in RAW format.

A Nikon D3300 which you can read about in my Photography Conundrum series. This provides the best overall quality among my cameras and has moderate “reach.”

When I am out and about exploring (which includes hiking and photography), I carry the photography essentials:

  • A Giotto Rocket Blaster to keep the lenses dust free
  • A lens cleaning cloth in the vent my lenses get wet or need cleaning that Giotto cannot provide
  • Extra memory cards (2 with me and more packed away)
  • Extra batteries for each camera
  • A whistle in case I encounter trouble and need to get attention

All of the above is contained in a belly pack and I keep my Canon PS A590 holsetered in one of the side pockets of that belly pack.

My other cameras go around my neck and I tether them to my back pack using carabiners so they don’t go bouncing all over as I climb and boulder scramble.

I don’t keep my cameras in a backpack in the event I need them in a hurry.

JBRish.com with his gear
So… How does this all fit together?

  1. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS that I use when I need reach, i.e. distance/wildlife
  2. New Nikon D3300 – Better quality, limited zoom
  3. Side pocket of my belly pack where I usually keep my PowerShot A590 for story telling photos
  4. Tether tied to the A590 so it doesn’t hit the ground if it falls
  5. Belly pack with numerous pockets for memory cards, Giotto Blaster, cleaning cloths, etc.
  6. Carabiner to keep cameras from jostling too much as I hike, bend, etc.


I do wear a hat when I hike, but I removed it for the photo!

Telling the Story

I take some photographs just to convey the story of where I have been and to indicate the overall “look-and-feel” of the hike. For this, I often use the jpeg only PS A590. These are not meant to be artistic photographs or pictures that are particularly significant although every once in a while I am surprised by the job this legacy camera does.

For most scenery I use the Nikon D3300 which has a nice kit lens that is fairly sharp and provides enough framing options to deliver the compositions I usually want.

The PowerShot SX50HS has some issues such as chromatic aberration and poor redndering at high ISO so I use it for wildlife and bird photography or any other picture for which I need the long reach. I sometimes use it as a substitute for binoculars if I want to see if anyone is clinging to the side of El Capitan, for example. I know I can generally deal with some of the camera’s “problems” in Lightroom and it also delivers some very good photos at ISO 200 or lower; 400 if I want to stretch it a bit.

The visit to Yosemite was a bucket list item for me so I tried something for the first time…

I brought a computer and external hard drive with me so I could back up my photographs on a daily basis. Each evening, I took time to create three folders on the external hard drive with the date, short name to indicate what we did that day and an abbreviation for the camera used. I did this so when I imported the pictures in to my photography software (Lightroom), I could apply presets for that individual camera. That is why I keep the pictures separated by date and by which camera was used.

NOTE – It is helpful to synchronize time and date on all cameras being used so pictures can be sorted according to capture time. Truth be told, I don’t always get this done and it isn’t a monumental problem although having the ability to sort by time/date is very useful.

I then systematically remove each memory card, place it into the computers hard drive and COPY the files into the specific folder (on the external hard drive) for that camera on that day. This is done for all three cameras. I am cautious so I double check how many pictures are in the new folder and how many are on the memory card for that day. When I am satisfied that I have transferred all photographs, I move on to the next memory card.

If there is a change in venue that I think I will have trouble remembering, I find a file (picture) that was taken in the place and time when the situation changed and I rename it leaving all native metadata in place. This helps me organize my photos later when I see a long name rather than just a capture number.

Now I have copied all three memory cards to the appropriate folder on the external hard drive. Before ejecting the external drive, I then copy the three new, daily folders into a parent folder on the computer itself.

This protocol gives me three copies of each file. I do not ever erase a memory card until I have copied all files to my desktop and have backed it up on at least one other device, perhaps two.

I don’t review my pictures on a daily basis except to look at a few from each camera to make sure that the camera is working properly. Is there a spot on the lens? Is there a series of pictures out of focus; why? If the cameras are working appropriately, I wait until I get home to review my images. I very seldom delete a picture during the backup process described above. Many a mediocre photo can be rescued in Lightroom or Photoshop.

I hope you have found my hiking/exploring regimen helpful and perhaps you have garnered a worthy idea or two. If you have questions, let me know in the comment section!