FUJIFILM 16-55mm Lens Firmware Update Withdrawn, Emergency Fix Now Available

Firmware Update

by Omri Keren LapidotFebruary 5^th, 2024

Following reported abnormalities by early adopters, FUJIFILM has withdrawn its recent firmware update for the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens. This firmware update was launched along with several others, but at this point, only the 16-55mm lens update has been suspended. Emergency Fix now available.

FUJIFILM is well known for their Kaizen (Change for the better) agenda, improving and evolving their products via firmware updates. This includes time-tested classics like the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR and even items that are no longer in production. While this policy has earned the company some justified respect, things don’t always go as planned.

What went wrong with the firmware

The recent update should fix an issue with some slight exposure inconsistencies when zooming during video recording. As it turns out, some abnormal behavior was identified on updated lenses. No additional effects other than the exposure abnormalities have been identified.

What’s next?

If you haven’t updated your lens, you’ll have to wait until the fixed firmware update goes online. If you’ve installed Version 1.30, FUJIFILM has now released an emergency update to restore lens behavior (Firmware Ver 1.31). On a personal note – I myself tend to wait about a month before updating unless it’s strictly necessary for my workflow. I also divide firmware updates into two main categories: firmware fixes and firmware upgrades. Fixes are usually simple and tend to work since they are intended to fix a specific issue. Firmware upgrades are a bit more complicated, however. Adding new features to a working camera will always be somewhat prone to abnormalities. While I’m sure FUJIFILM and other manufacturers conduct thorough QC testing, some rare behavior will only manifest on a larger use scale. I gladly accept this tradeoff – meaningful upgrades to an already purchased camera for the occasional (and quite rare) glitch is acceptable under my standards. Yours may vary, and if you use your gear for full-time jobs or paid gigs, I’d recommend taking some time before updating.

Have you already updated your lens? Do you tend to take your time with firmware updates or do it the moment they become available? Let us know in the comments.