Fujifilm's X Raw Studio RAW To JPEG Converter Program; Something You May Need To Know

Only One Customer (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M5; Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-4.5 lens @ 14mm; 130th sec. @ f/6.43; ISO 400

This post is for all of you Fujifilm users.  I'm a fan of Fujifilm's application called Fujifilm X RAW Studio.  That is the program that uses your camera's processing engine to convert RAF files into JPEGs giving you the ability to use your computer and camera together to apply the same Fujifilm engineered film simulations and settings that you now set in your camera's menu system.  It works by connecting your Fujifilm camera to your computer by way of a USB cable then using the program to control the camera's processing engine to convert a RAW file located in a folder of images in your computer to a JPEG.

I find the program is something I don't frequently use, but when I want the best JPEG from one of my Fujifilm RAW files, I turn to RAW Studio.  I think it does a better job of applying film simulations (the actual Fujifilm engineered film simulations versus Adobe or otherwise developed film simulations), sharpening and JPEG conversion than does Lightroom.  

The other day, I opened up RAW Studio, attached my camera to the computer with the  intention of converting several older X-T2 RAF files to JPEGs and found I couldn't get any of the controls to work?  What the heck was going on?  After thinking about it, I started to wonder if one had to use the same camera model to convert files as was used to initially create the files?  I switched to my X-T2 and that did the trick.  All the controls became accessible and active.  This little quick about the program was something I didn't know.

I did a little research on the web and found this bit of information that I wanted to pass on to you.  I found that an individual RAW file can only be converted by the camera model which made it.  Here is a statement directly from the Fujifilm website:

https://fujifilm-x.com/global/stories/fujifilm-x-raw-studio-features-users-guide/

"Please note, the RAW conversion is only compatible with a RAW file taken by the same camera model as the camera connected to the computer. For example, if the connected camera is a FUJIFILM X-T2, the RAW file must be taken by a FUJIFILM X-T2."

That clears it up for me but it also creates a problem.  If you go back and want to convert files from cameras you no longer own, you are out of luck.  You will not be able to use Fujifilm's technology to get the most out of your image files, even if the different cameras have the same sensor and X-Processor.  In other words, my X-T3 has a different sensor and processor so it may make some sense that I can't convert X-T2 files.  An X-Pro 2 has the same sensor and processing engine as an X-T2 but you still can't convert files from one camera by using the other.

I don't think it should work that way, but it does.  So, hold on to those old Fujifilm cameras or convert everything you want to convert using this program before selling it.

In the mean time, if you haven't tried converting some of your Fujifilm RAF files into JPEGs using this resource, you might want to try it. I have found it works very well.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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