Using the Fujifilm X-E4 as a Webcam

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/30 sec, ISO3200

I spent a couple of hours setting up my Fujifilm X-E4 to be a webcam so I could use it with Zoom. There are a few ways to do this, including using Fujifilm’s own Fujifilm X Webcam software, but I’ve found the best way to do it is to use the camera’s micro-HDMI connection, a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, and an inexpensive HDMI to USB capture device. This device plugs into a regular USB-A port on your computer and will appear as another camera option in Zoom or other video conferencing system.

On the camera, there are a few settings I’ve found work the best.

Movie Settings: First, while in Movie Drive Mode, go to the Movie Settings, adjust the Movie Mode to be FHD (29.97P) and the Full HD Movie Output setting to only send the signal to HDMI, and to NOT record to SD card. This will reduce the power consumption and also the heat buildup. I had this set to 4K and recording to SD card as well as outputting to the HDMI port, and the camera shut down after a few minutes because it got too hot. But by switching to lower resolution and not recording to the card, the camera did not come close to overheating.

Also in the Movie Settings, set the HDMI Output Info Display to OFF. This will prevent the on-screen settings from appearing in the HDMI signal.

Focus Settings: I set PRE-AF to ON. This allows the lens to continuously adjust focus. I also set the AF to Eye-Detection AUTO. With the Pre-AF and Eye Detection active, the camera accurately kept my face in focus. I used the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm lens whose focusing is fast and silent, and also allowed me to adjust zoom for easier framing.

As for power, I ran the camera for about 1.5 hours and the battery dropped down to about 50 percent. Unfortunately, the X-E4 will not run directly off the USB-C port’s power, nor charge the battery while the camera is operating. However, you can buy a “dummy battery” which will allow you to plug your camera into the wall outlet. I haven’t tried this out with the X-E4 yet, but I’ve used dummy batteries on previous cameras and they work well.

The reason I am not using the Fujifilm X Webcam software is that I was not able to set the camera to use the Pre-AF while in X-Webcam mode. For some reason, all the software settings and controls were also disabled or greyed-out. I have no idea why, but after trying out other Fujifilm software, including Fujifilm X RAW Studio, PC Image Transfer, and Fujifilm Camera Remove, I’m not confident they know what they’re doing when it comes to software/apps. They never work like you’d expect it to work, disconnections are common, and there are numerous bugs.

Note that these instructions only work on cameras that output a video signal to the HDMI port. For instance, this won’t work with our Fujifilm X100T nor Fujifilm X-T10 because the HDMI ports on those two cameras are only used to output stills. However, I hope this post helps other Fujifilm users who want to set up their later-generation Fujifilm cameras as webcams or video devices.

A New Camera?

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO2000
“Camera Video” Cedar Park, 2021

I’m pretty sure that within the next day or two I will be ordering a new camera. I still love my Fujifilm X100T, but the aperture ring gets stuck often, and now the entire lens assembly is getting loose. I suppose I could send it in for repair (and I probably will eventually), but it’s a good time for the new camera because we’re upping the quality of Mariko’s online cooking classes, and looking for a main studio camera.

FYI Mariko’s current cameras (Fujifilm X-T10 and Olympus E-PL9) aren’t able to work as webcams (the HDMI ports only display photos, not stream video), so a camera that can do that is essential. The plan is for the new camera to work double-duty as my everyday camera, and as a studio video camera when needed.

I almost 100% sure on which camera I’ll get, but will do a little bit more research just to make sure. Exciting times! 📸

Sunset from the Highway

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4.5, 1/500 sec, ISO200
“Texas Sunset” Hwy 290, 2021

こんにちは. How’s it going?

Today’s photo is of the sunset and clouds that I enjoyed as I drove back to Austin from Houston. Often when I make this drive, it’s already dark, but today I left a little earlier which worked out nicely! I even set up the GoPro to take this “TimeWarp” video:

I hope you had a nice day! またね~

New Camera – GoPro Hero9 Black

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2000
“GoPro” Cedar Park, 2021

Today I bought a new camera: the GoPro Hero9 Black. I’ve owned a cheap action cam for a couple of years, but the poor quality of the stabilization made it pretty much unusable. I only paid $35 for the Victure AC600 and the old adage “You get what you pay for” certainly applies here.

The GoPro Hero9 Black cost $399, but the quality is amazing. The stabilization is unreal! I’m going to have a lot of fun using it to record my bicycle and motorcycle rides.

Take a look at the video I made while wearing the GoPro on a chest mount:

And below is the $35 Victure for comparison. Apologies if you suffer from motion-sickness, but I even applied Warp Stabilization using Adobe Premiere Pro! You can imagine how bad it is straight out of camera.

The GoPro cost 10x as much as the Victure, which is quite a jump, but because I never use the Victure, it’s basically worthless (however, it did include various action-cam mounts and hardware which I can use). Also, the GoPro has timelapse capabilities which surpass my Fujifilm X100T, so my timelapse videos of clouds will see a big bump in quality.

I’m very happy with the GoPro Hero9 Black. I haven’t bought a decent quality camera for myself since 2015, so I’m really enjoying that new camera feeling!