Okay so I finally got my hands on a silver X100V after hunting for months and im literally so hyped to start using it properly but the ergonomics are a bit... thin? if that makes sense. I have fairly large hands and I feel like im gonna drop this thing every time I take it out of my bag. I am heading to Tokyo in like three weeks for a big trip so I really need to get my setup dialed in before then. I've been looking at thumb grips because everyone says they make a massive difference but I am torn between the Lensmate one and the Haoge. My logic for the Lensmate is that it folds out of the way so I can still reach the back command dial easily but man is it pricey for a piece of metal. Like $60 just for that? The Haoge is way cheaper but I saw some people say it stays fixed and makes pressing the back buttons or using the dial a total pain in the butt. Is the folding mechanism actually worth the extra forty bucks or is it just another thing that can break over time?
Then for the soft shutter button I am stuck between getting a cheap JJC set or going for something nicer like the ones from Squarehood. I really want the silver to match the body perfectly because I am super picky about the aesthetic lol. My total budget for both together is probably around $100 max because I already spent way too much on the camera itself. I'm worried about the shutter button unscrewing and falling off too since I've heard horror stories about that happening and people losing them on the first day out in the street. Should I use those little rubber o-rings they come with or does that mess with the clicky feel of the shutter?
Kinda leaning towards the Lensmate grip and a cheaper button just to stay under budget but then part of me thinks if I am spending this much on a premium camera I shouldnt cheap out on the actual touch points. What are you guys using on yours? Does the Lensmate actually feel more secure in the hand than the fixed ones? I just want it to feel solid for all the walking and street shooting im gonna be doing...
If you have big hands like I do, you definitely need to be careful with those cheaper fixed grips. I tried the Haoge THB-X100V Thumb Rest for Fujifilm X100V and it basically made the rear command dial useless for me. I was constantly fumbling and missing shots because I couldnt get my thumb in there properly. In my experience, the fixed ones feel cramped on the X100V body. Heres how those options stack up:
To add to the point above:
Late to the thread but I wanted to mention the potential for mechanical stress on the shutter assembly. Be careful with those tall buttons; if they snag on your camera bag liner, they can actually bend the internal post. I usually suggest the Komaru Soft Shutter Release Matte Silver because the profile is lower and the dual-contour design gives better tactile feedback without needing as much downward force. It tends to stay on better than the cheap ones because of the thread tolerances. For the thumb grip, if reliability is the main concern, skip the folding ones. Moving parts are just failure points in the long run. I would suggest looking at the Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-2V for Fujifilm X100V Silver. Its solid brass and the fitment is basically perfect, though it is definitely a premium price point. If you really have large hands tho, a thumb grip alone wont fix that thin feeling. You might want to consider the Metro Case Hand Grip for Fujifilm X100V instead. Its super light 3D printed nylon and actually gives your fingers something to wrap around. Much more secure for street shooting in a crowded place like Tokyo than just a thumb rest.
+1
Quick reply while I have a sec. Honestly, I have been through like four different X series setups over the years and the ergonomics always bug me at first too.
Yo, congrats on the X100V! Id be super careful with expensive buttons tbh. Since you are on a budget, check out the JJC TA-X100V Thumbs Up Grip. Its way cheaper than Lensmate and does the job. Definitely use those tiny o-rings for the JJC SRB-B10S Soft Shutter Release Button tho, or itll unscrew and vanish in two days. Just dont overtighten it because you could damage the shutter mechanism... thats a nightmare fix.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.