21/03/2026 9:51 pm
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I just upgraded to the X-T5 after years on the X-T3 and honestly I'm a bit annoyed at how the ergonomics changed just enough to make all my old stuff useless. I'm heading to Japan in three weeks and I'm trying to figure out the best way to rig this thing for 14-hour street days. I was thinking a thumb grip might be enough but my hand is already cramping just testing it out so now I'm looking at L-brackets or maybe a leather half case? My logic was to keep it light but that 40mp sensor is killing my older SD cards too. Anyone found a setup that doesnt make it feel like a brick but still helps with the handling for under $200?
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21/03/2026 10:35 pm
> my hand is already cramping @Reply #2 - good point! Be careful with heavy rigs tho. Id suggest the Fujifilm BLC-XT5 Leather Case and ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 128GB to save cash.
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21/03/2026 10:05 pm
Unfortunately, my thumb grip felt flimsy and gave me terrible cramps. Writing speeds were a total mess too...
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12/05/2026 9:35 pm
To add to the point above: if you are trying to stay under budget for Japan, I have been really satisfied with the JJC Metal Hand Grip HG-XT5. It is basically a solid aluminum baseplate that adds some meat to the right side without the weight of a full cage or L-bracket. Honestly, it fixes the pinky-dangly issue which is usually where the cramps come from. For the 40mp files, you dont necessarily need V90 unless you are spraying and praying on burst mode. I have had no complaints using the Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II V60 cards. They are way cheaper than the V90s and still plenty fast for street photography. If you want to see the actual write speed data, search for Alik Griffin Fuji X-T5 card tests... he does a great breakdown of which cards actually hit their rated speeds in-camera. Saves a lot of headache before buying. Have a killer trip, Japan is amazing for street photography tho.
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21/03/2026 9:51 pm
I went through the exact same transition last year before a trip to Italy and I was honestly pretty annoyed at first too. My old gear just didnt sit right anymore. I ended up finding a setup I'm really satisfied with now tho. It took a bit of trial and error but once I settled on a grip style that works well for me, the camera felt way more balanced for those long walking days. I managed to keep it light which was the main goal. Before I dive into what worked for me, are you planning on doing much video or is this strictly a stills thing? Also, do you typically use a neck strap or are you more of a wrist strap person? That really changes which handling accessories actually make sense for the hand fatigue.
