So I finally pulled the trigger on the X-T5 after shooting with a Nikon D850 for years but man the transition is weirder than I thought. I got the body and the 35mm 1.4 but I leave for a trip to Kyoto in like two weeks and I realized I have basically nothing to go with it yet. I noticed the body is way smaller than I'm used to and my pinky just kind of hangs off the bottom which is driving me crazy when I try to steady the shot especially with the IBIS working hard. Also I was reading about the card slots and I dont want to bottleneck that 40mp sensor but those fast UHS-II cards are so expensive so I'm not sure if I actually need V90s or if V60 is fine for just stills and occasional video. I have about $300 left to spend before I go and I still need extra batteries because people keep saying the NP-W235 lasts but I dont trust it for a full day of heavy street shooting. Do I need a thumb grip or a full bottom plate? I'm also worried about the screen being a bit exposed since it doesnt flip inward like my old one did. What are the actually essential accessories I need to grab right now so I dont regret it once I land in Japan?
Saw this and wanted to chime in on the technical side of the X-T5 because those files get big. One thing tho, are you planning on shooting much video or are you strictly sticking to street photography in Kyoto? Knowing that helps narrow down the card speed you actually need. If you're mostly doing stills, spending extra on V90 cards is basically throwing money away. V60 is the sweet spot for that sensor and wont bottleneck your shooting.
Honestly, the ergonomics on the X-T5 are a bit disappointing after using a D850 for years. I had issues with my hand cramping up because the body is just so thin. You really need the Fujifilm MHG-XT5 Metal Hand Grip to give your pinky somewhere to go. I tried some thumb grips but they were not as good as expected since they block the control dials... ngl it's kind of a pain. For cards, V90s are way too expensive. Unfortunately, V60 is the middle ground where you might see buffer lag, but the Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II 128GB V60 keeps up for street stuff. Definitely grab a spare Fujifilm NP-W235 Li-ion Battery. Also, grab a Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Fujifilm X-T5 because that screen is way too exposed. Kyoto is gorgeous tho, you're gonna have a blast once the gear feels natural.
Been shooting Fuji since the original X100 and I've tried many setups for travel. Honestly for a trip to Kyoto you want to keep it light but reliable. In my experience, these are the bits that actually matter for a long day of shooting.
Re: "Been shooting Fuji since the original X100 and..." - totally agree with Aero on the grip situation. I made a similar jump from the D850 a while back and the size difference is honestly shocking at first. I remember my first week with the Fuji, I kept trying to palm it like my Nikon and almost dropped the damn thing because there was nothing for my fingers to grab onto. It is a completely different muscle memory that takes time to learn. One thing I would be cautious about is the screen. Since you are used to that rugged Nikon build, just be aware that the Fujis tilt mechanism feels way more delicate. I once caught my screen on a jacket zipper while walking through a crowd in Osaka and it felt like it almost snapped. You really have to train yourself to tuck it back in every single time or you are gonna regret it. Also, be careful with those super cheap chargers, I have seen them overheat and it is just not worth the risk on a trip like this. Before suggesting more gear, are you planning on doing any long exposure work at the shrines or just handheld street stuff? And are you using a heavy neck strap or more of a wrist strap setup? That really changes which grip style works best for the weight distribution.
Just saw this. Kyoto is gonna be epic with that sensor. Quick question tho, are you mainly shooting high-speed bursts or just single shots for street? Also, how many photos do you usually take in a day? Asking because cards and batteries add up fast and you might save cash if you dont spray and pray. I actually got lost looking for a vintage shop in Kyoto last year and found the best coffee. Anyway, but yeah.