08/05/2026 9:30 pm
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I finally upgraded to the Fuji X-T5 after years with my old X-T20 and while the tech is amazing I am literally about to lose my mind with the ergonomics. My hands are not even that huge but the grip on this thing feels so shallow compared to my friends Sony. I'm taking a trip up to Olympic National Park in like 10 days and I know if I dont find a solution my wrist is gonna be killing me after an hour of hiking with the 16-55mm lens which is way heavier than I expected. It just feels like I'm gonna drop it if I dont squeeze it super hard.
I did some digging and everyone keeps pointing to the official Fujifilm MHG-XT5 grip but man is it pricey for what it is. Like almost 130 bucks just for a piece of metal? Its honestly ridiculous. Then I saw the SmallRig one which is way cheaper but I read a few reviews saying the battery door access is kind of a pain or it adds too much weight and makes it feel like a brick. I want the camera to stay relatively compact because thats why I went with Fuji in the first place but I need to actually be able to hold the damn thing.
Some people swear by those wood grips from JB Camera Designs but they look like they might be more for aesthetics than actually helping with the hold and they take forever to ship. I also saw some weird L-brackets that have a grip built in but I dont even use a tripod that often so it seems like overkill. My pinky keeps dangling off the bottom and it's driving me crazy. I just want something that lets my hand actually feel secure without spending a fortune or making the camera look like a giant mess. Does anyone have a real world recommendation for something that fits well and isnt gonna fall apart in a month? I need to order something by Friday or it wont get here before my flight...
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08/05/2026 9:31 pm
Honestly, if youre worried about the price of the Fuji one, just go with the SmallRig L-Shape Grip for Fujifilm X-T5 4136. Ive been using it for a while and it solves the dangling pinky issue perfectly. The battery door access isnt actually a problem because they designed it with a little flip-out arm so you can swap batteries without taking the whole thing off. It adds a bit of weight, but with that Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens, you kinda need that extra bulk to balance the front-heavy feel anyway. The build is solid aluminum and it feels way more secure than the bare body. Its usually around 40 bucks which is a massive win compared to the official one. Get it on Prime and itll be there way before your trip. For hiking, its basically mandatory if you dont want hand cramps. It makes the camera feel a lot more like a pro tool and less like a toy without doubling the size.
11
08/05/2026 9:55 pm
Adding my two cents since I've used several systems over the years. Before I give a full breakdown, are you using a peak design clip or just a standard strap? In my experience, the Meike MK-XT5 Metal Hand Grip beats the Fujifilm MHG-XT5 Metal Hand Grip on value. The Meike is strictly a grip—no extra L-bracket bulk—whereas the Fuji one is overpriced but has the best tripod mount alignment.
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08/05/2026 9:55 pm
Id be super cautious about adding too much bulk before a hike like Olympic. I learned the hard way:
- Last time I was there, I spent way more on waterproof gear than my actual camera kit.
- I ended up spending most of my time at a diner in Port Angeles talking about salmon fishing instead of shooting.
- The fog was so thick I couldnt even find the trailhead... anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.
