TL;DR: Get the official Fujifilm TR-X100V Silver Thumb Rest for a perfect fit. I gotta disagree on the folding grips tho... that hinge eventually feels flimsy. If you want it to feel like part of the body, just get the Fuji brand one. Its a bit pricey but has the rubber padding you need and the silver match is perfect. No wiggles and the dial access is still great.

I used to stress about the same thing and honestly almost gave up on the camera too until I found a middle ground. I tried the pricey boutique options but when I lost one during a hike I couldn't justify the cost again. I ended up picking up the Haoge THB-X2S Silver Thumb Rest and it actually surprised me. It sits really flush and doesnt move at all. The silver is a dead ringer for the V body and it has that tiny rubber strip that keeps the hot shoe safe... basically kept my camera from getting more mangled. It leaves the command dial totally open which was a dealbreaker for me too. Saved me about forty bucks compared to the high end stuff which is just more money for street food in Kyoto ngl.

You absolutely have to go with Lensmate! Honestly, its the only brand I trust after years of street shooting with these cameras. They are fantastic and feel like they were built into the body.

• Super secure fit that never wiggles.
• The folding design is a total game changer for the dials.
• Matches the silver finish perfectly. Seriously, just get a silver one from Lensmate and you'll love it! You wont regret it.

@Reply #3 - good point! Honestly, I went through the exact same thing when I first got into the X series. In my experience, the cheap options are just a liability. I've tried many over the years and most of them just wiggle until they eventually fall out or mar the metal. I was so paranoid about dropping my body that I almost stopped taking it out. My current setup is a bit different than what others mentioned because I prioritized that rock-solid feeling over everything else. I ended up with a silver Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-X100V and it's basically stayed on the camera since day one. It doesn't have any moving parts to break or get flimsy, which is why I prefer it over the folding types. It's expensive, yeah, but after that first time I felt it lock in with zero play, I knew I wouldnt have to worry about it again. Security and peace of mind are worth the extra cash when you're halfway across the world in a place like Kyoto. Just makes the whole kit feel like a single piece of machined steel... super reassuring.

Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.

@Reply #5 - good point! Honestly, I stumbled upon this discussion while nursing a sore wrist from my last outing. Unfortunately, I have tried almost every grip mentioned here and most just didn't live up to the hype for me. The Lensmate hinge started feeling loose after only a few months of heavy use and the official Fuji one is just way too expensive for a tiny bit of metal. Basically, I realized a thumb grip alone wont fix the terrible ergonomics. I had to do a bit of a DIY combo to make it through a full day. I ended up picking up the JJC TA-X100V Thumb Grip Silver which is actually decent, but I had to put a tiny sliver of gaffer tape on the underside to stop the wiggle. To really stop the cramping tho, I had to pair it with a SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X100V 2734. It adds a bit of bulk but finally makes the camera feel like it belongs in a human hand. TL;DR: Most boutique thumb grips are disappointing. Grab a JJC TA-X100V Thumb Grip Silver, use the tape trick to tighten the fit, and get a front grip if you actually want to enjoy your time in Kyoto without pain.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I totally agree that investing in a precision-milled piece is the only way to go! I used to be so stingy with accessories until I almost dropped my camera in a crowded market because a cheap grip just slid right out of the shoe. It was terrifying!! Now I only use stuff that has that internal rubber tensioning because it feels so much more secure.

• Reliability is everything when you are traveling!
• A proper fit keeps the hot shoe contacts safe from weird pressure.
• You actually stop thinking about the camera and start thinking about the shot. Honestly, I love how much more confident I feel now. Going to Kyoto is a huge deal, and you definitely dont want to be worrying about your gear while youre trying to capture the temples! I have had my current setup for ages and it still feels like it is part of the original chassis. It is seriously amazing how much a solid connection changes the ergonomics!

@Reply #7 - good point! Honestly, after messin around with these for years, I've realized the debate usually boils down to whether you want that folding hinge or a solid piece of metal. The consensus here seems split between the Lensmate flexibility and the Fuji reliability. In my experience, if you are worried about parts failing during a trip to Kyoto, simpler is usually better. I'd actually suggest looking at the SmallRig Thumb Grip for FUJIFILM X100V 3085 as a dark horse candidate. It is a single piece of aluminum, has the silicone pads you want, and the silver finish is pretty spot on for the V body. It leaves plenty of room for the back dial too. Quick tip: if any grip feels even slightly loose, put a tiny square of gaffer tape on the bottom of the foot before sliding it in. It creates a death-grip fit that wont budge or scratch the shoe. You really want that security when you're doing street stuff.