I make no secret that I am a Fujifilm fanboy. My last post described how it was the perfect system for me. I bought two Fujifilm XT-5 camera bodies on the day they were released and used them at a wedding just a few days later.
The camera has been extensively reviewed, so I’m not technically savvy. Instead, I’d like to share my views on using the X-T5 for my day-to-day work.
In the past two wedding seasons (Covid stole our former one), I have used two Fujifilm XT-3″ camera. Even though they are a few years old, the cameras still work great for my wedding work. The 26mp resolution is perfectly adequate and the autofocus works almost all the time. However, they are a bit tiring from heavy use and I feel left behind in terms of the cameras Fujifilm currently offers.
The Elephant in the Room, X-H2 & X-H2s
So if I know the camera is ready to upgrade, why didn’t I do it sooner? Fujifilm released two cameras earlier in the year, one of which will be a significant upgrade to my trusty X-T3. The Fujifilm X-H2s with its lightning-fast operation, or Fujifilm X-H2 with an impressive 40mp sensor.
The problem with both cameras is mine and not the reflection on the bodies. After years of using small bodies, the two XH cameras are too big for me. However, I understand that, for some people, this is what makes the camera so comfortable.
And so I’ve been waiting to see what Fujifilm will release next. The options are the new XT camera or the new X-Pro. We also don’t know which of the two new sensors will be included in the next release. Honestly, for my almost 100% authentic style of wedding photography, I would upgrade to any of these options.
Image quality
I resize my photos before delivering them to the client, usually 4,500 pixels on the long edge of the photo. That equates to 13.5 megapixels, and I’ve never had any problems with print resolution. So why is a 40-megapixel sensor useful to me? I wonder if it’s an unwanted addition that I have to pay for for storage space.
But I remember having similar thoughts when I switched from my old 16-megapixel camera. In the end, I liked the extra resolution, so I was open-minded. After first importing into lightroom, I was confident that I had made the right decision.
I especially love the cropping freedom I currently have. I can ‘dot’ a photo while still being able to export at my required resolution. JPEG shooters can take this a step further with the camera’s digital teleconverter. I love this feature in my RAW images to eliminate a step in the posting process.
Photos look sharp and clear, especially with Fujifilm 18mmf/1.4 and Fujifilm 33mmf/1.4 Glass.
Another area I’m apprehensive about is performance in low light. I pushed my X-T3 sensors to their limits in low light. I always like to work out some noise before removing artificial light, usually shooting weddings at ISOs up to 12,800. I was worried that the higher resolution sensor would push the noise beyond what I was comfortable with. But, again, the files I opened put my mind at ease. Yes, high ISO images have noise, but if you can handle the levels on older cameras, you’ll be happy with the X-T5.
The image below was taken at ISO 5000, which is pretty typical for an indoor wedding at night in the UK.
I’m used to the colors of all Fujifilm cameras. As expected, the X-T5 continues this trend.
interestingness
How much I enjoy using the camera is essential to me. It’s not a topic we talk about much. We talk about handling, almost, but the feel of a camera when you use it has a different title.
Fujifilm has long excelled in this regard compared to most other brands. Without spending a few thousand dollars more on a digital Leica, no other brand has focused their efforts on how exciting a camera can be.
I love that I have a dial or button for most of the settings I need for a typical wedding. The fact that I can reprogram almost any button to my liking is priceless. Retro style is always attractive. Fujifilm manages to combine style with function. The X-T3 size is perfect for small hands like mine, and this is even better. The grip is deeper but not as deep as the X-T4.
No battery clamp available. I have never used it, but it may be necessary for you. On that topic, though, I still haven’t changed the battery at the wedding. I shoot in enhanced mode, but I turn the camera off and back on when using it. This also adds to the fun, as it’s one less thing to worry about. I have a solid camera in my hand and there have been improvements over the X-T3. For example, the exposure compensation dial is easier to reach and rotate with a finger (or thumb), and the layout of some buttons is more intuitive. I love the photometric settings on the physical dial, but we can’t have it all! So it’s a bit of a hitch for me, but a personal one.
In terms of fun, the X-T5 matches my older X-T3. It beats the X-T4 and anything from Sony, Canon or Nikon. It also beats my older Olympus digital cameras, but by a narrower gap. The only modern contender is the Fuji X-pro series, x100vand Leica Q2 or M11. Someone in the comments is going to scream at me for saying that!
auto focus
I need one more note. I only have experience with this camera at weddings. I have yet to test the advanced tracking options; I only use it for people who move at a walking or dancing pace. However, the autofocus is better than what I’m used to with the X-T3, and as good as it can be when I need it.
My typical setting is to take a single shot instead of a continuous shot. However, if a person is about to move in the photo, I would turn the front switch to C. I am also using a newer Fujifilm lens with a fast linear motor. I try to see the image focus when the shutter button is pressed in single autofocus mode. It is just flexible. I don’t know how else to describe it.
I used face detection more in this camera. The main reason is the new way to control it. The camera will prioritize faces closest to the single point of focus. This small and quiet function changed the predictability of the entire system for me, making it usable. Plenty of other reviews show the camera’s tracking and the X-H2s being faster than the sports shooters out there. However, my success rate is higher than ever for my average wedding.
In low light, the camera also performs well.
If you’ve done wedding photography with a Fujifilm camera before, I think you’ll have a hard time making a better decision than with the X-T5. There is much more to these cameras than I have mentioned. These are my thoughts after two weddings. I’m sure I’ll look for more to comment, and I’ve yet to test IBIS or any video functionality. Other reviewers have tested this extensively, but my thoughts on the camera in general have been positive so far.
