Fujifilm X-T5

What first attracted me to Fujifilm digital cameras and keeps me a loyal customer is the fact that Fujifilm never abandoned the mechanical controls that so many other camera manufacturers did when they went digital.  The X-T5 more resembles my first Nikon FM than it does any other digital camera on the market (Nikon has tried to step back with a “retro” model . . . that has struggled).  I find it strange that more and more photographers are realizing that it’s not about a “retro” look, it’s about having physical controls that are simple and direct to operate, plainly visible and informative at a glance and intuitive if you grew up in the old film days.  It’s so new to them, they’re surprised at how functional this type of camera is (as if those controls hadn’t been refined over decades of professional use).  Not me, that’s why I’m with Fujifilm.

And that’s why I had no doubts about diving in with a new camera just before my big desert southwest trip with Len.  On the surface the X-T5 is not very different than the X-T2 I had before I bought the X-Pro 2.  Except that the X-T5 is more refined and, in some key respects, improved.  Operationally, it’s identical to the X-Pro 2, with a few more buttons for even more flexibility.  The learning curve for the X-T5 was more of a slow incline than a steep curve - more about learning the new things the camera has to offer than figuring out how to operate the basic functions. Much of the new stuff I don’t need or want, so I can ignore it.

There is still the plethora of mechanical dials that I know and understand on sight (I can’t say that about when I enter the plethora of menu options).  The only real question is how do I want to reprogram certain buttons to do the things I want them to do (self-timer, level, histogram, . . . and a new one, in-body image stabilization) so I don’t have to dive into the menu system?  That only took an afternoon to work out.

Another huge advantage the X-T5 has over my X-Pro 2 (along with the in-body image stabilization) is the articulating rear screen.  Though I wish it would tilt downwards when in portrait orientation high up on a tripod (it works great when it’s low).  Even then, operating it in portrait mode on an elevated tripod it’s no different than the back of the X-Pro 2.

Ultimately the main reason for buying the X-T5 is its sensor.  Not only is it a full 2 generations more advanced than the sensor in the X-Pro 2 (more dynamic range, better high-ISO performance, etc.), it is a 40 mp sensor.  The details for landscape photography should be excellent.  It was time to upgrade and the upcoming trip determined the timing of the purchase.

There was still one last thing to decide though . . .  black or silver.

Ann went with the silver, so I settled for black.  I use the word “settled” loosely.  As great as the sliver version looks, in this type of camera I prefer the black.

I guess I could have waited to see what the X-Pro 4 had to offer (not that Fujifilm has confirmed an X-Pro 4 yet).  I’m still interested in seeing it because it should certainly have the 40 mp sensor.  But given the odd-flipping rear screen of the X-Pro 3 (will that keep that?), the fact that the X-Pro line has traditionally not been weather sealed, and the timing of the upcoming trip, I wasn’t about to wait to see what Fujifilm has in store for the next X-Pro camera.  Face it, when doing landscape work, I’ll still be using the rear LCD on the X-T5 to compose just like on the X-Pro 2, so that will not have changed. Though I will miss the ability to view multiple focal length frame lines in the X-Pro’s optical viewfinder to evaluate a scene.

With the X-T5 I know I have a camera I don’t have to think about when operating, an awesome 40 mp sensor, much improved battery life, and a weather sealed camera that will be able to handle the worst weather conditions that The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Iceland (hopefully) can throw at it.  That’s more than enough for my main camera!

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