Wow! It’s been crazy the last several days. Fujifilm released the X-T5 on the 17th. Not everyone got their orders.
Let’s back this up. Amazon apparently listed the X-T5 too early on announcement day. By contract, everyone is supposed to go live no earlier than a certain time, but Amazon jumped the gun. I preordered an X-T5 on Amazon because I had reward points that I wanted to use. When the 17th came around, some people received their preorders that day. For others it shipped that day, and arrived in the next day or two. For me? Nothing. Those who ordered on Amazon were left in the dark. What I didn’t know is that Fujifilm decided to punish Amazon for their sins and not give them any cameras to sell; sadly, only Fujifilm photographers who ordered through Amazon were actually punished. Is it Amazon’s fault? Yes. Is it Fujifilm’s fault? Sure—they could have done something else to teach Amazon a lesson, while still allowing people to receive the cameras they ordered. Is it my fault? No. Is it your fault? No. But you and I didn’t get our gear when others did. I know this is a first-world problem, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter, but it is something that many people have experienced.
Amazon is a huge company, and Fujifilm sales are a tiny drop in a massive bucket. If Fujifilm stopped selling to Amazon altogether, it wouldn’t hurt Amazon in any way, shape, or form. I get that Fujifilm has to hold them accountable. I get that it wasn’t fair to their other retail customers. But let’s be real: crap rolls down hill. Who ended up with the crap? Me. You, if you, too, ordered through Amazon. Fujifilm’s customers are who got punished, not Amazon. I’m sure Amazon gave two seconds to this situation, and hasn’t cared one iota since. When they get their cameras, they’ll sell every single copy, and it will have such a small impact on the bottom line that you need a powerful magnifying glass just to see it. Those trying to be patient with their Amazon preorders might have to be extremely patient—I’ve heard that it might be sometime in January before orders are shipped. I don’t know that for a fact, but it’s what I have heard, and it may or may not be true—I hope it isn’t true.
So how did I get my X-T5? I called around to local camera stores, and I found one in stock. Luckily, Foto Forum in Phoenix had a body-only copy, plus one bundled with the 18-55mm f/2.8-f/4 kit zoom. I purchased the one with the lens. If you are still waiting for yours to ship, maybe call around to local camera stores to see if they still have an X-T5 in stock, and if so purchase from them instead.
That’s my story. What about you? Did you buy a Fujifilm X-T5? Did it arrive or are you still waiting?
People have already begun asking me for my impressions on this camera. I think a number of you are waiting to learn a little more about it before spending so much money. It’s way too soon to provide you with anything valuable. I’ll tell you my way-too-soon initial impressions, but please take them with a large grain of salt. I’ve only barely begun to use the camera and really haven’t had a chance to properly test it. I’ll give a full review later.
First, let’s talk about megapixels. Do you need 40? If you crop deeply, print posters, or just love to pixel-peep, then maybe. But if you don’t crop deeply, don’t print posters, or don’t pixel-peep, then you definitely don’t need 40mp—it’s way overkill. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to negatively affect the speed of the camera or even the file transfer speed when using the Fujifilm Cam Remote app. Unfortunately, it does take up more space on the SD Card, phone/computer, and storage, and uploads to my cloud storage are noticeably slower. There’s pluses and minuses to 40mp; I don’t anticipate the pluses coming in handy for me very often. For some of you, though, it is an important upgrade.
I haven’t put the autofocus improvements to the test whatsoever, but through three days of shooting, I haven’t noticed it being any more snappy than my X-E4. The only thing I noticed is that face detection locked onto a face that was far away, which I wouldn’t expect to happen on my X-E4. Since I wasn’t trying to photograph the person, it actually wasn’t a positive thing, but I can see this being an improvement. I haven’t even attempted continuous tracking or anything like that yet, so I can’t speak of it.
I was really excited for HEIF, but discovered that it disables Clarity. That’s disappointing. No HEIF for me, since I use Clarity a lot. Speaking of Clarity, I was also very disappointed that it isn’t any faster on the X-T5, and the Storing pause is identical to X-Trans IV. Fujifilm should have spent some time speeding this up, in my opinion. Oh, and somehow I keep bumping the drive switch, and accidentally switching to CL or HDR, both of which disable Clarity—I’ll have to figure out how to not bump that switch.
While the X-T5 is smaller than the X-T4, and just a little bigger than the X-T1 and X-T30, it is definitely heavy. Seems like a similar weight to the X-T4—not sure if it is or isn’t, but it’s hefty. I personally prefer the weight of the X-T1 or X-T30, but if you use large lenses a lot, you might appreciate the solid base of the X-T5.
The reason that I purchased the Fujifilm X-T5 is because this camera has the new Nostalgic Neg. film simulation. What do I think of it so far? If Eterna and Classic Chrome had a baby, it would be Nostalgic Negative. It has some similarities to both of those film simulations, with soft gradations in the shadows similar to Eterna and with some Eterna-like colors (particularly the warm colors), and with contrast, saturation, and an overall palette more similar to Classic Chrome. I’m not a huge fan of default straight-out-of-the-box Nostalgic Neg.—I was actually initially disappointed—but with some adjustments it can become magical. I love it! Nostalgic Neg. is another analog-esque film sim from Fujifilm that’s sure to become a classic. Expect some recipes soon!
I don’t have any other observations yet. I hope to do some more serious experimentations soon, and when I do I’ll share those impressions with you. In the meantime, here are some straight-out-of-camera Nostalgic Neg. pictures that I captured with my Fujifilm X-T5:
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm X-T5 in black: Amazon B&H
Fujifilm X-T5 in silver: Amazon B&H
Same thing happened to me. Preordered from Amazon on 11/2 and wound up canceling after getting a January 5 shipping date a few days after release day. None available locally, so I have one with the kit lens arriving from B&H this week.
Yeah, it’s pretty crazy. Glad your B&H order isn’t too delayed.
I had always presumed the digital capture from its original inception was by either purpose or default to provide a sharper image. Had it not been for the digital camera, lens manufacturers wouldn’t be stretching their necks to catch up to pixels. I’m in for 40MP. I do agree we’re at a tipping point. 8 years ago you could be committed to think that a APS-C sensor could present 40MP. XT-5!! Yes please!
I don’t know if that was the original point of digital, because for many years the opposite was true. Even today, I don’t think there’s anything sharper than large format slide film. But, there’s no doubt that digital technology has come a long, long ways, and the details rendered on such a small surface is nothing short of incredible. I appreciate the input!
Ordered from Adorama on the 6th, shipped on the 17th and received today. Will be testing tomorrow morning, but pretty excited after I figured out some of the menu options. and setting up as I want.
Focus is fast and excited about IBIS that I did not have in my XT3.
Learned that you can’t control metering (photometry) if you have face/eye AF turned on. But the top Fn button is a toggle to turn this on or off.
Resolution is very nice.
Yeah, it’s a really good idea to dedicate a button to toggle it on and off. I sometimes forget, though, to toggle it. 🤣
Enjoy it, mine arrived on saturday after a shipping delay (not the best start) I also went silver and love it. I haven’t managed to get out beyond an hour in a local forest but so far… it’s a keeper 😉
Yeah, I have no doubts you’ll continue to love it once you have a chance to use it more. 😀
Glad you got one in the end, sounds awful what’s happened!
I too was a little disappointed initially with nostalgic neg but I think it’ll need some tweaking! Classic neg however as you said is unreal!
I also noticed, coming from the X-T2 (not sure if this is now standard), that the custom settings can be changed for pretty much everything but there doesn’t seem to be base level settings eg auto iso…if I change it on one setting then change settings to go to say black and white, it changes everything to whatever is saved! Or if you switch the camera off/on. I know there’s the auto update custom settings but just seems a little annoying!
Looking forward to seeing your full review! I think it’ll take a few more weeks for me to have something out once I’ve really tested the camera!
I’m much too nervous to trust the custom settings auto update feature. It’s not something I think I’ll ever use.
I’ll have to look deeper into the Auto ISO issue you mentioned.
Hi. I ordered mine from B&H and it came within a few days with the 16-80mm f4 lens I wanted. So far I love this camera! I am a Nikon guy but am tired of carrying the heavy stuff at this point in my old life so I opted for a Fuji. I also have the X100V. I just ordered the Viltrox 23mm 1.4 which is highly rated and half the cost of the Fuji 23mm. Sorry about your problems with Amazon. Love your newsletter. Ed
Thanks so much! I wanted the kit with the 16-80mm, but the camera store only had the 18-55mm kit, so I went with that instead.
After reading great reviews, I also ordered the Viltrox 23mm 1.4.
I ordered my X-T5, same kit and style as yours, from B&H on Nov 13 and got it on the 21st. I’m in heaven with this camera and lens! Glad you got a hold of it despite Amazon’s easily prevented error. FYI, X Raw Studio film simulation recipe config files are the same as for the X100V, just the headers for the device are different. If you use a Mac those are at ~/Library/Application Support/com.fujifilm.denji/X RAW Studio/. So it was relatively easy (but not easy as it should be) for me to transfer my recipes to the new X-T5. First in X Raw Studio, save a user profile setting to create the proper subfolders and a config file with the right heading. Then copy over your X100V recipe config files to the new subfolder & swap out the headers with the camera specific one (but being careful to not change the recipe name).
Thanks for the X RAW Studio tip! I don’t use X RAW Studio, but I know that a lot of people do, so I’m certain this will be helpful information. Much appreciated!
“Don’t Shoot”. That’s brilliant. I’d print and hang that one. I am lusting after an x-t5 but still deeply satisfied with the x-t30. It’s encouraging to hear the positive reviews. Soon enough I will upgrade.
Thanks so much! When I saw the cactus, I just couldn’t resist.
Is the X-T5 an upgrade over the X-T30? Yes. But is it $1,700 worth of an upgrade, especially when you are satisfied with the camera you have? Probably not. Unless you need IBIS, weather-sealing, and/or an ISO knob (which you might, I don’t know), I’d recommend waiting for the X-T40, which will likely come out in the spring or summer.
This was the second time I have heard someone that they bump the lever to HDR when changing the SS. Is it looser than than prior versions? I never had that issue on my XT3.
The “bump” on the shooting-mode-ring protrudes slightly higher and is slightly bigger than on the X-T4 (not sure about the X-T3, because I don’t have access to that camera to compare). I think that barely bulkier bump makes it a little more prone to accidental movement. Two things have helped: I’m training myself to hold the ISO knob just a little different when I turn it, so that I don’t inadvertently touch the mode-ring bump when changing ISO; and I’m checking each time after adjusting the ISO that the camera hasn’t changed shooting modes, just in case I accidentally bumped it.
Indeed, as per Tyler’s observation, Ritchie, you are the 4th person I’ve noticed to mention the issue (the other three were reviewers). I do hope Fuji decide to tweak their design slightly in the next set of batches to make it harder to accidentally hit that switch.
It’s definitely something that they didn’t test enough prior to shipping. 😀
I was really hoping, actually assuming, that the processing power of Fujifilm’s next gen camera’s would no longer have a ‘storing’ delay when using Clarity. I use Clarity nearly always on my X100V and it might have been THE reason to upgrade my X-T3 to the ‘5’: having Clarity available and that without any delay.
I’ll wait for more user reviews and decide early 2023. Also, since owning the X100V, I’m using the X-T3 a lot less. Never guessed that would happen.
Anyways, enjoy your new camera and thanks for all you work and content here.
Yeah, it was really disappointing.
I assumed (a couple years ago when I got my X100V) that Fujifilm would address the Clarity delay via a firmware update to speed it up a little. When that didn’t happen, I assumed that with the increase in processing power the delay would be reduced or even eliminated. I don’t think Fujifilm has even addressed it.
I appreciate your comment!
Curious to seek out in what manner this first run of NostalgicNeg samples resemble those that accompany your not so well matured take on it for X-Trans IV models, I wonder what you did with whitebalance here?
Kudos for the expansive array of them presented, and making a fine starter impression.
Some of the pictures you’ll find here:
https://fujixweekly.com/2022/11/22/nostalgia-negative-my-first-fujifilm-x-t5-x-trans-v-film-simulation-recipe/
I think the X-Trans IV recipe is pretty close to a look that can be achieved with the Nostalgic Neg. film sim. At some point I might try and “match” it using Nostalgic Neg.
Those cactus like the one in Don’t shoot are quite funny, they believe they will be in westerns xD I got a small one like that with a Sigma DP2 https://prnt.sc/5uNOMnfreyxI
🤣 🤣 🤣 Love it!
Oh no, totally not great to punish customers who love Fujifilm because Amazon effed up..
I still can’t believe it but I have been the X-T5, my first new camera since 2010 Canon 7D
I’ve been using a AUD $400 2nd hand X-T1 for a bit over a year and love it , but a lot of the upgrades are soo good some of the settings I need to double check was possible on the X-T1 but I love a one button press between using LCD screen and switch everything off and turn on EVF when your face is against it
Also setting all buttons near the thunb to zoom-in-to-focus (I kept pressing the wrong button )
I’m renting it and will apply to buy it in a month or 2 – they had black in stock but I wanted to wait for silver , and they had one half way across the country so sent it over ~ (and Australia is huge )
I get that Fujifilm needed to “punish” Amazon, but the way they did it only punished their own customers. I don’t think they fully thought it out.
I have the silver X-T5 and it is very lovely… it will be worth the wait for you, I’m sure.