IN THE FIELD
Amateur Photographer lighting expert Ian Pack ditched his Canon DSLR gear for the Fujifilm X-T5. How has he got on with this more modern and portable alternative?
My first experience of Fujifilm cameras was in the 1990s, with the specialist 6x17 panoramic film camera. In 2014, I needed a new everyday carry camera and opted for the 12MP Fujifilm X30 compact, which introduced me to the joys of Fujifilm’s excellent straight-outof-camera JPEG files and film simulation settings. However, for the following six years I continued to use Canon full-frame and cropsensor DSLRs for my commercial location and studio photography.
Late in 2022, I decided that it was time to move from my full-frame DSLR to a crop-sensor mirrorless camera, in order to reduce the weight and bulk of the gear I carry. For the past ten years I’ve used portable battery flashes on location and now in the studio, owing to their more compact size and lighter weight. So in this respect, going mirrorless is a natural progression for me.
I looked at the various options available from Canon, having been a loyal user since the introduction of the EOS 5 film camera in 1992. Sadly, the cost of Canon mirrorless bodies and RF lenses was prohibitive, and at the time of writing, Canon had not released the intellectual property to enable third-party lens providers to manufacture RFmount lenses. So there aren’t any affordable alternatives to Canon’s own lenses.
Fortunately, I have a long relationship with Park Cameras in Burgess Hill who had early stock of the Fujifilm X-T5. After much indecision I took the plunge and bought an X-T5 body and selection of lenses, including the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens for Fujifilm X-mount, based on the proven original model for Sony E-mount cameras. I don’t mind admitting that Andy Westlake’s Amateur Photographer magazine review of 15 November 2023 influenced my decision. I now have a camera system which is lightweight, compact and easy to use.
Classic design
In Fujifilm’s trademark style, the design harks back to the days of 35mm film cameras, with dials on the top plate for ISO sensitivity, shutter speed and exposure compensation. Even the shutter release button is reminiscent of a film camera with its surrounding on/off switch, which would have previously been the shutter button lock, and a thread to take a cable release for long exposures. The ISO and shutter speed dial have button locks to prevent accidental movement. The exposure compensation button does not, but I can see why – when the camera is at eye level, exposure
