Really nice comparison. Personally I went with the SmallRig leather half-wrap around the bottom of my X-T5 as I felt it looked better and offered (more or less) a better feel on the camera. It protects the bottom if I set my camera down and I can still mount it on a tripod if necessary. Plus the black with exposed stitching really gives my all-black X-T5 a classic look.
I have the smallrig grip -L bracket, with wooden grip. The problem is the smallrig is only about 5 mm deeper than the camera's grip. And both the smallrig and the camera's grip are angled away from the lens area. This angle means that the grip fails as a good grip extension since that angle facilitates the camera slipping out of your hand and so requires the user to tighten the fingers, to prevent slipping. This is especially tiring with a longer lens on the XT5. The most comfortable grip I have ever had is on the XH1, I barely have to hold it, and it still stays securely in my hand. I love putting that camera in my hand, while I am always looking for ways to improve the grip of the XT5. I am even wondering about using paper and tape to put a mold around the XT5 shallow grip and poring resin epoxy into it, to form a bigger, rounded grip, but the thought of ruining the camera stops me.
Did you find the best grip for the XT5? I have the small rig one and have the same issue of the angle of the grip making it feel like the camera is falling out of my right hand to the right.
@@dbean5174 I first bought Small rig's grip/L bracket combo. I found the grip to be far too small, and angled away from the lens so not very secure in the hand. I was used to the XH1 and considered it the most comfortable camera to hold. So I removed the grip from the SmallRig's xt5 bracket, and used JB Weld's epoxy paste to shape one of my own. JB Weld metal epoxy for the core that is around the screws (with nuts inserted in the epoxy; and JB Weld wood epoxy for the outer layer, which I molded, cut, and sanded to shape. Then I painted the grip red. Works GREAT.
The Fuji grips are always pricy, but ALWAYS built very well. I never even tried the SmallRig on the X-T5. I have plenty of experience with them for my video rigs, so I know they're good quality. However, the questionable ergonomics of my SmallRig X-T4 grip always left me disappointed because I had to shift how I held the camera to hold that grip comfortably. This, in turn, impacted how I could reach the camera's buttons and goofed with my previously established muscle memory. I decided to bite the bullet and order the Fuji one with my X-T5 and I'm very happy I did. It feels absolutely incredible. Like you said, it feels like an extension of the camera.
I tried 3 grips for my XT4, a Meike one and two Small Rig ones (one of which is a cage). My issue is that I feel the grips don't help that much with ergonomics, they push the fingers further away from where they are supposed to be in order to reach certain buttons (and I have fairly large hands). I dunno.. I just feel like they are a bandaid to a problem that just exists, that the design is not comfortable and no 3rd party grip really gets around this problem. The XT line shines with small primes like the Fujicrons, even the 90/2 and things start to feel awkward, plate or no plate. I also dislike the additional bulk and weight that the plates add, I kinda bought Fuji for the compact size and weight and I feel the plate takes away from that with little benefit. I also like to point out that the 'L-shaped' thing is confusing, because really none of these plates are actually L Brackets! Yes... there is a kind of 'L shape' in the way the grip adds that L look, but I think it is confusing to talk of L Shape and L Brackets 😆 And really if you have to add something to the XT4/5 to improve grip you might as well get one that is a proper L Bracket too.
I like having battery grips on my cameras and have one on each of my bodies, D90, D7100, X-T2, X-T3 and X-T4. I like the extra weight and battery life. I was disappointed that Fuji did not give me the option of a grip on my X-T5 but I added the SmallRig grip and am very happy with it. However, I like your video and I am tempted to swap the SmallRig and give the official Fuji one a try. Thanks Jerred Z.
The name of the Fuji original grip in the title is not matching the one in the description, should be MHG instead of MHS. Thanks for the information, very useful.
When I bought my XT-3 it came with the Fuji grip. I've often thought of buying a battery grip, but just haven't done it. However, I put the regular grip on day one and never removed it. I love the extra depth. I have wondered why, like on my Ricoh XR-P film camera, Fuji didn't make a grip like this with an angled top that included a shutter release button. Then you would have a choice of the top or forward leaning button to use. I do think that D ring falling down would drive me crazy! In my opinion, this is something that should cost far less or even be included as an accessory with the camera.
I had a Meike for my old X-T20. Was hoping they would make one for the X-T5 soon. Because... Triple digits does feel a bit excessive😬 But I'll definitely need one or the other as I have large hands.
I have the Fuji made grip and I’m happy with the feel and look. I think you hit it right on the spot when mentioned form factor i.e. an extension of the camera. I recommend going OEM and spending a bit more. You already spent $1700 + what is another $130 for a part that shouldn’t fail you? I much enjoy your content on Fuji gear.
@@JerredZ polymorph, thermoworx, polydoh, plastimake etc bunch of brands on amzn. Discovered the material looking for a Sugru alternative. Pretty popular with cosplay art/craft community.
You put out helpful content. This video came out at the perfect time for me, as this is the situation I”m in. Question - which grip feels closest to the XH2s? I absolutely love how the XH2s feels when using.
@@JerredZ GFX fits my hand really well…like a glove. When I got back to the XPro3, I not only needed a grip, I got a thumb rest too! Now both cameras have good purchase for hands. The GFX has made me soft and weak I tell ya’ lol
@@A1000Truths I’ve noticed in the photos on Amazon that both the Fuji and SmallRig grips have pins on them to keep the grip from twisting on the camera, but the JJC looks like it doesn’t. Have you noticed this to be a problem at all? I’m looking at the JJC one right now because I want a black one (I have the black camera, a silver grip would just look weird), but I’m having a hard time talking myself into dropping the price of the Fuji one on it. But I’m really wondering about that pin situation… I don’t want to drop $40 on the JJC and then end up having to buy the Fuji anyway!
@@arcane93 the JJC one has a screw on the bottom to keep the grip in place. I’ve had no issues with mine moving what’s so ever. Get it , you won’t be disappointed.
Really nice comparison. Personally I went with the SmallRig leather half-wrap around the bottom of my X-T5 as I felt it looked better and offered (more or less) a better feel on the camera. It protects the bottom if I set my camera down and I can still mount it on a tripod if necessary. Plus the black with exposed stitching really gives my all-black X-T5 a classic look.
Really useful video, thanks. I was wondering the differences between those two grips. Will almost certainly go for the Fuji one after seeing this.
What I'd like to find is an L bracket. For portrait orientation on a tripod.
I have the smallrig grip -L bracket, with wooden grip. The problem is the smallrig is only about 5 mm deeper than the camera's grip. And both the smallrig and the camera's grip are angled away from the lens area. This angle means that the grip fails as a good grip extension since that angle facilitates the camera slipping out of your hand and so requires the user to tighten the fingers, to prevent slipping. This is especially tiring with a longer lens on the XT5.
The most comfortable grip I have ever had is on the XH1, I barely have to hold it, and it still stays securely in my hand. I love putting that camera in my hand, while I am always looking for ways to improve the grip of the XT5. I am even wondering about using paper and tape to put a mold around the XT5 shallow grip and poring resin epoxy into it, to form a bigger, rounded grip, but the thought of ruining the camera stops me.
Did you find the best grip for the XT5? I have the small rig one and have the same issue of the angle of the grip making it feel like the camera is falling out of my right hand to the right.
@@dbean5174 I first bought Small rig's grip/L bracket combo. I found the grip to be far too small, and angled away from the lens so not very secure in the hand.
I was used to the XH1 and considered it the most comfortable camera to hold. So I removed the grip from the SmallRig's xt5 bracket, and used JB Weld's epoxy paste to shape one of my own. JB Weld metal epoxy for the core that is around the screws (with nuts inserted in the epoxy; and JB Weld wood epoxy for the outer layer, which I molded, cut, and sanded to shape. Then I painted the grip red. Works GREAT.
The Fuji grips are always pricy, but ALWAYS built very well. I never even tried the SmallRig on the X-T5. I have plenty of experience with them for my video rigs, so I know they're good quality. However, the questionable ergonomics of my SmallRig X-T4 grip always left me disappointed because I had to shift how I held the camera to hold that grip comfortably. This, in turn, impacted how I could reach the camera's buttons and goofed with my previously established muscle memory. I decided to bite the bullet and order the Fuji one with my X-T5 and I'm very happy I did. It feels absolutely incredible. Like you said, it feels like an extension of the camera.
I tried 3 grips for my XT4, a Meike one and two Small Rig ones (one of which is a cage). My issue is that I feel the grips don't help that much with ergonomics, they push the fingers further away from where they are supposed to be in order to reach certain buttons (and I have fairly large hands). I dunno.. I just feel like they are a bandaid to a problem that just exists, that the design is not comfortable and no 3rd party grip really gets around this problem. The XT line shines with small primes like the Fujicrons, even the 90/2 and things start to feel awkward, plate or no plate. I also dislike the additional bulk and weight that the plates add, I kinda bought Fuji for the compact size and weight and I feel the plate takes away from that with little benefit.
I also like to point out that the 'L-shaped' thing is confusing, because really none of these plates are actually L Brackets! Yes... there is a kind of 'L shape' in the way the grip adds that L look, but I think it is confusing to talk of L Shape and L Brackets 😆 And really if you have to add something to the XT4/5 to improve grip you might as well get one that is a proper L Bracket too.
I like having battery grips on my cameras and have one on each of my bodies, D90, D7100, X-T2, X-T3 and X-T4. I like the extra weight and battery life. I was disappointed that Fuji did not give me the option of a grip on my X-T5 but I added the SmallRig grip and am very happy with it. However, I like your video and I am tempted to swap the SmallRig and give the official Fuji one a try. Thanks Jerred Z.
The name of the Fuji original grip in the title is not matching the one in the description, should be MHG instead of MHS. Thanks for the information, very useful.
I have large hands, and the SmallRig wraps around the upper grip more, and feels better to hold. And maybe a bit grippier feel.
Perfect! Good to let people know!
Smallrig sells this exact one also black.
When I bought my XT-3 it came with the Fuji grip. I've often thought of buying a battery grip, but just haven't done it. However, I put the regular grip on day one and never removed it. I love the extra depth. I have wondered why, like on my Ricoh XR-P film camera, Fuji didn't make a grip like this with an angled top that included a shutter release button. Then you would have a choice of the top or forward leaning button to use. I do think that D ring falling down would drive me crazy! In my opinion, this is something that should cost far less or even be included as an accessory with the camera.
Understood, Charlie, and I agree - and a more integrated into-the-design grip would be welcome, right?
I had a Meike for my old X-T20. Was hoping they would make one for the X-T5 soon. Because... Triple digits does feel a bit excessive😬
But I'll definitely need one or the other as I have large hands.
Yeah... the triple digits does hit the wallet a little harder than it should, right? HA!
Good video. I am glad you did the comparison.
Nice comparison! I was looking at these, I think I will go with the Fuji one.
Awesome - I think you'll be happy!
I have the Fuji made grip and I’m happy with the feel and look. I think you hit it right on the spot when mentioned form factor i.e. an extension of the camera.
I recommend going OEM and spending a bit more. You already spent $1700 + what is another $130 for a part that shouldn’t fail you?
I much enjoy your content on Fuji gear.
Thank you, Sergio, and you’re right that spending a little more is fine, especially when we’re spending so much to start!
Thanks so much for this video! Exactly what I was looking for ❤
Sweet, Jason! Glad it helped.
I made my own grip with some thermoplastic. Melt them in hot water. Mold to shape like playdoh. Wait 5min to cool/harden.
That is... WAY too cool!
@@JerredZ polymorph, thermoworx, polydoh, plastimake etc bunch of brands on amzn. Discovered the material looking for a Sugru alternative. Pretty popular with cosplay art/craft community.
You put out helpful content. This video came out at the perfect time for me, as this is the situation I”m in. Question - which grip feels closest to the XH2s? I absolutely love how the XH2s feels when using.
Probably the smallrig? It's bigger... but for some reason it's still not as comfortable as the X-H2s body -that body is amazing in the hands.
I probably would wait for the L-bracket by Really Right Stuff.
I used my XPro3 without a grip without a problem. Then I got a GFX 50SII. Now I can’t feel comfortable with the XPro3. I use a grip on it lol
HA! So your GFX made you spend even MORE money for a grip! Man... it never ends!
@@JerredZ GFX fits my hand really well…like a glove. When I got back to the XPro3, I not only needed a grip, I got a thumb rest too! Now both cameras have good purchase for hands. The GFX has made me soft and weak I tell ya’ lol
Got the JJC one on Amazon for $39. Works flawlessly.
Nice! That one wasn't in stock, or I would have gotten that one too!
@@JerredZ yeah works well. Similar to the Fujifilm one.
@@A1000Truths I’ve noticed in the photos on Amazon that both the Fuji and SmallRig grips have pins on them to keep the grip from twisting on the camera, but the JJC looks like it doesn’t. Have you noticed this to be a problem at all?
I’m looking at the JJC one right now because I want a black one (I have the black camera, a silver grip would just look weird), but I’m having a hard time talking myself into dropping the price of the Fuji one on it. But I’m really wondering about that pin situation… I don’t want to drop $40 on the JJC and then end up having to buy the Fuji anyway!
@@arcane93 the JJC one has a screw on the bottom to keep the grip in place. I’ve had no issues with mine moving what’s so ever. Get it , you won’t be disappointed.
So with the grip, XT5 is almost as heavy and almost as pricy as XH2. Hmm…
Exactly! That's why I love the Xh2 - I returned the XT5 because the XH2 has more for the money, in my opinion!