Mr. Math, thank you for your many videos of Leica content. It was invaluable for me and i started out purchasing 3 new Leica film cameras and eventually a Q3 recently. I’ve had many problems with the Q3 such as freezing, WB and settings defaulting each time i switch on the camera etc amongst many other issues. After a week, i returned it back and bought a XT5. Build quality and fujifilm lens quality is not comparable to Leica but from day 1, the XT5 has been consistently reliable and shown solid performance. It has also become a strong complement to my film Leicas and i have been able to create good to great images consistently and frequently. The colours from the XT5 are amazing especially for skin and portraits. There is a noticeable difference in image quality which maybe apparent to those who regularly use Leica but on the whole this is not seen by the average viewer of my images who only focus on the image and composition. I feel relieved i did not purchase the M11 as my friend has sent in his 2nd unit because of rangefinder mechanism derangement. I am glad you are featuring XT5 and fujifilm bodies. Fujifilm deserves more attention.
The vertical part of the Smallrig L bracket is removable by using the Allen key on the two screws at its base, which is the primary function of the Allen key. So no need to have that vertical part on the camera unless you need it. Mine, basically of similar design but for Sony A7III, is in my camera storage cupboard and I took it off the first day I fitted the bracket to the camera. Smallrig makes quality components but the base plate is rather thicker than the Fuji genuine part.
I have had JJC grips for a couple other Fuji cameras and they have been well made. when I got the X-T5 I also bought the Fuji handgrip. It si expensive, but the quality is better.
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.
Excellent video - I went for the Smallrig and it is an excellent L bracket. Also, you can detach the side bracket (portrait mode for arca swiss attachment) and just have the bottom plate and hand grip until y ou need to use the side bracket on a tripod
Very helpful video - I have only had the X-T5 and Smallrig L- bracket for a couple of weeks, but I would easily recommend the Smallrig bracket. Very well made and works well in portrait mode on a tripod. I have not used the Fujifilm bracket. I purchased mine from a well known online company (Prime South American river🤫). Excellent bit of kit. I use it as a pro photographer.
I purchased the hand grip from SmallRig for my XT5. ( not the L bracket one.) I like the larger feel of the grip with the SmallRig. Feels similar to the battery grip on my XT3 .. Only problem is the SmallRig grip does not fit properly. It's a tad short and is a little warped on the bottom when tightened into place. So my camera does not sit flat and wobbles a bit when sitting on a table......All in all ,It is a nice addition to my XT5.
try this solution related to the loose fit of the Small Rig. A lock washer to fit over the bolt used to connect the bracket to the tripod socket will take up some space and the bolt can be tightened enough to remove any wobble. My S/R version is not as shown in this review but is marked as a S/R and has a rubberized handle and in great to easily allow one to carry the X T5. Be sure to use a wrist strap also. When using a ball/socket head on the tripod, the orientations are of no concern. Then again my monitor does not turn so my orientation is always landscape and I simply adjust my composition of portraits or go to a square format (1:1).
Thank you for the comparison. I ordered the Smallrig L-bracket for my X-T5 as soon as it was available and returned the expensive and less useful Fuji hand grip. I love it. The only issue I had with the L-bracket is that I prefer a side-mount clamp on my gimbal head and when I attach the L to the side keeping the camera in landscape orientation, the L-bracket is not quite strong enough to keep the weight of the camera from causing it to deform slightly and becoming slightly off level. I resolved that by using a small zip tie to hold the top of the L to the strap ring on the left side of the camera. If I ever want to extend the L away from the camera, however, I will have to cut the zip tie.
Really Right Stuff is also designing an L plate for the xT5. I have been using RRS tripods, ball heads and plates for years but recently got a small rig L plate for my xT4 because it was less expensive than the RRS offering. This was the first time I had an arca swiss compatible anything and noted that it is wider than RRS plates and only compatible with RRS holders that tighten by screw and not compatible with quick release RRS holders. Both small rig and RRS L plates interfere with the camera strap where it attaches to the camera on the portrait side. The portrait portion of the small rig for xT4 does not detach but it does detach on all my RRS L plates. Learn something every day whether it's new or not.
SmallRig, 100%. btw > I believe you can remove the vertical L bracket portion of the SmallRig, too, if you like, to make things tidier if you don't plan to use it.
Thanks a lot for a great video. I cannot find the black Smallrig version with the portrait plate anywhere including the smallrig website. Where did you get this from?
The original Fuji is a tiny bit more comfortable if it is only about extending the handgrip. On the SmallRig, the blackwood grip feels very soft and nice but the texture on he original Fuji makes the grip even less slippy.
Fuji makes great cameras, no doubt, and I used to own them, sold them when I stepped over to Leica. The cameras are solid, the lenses are great, photos are wonderful and the price tag of the Fuji products is without any doubt good bang for your buck. But....why do YOU own a Fuji X-T5 with all the Leica cameras and lenses you own ?
Ha! :) You got me, RS. As you know, I like the Fuji GFX100s a lot and these small X-Fujis I find compelling too, similar use, very good image quality, lots of features. I use them from time to time. Have a nice weekend!
Mr. Math, thank you for your many videos of Leica content. It was invaluable for me and i started out purchasing 3 new Leica film cameras and eventually a Q3 recently. I’ve had many problems with the Q3 such as freezing, WB and settings defaulting each time i switch on the camera etc amongst many other issues. After a week, i returned it back and bought a XT5. Build quality and fujifilm lens quality is not comparable to Leica but from day 1, the XT5 has been consistently reliable and shown solid performance. It has also become a strong complement to my film Leicas and i have been able to create good to great images consistently and frequently. The colours from the XT5 are amazing especially for skin and portraits. There is a noticeable difference in image quality which maybe apparent to those who regularly use Leica but on the whole this is not seen by the average viewer of my images who only focus on the image and composition. I feel relieved i did not purchase the M11 as my friend has sent in his 2nd unit because of rangefinder mechanism derangement. I am glad you are featuring XT5 and fujifilm bodies. Fujifilm deserves more attention.
The vertical part of the Smallrig L bracket is removable by using the Allen key on the two screws at its base, which is the primary function of the Allen key. So no need to have that vertical part on the camera unless you need it. Mine, basically of similar design but for Sony A7III, is in my camera storage cupboard and I took it off the first day I fitted the bracket to the camera. Smallrig makes quality components but the base plate is rather thicker than the Fuji genuine part.
Thanks for pointing out, I should have mentioned that.
U can remove it with the normal screw too, use it most off the time in this way. lg !
I have had JJC grips for a couple other Fuji cameras and they have been well made. when I got the X-T5 I also bought the Fuji handgrip. It si expensive, but the quality is better.
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.
Excellent video - I went for the Smallrig and it is an excellent L bracket. Also, you can detach the side bracket (portrait mode for arca swiss attachment) and just have the bottom plate and hand grip until y ou need to use the side bracket on a tripod
Very helpful video - I have only had the X-T5 and Smallrig L- bracket for a couple of weeks, but I would easily recommend the Smallrig bracket. Very well made and works well in portrait mode on a tripod. I have not used the Fujifilm bracket. I purchased mine from a well known online company (Prime South American river🤫). Excellent bit of kit. I use it as a pro photographer.
I have the fuji. I love it. Worth the money to me
I purchased the hand grip from SmallRig for my XT5. ( not the L bracket one.) I like the larger feel of the grip with the SmallRig. Feels similar to the battery grip on my XT3 .. Only problem is the SmallRig grip does not fit properly. It's a tad short and is a little warped on the bottom when tightened into place. So my camera does not sit flat and wobbles a bit when sitting on a table......All in all ,It is a nice addition to my XT5.
try this solution related to the loose fit of the Small Rig. A lock washer to fit over the bolt used to connect the bracket to the tripod socket will take up some space and the bolt can be tightened enough to remove any wobble. My S/R version is not as shown in this review but is marked as a S/R and has a rubberized handle and in great to easily allow one to carry the X T5. Be sure to use a wrist strap also. When using a ball/socket head on the tripod, the orientations are of no concern. Then again my monitor does not turn so my orientation is always landscape and I simply adjust my composition of portraits or go to a square format (1:1).
Thank you for the comparison. I ordered the Smallrig L-bracket for my X-T5 as soon as it was available and returned the expensive and less useful Fuji hand grip. I love it. The only issue I had with the L-bracket is that I prefer a side-mount clamp on my gimbal head and when I attach the L to the side keeping the camera in landscape orientation, the L-bracket is not quite strong enough to keep the weight of the camera from causing it to deform slightly and becoming slightly off level. I resolved that by using a small zip tie to hold the top of the L to the strap ring on the left side of the camera. If I ever want to extend the L away from the camera, however, I will have to cut the zip tie.
That's pretty bad IMO. I wouldn't want to have zip ties on my camera.
I just bought a chinese brand (jjc) handgrip for the XT5 and love it. Only cost US $15.
Just want to ask that what are the build qualities between the two brands. Is there a big gap between the two? Thanks!
Just ordered original one, i had for xt30 and was good!
I wish Smallrig would make these brackets for Manfrotto tripods.
Really Right Stuff is also designing an L plate for the xT5. I have been using RRS tripods, ball heads and plates for years but recently got a small rig L plate for my xT4 because it was less expensive than the RRS offering. This was the first time I had an arca swiss compatible anything and noted that it is wider than RRS plates and only compatible with RRS holders that tighten by screw and not compatible with quick release RRS holders. Both small rig and RRS L plates interfere with the camera strap where it attaches to the camera on the portrait side. The portrait portion of the small rig for xT4 does not detach but it does detach on all my RRS L plates. Learn something every day whether it's new or not.
Thanks for pointing out, William.
SmallRig, 100%. btw > I believe you can remove the vertical L bracket portion of the SmallRig, too, if you like, to make things tidier if you don't plan to use it.
Thanks Robert and good point on the side plate, will try out right away :)
Thanks a lot for a great video. I cannot find the black Smallrig version with the portrait plate anywhere including the smallrig website. Where did you get this from?
Hello, can you do a comparison between the Otus (the 55 maybe?) in the SL2 vs the SL summilux and the SL APO summicron?
Thanks Tizio, will consider in the course of the year.
The small rig is the deal., thanks that was one of the things I was concerned with. Thanks again great informative video.
Pleasure :)
Nice comparison. Which grip did you find to be the most comfortable when you were holding the camera?
The original Fuji is a tiny bit more comfortable if it is only about extending the handgrip. On the SmallRig, the blackwood grip feels very soft and nice but the texture on he original Fuji makes the grip even less slippy.
Great video thanks again.
Pleasure :)
Can you remove the portrait bracket from SmallRig?
Yes.
Robert is correct, I should have mentioned that. Thanks for making the point.
You can remove the L make it just bottom plate
That's even better news , thanks
Yes correct, I should have mentioned that.
Fuji makes great cameras, no doubt, and I used to own them, sold them when I stepped over to Leica.
The cameras are solid, the lenses are great, photos are wonderful and the price tag of the Fuji products is without any doubt good bang for your buck.
But....why do YOU own a Fuji X-T5 with all the Leica cameras and lenses you own ?
Ha! :) You got me, RS. As you know, I like the Fuji GFX100s a lot and these small X-Fujis I find compelling too, similar use, very good image quality, lots of features. I use them from time to time. Have a nice weekend!
I shoot Leica and the Fuji X system also. Many of us enjoy different camera designs.
Smallrigs choice of fake wood as the grip really ruins it for me...Would much have preferred a black rubberized grip.
SmallRig sells a black rubberized version as well with a chrome finish that matches the silver X-T5.
@@doogieham Correct, thanks for pointing out.
@@doogieham I use the flat chrome finish with my black body and it does not bother me at all.