X-T5 x Mr. Whisper

Street photography with the FUJIFILM X-T5 and XF56mmF1.2 R WR

My photography journey has been quite exclusive to the FUJIFILM X-T series, beginning in 2014 with the X-T1, then steadily working my way through the X-T2, X-T3, to the present day where I use the X-T4. Meaning, I’m quite sensitive to any upgrades that take place between camera generations.

I was originally drawn to the X-T series because of its iconic aesthetic and the traditional dials packaged together in a very compact design. The cameras are incredibly intuitive to use from the get-go and the dials invite you to learn and become a part of the photography process as you unlock the meaning of each dial and button on your creative journey.

One of my favourite existing street setups is the FUJIFILM X-T4 with the 1st generation XF56mmF1.2. This elegant street combo always gives me the highest image quality results, especially in low light situations. So when I was invited to test out the X-T5 with the 2nd generation XF56mmF1.2, I was extremely excited and well versed to put the lens through its paces.

Aesthetically, at first glance the X-T5 body is instantly recognisable by its familiar silhouette, traditional dials and interface. But that’s where the similarities stop. It’s only when you pick it up X-T5 the differences become apparent. The latest X-T series is slightly lighter, smaller, and fits much tighter in hand thanks to the tweaked ergonomic upgrades to the hand grip and thumb rest.

My favourite exterior upgrade, however, has to be the updated change to the top plate (where the back dial and preview button live). It’s been ergonomically reworked and angled, so when previewing your photos, the body feels like you’re holding a gaming controller. These are all subtle, yet noticeable benefits when walking the streets hour after hour.

The latest generation XF56mmF1.2 R WR is physically wider and slightly longer than its previous counterpart, but overall still remains a discreet size when coupled with the X-T5. (Without the lens hood)

Out on a street walk with the X-T5 and 56mm, I could immediately feel the performance upgrade in hand. The speed of the auto focus and subject tracking is butter smooth and perfectly primed for those fleeting moments.

I found myself in Aperture {Priority mode for most of the time as the metering was accurate and handled low light scenes with ease, even when faced with high contrast scenarios at night i.e. neon lights.

The latest tilt screen is a welcome return, as I prefer it when the screen stays behind the body, keeping it more discreet on the move.

The X-T5 and 56mmF1.2 R WR are an absolute beast combo to shoot with in low light. The most significant change has to be in the image quality produced by the latest 40MP sensor, a massive step forward from 26MP. The clarity, the vivid colours, and the level of detail is outstanding straight out of the camera and allows me to crop into my images with comfort.

During the day, the new base 125 ISO feature is a great addition. Particularly for those of us who enjoy printing our work where the improved image quality will be most rewarding.

When I consider all the aesthetic and performance upgrades that have taken place between the X-T4 & 5. It’s definitely the most significant leap between the X-T series releases, so much so I feel like it would be more aptly named the X-T8 or X-T5 AMG. It also explains why we’ve had to wait a little longer for this release. The X-T5 has been refined and adapted inside and out, the attention to detail to enhance your photography process at every step is impressive. It’s smaller and lighter, making it discreet and comfortable to carry all day and through the night. The new ergonomic hand grip and thumb rest positions the camera securely in hand, ideal for those one-handed shots.

The new 5th Generation Processor performance, when coupled with the XF56mmF1.2 R WR is noticeably quicker than its predecessor, both in auto focus, subject tracking, but also from zero to capture. Meaning, from switching on the camera to hitting the shutter button to capturing a fleeting moment – it’s rapid. Also being able to shoot in the rain with the 56mm guilt-free was pretty liberating and a very welcome addition to one of my favourite lenses.

Fundamentally, Fujifilm has delivered a pure street photography system. It’s a huge leap forward in image quality, performance and speed. All tightly packaged in an iconic and ergonomic design. With these core values sitting at the heart of the X-T5, I’m very excited to continue my photography journey with Fujifilm and the X-T series.