I'm considering purchasing the Fuji X-M5 and need recommendations for the best flash to use with it. I want something versatile for both indoor and outdoor photography. Are there specific models that work well with the X-M5, or should I look into third-party options?
If you want the best bang for your buck, go Godox V1F. The unique round flash head produces soft, natural light falloff like studio strobes, fully supports Fujifilm TTL and HSS up to 1/8000s, and the lithium-ion battery gives impressively fast recycle times under 1.5 seconds at full power. Been using it for months and it's a game-changer for portraits. The magnetic modifier system is genius too.
Regarding what #2 said about "If you want the best bang for your buck", honestly its ridiculous how much these companies expect us to shell out for basic lighting kits now. I have been shooting for a long time and the way prices are heading is just depressing. Every time a new body drops, they strip away something essential like a built-in flash or even a hot shoe and then act like we should be thrilled about it. Its basically a hidden tax on the users who actually want to use their gear.
Since the X-M5 doesn't have a hot shoe, your flash options are pretty limited to off-camera setups. I'd go with a Godox V860III-F and use a wireless trigger like the X2T-F. The V860III has excellent battery life and the 2.4GHz system is super reliable. You'll need a light stand or grip to hold it, but honestly off-camera flash often looks better anyway.