What are the must-have accessories for a new Fujifilm X-T5?

I was basically in the same spot before my last trip and I really dont regret going minimal. I skipped the heavy grips and just got a SmallRig Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-T5 4066 for like 25 dollars. It made the camera feel way more secure for one-handed shots. I also went with the Urth Mantle Camera Strap and have been super satisfied with it for long walks.

Honestly, I’ve been there! I once spent 12 hours shooting in Kyoto with the SmallRig L-Shape Grip for FUJIFILM X-T5 4136 and it saved my wrist! It is only 79g, so super light for Tokyo. Skip the official battery; I’ve cycled Wasabi Power Battery NP-W235 2-Pack 2200mAh hundreds of times without issues. Use the leftovers for a fast SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II V90 card!

I was super cautious when I got my new gear too. Honestly, I had some issues with third party stuff in the past where a cheap cable almost fried my port and it was just a total nightmare. Unfortunately, even the fancy gear doesnt always save you if your luck is bad. I remember when I finally made it to Tokyo a few years back, I spent so much time worrying about my batteries and straps that I barely even looked up from the viewfinder.

• the humidity was totally insane
• my walking shoes gave me the worst blisters
• I lost my rail pass on day two That trip was kind of a disaster though because I ate some sketchy street food near Shinjuku and spent half the time in the hotel bathroom instead of taking photos. It was this spicy skewer thing that looked amazing but my stomach just wasnt ready for it. I missed the whole cherry blossom peak because I couldnt leave the room for more than ten minutes. Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.

Like someone mentioned, a grip is basically a necessity for long days if you dont want your hand cramping up by noon. Since youre trying to keep the weight down for Tokyo, skip the full cage and maybe look at the Meike MK-XT5G Metal Hand Grip for Fujifilm X-T5. It gives your pinky a place to rest and makes that 35mm f1.4 feel way more balanced without adding the bulk of a whole rig. I would suggest being really careful with those local leather straps tho. They look cool for the aesthetic, but after hours of walking, they can get sweaty and scratchy against your neck. I would suggest the Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-BK-3 because the seatbelt-style material slides over your clothes easily and you can tighten it in a second when you need to weave through crowded subways. On the battery front, I totally get the anxiety about third-party stuff swelling. If you want to avoid the cheap ones but cant afford Fuji prices, check out the SmallRig NP-W235 USB-C Rechargeable Camera Battery 4087. They have a built-in USB-C port, which means one less charger to pack for Japan. Its been super reliable for me and doesnt have that swelling issue some of the bottom-barrel brands do. Just make sure you pick up a Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Fujifilm X-T5 too... it is a tiny investment to protect that screen from stray zippers and bags while youre exploring.

Noted!