Soft shutter release on the X T5

[wh1tby]

I have been a long time Fuji user and admirer but I have to ask whether I am the only one that finds the shutter release on the X T5 soft, wobbly and lacking in feel?

I have waited a while after receiving the camera before posting this to give myself time to adapt if I can and done some considerable research (including but exclusively Perplexity), but not really found anything relevant. I wanted to see if it was just me. I also shoot with a Sony A7RV, Sony A7IV and an OM1 MkII. My wife has the X T50. The XT50 is marginally better but I find myself inadvertently firing off the shutter on the X T5 on many occasions because I cannot feel the trigger point. I have no problem with the Sonys and OM 1, they have a tactile feel and provide sufficient feedback for me to operate the shutter without an issue.

I have owned the X T2, 3 and 4, X-A3, X-E3 and X Pro2 as well as X 100S thru V, and do not remember having these issues. I even sent the X T5 back to get another one to see if it was a fault but the new one was nearly as bad. The X T50 seems much better, although a trifle sensitive, but I get a number of blurred and incorrectly framed photographs on the X T5 where the shutter has gone off before I was ready.

At this point I tend to avoid the X T5 because I cannot use it dependably due to this shutter release issue I have. Given the lack of comments here, it must be me, but it is real for me and is effecting my use of what is an otherwise excellent camera. I would welcome observations and comments. BTW I have tried the so called soft shutter releases etc. (being careful not to over tighten them) and they make it worse.

 

[RobRoy22]

I use a soft shutter release button on mine and have no problems or issues in use.

 

[Morris0]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

 

[wh1tby]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

I appreciate the response but I noted that I have tried so called soft shutter release buttons of several types in my original post. With these soft release buttons all I get is a taller, wobbly, imprecise release which does not address my issue. Again I appreciate your attempt to assist.

 

[wordforword]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

I appreciate the response but I noted that I have tried so called soft shutter release buttons of several types in my original post. With these soft release buttons all I get is a taller, wobbly, imprecise release which does not address my issue. Again I appreciate your attempt to assist.

This has been my experience too. Not a nice shutter button but I'm living with it and you do get sort of used to it. I ended up removing the soft release button as there are stories of it getting caught on camera bags and destroying the shutter.

Also, if the on/off switch collar around the shutter becomes loose and rattles, I was told by a camera shop that this is normal for the X-T5. If the coating on your EVF disintegrates Fuji will repair this for free though.

 

[RobRoy22]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

I appreciate the response but I noted that I have tried so called soft shutter release buttons of several types in my original post. With these soft release buttons all I get is a taller, wobbly, imprecise release which does not address my issue. Again I appreciate your attempt to assist.

You asked if you were the only person experiencing this problem? I cannot answer that, but this post suggests that you maybe should have made clear that your interest is only to hear from people who have the issue, not from those who don’t. I’ve no advice other than to sell the X-T5 if you find it unusable. Good luck.

 

[wh1tby]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

I appreciate the response but I noted that I have tried so called soft shutter release buttons of several types in my original post. With these soft release buttons all I get is a taller, wobbly, imprecise release which does not address my issue. Again I appreciate your attempt to assist.

You asked if you were the only person experiencing this problem? I cannot answer that, but this post suggests that you maybe should have made clear that your interest is only to hear from people who have the issue, not from those who don’t. I’ve no advice other than to sell the X-T5 if you find it unusable. Good luck.

Understand your comment. My post was intended to find out if I am the only one with this issue or if most people do not find the shutter release an issue. If most people do not have an issue, then I suspect it is either me or a problem with a batch of cameras and I need to make a decision about whether to keep the camera or not.

Hopefully this is clearer.

 

[Morris0]

I used a soft shutter release on all my X-T3 bodies. They do the job. Don't use the rubber washer that comes with them, rather a drop of paint, nail polish or loctite threadlocker blue. Any of these will hold it on yet is easy to get of if necessary with just a little force.

This is the soft release I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQD6C4O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Morris

I appreciate the response but I noted that I have tried so called soft shutter release buttons of several types in my original post. With these soft release buttons all I get is a taller, wobbly, imprecise release which does not address my issue. Again I appreciate your attempt to assist.

You asked if you were the only person experiencing this problem? I cannot answer that, but this post suggests that you maybe should have made clear that your interest is only to hear from people who have the issue, not from those who don’t. I’ve no advice other than to sell the X-T5 if you find it unusable. Good luck.

Understand your comment. My post was intended to find out if I am the only one with this issue or if most people do not find the shutter release an issue. If most people do not have an issue, then I suspect it is either me or a problem with a batch of cameras and I need to make a decision about whether to keep the camera or not.

Hopefully this is clearer.

The shutter button on all Fuji legacy bodies rocks yet they operate smoothly. Most can press the shutter and feel or know where 1/2 press is. If you are having trouble you may be pressing at an angle rather than straight down. I had the problem you describe when I used gloves and the soft release solved it for me. You may need to adjust your fingers' placement. The tip of your finger may not be the ideal part of your finger. Also, try rolling your finger rather than squeezing of visa versa. I do agree with you the shutter release on the legacy bodies is annoying.

Morris

 

[Truman Prevatt]

There are two general types of shutter release mechanisms - even with Fuji. There is the classic shutter related post that dates back to the 19740's - a post with screw threads that housed a mechanical cable release. This is used on server Fuji cameras, XT series, XPro 2/3, X100 series, even the GFX100RF. Then there is the covered button of the XH2/XH2S and similar to my Z8. These buttons have no threads and can't take a cable release nor any of the add on "soft shutter buttons."

The XH2 shutter button should not develop any "softness" nor wobble since non vertical forces will not be transferred to the shutter mechanism. The classic post will be prone to non vertical forces.

Since I cut my teeth on the post style shutter button, my M4, my early Nikons, my RB67, I am very comfortable with them. I also don't see any need for the little screw in "soft shutters." But that's me. One potential advantage is they do lengthen the post which might fit some hands better. However, by lengthening the post, they can result in more torque on the mechanical parts of the release mechanism which could lean to some sloppiness. The buttons can also get hung or something get hung up on it and damage the shutter mechanism.

These post style shutter buttons work best when the pressing force is straight down with no sideways force. The XH2 style of shutter on the other hand - a sideways pressure will not be an issue since the mechanism is protected by the cover over the shutter button mechanism.

Some prefer the XH2 style shutter. My wife for example did not like the shutter button on my XPro3 since she started photography using the XH1 much preferring that shutter button style.

Competitive hand gun shooters spend hours practicing and perfecting the trigger squeeze eliminating the "trigger pull" for a reason. The same might be a good idea with photographers practicing to prefect the "shutter squeeze" rather than the "shutter push." That I think is more of an issue on the post style shutters of the XT5 than the button style of the XH2.

I know on my XPro, Leica Q2M and GFX100 RF with post shutters, I press the shutter button more with the tip of my finger rather then the pad on my finger. On the XH2 and Z8 where the shutter button is out on the end of the grip and the reach is further, I use the pad of my finger. On the XT5 by using the tip of your finger, with the finger islightly bent and you might not need a soft release button and the stroke is more likely to be vertical. Everyone's hand is different. Find a stroke that suites you.

If you are not happy with the XT5 shutter button, there are two options. First is to analyze how you are imitating the shutter release and see if there are more comfortable ways to do it and if so practice those. If you can't become comfortable with the shutter release then maybe look at a different camera or maybe even a camera with a different style shutter release.

Like a trigger on a gun of a competitive shooter, the shutter release is the most important part of the camera to insure accuracy and minimal probability of inadvertent movement. Not being comfortable or having issues with this can be frustrating. What works for someone else, might not work for you. However, you need to be comfortable with your camera.

 

[wh1tby]

There are two general types of shutter release mechanisms - even with Fuji. There is the classic shutter related post that dates back to the 19740's - a post with screw threads that housed a mechanical cable release. This is used on server Fuji cameras, XT series, XPro 2/3, X100 series, even the GFX100RF. Then there is the covered button of the XH2/XH2S and similar to my Z8. These buttons have no threads and can't take a cable release nor any of the add on "soft shutter buttons."

The XH2 shutter button should not develop any "softness" nor wobble since non vertical forces will not be transferred to the shutter mechanism. The classic post will be prone to non vertical forces.

Since I cut my teeth on the post style shutter button, my M4, my early Nikons, my RB67, I am very comfortable with them. I also don't see any need for the little screw in "soft shutters." But that's me. One potential advantage is they do lengthen the post which might fit some hands better. However, by lengthening the post, they can result in more torque on the mechanical parts of the release mechanism which could lean to some sloppiness. The buttons can also get hung or something get hung up on it and damage the shutter mechanism.

These post style shutter buttons work best when the pressing force is straight down with no sideways force. The XH2 style of shutter on the other hand - a sideways pressure will not be an issue since the mechanism is protected by the cover over the shutter button mechanism.

Some prefer the XH2 style shutter. My wife for example did not like the shutter button on my XPro3 since she started photography using the XH1 much preferring that shutter button style.

Competitive hand gun shooters spend hours practicing and perfecting the trigger squeeze eliminating the "trigger pull" for a reason. The same might be a good idea with photographers practicing to prefect the "shutter squeeze" rather than the "shutter push." That I think is more of an issue on the post style shutters of the XT5 than the button style of the XH2.

I know on my XPro, Leica Q2M and GFX100 RF with post shutters, I press the shutter button more with the tip of my finger rather then the pad on my finger. On the XH2 and Z8 where the shutter button is out on the end of the grip and the reach is further, I use the pad of my finger. On the XT5 by using the tip of your finger, with the finger islightly bent and you might not need a soft release button and the stroke is more likely to be vertical. Everyone's hand is different. Find a stroke that suites you.

If you are not happy with the XT5 shutter button, there are two options. First is to analyze how you are imitating the shutter release and see if there are more comfortable ways to do it and if so practice those. If you can't become comfortable with the shutter release then maybe look at a different camera or maybe even a camera with a different style shutter release.

Like a trigger on a gun of a competitive shooter, the shutter release is the most important part of the camera to insure accuracy and minimal probability of inadvertent movement. Not being comfortable or having issues with this can be frustrating. What works for someone else, might not work for you. However, you need to be comfortable with your camera.

I understand your comments and appreciate the advice. I have three other cameras (Sony A7RV, Sony A7IV and OMDS OM 1 MkII) with which I have no issues and following your comments it may be the inclusion of the thread that is the issue. The X T50 my wife uses (along with her Sony A7IV) is better (it is more stable but still a little lacking in feel) and I do not recall the same issues with my prior Fuji cameras (X T2, X T3, X T4, X Pro 2, X 100S, X 100T, X 100F and X100V etc.) so I was wondering whether something has changed or I just had a bad camera or I am getting older and more incompetent . It sounds as if it is a characteristic of these latest 'legacy' style bodies with the threaded shutter releases.

Like you I cut my teeth on early Canon and Pentax film cameras and Canon DSLR cameras before moving to mirrorless with the Fuji X T2 and then to Sony etc. This is the first time I have encountered the issue I appear to have today and understand the squeeze metaphor as it is often the only way to get a clean shot without shake.

I will persevere and see if I can make it work for me. Otherwise I will sell it and continue with my other cameras or look at the X H series since I do like the results I get from Fuji cameras and their superb lenses. My only issue with that is that they are a little bigger than I like, but you cannot have everything.

 

[Peter3579]

I agree with you. It is very sensitive compared to my Nikons.

Slightly off topic but another small annoyance is the ease that the Focus mode selector can be inadvertently moved.

 

[Truman Prevatt]

There are two general types of shutter release mechanisms - even with Fuji. There is the classic shutter related post that dates back to the 19740's - a post with screw threads that housed a mechanical cable release. This is used on server Fuji cameras, XT series, XPro 2/3, X100 series, even the GFX100RF. Then there is the covered button of the XH2/XH2S and similar to my Z8. These buttons have no threads and can't take a cable release nor any of the add on "soft shutter buttons."

The XH2 shutter button should not develop any "softness" nor wobble since non vertical forces will not be transferred to the shutter mechanism. The classic post will be prone to non vertical forces.

Since I cut my teeth on the post style shutter button, my M4, my early Nikons, my RB67, I am very comfortable with them. I also don't see any need for the little screw in "soft shutters." But that's me. One potential advantage is they do lengthen the post which might fit some hands better. However, by lengthening the post, they can result in more torque on the mechanical parts of the release mechanism which could lean to some sloppiness. The buttons can also get hung or something get hung up on it and damage the shutter mechanism.

These post style shutter buttons work best when the pressing force is straight down with no sideways force. The XH2 style of shutter on the other hand - a sideways pressure will not be an issue since the mechanism is protected by the cover over the shutter button mechanism.

Some prefer the XH2 style shutter. My wife for example did not like the shutter button on my XPro3 since she started photography using the XH1 much preferring that shutter button style.

Competitive hand gun shooters spend hours practicing and perfecting the trigger squeeze eliminating the "trigger pull" for a reason. The same might be a good idea with photographers practicing to prefect the "shutter squeeze" rather than the "shutter push." That I think is more of an issue on the post style shutters of the XT5 than the button style of the XH2.

I know on my XPro, Leica Q2M and GFX100 RF with post shutters, I press the shutter button more with the tip of my finger rather then the pad on my finger. On the XH2 and Z8 where the shutter button is out on the end of the grip and the reach is further, I use the pad of my finger. On the XT5 by using the tip of your finger, with the finger islightly bent and you might not need a soft release button and the stroke is more likely to be vertical. Everyone's hand is different. Find a stroke that suites you.

If you are not happy with the XT5 shutter button, there are two options. First is to analyze how you are imitating the shutter release and see if there are more comfortable ways to do it and if so practice those. If you can't become comfortable with the shutter release then maybe look at a different camera or maybe even a camera with a different style shutter release.

Like a trigger on a gun of a competitive shooter, the shutter release is the most important part of the camera to insure accuracy and minimal probability of inadvertent movement. Not being comfortable or having issues with this can be frustrating. What works for someone else, might not work for you. However, you need to be comfortable with your camera.

I understand your comments and appreciate the advice. I have three other cameras (Sony A7RV, Sony A7IV and OMDS OM 1 MkII) with which I have no issues and following your comments it may be the inclusion of the thread that is the issue. The X T50 my wife uses (along with her Sony A7IV) is better (it is more stable but still a little lacking in feel) and I do not recall the same issues with my prior Fuji cameras (X T2, X T3, X T4, X Pro 2, X 100S, X 100T, X 100F and X100V etc.) so I was wondering whether something has changed or I just had a bad camera or I am getting older and more incompetent . It sounds as if it is a characteristic of these latest 'legacy' style bodies with the threaded shutter releases.

Like you I cut my teeth on early Canon and Pentax film cameras and Canon DSLR cameras before moving to mirrorless with the Fuji X T2 and then to Sony etc. This is the first time I have encountered the issue I appear to have today and understand the squeeze metaphor as it is often the only way to get a clean shot without shake.

I will persevere and see if I can make it work for me. Otherwise I will sell it and continue with my other cameras or look at the X H series since I do like the results I get from Fuji cameras and their superb lenses. My only issue with that is that they are a little bigger than I like, but you cannot have everything.

Years ago, a friend of mine and also a good photographer would used his second finger rather than the index finger for a Nikon SLR and his index finger for his Leica M. The second finger is long and it matched the reach on the Nikon.

If you are not comfortable with the shutter - then you are not comfortable. No reason to suffer.

 

[Hans P]

Hi

I use this type of soft release consider it very convenient

with a rubbery top and it is a few mm's higher than the flat type

which provides good finger control

by the rough side you have good grip mounting it firmly with even the o-ring for safety,

prevent the on/off switch from switching while tightening firmly,

if you think to leave it on use some glue

( for the price order one extra as a spare)

JJC soft release for most Fuji Camera's

Cheers

Happy Pixelfiller
Hans *53 ( ;-) NL

 

[JNR]

There are two general types of shutter release mechanisms - even with Fuji. There is the classic shutter related post that dates back to the 19740's - a post with screw threads that housed a mechanical cable release. This is used on server Fuji cameras, XT series, XPro 2/3, X100 series, even the GFX100RF. Then there is the covered button of the XH2/XH2S and similar to my Z8. These buttons have no threads and can't take a cable release nor any of the add on "soft shutter buttons."

The XH2 shutter button should not develop any "softness" nor wobble since non vertical forces will not be transferred to the shutter mechanism. The classic post will be prone to non vertical forces.

Since I cut my teeth on the post style shutter button, my M4, my early Nikons, my RB67, I am very comfortable with them. I also don't see any need for the little screw in "soft shutters." But that's me. One potential advantage is they do lengthen the post which might fit some hands better. However, by lengthening the post, they can result in more torque on the mechanical parts of the release mechanism which could lean to some sloppiness. The buttons can also get hung or something get hung up on it and damage the shutter mechanism.

These post style shutter buttons work best when the pressing force is straight down with no sideways force. The XH2 style of shutter on the other hand - a sideways pressure will not be an issue since the mechanism is protected by the cover over the shutter button mechanism.

Some prefer the XH2 style shutter. My wife for example did not like the shutter button on my XPro3 since she started photography using the XH1 much preferring that shutter button style.

Competitive hand gun shooters spend hours practicing and perfecting the trigger squeeze eliminating the "trigger pull" for a reason. The same might be a good idea with photographers practicing to prefect the "shutter squeeze" rather than the "shutter push." That I think is more of an issue on the post style shutters of the XT5 than the button style of the XH2.

I know on my XPro, Leica Q2M and GFX100 RF with post shutters, I press the shutter button more with the tip of my finger rather then the pad on my finger. On the XH2 and Z8 where the shutter button is out on the end of the grip and the reach is further, I use the pad of my finger. On the XT5 by using the tip of your finger, with the finger islightly bent and you might not need a soft release button and the stroke is more likely to be vertical. Everyone's hand is different. Find a stroke that suites you.

If you are not happy with the XT5 shutter button, there are two options. First is to analyze how you are imitating the shutter release and see if there are more comfortable ways to do it and if so practice those. If you can't become comfortable with the shutter release then maybe look at a different camera or maybe even a camera with a different style shutter release.

Like a trigger on a gun of a competitive shooter, the shutter release is the most important part of the camera to insure accuracy and minimal probability of inadvertent movement. Not being comfortable or having issues with this can be frustrating. What works for someone else, might not work for you. However, you need to be comfortable with your camera.

Truman has a thorough and accurate analysis. What makes the X-T5 especially prone to imprecise shutter release positioning (compared, for instance, to the X-T2 with the same button) is mostly due to the body ergonomics. The thick body accompanied by a shallow grip will make it difficult for many shooters to position the index finger directly over the shutter button. For me, the cure was a quality handgrip (certainly not the OEM version). The added depth for gripping and a resting place for the middle finger to allow for proper positioning of the index finger.

The best of them is the AUKTU which unfortunately is no longer easily available. The available Haoge is a pretty close second in terms of ergonomics and utility.

https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Fujifilm-Ergonomic-Silicone-Stabilizer/dp/B0D73TG2ZS/

It is amazing how much better the X-T5 handles with a good grip (pun or no pun).

 

[wh1tby]

I appear to have solved most of my issues by using a grip extension with the camera. I had ordered a Smallrig base plate some time ago which incorporates the ARCA Swiss plate tripod attachment to both provide protection for the bottom of the camera and a way to use a tripod without having to scramble around for a plate when I needed one. This Smallrig base plate incorporates a grip extension which is very good in that it looks like the hand grip that the camera should have had and not an add on. It arrived earlier today and much to my surprise this made using the shutter much better and allowed to me better control the release. I shot around 500 photographs with this base plate and grip extension and not only does it make the camera feel a whole lot better, I managed to get off all the shots without a misfire.

I think one of the posters, which I just read, suggested that this might work and I can concur. The one I am using is not the same as one suggested, but if you are interested I can really recommend this one after my brief encounter and use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GV4RM7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I appreciate every one's help and thoughts here. BTW I did not need the so called 'soft release' button included with the base plate.

For the moment I am happy and my X T5 will stay with me. I just need a decent wide angle lens that will not bankrupt me now (and I prefer zooms to primes, I apologize to the prime perfectionists and lovers, but they suite my style much better and are much easier for me to get the results I want).

 

[Matthew39]

I find that swapping between the X-T5 and X-H2 requires conscious re-adjustment on my part of the half press point. When I switch to the X-T5 I often find that I haven't woken up the camera with what I thought was a half press, Going the other way, I sometimes inadvertently take pictures of my feet with the X-H2, because after the X-T5 is feels as though it has a hair trigger.

 

[Morris0]

I appear to have solved most of my issues by using a grip extension with the camera. I had ordered a Smallrig base plate some time ago which incorporates the ARCA Swiss plate tripod attachment to both provide protection for the bottom of the camera and a way to use a tripod without having to scramble around for a plate when I needed one. This Smallrig base plate incorporates a grip extension which is very good in that it looks like the hand grip that the camera should have had and not an add on. It arrived earlier today and much to my surprise this made using the shutter much better and allowed to me better control the release. I shot around 500 photographs with this base plate and grip extension and not only does it make the camera feel a whole lot better, I managed to get off all the shots without a misfire.

I think one of the posters, which I just read, suggested that this might work and I can concur. The one I am using is not the same as one suggested, but if you are interested I can really recommend this one after my brief encounter and use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GV4RM7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I appreciate every one's help and thoughts here. BTW I did not need the so called 'soft release' button included with the base plate.

For the moment I am happy and my X T5 will stay with me. I just need a decent wide angle lens that will not bankrupt me now (and I prefer zooms to primes, I apologize to the prime perfectionists and lovers, but they suite my style much better and are much easier for me to get the results I want).

Great. It sounds like your finger's position on the shutter release has changed and this is what's making it work for you.

Morris

 

[Truman Prevatt]

I appear to have solved most of my issues by using a grip extension with the camera. I had ordered a Smallrig base plate some time ago which incorporates the ARCA Swiss plate tripod attachment to both provide protection for the bottom of the camera and a way to use a tripod without having to scramble around for a plate when I needed one. This Smallrig base plate incorporates a grip extension which is very good in that it looks like the hand grip that the camera should have had and not an add on. It arrived earlier today and much to my surprise this made using the shutter much better and allowed to me better control the release. I shot around 500 photographs with this base plate and grip extension and not only does it make the camera feel a whole lot better, I managed to get off all the shots without a misfire.

I think one of the posters, which I just read, suggested that this might work and I can concur. The one I am using is not the same as one suggested, but if you are interested I can really recommend this one after my brief encounter and use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GV4RM7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I appreciate every one's help and thoughts here. BTW I did not need the so called 'soft release' button included with the base plate.

For the moment I am happy and my X T5 will stay with me. I just need a decent wide angle lens that will not bankrupt me now (and I prefer zooms to primes, I apologize to the prime perfectionists and lovers, but they suite my style much better and are much easier for me to get the results I want).

Great news. Everyone's hands are different. Everyone's finger lengths are different. The grip put you hands in a much better position to become comfortable with the camera. Now go have some fun.

 

[RangerPhotog]

I never used a soft shutter realease on any camera i used in the last 50 until I got my first Fuji camera. I got swept up in the notion that it was the thing to do. I suspect that the soft shutter release screwed up my shutter release on my XPro3 which I had to send into Fuji to get repaired. I took the soft shutter releases off my other Fuju cameras and have not missed them. I had the same wobbly thing you have going on.

 

[wh1tby]

I appear to have solved most of my issues by using a grip extension with the camera. I had ordered a Smallrig base plate some time ago which incorporates the ARCA Swiss plate tripod attachment to both provide protection for the bottom of the camera and a way to use a tripod without having to scramble around for a plate when I needed one. This Smallrig base plate incorporates a grip extension which is very good in that it looks like the hand grip that the camera should have had and not an add on. It arrived earlier today and much to my surprise this made using the shutter much better and allowed to me better control the release. I shot around 500 photographs with this base plate and grip extension and not only does it make the camera feel a whole lot better, I managed to get off all the shots without a misfire.

I think one of the posters, which I just read, suggested that this might work and I can concur. The one I am using is not the same as one suggested, but if you are interested I can really recommend this one after my brief encounter and use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GV4RM7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I appreciate every one's help and thoughts here. BTW I did not need the so called 'soft release' button included with the base plate.

For the moment I am happy and my X T5 will stay with me. I just need a decent wide angle lens that will not bankrupt me now (and I prefer zooms to primes, I apologize to the prime perfectionists and lovers, but they suite my style much better and are much easier for me to get the results I want).

Great news. Everyone's hands are different. Everyone's finger lengths are different. The grip put you hands in a much better position to become comfortable with the camera. Now go have some fun.

I think the extended grip allows me to use my finger in a less curled up position so I can cope with the wobble and lack of feel more easily. I can, now, at least operate the shutter release in a more controlled manner, but just to be clear this shutter release is still the wobbly, imprecise shutter release it always was but I can control it better with this extended grip.

As you say we are all built differently and what works for one person may not work for the next. However I think the Fuji X T5 shutter release is much less usable than the ones on the OMDS OM 1 MkIi and all my Sony cameras I currently have and Canons and Nikons I had in the past. But I now have a solution that makes it usable, just. For me….