Fuji XT5 Street Photography Best Settings: A Complete Guide

Are you ready to take your Fuji XT5 street photography to the next level? If you’ve been searching for the best settings to optimize your camera for dynamic, fast-paced environments, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key settings I use on my Fujifilm XT5, including custom function buttons and film recipes that will give your photos a distinctive look.

But if you prefer video tutorials or want to see these settings in action, I’ve put together a detailed YouTube video where I go over my full setup for street photography, including tips and examples. You can watch the video here:

Now, let’s dive into the settings.

1. Image Quality Settings

Getting the right image quality is crucial for street photography, especially when you’re shooting fast and in varied light. Here are the settings I use to ensure I capture both JPEG and RAW files:

–Image Quality: Fine JPEG + RAW
–RAW Recording: Lossless Compressed
–JPEG/HEIF: JPEG
–Film Simulation: Classic Chrome (or your choice—check out my YouTube video for more film recipe options!)
– Grain Effect: Off
– Color Chrome Effect: Off
– Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
– Smooth Skin Effect: Off

If you want to see how these settings translate to real street photography scenarios, don’t forget to check out my YouTube video where I walk you through these settings in real-time on the street.

2. White Balance & Dynamic Range Settings

These settings will help you maintain accurate colors and prevent blown-out highlights or shadows in varying lighting conditions.

– White Balance: Daylight
– Dynamic Range: Auto
– D Range Priority: Off
– Tone Curve: Default (H: 0, S: 0)

Want to see how I adjust these settings on the go in fast-changing street scenes? Be sure to watch this YouTube video for live demonstrations!

3. Color & Sharpness

Neutral colors and sharpness are essential for clean, striking images. Here are the best settings to achieve that:

– Color: 0
– Sharpness: 0
– High ISO NR: -4
– Clarity:c0
– Color Space: Adobe RGB for printing, or sRGB for general use

4. Auto Focus Settings

Street photography often happens fast, and you need autofocus settings that can keep up. Here’s what I recommend:

– Focus Area: Zone
– AF Mode: Zone
– If Using Single Point AF: Set focus points to 425
– AF Illuminator: Off
– Face/Eye Detection: Off
– MF Assist: Peaking, Red High
– Interlock Spot AE & Focus Area: On

5. Drive & ISO Settings

Quick adjustments for burst shooting and ISO sensitivity are crucial in street photography. Here’s how I set them up:

– Drive Settings:

– CH (High Burst Speed): 10 FPS
– CL (Low Burst Speed): 5 FPS
– ISO Auto Setting 1:
– Default Sensitivity: 125
– Max Sensitivity: 12800
– Min Shutter Speed: 1/160
– ISO Auto Setting 2:
– Default Sensitivity: 125
– Max Sensitivity: 12800
– Min Shutter Speed: 1/100

6. Function Button Settings

Quick access to essential functions is important for efficient street shooting. Here’s my custom button setup:

– Fn1: Face Detect
– Fn2: AF Mode
– Fn3: Photometry
– Fn4: Film Simulations
– Fn5: White Balance
– AE-L: ISO Auto Setting

Film Simulations for Street Photography

One of the standout features of Fujifilm cameras is their ability to simulate classic film looks. Below are some of my favorite film simulations for street photography.

Kodak Tri-X 400
*Credit: Fuji X Weekly*

– Film Simulation: Acros
– Dynamic Range: DR200
– Grain Effect: Strong, Large
– Color Chrome Effect: Strong
– White Balance: Daylight, +9 Red, -9 Blue
– Highlight: 0
– Shadow: +3
– ISO: 1600 – 12800

This recipe gives you a timeless black-and-white look.

Kodak Ultramax 400

*Credit: Fuji X Weekly*

– Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
– Grain Effect: Strong, Large
– White Balance: Auto, +1 Red, -5 Blue
– Dynamic Range: DR Auto
– Highlight: +1
– Shadow: +1
– Color: +4

Daily Driver

This is my go-to recipe for everyday shooting:

– Film Simulation: Nostalgic Negative
– Grain Effect: Weak, Large
– Color Chrome Effect: Weak
– Dynamic Range: DR400
– Tone Curve: H -2, S +2
– Color: +3
– Sharpness: -4

It balances sharpness and color for consistent, high-quality results.

If you found these settings useful and want to see them in action, don’t miss my latest video, where I show you exactly how I set up my Fuji XT5 for street photography. Whether it’s customizing autofocus or choosing the right film simulation, I cover it all in real-time:

Watch the Video: Best Fujifilm XT5 Settings for Street Photography

Fuji XT5 street photography best settings: Final thoughts

The Fujifilm XT5 is an amazing camera for street photography, but having the right settings makes all the difference. I hope this guide helps you set up your camera for success.

I feel obliged to add a response to my previous article questioning the value of photography in this day and age.

You see, I’m a guy in my 40’s who has been a photographer for close to two decades. Over the years I have struggled with creative block as many creatives do. I have had periods of inactivity, exhaustion and non stop productivity. I have chased Instagram likes as a form of recognition for my work and also deleted all my social media. All this has often lead me to questioning the value of my photography.

A realisation came to me a few weeks ago when shooting a pre nuptial wedding shoot and looking at prints of my daugher. My photography has value in the moments and emotions captured in time. It doesn’t have to be perfect because the emotion that can be evoked when looking back through cherished photos goes deeper than technique, composition etc. Yes, all those things can add to a photo but it is the emotion captured that resonates most with the viewer.

In the past my perfectionism has lead to indecision and inaction and so I now try and live by the mantra of done is better than perfect. When I’m old and looking back on all the photos of my daughter I’ll be grateful to have so many memories, whether they are technically accomlished or not.

As a passionate photographer, I’ve embarked on a journey with the Fujifilm X-T5, a camera that goes beyond just being a tool—it’s a companion that has changed the way I see and feel about photography.

Discovering the Fujifilm X-T5:

From the moment I held the Fujifilm X-T5 in my hands, I knew there was something special about it. Its retro design, reminiscent of classic film cameras, instantly appealed to my aesthetic sensibilities. But it wasn’t just its appearance that drew me in; it was the promise of a photographic experience unlike any other. For me. photography has a soul and my cameras, or at least the best ones also have a soul and evoke emotion. The XT5 with its diminutive size, physical control dials and film simulations inspire me to create.

If you also want to feel that inspiration and are considering purchasing your own XT5 then please consider doing so through my Amazon link. This helps me to continue building this website and feed my family without costing you a penny more.

Embracing Creativity:

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Fujifilm X-T5 is its ability to inspire creativity. With its array of film simulation modes, I found myself exploring new artistic possibilities, each mode imbuing my images with a distinct mood and atmosphere. From the timeless elegance of Classic Chrome to the nostalgic warmth of Classic Neg, every frame became an expression of my creative vision.

Capturing Moments, Embracing Emotions:

What sets the Fujifilm X-T5 apart is its ability to capture not just images, but emotions. The camera’s exceptional image quality and color reproduction breathe life into every photograph, preserving the fleeting moments and emotions that define our lives. Whether it’s the joy of a my daughter’s laughter, the serenity of a sunset, or the intimacy of a candid portrait, the X-T5 elevates ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Connecting with the Past, Embracing the Future:

As I continue my journey with the Fujifilm X-T5, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to the rich legacy of photography. With its intuitive controls and tactile feel, the camera pays homage to the craftsmanship of analog cameras while embracing the cutting-edge technology of the digital age. It’s a perfect blend of past and present, reminding me that the true essence of photography lies not in pixels or megapixels, but in the emotions captured within each frame.

Conclusion:

In a world filled with endless distractions, the Fujifilm X-T5 along with a prime lens such as the 35mm f2, serves as a reminder to slow down, appreciate the beauty around me, and capture moments that matter. With its soulful design, unparalleled creativity, and ability to evoke emotions, it has become more than just a camera—it’s a gateway to a world of endless possibilities, where every click of the shutter is an invitation to explore, create, and connect with the world around us.

Tag: fuji xt5