Now that I’ve been able to spend extensive time shooting with most of the modern Fujifilm X-T series, a few specific workflow quirks have become apparent.
This particular tip is a very small detail, but it is one that can save you a massive amount of annoyance in the field: properly locking the ISO and shutter speed dials.
When I first started shooting with these cameras, I was getting frustrated that my dials were changing every time the camera brushed against my body or went into a tight camera bag. Having to double-check my exposure settings every time I raised the viewfinder greatly increased the risk of missing a fleeting moment on the street.
It turned out to be an entirely unnecessary annoyance. The friction comes down to a subtle difference in how Fujifilm designed their lock mechanism compared to classic film SLRs.
The toggle lock mechanism
Many older cameras (and some modern competitors) feature top dials with a spring-loaded lock. You have to physically hold the center button down while you turn the dial, and the moment you let go, it springs back into a locked state.
Starting with the X-T2 (and carrying through to the X-T3, X-T4, and X-T5), Fujifilm uses a toggle switch instead. There is a small button in the middle of both the ISO and Shutter Speed dials that clicks in and out.
Rather than holding it down, it acts as an on/off switch:
Push it down once to lock the dial. Push it down again to unlock it.
The visual indicator
If you aren’t sure whether your dials are locked before you slide the camera into your bag, Fujifilm provided a very helpful visual cue.
- Unlocked: The button springs up slightly higher than the top of the dial, exposing a thin gray band around the rim of the button.
- Locked: The button sits completely flush with the dial, and the gray band is hidden.
It’s an incredibly simple design once you realize it acts as a toggle rather than a hold-to-turn button.
A warning about the exposure compensation dial
While the ISO and Shutter Speed dials have these dedicated locks, the Exposure Compensation dial does not. Because it sits right on the outer corner of the top plate, it is highly susceptible to being brushed when pulling the camera out of a bag. Even when your ISO and shutter are locked down perfectly, always take a half-second to verify your EV dial hasn’t been knocked to +2 before you take your first frame.
Thank you very much, you saved my day :D