Exploring Tokyo at Night w/ Fujifilm XT5

I decided to revisit an area of Tokyo I haven't been to in several year: Kichijoji.
The video is filmed on my Fujifilm XT-5 and photos are taken with a 23 mm f2 (35 mm equivalent in Full Frame).
Follow me on my socials to see more photos of Tokyo and Japan or if you are interested in reading my written work :)
Instagram - / jamesford_jp
Twitter - / jamesford_jp
Blog & Other Links - linktr.ee/jame...
Affiliate Links Below
Camera Bodies
My Everyday Compact Camera / Ricoh GRiii - amzn.to/3HWqe2j
My Main Workhorse for Photo & Video / Fujifilm XT-5 - amzn.to/3oYey8Y
POV Camera
My Trusty Action Cam / GoPro Hero 10 - amzn.to/3VT3o1a
Lenses
My Light & Compact Standard Zoom Lens / Sigma 18-50 mm f2.8 - amzn.to/3qCdp7p
My Most Used Prime Lens / Fuji XF 33 mm f1.4 - amzn.to/43xnLnz
My Favorite Focal Length / Fuji XF 56 mm f1.2 - amzn.to/42EHCjw
Perfect for Street & Documentary / Fuji XF 23mm f2 - amzn.to/3NXM0pD
Lens Filters
Perfect for Shooting Video and B-Roll / Moment VND - amzn.to/463b0mq
For Diffusing Light and Blooming / Moment CineBloom 10% - amzn.to/3XfXUhM
Essential Accessories
Camera Neck Strap / Peak Design Leash - amzn.to/42yokfF
Camera Hand Strap / Peak Design Cuff - amzn.to/3NqkBfG
Camera Sling Bag / Peak Design Sling 6L - amzn.to/42BVkDZ
Camera Backpack / Peak Design Everyday 20 L - amzn.to/3XUAi2u
Headphones for Video Editing / Bose QuietComfort 45 - amzn.to/43Rbz0T
GoPro Chest Mount - amzn.to/3NoUeqz
Fast and Reliable SSD - amzn.to/3LRtZqV
SD Cards - amzn.to/3I02MRR
Lav Mic - amzn.to/3pyVYUB
If you are interested in the gear I use to make these videos and decide to make a purchase, I earn a commission for every sale through these Amazon Affiliate Links.
#japan #streetphotography #fujifilm

[@marco_renard]

I really enjoyed the how peaceful that video was. Felt like a fly on the wall, observing people around, it was great. Also I want to say how much I LOVE that aspect ratio, and how glad i am it is making a comeback on videos.

[@jamesford_jp]

Glad to hear! And yeah, 4x3 has its charm!

[@ethanmak6509]

Well done James! Loving the video!

[@jamesford_jp]

Glad to hear! Thank you!

[@Unknown8.8_8.8]

I have been looking for something like that so freaking much. I love it ,thank you !!

[@jamesford_jp]

Happy to hear! Thank you!

[@TRVPAU]

I'd love to know the recipe you used for this if you don't mind sharing? Looks great!

[@victorvaldemarjuhl3932]

This was like meditation for me

[@jamesford_jp]

I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

[@zerotonine807]

Love it! Thats what Life(Photography) is about - capturing Moments. Great Snaps.

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!

[@ShutterTokyo]

That was very nice. Kichijoji is a very nice area.

[@jamesford_jp]

Definitely. One of the more interesting nightlife areas in Tokyo, I think.

[@landonconnett9224]

Great video. The sound was great as well.

[@jamesford_jp]

I really appreciate that! Thank you :)

[@charlieharris3639]

Immaculate vibes my friend

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!

[@aelredusrichie1812]

so chill

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!!

[@PeteD]

I like this.. Great vibes. I'm looking to do my next japan trip with only one lens and a 23mm makes sense with the x-t5, but I'm not sure i can bring myself to leave my 35mm 1.4 at home. But this video is convincing me

[@jamesford_jp]

Glad you enjoyed it! I definitely find wider lenses more suited to shooting the streets of Japan, but by all means bring both lenses. I’m sure you’ll be able to grab some great shots with the 35 mm too 😁

[@andyhoov]

How many shots did you end up taking around that lantern at 1:17? Such a wonderfully unique piece to center a scene around!

[@jamesford_jp]

Haha, definitely quite a few. I didn’t include them all because of the redundancy, but you’re absolutely right, such a cool piece to create photos around!

[@lukerainsford2401]

Straight from an anime.

[@jamesford_jp]

Ayyyy

[@bajnokaron7268]

Beautiful. Were the shot using a 20% diffusion filter?

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you. It’s been a while… but probably the 20%.

[@savnac]

Are all of the fuji clips captured hand held? Great ibis if so.. and also, great video. Very calming.

[@jamesford_jp]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, all of the video was handheld. The IBIS is quite good on the XT5 ☺️

[@davidfree556]

Love the video. What ISO were you typically at for your photo and video? I'm traveling to Tokyo next month with my fuji xt5 and am trying to get a grasp of how it preforms in city night scenes.

[@jamesford_jp]

Thanks! I always shoot in auto ISO with a max of 6400. I typically let my video go as high as necessary, but for photos I like to keep it under 3200 as much as possible. Tokyo is a fairly bright city in most areas, so you should have no problem with your XT5 😁

[@leep5113]

Lovely

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!

[@RayZoldyck]

Hi, nice shots.. are you shooting manual focus or auto focus? Can you share your settings for AF if using.. much appreciated 🥰

[@jamesford_jp]

I use auto focus in AFC with the wide tracking box ☺️

[@RayZoldyck]

@@jamesford_jp thanks mate ❤️🐱

[@acengdjayakarsa]

looks so smooth. what was the ISO?

[@jamesford_jp]

Thanks! Tbh, I don’t remember my exact settings anymore, but I always shoot with auto ISO and a max of 6400.

[@theorientearl]

Very nice!!!! 👌👌👌 Did you shoot at F-log2 or just baked in film sim for the videos? Thanks.

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you! I just used the baked in film sims and tweaked the recipe to fit my needs :)

[@theorientearl]

@@jamesford_jp very consistent!!! awesome.

[@jamesford_jp]

Thanks :)

[@os9985]

Nice !

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@euka01]

thank u James SunsFiat

[@jamesford_jp]

😁

[@assadbkr6145]

MAAAAN !!!❤❤ your videos are literally the best !!!!! I rlly love them , i just subbed I have a question , do you think that XT-5 is amazinf in terms of of shooting videos and easy to shoot with ? Cuz im confused , help me please 😅

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you for the kind words 😊 I think it depends on what kind of videos you want to make. For my purposes, and honestly a lot of video work, the X-T5 is very capable. I think it boils down to whether you are a photo-first shooter or a video-first shooter. If the former, the X-T5 is an awesome camera, but if you're the latter, the XH2 or XH2S might make more sense in the long run, as they are ergonomically better suited and pack additional features the XT-5 lacks. But I would recommend spending some time renting or handling one in a store first to get a feel for it and see how it suits you.

[@assadbkr6145]

@@jamesford_jp thank you so much man !! I really appreciate you advice 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@jamesford_jp]

☺️

[@mich8462]

Bravo 👏

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!

[@series25a]

What was your settings on your XT5 when you shot video?

[@jamesford_jp]

It would have mostly been f2.8 and 1/50 SS since most of the scenes were rather dark.

[@amirington]

What did you use to capture the ambient sound?

[@jamesford_jp]

I used my Rode Videomicro for this video, I think. But these days I’m often just using the built in mic of the XT5. It's good enough most of the time.

[@stoozi3988]

Was this shot on the sigma 18-50?

[@jamesford_jp]

The footage except for the POV segments, yes.

[@stoozi3988]

@@jamesford_jpthank you! This video seals the deal for me, sigma 18-50 it is. Lovely footage

[@rmvb4flt133]

@@stoozi3988same. Ordering now lol

[@thatsmarco]

Hey! Did you use a gimbal for the video?

[@jamesford_jp]

I did not. Everything is handheld :)

[@thatsmarco]

@@jamesford_jp Nice video and great steady hand! I was thinking of buying the XT-5 for videos, I make videos similar to yours with the machine stopped and the world moving around, do you recommend it?

[@jamesford_jp]

The XT5 is a solid and capable hybrid camera, and I have no complaints with it. The XH2 may be a bit better if you are more of a video shooter than a stills shooter though, but both systems are great.

[@thatsmarco]

@@jamesford_jp Yes, I heard that the X-H2 is better for videos, but currently I can find it at a cost greater than 400 €, so I’m avoiding it for this. For the same price I would have chosen X-H2

[@jamesford_jp]

I see. In any case, the XT5 is a great camera :)

[@edwin_prajusa]

how to take photos camera

[@jamesford_jp]

Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you’re asking me, if anything.

[@edwin_prajusa]

how to take video camera

[@jamesford_jp]

Are you asking me what camera I use for the taking video footage? Or how I take video?

[@edwin_prajusa]

@@jamesford_jp Video to make footage