Add Some Bling To Your Fuji Kit: Personalize Your Gear
Discover how to add some bling to your kit with stylish accessories and personalization options for Fujifilm cameras and lenses.
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In this guide, we’ll perform an extreme makeover on any Fuji X Series camera.
Every camera comes out of the box and looks the same as the next, and Fujifilm cameras are no exception.
Granted, I think Fuji cameras already look gorgeous, thanks to their retro aesthetic and premium finishes.
However, if you want to stand out from the pack, you can do a lot to add some bling to your Fuji kit.
You’d be surprised at all the ways in which you can spice up your camera life with a bit of bling.
Given the range of accessories available, it’s super easy to choose your style and make any Fuji camera your own with personalization options.
Some bling options are inexpensive, while others require a little additional funding.
Let’s discover the best ways to add bling to your Fuji kit.
Why You Should Personalize Your Fuji Kit
If you consider your Fujifilm camera and lenses utilitarian devices, this guide probably isn’t for you.
If an X-H2S and XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens are nothing more than tools of the trade, you’re better off investing in a filter kit or pro-grade camera bag.
However, if you like the idea of personalizing your Fuji kit to reflect your personality, keep reading.
Adding a few optional extras to your Fujifilm camera or lens adds more than eye candy.
Many camera accessories improve camera and lens operability, ergonomics, and durability.
If you’re a brand snob like me, Fujifilm also develops a wide range of accessories for its cameras and lenses.
CPL filters, leather cases, L-brackets, thumb rests, and lens hoods are available from Fujifilm.
I recall visiting a Yodobashi Camera store in Tokyo years ago and seeing official Fuji X-branded hot shoe covers. I still kick myself for not picking up a couple.
Consider Your Style Before Check Out
Before you add a bunch of accessories to your shopping cart, take a moment to reflect on what you want to achieve with your Fujifilm glow-up.
Ask yourself if you want to go loud and proud or prefer a more subtle approach to accessorizing.
Loud and proud bling, as the name suggests, amps up the look and characteristics of your Fuji kit.
Charismatic photographers may opt for a brightly colored linen camera strap and a brightly colored camera half-case.
Subtle bling is perfect for those who want to keep a low profile and not draw attention to themselves when out and about with their camera.
Think where you fall on the scale of loud to subtle before selecting your Fuji bling.
Simple Ways To Bling Your Fuji
You can spend as much or as little as you want to add a little glamor and style to your Fuji kit.
Shopping on sites like Etsy and eBay offers the ability to pick up inexpensive items.
However, if you opt for an extreme makeover, head to your camera store or the Fujifilm website and have your credit cards on hand.
Let’s discover a range of glitzy items for your next purchase.
Camera Strap
Adding a camera strap is by far the simplest and most common way for any photographer to personalize their camera.
The camera straps that come in the box are typically dull, uninspired, and not terribly comfortable.
If you’re a big person like me, the in-box camera straps are too small to wear comfortably. That’s why I tend to ditch the branded strap as soon as I unbox any camera.
I also prefer to work with a wrist strap so the camera is always in my hand.
I recommend a small leather or woven wrist strap for smaller cameras like the Fujifilm X100 range or the even smaller and older X70.
I’ve been using Cura woven silk wrist straps for years now.
I came across them in a video by YouTuber Big Head Taco. Then, on my first trip to Tokyo, I found the complete range of Japanese-made straps in a Yodobashi Camera store.
They’re strong, stylish, and incredibly comfortable.
I opt for the broader Lucky Straps leather wrist straps for larger Fujifilm camera and lens combos.
I have one fitted to my Fuji X-E4 and used the same strap when I tested the monolithic Fuji GFX 100S II with the GF 500mm super-telephoto lens.
The premium leather straps are designed and made here in Victoria, Australia. I like to shop locally when I can.
The Lucky Straps wrist straps feature comfortable leather, slash-proof webbing, and a quick-release anti-theft clasp.
Plus, they’re gorgeous. Of course, if you prefer a neck or shoulder strap, Lucky has those, too!
Exotic Jewels
Some cameras just beg to have a little bling added to them. The camera designers obviously intended for us to add some bling.
For one, when not in use supporting a speed light or a flash trigger, the camera hot shoe is ripe for some added jewelry.
Adding some creative fun to your hot shoe is another easy way to give your X-T50 or X100 VI some character and personalization.
Several online brands offer stylish, machined, alloy hot shoe covers that slide snuggly into place. Other brands provide covers crafted from various cuts of timber, resin, and steel.
I opted for a Hyperion hot shoe cover made of machined metal and featuring the Fuji Acros film simulation logo.
It contrasts nicely with the otherwise black top plate of the camera.
Soft Shutter Release
Many Fuji cameras feature a shutter release button with a screw thread built-in.
It doesn’t interfere with standard camera operation, but it allows you to attach a soft shutter release to the shutter button.
A soft shutter release screws into the thread and elevates the shutter release function. The raised shutter button means you can quickly locate it. It also adds a little bling to your camera.
Like fancy hot shoe covers, shutter release buttons come in many styles and finishes. You can even buy matching timber hot shoe covers and shutter buttons.
I bought a Hyperion metal shutter button with the original Fuji logo engraved upon it.
Some brands offer soft shutter buttons with a concave or convex surface for greater comfort.
For Fuji cameras that don’t feature a screw thread in the shutter release, you can purchase threadless shutter buttons with adhesive stickers to mount them securely.
It’s a simple and affordable way to add some bling to your Fuji.
Thumb Rest
A key component of customizing any Fuji camera is to optimize the ergonomics and comfort to suit you.
One of the best ways to achieve this is with a thumb rest.
While most Fuji cameras feature a small thumb bump to rest your thumb next to, they’re often shallow.
A machined alloy thumb rest slots into the camera hot shot, providing a deeper and more ergonomic rest.
While you can often purchase third-party thumb rests, Fujifilm has also made them to suit specific cameras.
When the Fujifilm X-E4 launched in early 2021, I was surprised to learn that Fuji also offered a Fujifilm-branded thumb rest and additional grip as accessories.
I instantly included these in the purchase of my beloved X-E4. I’m a sucker for first-party accessories.
Go For Stealth
Some photographers prefer to dress down their Fuji kit to achieve a stealthy look.
Street photographers are especially known for a stealthy approach to their craft.
As such, they don’t want their Fuji camera to draw any attention so that they can faithfully document unscripted moments.
One of the elements I love about Fujifilm X Series cameras is the white markings on a black body.
However, some photographers go out of their way to remove any evidence of this high-contrast aesthetic.
They’ll use black tape to cover the Fujifilm logo or apply black paint or marker to any white text on control dials or buttons.
That way, the camera becomes an unrecognizable black shape on the streets.
Take Your Fuji Bling To The Next Level
Now that we’ve covered the simple and affordable ways to add some character, charm, and glamour to your Fujifilm kit, it’s time to get serious.
Let’s look at ways to elevate your style and comfort game with a higher budget.
Grips And Brackets
Another great way to optimize comfort and handling is to add an additional grip to your Fuji camera.
As the name suggests, a grip expands the hand grip size at the front of the camera body.
While almost all Fuji cameras feature a front grip, they’re often small due to the compact nature of the camera.
Grips come in many shapes and sizes and typically mount to the camera via a base plate. The base plate is machined to perfectly match the footprint of the camera and screws into the tripod thread.
Fuji makes grips that perfectly match the designated camera and wrap the grip in the same texture as the camera body.
As mentioned, I grabbed the Fujifilm grip for my X-E4 as it expands the grip and adds an Arca-type tripod mounting bracket to the base.
I can still mount the camera to a tripod thread and there’s a gap in the bracket to access the battery compartment.
Third-party brands create grips with timber and resin handles to suit most camera models.
It’s A Wrap
One of the best ways to personalize your Fujifilm camera is with a leather or vinyl half-case.
The half-case attaches to the camera’s base and covers the body’s bottom half.
Some cases feature contrasting stitching and buckles to attach a camera strap. Others include a second case to flip over the top of the camera and lens when not in use.
These styles of cases suit fixed lens cameras like the Fujifilm X100 series.
Fujifilm has offered official first-party premium leather cases for a range of its cameras over the years. Plenty of half-case options are available on marketplaces like Etsy and eBay.
If you’re keen to completely alter the look of your Fuji camera, you can wrap it in a new skin.
After carefully peeling away the original textured wrap, you can apply a new wrap, either from a kit or with your own choice of material.
Would anyone like a snake-skin leather X-T5? Buyer beware: once you remove the Fuji skin, it’s gone for good.
For die-hard retro nerds, light sandpaper can be used to rub away the finish from the corners and edges of the camera’s alloy surfaces.
Revealing bare metal elevates the retro styling of Fuji cameras.
Bag or Pouch
Typical camera bags and slings stand out – especially those with loud branding. I’m talking about you, Lowepro!
I also like to use my everyday carry (EDC) bag and drop my camera into it.
That way, I have all of my everyday gear, and my camera is available should I take some photos.
However, putting my camera in the bottom of my Bellroy backpack is problematic.
There’s no protection for my gear, which will collide with other items in my bag.
As a result, I put my camera in a separate pouch along with a spare SD card and battery and then put the whole pouch in my backpack.
I opted for a CURA Camera Pochette made of artificial suede. It’s the perfect size for a smaller Fuji camera like my X-E4 with a compact XF 23mm f/2 prime lens.
However, it’s also big enough for a Fujifilm X-T5 with the XF 56mm f/1.2.
Inside the pouch, there are two small pockets for memory cards and batteries. A drawstring keeps the pouch closed.
What About The Lenses?
When adding bling to your Fuji camera, it’s essential not to forget the lenses.
Some Fujifilm cameras, such as the X-T50, come in various finishes, including black, silver, and gray.
A small selection of Fuji lenses is available in black and silver. The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2, XF 35mm f/2, and XF 50mm f/2 are all available in silver.
If you’re keen to create some dynamic contrast in your kit’s aesthetic, consider adding a silver lens to your black camera body.
Alternatively, stick with the black lenses and opt for a clear protection filter (CPL) with a silver filter ring.
Other brands offer a range of filter styles with machine alloy rings in colored finishes.
- More: Best Fuji X Mount Lenses
Another way to spice up the look of your favorite Fuji lens is to ditch the plastic round lens hood and add a square metal hood.
Fujifilm manufactures several metal square lens hoods to suit some older prime lenses.
However, other brands also create similar square lens hoods to fit almost any lens.
A square metal lens hood adds a significant layer of protection to your lens and gives it a retro aesthetic.
Many photographers opt to wrap their lenses with adhesive vinyl covers.
Some wildlife photographers opt for this to cover their big white telephoto zooms in a camouflage finish so they don’t stand out.
Final Thoughts
To bling or not to bling; that is the question. Those are Shakespeare’s words, not mine!
But it raises a fair question. Should you add bling and pizazz to your Fuji camera kit or keep it standard?
I think it’s a good idea to buy at least one or two affordable accessories to adorn your Fuji camera or lens.
By doing so, you not only achieve a level of personalization but also add comfort and durability to your kit.
A half-case looks great and protects your camera body. A unique leather camera strap says a lot about you and boosts overall comfort and security when carrying your gear.
The point is that making a statement with your Fuji camera is easy and affordable.
What customization options have you added to your Fujifilm camera? How far are you prepared to glow up your X gear with some bling?
Don’t settle for ordinary. Be brilliant!
I’m a Melbourne-based street photographer and blogger. I love to travel to Japan to photograph and document its dynamic people and culture.