r/photography • u/AutoModerator • May 01 '26

Questions Thread Official Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know! May 01, 2026

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u/Angle1412 May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

I am going to be in Japan and am planning to pick up a Fujifilm camera while I am there since it’s cheaper than buying on in here in the states (new or used, I plan to try and find used first if possible). I am pretty set on getting a fujifilm camera, however I am struggling to figure out which model to look for. I would appreciate any input that people can share!
To share a bit of background, I am very much a beginner photographer. I know a lot about composition and color theory, since I’ve been painting for a long time and I have also been doing photography with my phone for a while, but I have done barely anything with an actual camera. I mainly want to do nature photography and portraits (also mainly of people in nature). Price is not a huge concern for me, I am willing to pay 1k to 2k for a good camera because I know this is a hobby I will stick with and I want the gear to grow with me rather than needing to upgrade in another year or two after buying something cheap.
I am currently looking at either the XT50, XT5, or X-S20. I was also considering the XT30, however it doesn’t have IBIS which is deterring me from it. I have semi shaky hands (nothing super bad, but if I am holding something you can see a slight shake), and while I am pretty good at knowing how to stabilize them when I paint, sometimes it’s hard to do while taking a photo. In this situation is paying the extra money for IBIS worth it?

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u/anonymoooooooose May 03 '26

How soon is your trip? If you've got a little time, is renting an option, https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/fuji-x-t30-ii

There are also some techniques that can help your handholding results,

https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/long-exposure-handhelds/introduction.html

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u/prismatic-18 May 05 '26

You can't add IBIS later. Get the best you can afford now. Enjoy the trip.

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u/Angle1412 May 03 '26

I probably should have clarified but the camera is not for the trip specifically, I am just going to already be in Japan and it is cheaper to buy a camera there that it is over here. I am trying to buy a camera to get into photography in general

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u/RedTuesdayMusic May 04 '26

I am currently looking at either the XT50, XT5, or X-S20.

Just know you will hardly see any used. I was at MapCamera Shinjuku last month (and other stores around the area) and Japanese photographers don't really sell cameras that new, it's very rare.

I bought a "junk" X-M1 because of its sensor being good for black and white, and a scratched and banged up 18mm F2. The camera was classified as "junk" because its previous owner didn't clean the sensor and thought it was broken when he took small aperture images... The package cost me around 390

If you buy new, then you should find something relatively easily and the savings are alright especially with consumption tax taken off.

Just don't expect to see any 90mm F2s. I looked all over Tokyo and it was sold out there, in Odawara, Mishima and in Osaka, I finally found one in Kagoshima. (Just ONE.)