Fuji X100F Lensmate Thumb Grip Review

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The Lensmate thumb grip is an excellent accessory for the Fujifilm X100F, providing extra grip and support for the camera. It gives your thumb a resting place and enables the camera to sit more securely in the hand, thereby improving camera stability, comfort, and ergonomics. 

Fujifilm X100F Lensmate Thumb Grip

Black – Amazon

Silver – Amazon

When I was first introduced to the Lensmate thumb grips, I was shooting with my X100T. The grip for that camera is essential for me, and I couldn’t live without it. The design of the X100F is slightly different, and a dial now sits directly behind the thumb grip. To compensate for this, Lensmate had to add a hinge to the thumb grip.

At first, I didn’t like this idea and didn’t use the grip. Having something block a dial on my camera seemed like a bad idea. However, after using the camera for several months, I’ve found that I rarely use the dial or the buttons near the grip anyway, so everything worked out well. I love having this new thumb rest for my X100F.

Build Quality

The thumb grip is machined from solid 6061 Aluminum, then bead-blasted for texture and anodized to provide a resilient finish. 

Both the black and silver thumb grips are anodized, and you’ll notice a slight color difference in some lighting conditions. I’ve discussed this with Lensmate in the past, and it turns out they do this because the anodization process allows for a tougher finish compared to paint. They could use paint to match the color exactly as the camera, but it would be a sacrifice in terms of quality and toughness of the grip. 

After using their various thumb grips, I can say they will easily outlast the camera’s lifespan. The camera’s finish scratches and gets damaged easily, whereas the thumb grip remains relatively intact. Also, in most lighting conditions, you can’t see any color difference from the anodized finish.

If you find yourself using all the buttons behind and around this thumb grip, then this may not be the right choice for you. However, if you’re like me and you feel Fujifilm puts way too many buttons on their camera, then you’ll love this. For me, the X100F is a simple camera; it doesn’t need a million buttons that get accidentally pushed if you grab the camera wrong. The X100F is about at its threshold for button placement, and I wouldn’t mind if the next generation had a slightly more straightforward design, like the X100T.

You can also see in my photos that I’m also using Lensmate’s soft shutter release. It’s a little expensive for a soft shutter, but they are the best. These soft shutters have a rubber gasket that keeps them from vibrating loose. I have and use the inexpensive soft shutters often on some of my other cameras, but I’m constantly losing them and having to buy more. In the end, the higher price of the Lensmate soft shutter release is well worth it, considering I’ve never lost one, and they rarely fall off. Just be careful not to tighten them too tightly, to the point where you damage your camera. Otherwise, don’t use pliers.

See more great Fuji X100F accessories.

Fujifilm X100F Lensmate Thumb Grip Sample Photos