Take Control: Mastering the X-T5’s Focus Controls and Ergonomics

Joystick, buttons, touch screen, and custom setups

Mastering autofocus isn’t just about menu settings — it’s also about how you interact physically with your camera in the field. The Fujifilm X-T5 offers a rich set of focus controls built directly into its body: a responsive joystick, customizable buttons, a flexible touch screen, and options to fully reprogram how the camera behaves when you press, tap, or half-press.

In this third article of the Focus Master Guide, we’ll list and explore all the physical controls — directly or indirectly related to focus — available on the Fujifilm X-T5. From the classic AF mode selector to the joystick, customizable buttons, and touchscreen gestures, each element plays a role in how you interact with the camera and control where and how it focuses.

Whether you’re shooting fast-moving action or carefully composed portraits, understanding how to fully harness these controls can make the difference between chasing focus and commanding it.

We’ll cover:

• How to set up and use the AF-ON button for full Back Button Focus control — and why it gives you the edge in fast-paced situations.

• The full list of focus-related functions you can assign to any of the X-T5’s 11 function buttons and 4 touch gestures.

• How to make the most of the Rear Command Dial for adjusting AF frame size, zooming in on focus, and toggling modes — all without diving into menus.

• A complete overview of focus-related controls across the body — front, top, and rear — so you always know what’s under your fingertips.

This is where menus meet muscle memory — and where real-world efficiency begins.

Let’s get hands-on.

🔔 This post is the second in a 5-part series: the Focus Master Guide – Fujifilm X-T5.

New posts will be published every three to four days.

This in-depth guide is designed to help you take full control of the powerful — and sometimes complex — focus system of the X-T5.

👉 For an overview of the full guide and what’s coming next, check out the post Introducing the Focus Master Guide.

🟢 Paid subscribers can read the full version of this post and will automatically receive the complete PDF of the Focus Master Guide once the series is finished — coming next week!

Focus Control Layout

Here’s an overview of the location of all buttons, dials, and touch screen to focus on the Fujifilm X-T5 — across the front, rear, and top of the camera body.

Top view

Figure 1 Back view of the Fujifilm X-T5 with focus-related controls highlighted

1. Diopter Adjustment control

2. View Mode Button

3. Shutter

4. Fn1 Button

Front view

Figure 2 Front view of the Fujifilm X-T5 with focus-related controls highlighted

1. Fn2 Button

2. AF-Assist illuminator

3. Drive Dial

4. Focus Mode Selector

Back view

Figure 3 Back view of the Fujifilm X-T5 with focus-related controls highlighted

1. Touch Screen

2. Drive Dial

3. AF-ON Button

4. Rear Command Dial

5. Q Button

6. AEL

7. Focus Stick

8. Fn3 Button (Selector Up Button)

9. Fn5 Button (Selector Right Button)

10. Fn6 Button (Selector Down Button)

11. Fn4 Button (Selector Left Button)

Touch-Function Gestures

Figure 4 T-Fn1 (flick up)

Figure 5 T-Fn2 (flick left)

Figure 6 T-Fn3 (flick right)

Figure 7 T-Fn4 (flick down)

AF-ON button

Type: physical control

Location

On the top right the rear panel, near the viewfinder, see page 5.

Back Button Focus (BBF)

The AF-ON button on the Fujifilm X-T5 is specifically designed to enable Back Button Focus (BBF), a technique that separates autofocus activation from the shutter button. Often used in combination with the AEL button, this method gives photographers full control over focus and exposure, making it particularly useful for challenging or dynamic shooting conditions.

Main Function

The AF-ON button allows you to focus independently, while the AEL button can lock the exposure settings for your shot. This dual-functionality is invaluable when shooting in high-contrast environments or when tracking moving subjects where both focus and exposure need to be carefully controlled.

When to use?

• Dynamic Scenes: Combine AF-ON for continuous focus with AEL to lock exposure on a specific area, such as a well-lit subject in a high-contrast background.

• Recomposition: Use AF-ON to lock focus and AEL to lock exposure, enabling precise adjustments to your framing without resetting focus or exposure.

• Fast-Paced Action: For wildlife or sports, the AF-ON button keeps your subject in focus, while AEL ensures consistent exposure, even with fluctuating lighting.

⚠️ Caution!

The AFON button can be assigned other roles via Set Up > Button/Dial Setting> Function (Fn) Setting (page 107). Additionally, focus lock can also be assigned to other buttons if preferred.

How to Use?

1. Verify AF-ON Button Assignment:
   Ensure the AF-ON button is assigned to AF Lock Only. Navigate to Set Up > Button/Dial Setting > Function (Fn) Setting and confirm the AF-ON button is correctly configured.

2. Configure the AF-ON Button Behavior:
   Use the Set Up > Button/Dial Setting menu to define how the AF-ON button behaves:
   - Select AE&AF ON when Pressing to lock focus only while the AF-ON button is pressed.
   - Select AE&AF ON/OFF Switch to toggle focus lock on or off with each press of the AF-ON button.

3. Adjust Shutter Button Autofocus Behavior:
   Configure the shutter button autofocus behavior via Set Up > Button/Dial Setting > Shutter AF. Choose the desired setting for both AF-S and AF-C modes:
   - ON: : The shutter button will not trigger autofocus when pressed halfway or fully, leaving focus control to the AF-ON button.

4. Use the AF-ON Button:
   Press the AF-ON button to focus and lock focus based on the behavior you selected. This allows you to maintain precise control over focusing without interference from the shutter button.

Contextual Behavior

Protection can also be added or removed by pressing the AFON button during playback.

The function of the AF-ON button and Back Button Focus (BBF) are explained in detail in the post Mastering BBF on the Fujifilm, published on Substack on March 14, 2025.

AF-assist illuminator

Type: physical control

Location

Small lamp located on the front of the camera, just below the shutter speed dial.

Description

Helps the camera focus in low-light conditions.

When the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist lamp may turn on to improve autofocus performance.

How to Use

If the Still Mode > AF/MF Setting > AF Illuminator menu is set to ON, the lamp will automatically light when needed during AF operation.

Also used by

This small lamp is also used by the following features:

• Self-Timer

• Red Eye Removal

Diopter Adjustment Control

Type: Physical control

Location

Next to the viewfinder (EVF), upper right side

Description

This dial allows you to adjust the viewfinder to match your eyesight.

➤ See section Focusing the Viewfinder below.