Part 1
Gear Roadmap
Current Kit
- Fujifilm X-T3 — 26MP APS-C body, no IBIS, excellent image quality
- XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 — Kit lens, slow aperture, not weather-sealed. Replace first.
- XF 90mm f/2 — Excellent prime, beautiful portrait rendering, fast AF. Keep.
Buy Order
XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR
The single most important lens purchase. The 23mm on Fuji X-mount gives a 35mm equivalent field of view — the most versatile focal length for elopement work. Wide enough to capture the landscape around the couple, tight enough for environmental portraits, and fast enough (f/1.4) for low-light and beautiful background blur. Weather-sealed at 11 points for rain, mist, or snow on a mountainside.
Once you have this lens, it replaces the XC 15-45mm for nearly everything. Your daily kit becomes:
- X-T3 + XF 23mm f/1.4 WR (primary, on body)
- XF 90mm f/2 (in bag, for portraits and ceremony candids from distance)
XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II or XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4
A versatile zoom covers situations where primes limit you. The 16-55mm f/2.8 is the professional choice: constant aperture, weather-sealed, sharp at every focal length. One photographer shot an entire 6-hour wedding with only one lens change using this zoom.
If weight is the priority (hiking elopements where every gram matters), the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is lighter, has built-in OIS (useful on the X-T3 which has no IBIS), and is widely considered one of the best kit-class zoom lenses ever made.
Fujifilm X-T5
A second body is essential for professional wedding work. You cannot switch lenses during a ceremony. The X-T5 brings:
- 40MP sensor (significant detail increase)
- In-body image stabilization (IBIS)
- 580 shots per charge (vs X-T3's 390)
- Same control layout as X-T3, minimal learning curve
- Dual SD card slots (redundant backup of every shot)
Keep the X-T3 as your second body with the 90mm f/2 mounted. Primary body gets the 23mm or zoom.
Note: The X-T6 is expected in 2026. If it arrives before you buy, consider waiting for a price drop on the X-T5 or evaluating the X-T6.
The Dream Kit
| Body | Lens | Role |
|---|---|---|
| X-T5 (primary) | XF 23mm f/1.4 WR | Environmental portraits, ceremony, storytelling |
| X-T3 (secondary) | XF 90mm f/2 | Tight portraits, ceremony candids from distance |
| In bag | XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II | Versatile zoom for variable situations |
Total investment: approximately $4,500-5,000 CAD spread over 6-8 months.
Accessories
- Camera bag: Shimoda Action X backpack — designed for outdoor photography, comfortable for multi-hour hikes. Look at the X30 for elopements.
- Straps: Peak Design camera straps — quick-release system lets you switch between bodies fast.
- Batteries: At least 3 per body. Label them 1-6 and rotate.
- Memory cards: SanDisk Extreme PRO SD cards. Buy at least 4x 128GB. Never format a card from a wedding until the gallery is delivered and backed up.
- Headlamp: For pre-dawn starts and hiking in darkness.
- Reflector: Collapsible 5-in-1, small size. Used for fill light on portraits.