Every now and then, something interesting pops up in the world of camera accessories, small things that somehow make a big difference in your shooting experience. For us Fujifilm X100 users, those little tweaks often go a long way.
Recently, the good folks at Freewell reached out and asked if I’d like to try their new X100VI accessories. Of course, I said yes — any excuse to take my favorite walkabout camera, the X100VI, out for another spin is a good one.
Before I dive in, I want to thank Freewell for generously sending not one, but three X100VI accessories for me to test. That said, everything you’ll read here comes straight from my own honest experience, as always.
The lineup includes:
- Fuji X100VI Thumb Grip with Cold Shoe Mount
- Fuji X100VI L-Bracket Premium Grip
- Fuji X100VI Real Lens Hood
Let’s go through each of them in that order.
Design and Build Quality
All three accessories share the same metal construction, giving them a premium and sturdy feel right out of the box. They match the clean, minimalist aesthetic of the X100VI perfectly and add a touch of refinement to the camera’s already sleek design.
Thumb Grip
As simple as it sounds, the thumb grip does exactly what you hope it would, it provides a solid resting spot for your thumb, making the camera much more comfortable to hold for longer periods.
It doesn’t drastically change how the camera handles, but it adds just enough stability to make a noticeable difference.
Oh yes, the thumbgrip comes with a cold shoe mount if you ever need to use it for microphone or LED video light.
L Bracket Grip
At first glance, I wasn’t too impressed with the grip’s design. The top curve section where the small extended extra wood looked… odd. I couldn’t quite figure out why they designed it that way.
Then I attached it to the camera, and I was completely wrong.
The curve contour actually makes it surprisingly comfortable, providing a natural resting point for my middle finger. The grip is also deep enough for a firm hold, and the wooden section feels fantastic in hand. You can tell the difference in material quality right away, it’s smooth, solid, and premium.
And here’s a nice touch: it comes with a red shutter button, it’s a small detail that really adds to the X100’s charm.
Real Lens Hood
Now, the name “Real Lens Hood” caught my attention. Why “real”? I still don’t know, but the design itself speaks volumes.
The hood feels light yet premium, with a metal body that matches the X100VI’s build. Unfortunately, the lens cap is made of plastic, and not the best kind. It’s a small letdown compared to the rest of the build. Oh, and it even has an NFC tag built in, scan it for product info and support materials (though oddly, my iPhone couldn’t detect it, but my Android did).
That said, the hood comes with some neat tricks. It features a flippable design, letting you change filters without removing the hood entirely, a small but genuinely smart idea.
Two red rubber-tipped tabs make rotating filters smooth and easy, especially when you’re using Freewell’s included 49mm hybrid filter (a Circular Polarizer combined with a 1/4 Black Mist filter).
CPL and Black Mist Filter
This hybrid filter is one of my favorite surprises in the kit. The CPL (Circular Polarizer) helps reduce glare and reflections on water, glass, and foliage while boosting color and contrast. You can control the effect by rotating the filter, that’s where the red tabs really shine.
Right: CPL Filter rotates to the other extreme corner
Right: With filter
The 1/4 Black Mist effect adds a gentle bloom to highlights and a soft cinematic glow around light sources. It also slightly reduces contrast in low light, giving your shots a moody, filmic atmosphere.
Right: CPL Filter rotates to the other extreme corner
Among the usual 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 mist options, I personally find 1/4 to be the perfect balance, noticeable but not overdone. It’s one of those filters that might take a bit of experimenting to fully appreciate, but once you get the hang of it, it adds real character to your images.
Price Point
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Fuji X100VI Thumb Grip with Cold Shoe Mount – 40 USD
2. Fuji X100VI L Bracket Premium Grip – 80 USD
3. Fuji X100VI Real Lens Hood – 130 USD
Considering the quality and usability, these prices feel reasonable, especially if you’re looking to give your X100VI setup a premium touch without going overboard.
Right: With filter
Who is this for?
If you’re looking to enhance your X100VI experience, in handling, comfort, and overall shooting enjoyment, this is a solid trio to consider.
If you only want one accessory, I’d recommend the Real Lens Hood. It not only looks stylish with its square profile but also lets you swap filters easily without removing the hood, perfect for photographers who love working with filters.
Right: Without filter
Just note that it extends a little beyond the lens, both in width and length, but it adds function and flair at the same time.
Conclusion
Freewell has been around since 2012, earning a reputation for crafting innovative filters and camera accessories, from their popular magnetic filter systems to gear for photographers, drone pilots, action cam users, and now, X100 enthusiasts.
This was my first hands-on experience with Freewell products, and honestly, I’m impressed. The accessories feel high-quality, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely enhance the user experience.
They’ve turned my everyday X100VI into something that feels even more refined, and that’s exactly what good accessories should do.
Thank you for reading.
Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here are shot by me.
2. Most of the shots are straight out of the camera with some shots edited via In-Camera Raw Processing.
3. The opinions are based on my experience. If there is any mistake, please kindly drop me a message and I will gladly make the amendment.
4. I reserve ownership of these images, if you wish to use my images, please notify me.
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Alwin Kok 