The Fujifilm X-T3 digital camera was released during September 2018. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that some official Fujifilm power supply accessories for the X-T3 are no longer available.
The Backstory
I posted a comment on the preceding YouTube video.
I like to use the USB port on my X-T3 for tethered shooting. Can you/anyone recommend a product that will enable me to power the camera via the battery bay using either an Anker battery or a 120 V electrical outlet? Thanks!
Billy, one of the Fuji Guys, kindly replied to my comment.
Hi Walter,
You can get the AC adapter with the DC coupler (Dummy battery).
Please find them here:
https://fujifilm-x.com/global/products/accessories/cp-w126/
https://fujifilm-x.com/global/products/accessories/ac-9v/
Thank you for the comment!
Problem is, both products recommended by Billy are no longer available. Really, you’d think a Fujifilm evangelist would know that.
DC coupler CP-W126
Product image courtesy B&H Photo.
Power adapter AC-9V
Product image courtesy B&H Photo.
What followed was a long tumble down a rabbit hole before I stumbled across a third party product that looked like it would be an acceptable substitute for the official Fujifilm power supply accessories that Billy recommended.
Product image courtesy B&H Photo.
The Bescor NP-W126S Dummy Battery & AC Adapter Kit for Select FUJIFILM X-Series Cameras is available from B&H Photo for $39.95 (as of 10 November 2020). I tested the Bescor product with my Fujifilm X-T3 and I’m pleased to report the continuous power rig works as expected.
Tech Tips
- The camera will power-on when the battery compartment door is open. I recommend closing the door anyway.
- Disable auto power-off for the camera.
What are the take-aways?
The Bescor product sells at a price point of ~$40. The comparable continuous power rig for Canon EOS 5D Mark II that I reviewed in my last blog post costs ~3.6 times more than the Bescor rig. See where I formed my strong opinion that the Canon product is overpriced?
All of the cables used by the Canon rig are slightly thicker than the ones in the Bescor rig. I speculate the thicker Canon cables might work better and last longer than the thinner Bescor cables, but as I said, that’s just speculation.
Is the Canon rig so much better than the Bescor rig that it’s worth a lot more money? Time will tell. In the meantime, I’ll say this: If the Bescor product doesn’t last as long as the Canon product, then I could replace it multiple times and still be ahead in the game!
Coming full-circle to the beginning of this blog post, I think it’s fair to ask how long a camera manufacturer should support its products. In my strong opinion, two years isn’t long enough. I’m just spitballing a number, but I think at least three- to five years seems reasonable. At the time I bought my X-T3 I had no idea I would want to be able to provide continuous power for studio photography. Two years later, I can still buy a new X-T3 camera but can’t buy some official Fujifilm power supply accessories — c’mon Fujifilm, you can and should do better!
Related Resources
This blog post is one in a series of posts related to continuous AC power and long-lasting battery power for select Canon, Fujifilm, and Panasonic digital cameras.
- Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD 45W
- Will it work? Is it safe?
- Continuous power: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- Continuous power: Fujifilm X-T3
- Continuous power: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- The best of both worlds at bargain prices
Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: gear talk, studio photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
November 11, 2020 at 2:31 pm |
I am a little confused. You were willing to accept a third-party alternative to the Fuji power supply, but did not look at third-party alternatives for Canon. There are plenty of alternatives to the Canon “official” adapter available on Amazon.com for under $30. Here is a link to one that has had 518 ratings and is listed for $26.99. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VNJLBPK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1B7KV269420H0&psc=1
November 11, 2020 at 5:47 pm |
Perhaps I should wait to reply to your comment until you’ve read my blog post that will be published on 13 November 2020. In the meantime, here’s a salient quote from one of my recent posts: “I wasn’t happy spending a lot more money than I think the product is worth, but was willing to do so when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. I wish I knew then what I know now — I could have saved a lot of money!” I speculate it might have been easier for you to search for less expensive solutions armed with the knowledge you acquired by reading my series of blog posts. Also, I wasn’t willing to accept a third-party product for the Fujifilm power supply — there was no choice since the official Fujifilm products are no longer available. Anyway, please resist the temptation to comment further until Friday.