Hey! Ngl I’ve been there and the 90D is heavy af. Here's what I recommend: - DJI RS 3 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer: The motors are fantastic for that 18-135mm weight; I think the payload is 4.4lbs so it works!
- Rode VideoMic NTG Shotgun Microphone: It has a sliding rail!! Basically slide it left so it doesnt block ur screen. Killer setup for under $600 tho. Cheers!

> basically slide it left so it doesnt block ur screen. Tbh that's such a pro tip. If you're self-filming, blocking that flip-out screen is the worst thing ever lol. I totally agree with the gimbal approach, but just a thought on the reliability side of things: when you’re picking a brand, honestly just go with **Zhiyun**. You can’t go wrong with their stabilization tech; it’s pretty much the gold standard for handling the weight of a DSLR like the 90D without the motors burning out over time. From a safety perspective, you reallyyy want to ensure you have a decent payload overhead. Running a gimbal right at its limit is a recipe for motor fatigue, especially with that 18-135mm lens since the center of gravity shifts when you zoom. Also, for the audio, definitely look into any of the **Sennheiser** options. Their shielding against RF interference is legendary, which is crucial if you’re shooting in busy areas. Just grab a simple cold-shoe extension bar to offset the mic—it’s a way more reliable setup than trying to stack everything on top of the hot shoe! keeps the weight balanced and your screen clear.

I spent a lot of time looking at market data lately because im also trying to save some cash on my 90D setup. If you look at the specs for some of the mid-tier brands, you can actually get a way better deal. Tbh I think the FeiyuTech AK2000C is a sleeper pick for the 90D since it can handle about 4.8 lbs and is usually way cheaper than the competition. It leaves a lot more room in your $700 budget for a good mic setup. For the audio, have you looked at a budget wireless system instead of a shotgun mic? Something like the Saramonic Blink 500 B1 is super tiny. Since the receiver is so small, it wont block your screen at all which seems like a win. Basically, if you go with these brands instead of the big names, you save a ton without losing quality.

• FeiyuTech AK2000C
• Saramonic Blink 500 B1 This combo keeps you way under your limit and handles the 18-135mm kit lens weight just fine. Do you think you really need the extra software features of the more expensive brands tho? Im still learning if those fancy touchscreens on gimbals are actually worth the extra hundred bucks or if its just marketing hype.

Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.

Exactly what I was thinking

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖

TIL! Thanks for sharing