Yo, congrats on the 5D IV! I've been shooting with this line for like a decade and honestly, the Mark IV is a total workhorse, but you gotta set it up right. Basically, the 30MP sensor and touch screen are awesome, but they suck a lot of power and need fast storage to keep up. I learned the hard way that cheaping out on accessories for a pro body usually leads to a headache lol. Here is what I recommend based on my years with it: * **Battery Grip vs. Slim:** The Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip is great for ergonomics in portrait mode, but it makes the camera HUGE. I used it for a year but eventually took it off cuz of the weight. * **Screen Protection:** Avoid the plastic films. The Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Canon 5D Mark IV is the best because it doesn't kill the touch sensitivity like the cheap ones do. * **Memory Cards:** You need high speed. I swear by the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB CompactFlash Card 160MB/s for your main slot. I was highkey disappointed when I tried third-party batteries; they didnt last half as long as the Canon LP-E6N Battery. Stick to the originals so you dont get stuck with a dead cam. gl!

I went through this last year... basically broke after buying the body lol. I know a grip was already mentioned, but I couldn't swing the official price, so I tried these budget alternatives: * Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV (~$55)
* Vello LCD Screen Protector for Canon 5D Mark IV (~$15) It's worked well, tho ur mileage might vary with the weather sealing compared to Canon. Honestly, saved me like $250! gl!

I totally agree with Matilda about the lighting gear. Honestly, it's the best way to save some serious cash without losing performance. I swapped my Canon speedlites for the Godox V860III-C Flash for Canon and haven't looked back... the li-ion battery life is just way better for long shoots. Quick tip on the ergonomics too. If you skip the battery grip to save on bulk like some suggested, definitely check out the BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap. I've found it way more comfortable for the 5D's weight compared to the stock strap. It distributes the weight across your torso so your neck doesn't kill you after a long day of shooting.

I TOTALLY agree about the sensor maintenance thing, that's a cost most people forget until they see spots in their sky shots. Adding to the gear talk from a market perspective, you really have to look at the lighting ecosystem. While Canon's own flash system is legendary, the price gap compared to third-party brands is honestly just too huge to ignore these days. I've spent a lot of time comparing the specs and for the price of one Canon unit, you can basically kit out a whole mobile studio. I’d suggest looking into the Godox V1-C Flash for Canon or even the Yongnuo YN-E3-RT II Transmitter if you want to do off-camera work. The build quality on the Yongnuo stuff is surprisingly solid for the price, though I guess the weather sealing isn't QUITE as robust as the pro Canon gear... but for 90% of shooters, it’s a better way to spend your budget. It really comes down to whether you value that red logo or if you’d rather save the cash for a better lens...

Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.

In my experience, since youre already looking at the big stuff like power, you should really think about getting an L-bracket from brands like SmallRig or 3 Legged Thing. Honestly, I've tried many grips over the years and found them way too bulky for most shoots. A solid bracket is usually around $40-$60 and it makes switching to portrait mode on a tripod sooo much faster without all the extra weight. Also, seriously, grab a sensor cleaning kit from a brand like Photographic Solutions. The 5D IV is lowkey a dust magnet and paying a pro $80 to clean it is just a waste of cash when you can do it yourself in five mins. I mean, basically any kit from a reputable brand will work. Plus, look into a high-quality strap from Peak Design if you havent yet. Its all about the long-term value and not overspending on the official Canon gear if you dont have to. gl!

Good to know!