14/02/2026 12:17 am
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I just finally upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark IV after years of shooting on my old 70D, and I’m beyond excited to put it to work! However, I want to make sure I’m kitting it out correctly from the start. I already have a solid set of EF lenses, but I'm curious about the specific extras that make life easier with this body. Specifically, are high-speed CF cards actually necessary for 4K video, or can I get by with fast SD cards? Also, given the battery drain, do you recommend the official BG-E20 battery grip or just carrying a few extra LP-E6N spares? What are your top must-have accessories to really unlock this camera's potential?
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14/02/2026 12:18 am
yo, honestly same! when i upgraded from my 70D i was so stoked but broke lol. im really happy with my Lexar Professional 1066x 128GB CompactFlash Card which is like $60 and works well for 4k... way better than sd cards tbh. skip the official grip tho, just get some BM Premium LP-E6N High Capacity Batteries for $30. basically, buy cheaper storage and extra batteries and ur set!! peace
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14/02/2026 12:30 am
SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash is a must. Quick question: you shooting 4K MJPEG or HD? - SD slot is only UHS-I.
- Spares > heavy grips, honestly.
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14/02/2026 1:20 am
+1 to what was said earlier! Basically, the 5D4 records 4K using a massive MJPEG codec, which creates HUGE files. This is why standard SD cards just cant keep up. I'd definitely suggest going with any fast CF cards from ProGrade or Kingston; they’re reliable and way better value. Also, honestly skip the official grip. It's too bulky. Just get some generic batteries from a brand like Wasabi and you're set. Works for me!
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15/02/2026 5:20 pm
Congrats on the upgrade! I spent way too much time looking at the market for this stuff when I got my 5D4. Honestly, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the brands out there. Here is what I’ve found from my own research: - For storage, I’ve been looking at the Delkin Devices 128GB Cinema CompactFlash Card. I mean, everyone goes for the household names, but Delkin has a great reputation for high-end video. Tbh, the SD slot is basically useless for 4K on this camera because it's so slow, so a high-end CF is the only way to go.
- About the grip... I did a bit of a market comparison between the official Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip and the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip. The Vello is like... way cheaper, but the build quality feels a bit more plastic-y, you know? If you aren't shooting in harsh weather, the Vello is probably fine, but the Canon one is SO much more solid for weather sealing.
- You should also look into the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark IV. SmallRig is basically the king of value right now compared to the super-expensive brands. It makes tripod work so much easier and actually protects the frame. Basically, you just gotta decide if you want that 'official' peace of mind or if you're okay with the third-party trade-offs!
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22/02/2026 10:22 pm
I totally agree with everyone about the SD slot being the bottleneck. It is SO slow for 4K. I am still figuring out all the technical specs myself, but the data rate for that MJPEG codec is basically 500Mbps, which is why the UHS-I slot just gives up. Before you buy a ton of gear, I have a few questions to see what fits best. Are you planning on doing your own sensor cleaning and basic maintenance? I have been looking into DIY service kits because professional cleanings are expensive. Also, what is your tolerance for gear weight? Coming from a 70D, the 5D4 is already a tank. Anyway, since you are going the DIY route, you might want to consider:
- Applying a tempered glass protector to the top and back screens
- Learning the internal menu settings for power management
- Getting a basic blower for the mirror box Are you mostly shooting stills or do you really plan on pushing the video side? That really changes whether the high-speed CF cards are a luxury or a total necessity for your workflow.
