What are the must-have accessories for a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

Question

Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded to the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV after years of shooting on a crop sensor. I’m absolutely loving the image quality so far, but I’ve realized that my old kit isn't quite cutting it for this full-frame beast. I’m planning to use it primarily for wedding photography and some weekend landscape trips, so I want to make sure I have the right gear to support it before my next big shoot.

Since it has dual card slots, I’m a bit curious about which specific CF and SD card combinations you all recommend for the best write speeds—I don't want the buffer lagging during a ceremony! Also, I’ve heard mixed things about the battery life when using Live View or shooting 4K video. Should I invest in the official BG-E20 battery grip right away, or is it better to just carry a handful of extra LP-E6N batteries? I’m also looking for a solid L-bracket that doesn't block the side ports, as I do a lot of vertical shots on my tripod.

I want to focus on high-quality essentials that actually improve the workflow or protect the body. Aside from the obvious lenses, what are the absolute must-have accessories you’d recommend for a new 5D Mark IV owner?

Blake · Accepted Answer

tbh i had issues with buffer lag cuz the 5DIV writes at the slowest card's speed. basically, if u use one slow card, it drags the whole system down. instead of an expensive battery grip, i recommend the Wasabi Power Battery 2-Pack for Canon LP-E6N for better value. also, i was reallyyy disappointed with universal l-brackets. the Sunwayfoto PCL-5DIV Custom L-Bracket is much cheaper than RRS and wont block ur ports. gl!

littleitalylover · Answer

Yo, congrats on the upgrade! I moved from a crop sensor to the 5D IV a while back and honestly, it's such a beast for weddings once you dial it in. > I’m a bit curious about which specific CF and SD card combinations you all recommend for the best write speeds For the dual slots, dont cheap out or you'll choke the buffer during those key ceremony moments. I've had the best luck running the SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash Memory Card 160MB/s in the main slot paired with a SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I Card 200MB/s. Even tho the SD slot is capped at UHS-I speeds, having that fast CF card handles the heavy lifting when you're writing RAW to both. About the power... weddings are basically battery killers. I highkey recommend the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip because it balances the body better with heavy glass and makes vertical shots a breeze. But yeah, definitely keep a couple Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery spares in your pocket too. For the L-bracket, check out the Kirk BL-5DIV L-Bracket for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. It's specifically cut so you can actually get to the side ports without taking the whole thing apart. It's pricey but worth it for landscapes. gl! 👍

Clara Nicole Mason · Answer

Honestly, I was in the same boat when I first made the jump. I was so worried about keeping the gear pristine that I almost spent too much on protection. I mean, after spending that much on a full-frame body, my budget was pretty tight. I decided to focus on reliability first because I was terrified of a card failure during a shoot, which actually happened to me once on my old crop sensor.

Viltrox Tempered Glass Screen Protector

It is super cheap and honestly saved my screen from a nasty scratch when I bumped my tripod once.

Lexar Professional 1066x 128GB CompactFlash

I found these to be a bit more budget-friendly than the top-tier ones but they have been rock solid for me so far.

JJC RI-9 Rain Cover

I do a lot of landscape stuff and this keeps the moisture out of the ports for a fraction of the cost of the high-end covers. Basically, I just feel way better knowing there is an extra layer of safety on the hardware. Its definitely worth looking into these little things before you head out on a big landscape trip or a wedding where things can get a bit chaotic.