> I’m looking for suggestions on the best high-speed CF or SD cards that won't bottleneck the buffer. Also, is the official battery grip actually worth the extra bulk for better ergonomics during long shoots? yo, I would suggest focusing on the CF slot for speed. Since the 5D IV has a UHS-I SD slot, it's actually kinda the bottleneck if u try to write to both cards at once. Ngl, I learned that the hard way during a wedding burst! To keep that buffer moving, I highkey recommend the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CompactFlash Memory Card 160MB/s. Honestly, it’s much faster than any SD card in that body. For your SD slot, just grab a SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card 170MB/s for redundancy. Regarding the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip, I'd say it's totally worth it for your portrait sessions. The balance with a heavy lens is way better, and the vertical shutter button is a lifesaver for your wrists. But yeah, it's pretty bulky for outdoor events, so I usually just pop it off when I wanna be light. My top 3 must-haves: 1. A fast CF card like the SanDisk I mentioned.
2. The Really Right Stuff B5D4-L L-Plate—seriously, it makes switching from landscape to portrait on a tripod so much faster. 3. The GGS Larmor Glass Screen Protector for Canon 5D Mark IV because it’s super durable and basically feels like the original glass. Anyway, it's such a beast of a camera once u get it dialed in. gl with the new gear! peace! ✌️

Hey! Just saw this thread and congrats on the 5D IV. Honestly, it’s a beast, but man... I’ve had some frustrating times trying to find the 'perfect' setup for mine. > I’m looking for suggestions on the best high-speed CF or SD cards that won't bottleneck the buffer. Unfortunately, the SD slot on this body is only UHS-I, which is lowkey disappointing for such a pro camera. I once missed a perfect shot during an outdoor event because the buffer was still writing to my SD card and locked me out... sooo annoying. You might find this useful - check out the 'Camera Memory Speed' website. They have actual real-world benchmarks for this specific body. For the best performance, I basically only trust the Lexar Professional 1066x 128GB CompactFlash Card now because it actually keeps up with the 30MP bursts. Regarding the grip, I actually found the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip way too heavy for all-day portrait sessions. I switched to a custom L-bracket to keep the weight down while still having a good grip for vertical shots. Since someone already mentioned RRS, definitely look at the Kirk Enterprise Solutions BL-5D4 L-Bracket. It’s built like a tank and fits the body perfectly without any twisting. Also, if ur worried about the screen, there's a great resource at The-Digital-Picture for gear tests. I ended up going with the Vello Screen Ultra Clear Glass Protector for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and it’s been much better than expected. Basically, dont rely on that SD slot for anything fast and you'll be fine!! Cheers.

> I’m realizing my old gear needs a bit of an update to really keep up with this body. Not sure but I think you should really look into the specific battery revisions you're using. IIRC, the 5D IV performs a lot more consistently with the newer N-series cells compared to the older versions from the Mark II era. From a market research perspective, I've seen that a lot of third-party batteries actually lack the internal chips needed for accurate battery age and shutter count tracking in the Canon menu system, which is basically essential for pro workflows. Basically, I’m always cautious about using generic power stuff because they dont always handle the high-current draw of the dual-pixel AF system properly during live view or video. Honestly, if you're doing long outdoor events, sticking with the official brand is probably the safest bet for long-term reliability. Someone told me they once had a generic cell swell up inside the battery chamber, which is a total nightmare to deal with. Its just one of those things where meeting the technical standards is more important than the cost savings.

Just catching up on this thread. While others suggested more budget-friendly options, I tend to be a bit more conservative with my gear choices to avoid any potential failure points. I actually disagree with the idea of going third-party for the grip. The Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip is built specifically for this body with the same weather sealing standards. In my experience, the cheaper alternatives can feel a bit hollow and dont always handle the power management as well during high-speed bursts. It just feels safer when you are out in the elements for an outdoor event. For storage, I prefer staying with SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB CompactFlash 160MB/s because their failure rate seems lower in professional environments. If you are doing portrait sessions, the peace of mind is worth the extra cost. Also, if you want a solid protector, look at the Hoya Real Pro Glass Screen Protector for 5D Mark IV. It is incredibly clear and doesnt interfere with the touch screen sensitivity at all. Its basically a necessary layer of insurance for your display.

This^ Also, if your looking to save money, the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark IV 2202 is way cheaper than RRS. I'd also grab a Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Canon 5D Mark IV.

To add to the point above: the power management on this body is actually quite finicky. Unfortunately, I have found that even the genuine Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery cells show a significant voltage drop after only a few hundred shots, which impacts the burst consistency. It is not as good as expected for a professional tool. If you are doing heavy portrait work, here are two technical fixes I use:

• Skip the slow internal cards and use a Tether Tools TetherPro USB 3.0 to Micro-B for direct-to-disk shooting.
• Use a Delkin Devices 128GB Black CF Memory Card specifically for its high sustained write speed, which is superior to most consumer cards. I also suggest keeping a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large in your bag at all times. The sensor in the 5D IV seems to attract way more debris than my older bodies when swapping lenses in the field... its kinda annoying honestly. Just make sure youre checking the sensor regularly before long shoots.