05/06/2026 3:30 am
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So I finally treated myself to a 5D Mark IV for my big trip to the Dolomites next month and I am slightly overwhelmed by what else I actually need to pack to keep this thing running smoothly. I have been shooting with a smaller Rebel for years so this feels like a huge step up in terms of weight and power needs. I have about 500 bucks left in my budget for accessories after buying the body and a 24-70mm lens.
I did some digging online and saw people swearing by the official battery grip for the extra juice but others say it makes the camera way too heavy for hiking and all day walking. I also keep seeing conflicting stuff about memory cards. Some say I have to use the CompactFlash slot for the best performance while others say a fast SD card is totally fine for just stills. Im mostly doing landscapes and some street stuff so I wont be doing crazy 4K video or anything like that and I dont want to overspend on cards I dont really need.
Also what are you guys using for straps? The neck strap that comes in the box already feels like its gonna kill my neck after an hour. I want to keep things relatively light but I dont want to run out of space or power halfway up a mountain. What are the absolute must-have travel accessories for the 5D4 that I should grab before I leave?
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05/06/2026 4:15 am
Been thinking about your setup and unfortunately, the 5D4 card architecture is a bit outdated and annoying. Are you planning on doing long exposure stuff or using the built-in GPS much? It drains the battery way faster than youd expect. People say SD is fine, but the UHS-I slot in that body is slow as hell. If you shoot bursts, the buffer will hang for ages. Heres what I would actually pack to stay under budget:
- SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB CompactFlash 160MB/s for your primary slot so you dont get bottlenecked.
- Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery - just get two originals. Third-party ones are honestly a gamble with voltage and longevity.
- BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap to get that weight off your neck and onto your shoulder. Dont bother with the grip. It just makes the camera a brick in your bag. Stick to extra batteries and youll be fine for a full day of hiking.
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05/06/2026 4:05 am
Just catching up on this thread and honestly you're gonna love that sensor. I've been really satisfied with the performance of the 5D Mark IV for landscape work. About the battery grip... skip it. It adds almost 300 grams of dead weight which isnt great when you're trekking through the Dolomites. I found that just carrying a few spare batteries in my bag works well and keeps the setup more balanced on a tripod. For power, just grab any Canon LP-E6 series batteries and you'll be fine for a full day of shooting. I've had no complaints with that setup. Regarding memory cards, you dont need to overthink it for stills. Even though the CF slot is technically faster for clearing the buffer, a high-quality SD card from a brand like SanDisk SDXC cards will handle the 30MP files no problem since write speeds are usually around 95MB/s on their better ones. I'm happy with the performance even during bracketed shots for HDR. If you really want peace of mind, just get any of the faster Lexar CF cards to use as a redundant backup. For the strap, ditch the one in the box. It's basically a billboard that hurts your neck. I'm very happy with how the sling systems from Peak Design camera straps distribute the weight across your shoulder instead of your neck. It makes the 5D4 feel half as heavy. Just get any of their wider models and you'll be set for those long hikes. Let me know if you need more technical specs on the data throughput tho, can definitely dig up more data if you want.
