16/03/2026 11:40 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
so i finally pulled the trigger and got a used 5d mark iv off marketplace and man this thing feels like a tank compared to my old t6i but now im staring at my empty bank account and realizing i have zero accessories for it and i have a wedding shoot for a friend in like three weeks in seattle so it's probably gonna be cloudy or raining and i need to be ready. i have about 450 bucks left to spend on the essentials and im kind of stuck on what to prioritize first.
im really torn on the battery grip situation. the official canon bg-e20 is like 200 bucks used but i see these vello or neewer ones for like 60 or 70 and im wondering if the weather sealing on the official one is actually worth the extra hundred bucks or if i should just get the cheap one and spend the rest on glass or cards.
speaking of cards i know it has dual slots which is why i bought it for weddings but what's the move?
- option a: get a fast 128gb compactflash card for the main slot and use a slower sd for backup
- option b: just stick with high speed sds in both since they are cheaper
- option c: spend the big bucks on lexar professional cf cards because i dont want to lose files mid-ceremony
also i need a flash and everyone says get the godox v1 because it's way cheaper than the canon 600ex-rt ii but is the reliability actually there for a pro-ish gig? i dont want it overheating on me during the reception or failing to sync right when they are doing the first dance.
basically i need to know what you guys think are the absolute must-haves to make this 5d4 a workhorse without me going broke before the big day. i definitely need extra batteries but should i go third party or stick with the canon lp-e6n? i heard the mark iv is a bit of a battery hog especially with live view or if the gps is left on by mistake. if i get the grip do i need 4 batteries total or can i get away with 2? it's all adding up so fast and i just want to make sure i dont buy junk that breaks...
5 Answers
12
17/03/2026 12:25 am
Late to the party but I love the energy of a new gear day! Since youre heading into Seattle rain, grab a Peak Design Shell Camera Rain Cover Small. It is fantastic for peace of mind! > basically i need to know what you guys think are the absolute must-haves Based on my experience, here is a methodical approach for your remaining budget:
- Flash: The Godox V860III-C Li-ion Flash is amazing. It uses a Li-ion battery so you wont be fumbling with AAs mid-reception.
- Media: Use a Transcend 128GB CompactFlash 1000x for your primary slot. It handles the 5D4 write speeds perfectly.
- Power: Stick to the Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery for your primary power source. Check out the LensRentals blog for teardowns; it is an incredible resource for seeing how gear holds up. Quick tip: turn off the built-in GPS and Wi-Fi immediately! They drain the battery fast. Youll do great!
11
16/03/2026 11:41 pm
Congrats on the 5D4 upgrade, it's such a beastly camera. For a wedding in Seattle weather, you definitely want to be prepared but dont blow your whole budget on name brand plastic. I've been super happy with third-party gear on mine and it's never let me down.
- Skip the Canon grip and get the Vello BG-E20 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV. I've used it for dozens of shoots and it works perfectly without the 200 dollar price tag.
- For cards, I'd go with a fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash as your primary and a SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I as your backup. Writing to both slots at the same time is non-negotiable for a wedding.
- Get the Godox V1-C Flash for Canon for sure. The lithium battery lasts forever and it recycles so much faster than my old speedlites. It's super reliable for pro work.
- Pick up some Wasabi Power LP-E6N Battery 2-Pack spares. They're cheap and work well, though the camera might give a little warning about them not being official sometimes. Honestly, if you go this route, you'll still have some cash left for a decent rain cover which you'll probably need in Seattle. Two batteries in the grip will get you through most of the day, but having four total is way safer since the 5D4 definitely drinks power when you're using the back screen... you'll love the setup tho.
3
26/03/2026 1:40 am
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
2
21/03/2026 1:45 pm
+1
1
17/03/2026 12:05 am
Just saw this and had to chime in... unfortunately, the 5D4 SD slot is a total bottleneck because its only UHS-I. I've had massive issues with buffer lag during ceremonies using cheap cards. Tbh you need a Lexar Professional 1066x 128GB CompactFlash. Also, that V1 overheats way too fast. Get the Godox V860III-C Speedlight for Canon instead. Third party batteries are disappointing and usually lose capacity fast anyway.
