> I know CFexpress Type B cards are a must, but are there specific brands you trust? similar situation here! I was torn between the ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type B Cobalt which is fast but pricey, vs the Sabrent 512GB Rocket CFexpress Type B. ngl the Sabrent actually works well and gives way more storage for the cash. also saved a ton by grabbing a Wasabi Power Battery LP-E6NH 2-Pack instead of the grip. tbh super satisfied with the value!

yo, congrats on the r5! honestly, it's such a beastly camera. coming from a dslr, the biggest shock is gonna be the battery life since that evf is super power-hungry compared to an optical viewfinder. basically, the camera needs massive bandwidth to handle that 45mp sensor without choking. for cards, i've been super happy with ProGrade Digital 512GB CFexpress Type B Gold. it's fast enough for everything and way better value than the luxury brands. as for the Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip, id say skip it unless u do 8-hour weddings or heavy vertical portraits. it just adds unnecessary weight imo. my top 3 must-haves:
1. ProGrade Digital 512GB CFexpress Type B Gold - seriously, dont cheap out here.
2. spare Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery - u'll definitely need at least two extras for a full day.
3. Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R - it lets u use ur old ef glass and adds a cool physical dial. lowkey life changing. gl!

To add to the point above about sensor exposure and protection: you should definitely be cautious about how you handle the body during lens swaps. I have had a moment to think about this more and I would suggest looking into a few more technical bits that people usually overlook until they run into a bottleneck in the field.

• ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B and SDXC UHS-II Dual-Slot Card Reader: make sure to get a dedicated high-speed reader. I have seen cheaper ones overheat and throttle transfer speeds down to basically nothing during a long offload of 45mp files.
• Expert Shield Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Canon R5: be careful with the top LCD too. It is quite easy to scratch when the camera is hanging from a strap against a jacket zipper.
• Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large: you will find that dust is way more of an issue on mirrorless. I wouldnt go on a shoot without one. Honestly, keep an eye on your card specs. If you are doing any 8K or 4K high frame rate stuff, you might want to consider the Delkin Devices 650GB POWER CFexpress Type B because it has a guaranteed sustained write speed. Some cards claim high speeds but drop off once the buffer fills, which can lead to the camera freezing up mid-shot... it is definitely not worth the risk on a paid gig.

@Reply #14 - good point! Just found this thread and wanted to add a technical perspective on the media. If youre shooting 8K or high-speed bursts, you really need to be careful with sustained write speeds. The numbers on the box are often peak speeds, which dont matter once the buffer fills up. I would suggest looking at these two specifically:

• Delkin Devices BLACK CFexpress Type B 512GB: This is the one to get if you want zero risks. It has a 1400MB/s minimum sustained write speed. Basically indestructible build too.
• Sony TOUGH CFexpress Type B 512GB: Very solid, but I have seen some data suggesting these run a bit hotter during long video takes. Still miles better than the budget stuff tho. I would also suggest the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Drop-In Variable ND Filter instead of a grip. Since youre coming from a DSLR, this lets you use your old glass while adding a feature you never had. Just make sure the glass is clean before you swap, the sensor on the R5 is a total dust magnet... honestly kinda annoying.

Tbh, I’m a bit more nervous about using budget brands than the others. I've been doing some market research and it seems like some third-party gear can be kinda risky for such an expensive body. If you're spending this much on an R5, why take the chance? * SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Type B - I feel way better trusting a brand that's been around forever for my data storage.
* Canon LP-E6NH - I'm honestly too scared to use off-brand batteries because I've heard they can sometimes swell or mess with the camera's performance over time.
* Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector - You gotta protect that flip-out screen from scratches day one. Maybe I'm just being extra cautious since I'm still learning the ropes, but I'd rather play it safe with the official stuff, you know?

I've had my R5 for about a year now and I'm still kinda learning new things every day, but I've found a few things that are *actually* essential for the long haul. Coming from a DSLR, the sensor being so exposed definitely stressed me out at first lol. Here are the three things I basically can't live without now: 1. SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon EOS R5: Honestly, if you use a tripod at all, this is a total game changer. It makes switching from landscape to portrait shots so much faster and keeps the weight centered. 2. Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress B SE 512GB: I was super worried about card reliability too, but these have been rock solid for me and the price is usually way better than the big box brands. 3. ULANZI Tempered Glass Screen Protector: Since the screen flips out and gets handled a lot more than my old DSLR, I felt way better having some actual glass over it. One thing to watch out for is sensor dust. Since there's no mirror, I feel like I'm constantly using a blower to keep it clean. It's just something you gotta get used to with mirrorless I guess!

In my experience, mirrorless EVFs pull constant power, so batteries die fast. To stay cost-effective: 1. Power: Skip the grip; an Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) for USB-C PD charging is way more versatile.
2. Cards: Lexar Professional 128GB CFexpress Type B Silver is a great budget alternative to the Gold cards.
3. Strap: Get a Peak Design Slide. tbh, PD charging is a total game changer. gl!

This ^

To add to the point above: I am genuinely satisfied with how the system performs once it is all set up. Everything works well together and the technical output is exactly what I expected from a professional body. But honestly the cost of accessories is a total scam and it drives me crazy. Companies just do not care about the consumer once you are locked into their mount.

• The price of media cards is basically highway robbery right now.
• Brand name batteries are priced at a level that is honestly ridiculous.
• Simple pieces of plastic like lens hoods are marked up to an insane degree. I actually spent way too long yesterday looking at padded dividers for my old bag instead of just buying a new one because I refuse to pay those premium prices anymore. My wife caught me measuring foam inserts with a ruler and thought I had finally lost it. Anyway, just a bit of a vent there. But yeah.

Bump - same question here

This ^

Exactly what I was thinking

Regarding what #12 said about 'To add to the point above: I am genuinely satisfied'... i totally feel that! honestly the camera itself is incredible but the cost of the extras is definitely a wallet killer. i remember my first outdoor shoot with this thing and i was so paranoid about the sensor dust and the screen getting scratched up. the best cheap insurance i found was the Spigen Glas.tR Slim for Canon EOS R5 which is amazing for the price and gives me such peace of mind. everyone has made great points about the power banks and fast readers, but if you want to save on media without losing performance, i cant recommend the Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress B SE 512GB enough! it has been absolutely flawless for me and costs way less than the big name brands. also since you are coming from a dslr, you are gonna notice the sensor is a total dust magnet during lens swaps, so grab a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Large instead of using your breath lol. love this camera so much, you are gonna have a total blast with it!

Can vouch for this