14/02/2026 8:17 am
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I finally did it! After months of debating and saving up, I pulled the trigger on a brand new Canon EOS R5. Coming from an old 5D Mark IV, this thing feels like a total powerhouse, but it’s also a bit intimidating. I’m mostly into landscape and wildlife photography, so I know this body is going to be a game-changer for my workflow. However, after unboxing it and looking at my empty wallet, I’m realizing that the camera body was just the beginning of the investment.
I've already noticed a few things I need to address right away. First off, the storage situation is a bit different than what I’m used to. I see it has that CFexpress Type B slot alongside the standard SD slot. Those CFexpress cards are pretty pricey—is it worth getting the highest speed ones immediately, or can I get by with a fast SD for a while if I’m mostly shooting stills and not much 8K video? I'm worried about the buffer filling up too fast when I'm out shooting birds in flight.
Also, I’ve heard this beast eats through batteries. I have a few old LP-E6N batteries from my DSLR, but I’ve read that I really need the newer LP-E6NH versions to get the full 12fps high-speed mechanical shutter performance. Should I just bite the bullet and buy a two-pack of the new ones right away, or should I look into a third-party battery grip for those long days in the field?
Lastly, I’m still using my EF glass with an adapter for now. I’m curious if there are any specific 'quality of life' accessories you guys swear by. I’m thinking about things like specific L-brackets for tripod work, screen protectors for that beautiful tilt-out LCD, or maybe a particular neck strap that handles the weight well during long hikes.
I’ve got about $800 left in my 'setup budget' to get this rig fully field-ready. If you were starting fresh with an R5 today, what are the absolute 'must-have' accessories you'd buy in the first month to make sure you're getting the most out of the system?
5 Answers
11
14/02/2026 8:18 am
> I'm worried about the buffer filling up too fast when I'm out shooting birds in flight. Honestly, for wildlife, you basically need a CFexpress. A fast SD works for landscapes, but it'll choke your buffer during bursts. I'd get the ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type B Gold Memory Card and a Canon LP-E6NH Battery Pack to maintain that 12fps speed. Also, the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon EOS R5 is a solid option for your tripod work. It fits the budget well. gl!
11
14/02/2026 8:30 am
> I'm worried about the buffer filling up too fast when I'm out shooting birds in flight. Seconding the recommendation above. CFexpress is basically mandatory for wildlife because the SD slot will bottleneck the whole system if youre shooting bursts... honestly its not worth the risk of missing a shot. Also, regarding the batteries—I mean, you gotta be careful there. The old ones work but you wont get that 12fps mechanical shutter speed, which is kinda the point of the R5, right? I'd suggest getting the official Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery instead of third-party clones. I’ve heard too many stories about third-party batteries swelling or causing firmware glitches, so I’d stick with OEM for reliability. Since you do landscapes, definitely look into the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon EOS R5 and R6 2976. It makes switching to portrait orientation way safer on a tripod so you dont put weird torque on the head. And maybe grab a ULBTER Screen Protector for Canon EOS R5 because that flip-out screen is a huge repair bill waiting to happen if it gets scratched!! Anyway, sticking to official batteries and a solid bracket is probably the safest way to spend that $800 tbh. gl!
5
14/02/2026 9:00 am
I'd actually suggest a different approach - just grab a Lexar Professional 1800x SDXC UHS-II 128GB and BM Premium LP-E6NH Battery. It's way cheaper and handles wildlife CRAW bursts just fine!
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12/03/2026 10:42 pm
Following this thread
1
17/02/2026 1:51 pm
Tbh I've been doing some market research on the R5 ecosystem and it basically comes down to whether you want to pay the 'Canon tax' or go with the high-end third-party manufacturers like Delkin or Angelbird. Both have different approaches to thermal management and warranty support which is super important for high-res bodies like this. A few technical bits to consider:
- Minimum Sustained Speeds: The market is flooded with cards that have high peak speeds but low sustained performance. For birds in flight, you need a card where the *minimum* speed stays high so the buffer doesnt choke after 3 or 4 seconds.
- PD Standards: The R5 is super picky about power. If you look at external power banks, they have to hit specific Power Delivery (PD) wattage to actually charge while the camera is on, otherwise youre just draining the internal battery.
- Bracket Geometry: Some brands focus on being ultra-light for hikers, while others focus on full port access. You really have to check if they allow that screen to flip 180 degrees without hitting the side plate. I have 2 quick questions though:
1. Are you going to be shooting much 8K or 4K high-frame rate video, or is this strictly for stills?
2. Do you already have a favorite tripod head brand you're trying to stay compatible with???
