What are the must-have landscape accessories for a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on a used 5D Mark IV and man this thing is a beast compared to my old crop sensor setup. Im planning a massive trip out to Olympic National Park in Washington state in about three weeks and I really want to focus on some high-end landscape stuff. Think moody coastal shots at Ruby Beach and those mossy waterfalls in the Hoh Rainforest. The problem is I'm starting from scratch with accessories and I dont want to buy junk that I'll just end up replacing in six months.

Ive been doing a ton of reading on filter systems and honestly I'm more confused than when I started. Everyone says Lee Filters are the way to go but then I keep seeing posts about them having a weird blue color cast on the 10-stop filters which sounds like a total pain to fix in post. Then there's the Haida M10 system which looks great for color but the holder seems really fiddly and I'm worried about dropping expensive glass into the sand because I cant get the clip to work with cold fingers. Is it actually worth the hassle of square filters or should I just stick to high-quality screw-ons for now?

Here is what I am looking for:

Budget: Id like to stay under $1,000 for the whole kit including a tripod.

Weight: I'll be hiking quite a bit so I cant carry a lead pipe but it needs to hold the 5D steady in the wind.

Weather: It is definitely gonna rain so everything needs to be somewhat rugged.

Use case: Mostly long exposures of water and sunset shots.

Also is a dedicated L-bracket actually worth it for the 5D IV? I read that some of them block the cable release port which would be a huge deal breaker for me since I'll be doing a lot of timed shots. Do you guys think a remote shutter is still necessary with the built in intervalometer or should I get one anyway just in case? I feel like I'm forgetting something obvious...

Belinda Brumby · Accepted Answer

TLDR: Skip the Lee color cast issues and look at the NiSi V7 100mm Filter System Holder Kit along with a Sirui W-2204 Carbon Fiber Waterproof Tripod for the rainy Hoh Rainforest. Regarding the filter dilemma, that Lee blue cast is basically a result of how resin filters handle infrared light. If youre doing 10-stop exposures, you want optical glass like the NiSi 100x100mm Nano IR Neutral Density ND1000 10-Stop. NiSi uses an IR coating that keeps the white balance much more neutral compared to the older Lee Big Stopper. The V7 holder is also technically more efficient than the Haida because the CPL is integrated into the adapter ring, so you dont have to worry about dropping it when swapping square filters. For the tripod, if you're hiking in wet conditions, look into the Sirui W-2204 Carbon Fiber Waterproof Tripod. It has specific seals on the leg locks to prevent water and sand from Ruby Beach getting inside the tubes. Standard carbon fiber tripods can still get crunchy if salt water gets into the threads, which is a mess to clean. On the remote shutter, the internal intervalometer is decent but it lacks flexibility for exposures longer than 30 seconds without menu diving. A simple Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch is worth it for Bulb mode control. Check out the site The Digital Picture for detailed specs on port access for different L-brackets if youre worried about cable clearance. Its a gold mine for technical measurements.

Sharoncaporb · Answer

Grab the Kirk BL-5D4 L-Bracket for total safety! It fits like a glove and wont block ports. Also, the Leofoto LS-324C Carbon Fiber Tripod is amazing for heavy wind!

Daisy · Answer

Quick thought while I'm scrolling... if you're worried about dropping glass in the sand, skip the square filters for now. The Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters Professional Kit 77mm is a lifesaver. You just pop the adapter rings on and the filters snap into place. Super fast in the rain when your fingers are frozen. Also, snag a Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch because relying on the internal timer for every single long exposure gets old fast. For the L-bracket, the SmallRig L-Bracket for Canon 5D Mark IV 2202 is a solid budget pick that wont block the side doors. Olympic is incredible tho. Last time I was out there, I got so distracted by these giant bright yellow banana slugs that I completely missed the sunset light on the falls. My partner was fuming because I spent two hours lying in the mud for a snail photo. Nature does that to you man. Anyway, stick to the basics first and dont overthink it.