I just picked up my first Canon mirrorless body and I'm a bit overwhelmed by the transition from my old DSLR. I know I need an EF-EOS R adapter to keep using my current glass, but I'm curious about what else is truly essential.
I've noticed the battery life is quite different, so I'm looking for recommendations on spares or power banks. Also, is it worth investing in those faster UHS-II cards right away, or can I stick with my older SD cards for now? I want to make sure I am not missing anything vital that would improve the experience or protect the sensor during lens changes.
What are the top three accessories you would suggest for someone starting out with a new Canon mirrorless kit?
In my experience, moving from a DSLR to the Canon R system is a huge jump, but honestly, you're gonna feel that battery drain almost immediately. I've been shooting for over fifteen years and the biggest lesson I learned is that mirrorless cameras are basically tiny computers with screens that never turn off... well, mostly. Here is what I recommend for your new setup:
TL;DR: consensus is power and speed.
Unfortunately, standards lack 800mA output... definately go Nitecore for reliability. gl!
Stumbled upon this discussion today and oh man, I went through this exact same transition last year. Honestly, moving from my trusty DSLR to the mirrorless world was exciting but also kinda frustrating because I tried to cut corners on the budget. My biggest mistake was buying a cheap knock-off adapter. It felt loose and the autofocus was acting weird, so I eventually had to spend more to get the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. The extra dial is actually super helpful for changing ISO on the fly. Regarding the battery drain, I unfortunately had issues with those cheap generic ones everyone recommends; they literally just stopped communicating with my camera mid-shoot. I finally just stuck with the official Canon LP-E6NH Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery. It's pricey but it actually lasts and charges via USB-C which is a lifesaver. For protection and value, here is what I suggest:
Respectfully, I'd consider another approach. Fast cards arent vital, but gear safety is key. Safety first tho!!
Theo is totally right about the charging specs, its really all about that handshake between the power source and the camera. Most people dont realize that Canons internal charging circuit is super picky about specific Power Delivery (PD) profiles. If you dont have a source that supports the right voltage and amperage (usually looking for 9V at 3A for those mirrorless bodies), the camera simply wont pull a charge. I've messed around with some DIY external power setups using buck converters and dummy batteries for long timelapse work, and the voltage regulation has to be precise or the camera just errors out. I'm curious tho, are you planning on doing more long-form video or just strictly stills? Also, do you already have any high-wattage USB-C laptop chargers or power banks that support PD 3.0? Knowing your current tech stack might save you from buying stuff you dont actually need.
I get it, the battery drain is real. Watch out for cheap generic batteries cuz they can literally just DIE mid-shoot - it's super annoying. Here's what I recommend:
Honestly I'm so happy with the switch... did u find the adapter easy to use? extra batteries definitely fixed it for me!