What are the must-have accessories for new Canon R5 owners?

Saw this earlier but just now getting back to you. I've been shooting with the R system since it launched, and yeah, the R5 is a beast but it's a hungry one. Wildlife is especially tough because you're sitting there with the EVF on or animal eye-detect hunting for focus constantly. In my experience over the years, these are the two things that changed the game for me without going totally broke:

• Invest in a Canon BG-R10 Battery Grip. It adds bulk, sure, but being able to run two batteries at once is huge. More importantly, it helps balance the camera when you've got a heavy wildlife lens attached. Its basically essential for long days in the woods.
• Card prices are brutal, but you dont always need the absolute fastest available. I've been using the Lexar Professional CFexpress Type B Gold Series 128GB for a while now and they're solid. Much better value than some of the other premium brands but they still handle the 8K or high-speed bursts without choking. If you're still struggling with power, keep an Anker 737 Power Bank PowerCore 24K in your bag. You can top off the camera via USB-C while you're driving between spots. Just make sure you're using a PD-compatible cable or it wont charge properly. Stick with it tho, the R5 is incredible once you tame the power issues...

Ngl, I went through the exact same thing when I first got my R5. It's a fantastic piece of tech but unfortunately the battery life is just not as good as expected, especially if you're out in the cold in Montana. I had issues with the camera shutting down way too early because it just sucks power. It's super frustrating when you're already over budget and feeling stuck. Honestly, you dont need to spend a fortune on those fancy Canon branded cards tho. Here is what I'd grab to keep things moving without breaking the bank:

• Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress B SE 512GB
• This is basically the only budget-friendly CFexpress card I trust. It's way cheaper than the Sony or SanDisk versions and it actually works.
• SmallRig LP-E6NH USB-C Rechargeable Camera Battery
• These are great because you can charge them directly with a phone charger in the car. Not quite as reliable as the originals, but way better than the generic junk you find on eBay.
• SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II V90
• If CFexpress is too much right now, just get a fast SD card. You wont be able to do the highest 8K video, but for wildlife photos, it works just fine. Just be careful with third-party chargers... I've seen some cheap ones get way too hot. Stick to those specific ones and you'll be fine. It gets easier once you stop seeing the low battery flash every ten minutes, trust me.

Re: "Ngl, I went through the exact same thing..."

• I actually have to respectfully disagree with jumping straight to a battery grip. They add significant weight and cost that you might not need yet while youre over budget. I would suggest a more methodical approach to save some cash:
• Consider the ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 Gold for your second slot. Unless youre doing heavy 8K video, a fast V60 SD card is much more affordable than CFexpress and handles wildlife stills just fine.
• Be careful with third-party power, but Wasabi Power Battery LP-E6NH 2-Pack can be a lifesaver for a fraction of the OEM price. They might not hit the max burst rates, but they keep you shooting.
• Make sure to enable Eco Mode and Airplane Mode in the settings. Honestly, the wireless searching drains the R5 faster than almost anything else.

Same here!

Yep, this is the way