For your situation, I remember my first trip with the Mini... spent too much on official gear. Honestly, the K&F Concept DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filter Set (ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64) is a steal at $40 and works well for that cinematic look!! Ngl, skip the landing pad; it's just extra weight. I just hand launch. Lesson learned: keep it light and save your cash for a fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I V30 card for your vlogs lol.

+1 to what was said earlier. ND filters are basically a MUST for that smooth cinematic vibe, but ur totally fine with a cheaper set like K&F Concept DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filter Set (ND8/ND16/ND32/ND64). Honestly, I'd skip the landing pad and grab a SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Card V30 instead. It's super reliable for 4K travel vlogs and pretty cheap right now. Safety first - gotta make sure ur footage actually saves!! anyway gl

> I’m looking for gear that balances protection with portability. What are the absolute must-have accessories you’d recommend for a new owner?

Honestly, I'm kinda new to this too, but I highkey worry about crashing or scratching the lens on my first few trips. When it comes to safety versus weight, I think it's basically a toss-up between three things.

Option A: Landing pads. People say they're extra weight, but they actually keep sand and grass out of those tiny motors. Just get any foldable one from PGYTECH, you cant go wrong.

Option B: ND filters. Besides the motion blur, they're like a screen protector for your glass. Go with K&F Concept for a decent set.

Option C: Insurance. Seriously, just get DJI Care Refresh. It's the ultimate safety net if things go sideways.

Id say prioritize the pad or insurance over the filters if youre realy worried about protection. But yeah, keeping the drone alive is better than a cinematic shot of a broken gimbal lol. peace 👍

Late to the party but I'm really satisfied with how the Mini 4 Pro handles. To give you better technical advice tho, are you planning on shooting more in high-glare environments like beaches or just general city landscapes? The lighting conditions really change whether you need specific PL filters or just standard NDs to hit that 180-degree shutter rule. If you want to save some cash while keeping things reliable, dont sleep on a good screen protector for that RC 2 controller. I've been very happy with the amFilm Screen Protector for DJI RC 2 since it doesnt mess with touch sensitivity and keeps the glass mint for cheap. Also, if you are doing travel vlogs, you'll be offloading footage constantly. Using the drone's USB port is slow and builds up heat in the unit. I've found the Kingston MobileLite Plus microSD Reader UHS-II works well for getting files off fast without spending much. It's a solid, direct way to handle your data workflow on the road.