Essential travel accessories for a Sony a6400 user?

Question

Honestly I am so fed up with my a6400 right now and I actually considered selling the whole thing after my trip to Kyoto last week. I love the image quality but oh my god the user experience is just driving me insane when I am actually out in the field trying to take photos. The battery life is a complete joke and I missed like half the sunset at Fushimi Inari because my second battery died and I didnt have a power bank that worked with the camera for some reason. It just felt like I was constantly babysitting the battery percentage instead of looking at the shrines.

And dont even get me started on the ergonomics... my hand was literally cramping after three hours of walking around. It is so small and slippery and the kit strap is basically a torture device for my neck. I feel like I am fighting the camera more than I am actually enjoying the scenery and it is honestly making me not want to take it out of the bag. I have another trip to Rome coming up in three weeks and I really want to make this work because I cant afford to buy a whole new system right now but I need to fix these issues fast.

What are you guys actually using to make this thing usable for travel? I have about 300 bucks left in my budget to gear this thing up properly. I definitely need something to make it easier to hold for long days and a way to see the screen when it is bright out because I was basically guessing my exposure half the time. Is there a specific cage or grip that doesnt add too much weight? I want to keep it light but I need it to be functional. Right now it just feels like a toy that runs out of juice every twenty minutes. I am so frustrated because I know it takes great pictures but the process is just miserable. What are the absolute essentials I need to buy so I dont lose my mind in Italy...

xkqvkqgphl · Accepted Answer

Im honestly so happy with how my a6400 feels now. The SmallRig L-Bracket for Sony A6400 APL2331 is a total lifesaver for the grip, way better than the bulky Meike MK-A6300 Pro Battery Grip for walking around Rome. For power, the Wasabi Power NP-FW50 2-Pack and Dual Charger works perfectly and is super cheap. TL;DR: Use a SmallRig bracket for grip and Wasabi spares for battery issues.

Mashaelam5541 · Answer

^ This. Also, the thread covers grips and power well, but safety is a major factor. I have seen cheap knock-off batteries swell and ruin cameras. Stick to an Anker 533 Power Bank 30W 10000mAh for reliable USB charging between sights. Quick tips:

SmallRig Cage for Sony A6400 2310 fixes the tiny grip issue.

SmallRig LCD Sun Hood for Sony A6400 2823 is mandatory for bright days in Rome. Stay safe with those third-party chargers tho.

IvoryMystic · Answer

I saw your post earlier and totally get the frustration because Kyoto is way too beautiful to spend the whole time staring at a battery icon. Rome is going to be even more demanding on your gear. You might want to consider that the NP-FW50 batteries only have a 1020mAh capacity, which is technically very low for a 24MP sensor and 4K processing. To stay under your 300 dollar limit and solve the usability issues, I would suggest these specific items:

Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux 10000mAh Power Bank

This supports Power Delivery. Be careful though, the a6400 uses a Micro-USB port for power, so make sure you have a high-quality data cable. It wont charge as fast as a dummy battery, but it will definitely keep you from hitting zero during a sunset.

SmallRig Cage for Sony A6400 and A6100 2310

This only weighs 138g. I suggest this over an L-bracket because it gives you a much more substantial area for your hand to wrap around, which should stop the cramping.

SmallRig Sun Hood for Sony A6400 A6300 A6500 2334

Since that LCD screen is only about 900k dots and doesnt get very bright, you basically need this for outdoor visibility in Italy.

Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-AS-3

The kit strap is basically sandpaper. This one uses smooth webbing so you can slide the camera from your side to your eye instantly. It makes a huge difference for long days. Make sure to test the power bank connection before you leave. Some cables are charge-only and wont actually provide enough juice to keep the camera running while the shutter is active.