Honestly, you gotta be careful with the basic sets. I was pretty disappointed with the DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filter Set ND16/64/256 because it just doesnt have the range for long exposures on those bright Icelandic glaciers. Unfortunately, the DJI ones feel a bit limited for serious technical work. You really need the Freewell DJI Mini 4 Pro Bright Day 6-Pack ND/PL Filters because the optics are way more consistent across the frame and the polarization helps with water reflections. Regarding the case, I actually had issues with the Lykus Titan MA210 Hard Case being way too bulky for carry-on. Just wrap the drone in a shirt and save that money for a Anker 735 Charger GaNPrime 65W instead.

• prioritize the Freewell filters for the 180 degree shutter rule
• grab a fast card like the Samsung PRO Plus 256GB microSDXC
• skip the landing pad, just hand launch... It sucks having a tight budget but focus on the image quality first. Im here if you need more spec details on the glass coatings.

To add to the point above: you should prioritize your storage and basic protection to stay within that 140 budget. I'm very satisfied with how these simple additions have held up during my own travels. You don't necessarily need a bulky hard case if you pack smart and use the right accessories to keep things tight. Here are my top suggestions for a methodical setup:

• Invest in a Samsung PRO Plus 256GB microSDXC V30 to ensure you dont lose footage from a slow card.
• Get the DJI Mini 4 Pro Propeller Holder to safeguard the gimbal and blades when the drone is tucked inside your soft bag.
• Grab a STARTRC Mini 4 Pro Lens Hood to help with glare and add a bit of physical protection for the lens glass. Everything works well together and i've had no complaints using this kit. It's affordable and honestly very effective for a beginner.

Just sat down and looked at your budget again. For Iceland, you definitely need to prioritize your glass because the dynamic range near those glaciers is insane. Id say just go with Freewell Filters, you cant go wrong there. Their optical quality is super consistent and you wont deal with that weird color casting you see on the cheaper stuff. Regarding the protection, if youre tight on cash, just get any STARTRC Case as a solid middle ground. They offer enough structural rigidity to survive a carry-on squeeze. Also, dont forget a fast SanDisk MicroSD Card. You need that high write speed for the 4K bitrates or youre gonna get frame drops. For power, just find any Anker Charger that supports high wattage delivery. It makes a huge difference in turnaround time between locations. Youve got this, just focus on the light...

Honestly its such a scam how much these brands expect us to shell out just to get a functional setup. You spend a grand on a drone and then they basically nickel and dime you for every little necessity like its some kind of luxury tax. It drives me crazy how much the price of glass and basic plastic housings has shot up lately despite the manufacturing costs being pennies.

• DJI pricing their official glass at a premium when the technical tolerances and optical clarity are barely better than mid-range sets.
• Third-party brands hiking prices just because they know we are desperate to protect our gear for trips.
• The fact that a decent impact-resistant case costs nearly as much as a high-capacity intelligent flight battery. Its just a massive headache trying to budget for a trip when you realize you are basically being extorted for basic gear. @Reply #4 - good point about the stress of the budget, it honestly makes the whole hobby feel like a money pit sometimes. The way these companies leverage our anxiety about gear safety just to pad their margins is exhausting. Tbh it just takes the fun out of it.

Re: "To add to the point above: you should..." prioritize that storage for sure. Ive seen so many people skimp on the basics then regret it when their card fails mid-glacier. In my experience, everyone here is right about the filters being a must for those waterfalls, but you dont need to spend a fortune. Just get any filter set from PGYTECH and youll be fine. Theyre super reliable and usually cheaper than the high-end stuff. For the case, if youre worried about the carry-on squeeze, just grab a generic hard shell from Smatree. I've tried many over the years and they keep everything safe without the premium price tag. Honestly, just skip the landing pad and use your hand or the drone box... save that cash for a decent wall charger from UGREEN so you arent waiting hours for batteries to top up. Iceland is gonna be incredible, just dont let the gear stress ruin the vibe.