Best travel vlogging accessories for the new Fuji X-S20?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on the Fuji X-S20 and I am legit vibrating with excitement lol. I've got this huge trip to Kyoto coming up in exactly three weeks and I really want to document the whole thing properly. I spent like three hours last night looking at accessories but now my brain is kind of fried. I read that the SmallRig cage is basically mandatory for protection but then some people on Reddit were saying it adds way too much bulk for a travel setup and the X-S20 is already pretty comfy to hold? My logic was that I need it for mounting stuff but maybe I dont. I'm trying to stay under $400 total for all the extra bits. Here is what I am currently debating:

SmallRig cage vs just a thumb grip

DJI Mic 2 vs the cheaper Rode VideoMic GO II

A decent variable ND filter (K&F Concept maybe?)

An extra battery even though the new ones are supposedly great

I was thinking about the wireless mic setup but then I realized I might need a cold shoe bracket or something if I dont get a cage? I dont want to be fumbling with too many wires while Im trying to walk through a crowded market. Plus I still need to fit everything in my Peak Design 6L bag and space is getting tight. What are you guys actually using in the field?

BinaryVoyage · Accepted Answer

Skip the cage. It adds too much bulk for a travel setup in a 6L bag. Id go with the DJI Mic 2 Wireless Microphone System because it handles noisy markets way better than a shotgun. For video, the K&F Concept 67mm Variable ND2-ND32 Filter Nano-X is a solid, cost-effective choice. Definitely grab a spare Fujifilm NP-W235 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery because 4K video eats power fast... you wont regret it.

Sprinklerpcp · Answer

Building on the earlier suggestion, unfortunately the Rode was disappointing. Are you using the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS? A Tiffen 58mm Variable ND Filter is cheaper than KF tho.

RetroNomadX · Answer

Stumbled on this thread today and honestly, keeping it light is the way to go. I am super satisfied with my X-S20 setup and it fits perfectly in a small sling. You dont need the bulk for a Kyoto trip.

Skip the heavy cage and grab a Haoge THB-XS20 Metal Thumb Up Grip. It makes the camera way easier to hold with one hand without making it look like a tank.

For audio, I am using the Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone and it works well for travel. It is basically the size of a button and you just clip it on. No messy wires across your chest.

Check out the Urth 67mm Variable ND2-400 Filter Plus+. The glass is really solid for the price and it doesnt mess with the colors too much.

Get one extra Fujifilm NP-W235 Li-Ion Battery. Even though the X-S20 is a beast, recording video all day in Kyoto will eat through it eventually. One thing that drives me absolutely insane tho is the side ports. Why did Fuji put the mic jack right where the screen flips out?? It is the most annoying design flaw ever... trying to rotate the screen while a cable is plugged in makes me so frustrated sometimes. I am really happy with the footage I get, but man, that cable management is just a mess. Its like they didnt test it for vloggers at all.