> so i just got this sigma fp ... honestly its way smaller than i thought it would be Oh man, you are going to love the image quality once you get it dialed in! I remember my first trip with it; I was so worried about the soap bar feel too. Like someone mentioned, you definitely need a grip, but for a trip where you are walking all day, safety and stability are everything! I actually found that adding the Sigma LVF-11 LCD Viewfinder completely changed the game for me. It is a fantastic piece of gear because it provides a third point of contact against your face, which makes the whole setup feel incredibly stable and secure. No more shaky hands or worrying about dropping it while squinting at the screen in that bright Tokyo sun! Another thing... since you mentioned being a beginner, dont overlook power. The fp is thirsty! I highly recommend grabbing at least two extra Sigma BP-51 Li-ion Battery packs. There is nothing worse than being at Shibuya Crossing and seeing that red battery icon blinking at you. To keep the body protected without a full bulky cage, I personally love the SmallRig 2671 Base Plate for Sigma fp. It adds just enough height for your pinky to rest on comfortably without making the camera feel like a giant brick. It makes the tripod mount much more reliable and robust too. This combo keeps you right around that 300 dollar budget while making the camera feel professional and safe. Honestly, that viewfinder is basically essential for video work outdoors anyway!

The fp ergonomics are basically nonexistent without a grip. You should compare the SmallRig Cage for Sigma fp Series 2518 and the Sigma HG-11 Large Handgrip for fp.

• SmallRig: Offers protection and 1/4 inch threads. Weight is 215g.
• Sigma HG-11: Slimmer, lighter, better for street photography. The cage is better for video stability. The Sigma LVF-11 LCD Viewfinder is also essential if youre shooting in bright daylight in Tokyo.

Glad you picked up the fp! It is a beast of a sensor in a tiny body. Before you spend that 300 bucks on a cage, what kind of lenses are you planning to take to Tokyo? If you are using bigger glass, the balance is gonna be way off without a specific setup. Since you mentioned being worried about dropping it, I would suggest getting a really secure strap system first. Tokyo is crowded and people will bump into you. The Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-BK-3 is super reliable and lets you disconnect the camera quickly when you want to pack it away. I would also be careful with that rear screen. It is beautiful but it is a fingerprint and scratch magnet. Grab something like the Expert Shield Glass Screen Protector for Sigma fp to keep it safe. If you find the cage too bulky for travel, maybe look into the SmallRig Top Handle 1638 to give you a better point of contact for low-angle video shots. Make sure to watch out for the battery life too... the fp eats power for breakfast. I would suggest sticking with the official Sigma BP-51 Li-Ion Battery instead of cheap knockoffs because some third-party ones can be unreliable or swell up in the heat. It is worth the extra few dollars for the peace of mind while you are on your trip.

Same boat, watching this

I think you'll be satisfied with a screen loupe. Works well for visibility. Not sure, but try:

• three 1200mAh batteries
• v30 rated cards The cost stays way under budget tho.

^ This. Also, comparing the 8Sinn Cage for Sigma fp to the cheaper alternatives is smart. The 8Sinn is more streamlined and follows the camera body contours closely. It makes the fp feel less like a box and more like a tool. Honestly, the build quality is significantly higher than the budget rigs. For memory, the ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 Gold 256GB is a safer bet than standard V30 cards for video. You dont want write errors while youre in the middle of a trip. The extra speed is worth the peace of mind for high bitrate recording. TL;DR: 8Sinn cage for better handling and ProGrade V60 cards for reliable data storage.

No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.