TL;DR: Use a cage. My SmallRig Cage for Sigma fp CCM2518 saved me during a fall in Osaka. Are you shooting heavy glass? You might want to consider the SmallRig Wooden Side Handle 2093C.

Its honestly pretty frustrating how Sigma ships this thing. I had high hopes for the modularity, but in reality, it just feels like youre paying full price for half a camera. When I first got mine, I tried to use it bare bones for a street session and it was a total disaster... my hands cramped up within twenty minutes. If you want something that actually feels secure without turning it into a giant rig, look at the SmallRig Handgrip for Sigma fp Series HPS2675. It adds just enough depth to get your fingers around it, unlike that tiny little nub Sigma sells for way too much money. Regarding the battery, 1200mAh is just pathetic for a modern sensor. I actually had issues with the original cells dying way faster than expected, so I switched over to using the Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery because they are cross compatible and seem way more consistent. Youll probably need at least three or four for a full day in Kyoto if you plan on taking more than a handful of shots. Also, if you have any cash left in that budget, grab the Haoge THB-FPB Metal Hot Shoe Thumb Rest. It slides into the side bracket and gives your thumb a place to lock in. It isnt a full cage, but it makes the handling way less sketchy when youre walking through crowds. Just keep in mind the screen is basically invisible in direct sunlight, which is another annoying thing you will just have to deal with.

Re: "Its honestly pretty frustrating how Sigma ships this..."

• BinaryBlaze hit the nail on the head. Its a slippery brick. I've been shooting for a long time and the first thing I do with any modular body is secure the points of failure. If youre stressed about dropping it in Kyoto, you need more than just a handle. You need a way to make sure it literally cannot hit the ground. In my experience, you should skip the kit strap and get a Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap SLL-BK-3. The anchor system is way more reliable for travel and it wont slip off your shoulder. Also, buy a SmallRig LCD Screen Protector for Sigma fp 2673. It takes two minutes to install and protects that big screen from scratches or cracks when youre moving through crowds. Dont risk your trip on a bare screen and a loose grip.

Bookmarked, thanks!

> my logic was that I could just use it as is but it is so slippery Building on the earlier suggestion, you really gotta be careful with cheap third-party mounts. In my experience, Ive seen way too many people try to save a few bucks on no-name accessories only to have a screw shear off or a mounting point fail entirely. Its a massive risk. Over the years, Ive learned the hard way that if a piece of gear feels flimsy, it probably is. I actually remember this one time when I was shooting in the Swiss Alps and I thought I would be fine using a basic wrist strap I found in a bargain bin. Long story short, the plastic clip literally disintegrated when I hit a patch of ice. I barely caught the camera before it tumbled. It really makes you rethink your whole kit when you almost see thousands of dollars disappear into a snowbank. Japan is gonna be amazing but the crowds in Kyoto can be pretty intense, so you want that camera practically fused to your hand. Anyway, just avoid the super cheap stuff from random sellers.

> my hand feels like it is gonna drop it any second honestly its ridiculous that we have to pay thousands for a camera and then spend even more just to make it stay in our hands. it drives me crazy how these big companies just expect us to buy their extra bits of plastic and metal for a premium. its such a scam. i would suggest being really careful if you try to make your own fixes because you dont want to risk a failure while youre walking around. make sure to double check every connection. i actually tried to diy a custom handle once with some epoxy and wood, and it looked so bad my friends thought i was carrying a piece of firewood... i spent way too much time in the workshop only for it to crack during a test run. i miss when things were just built to last and actually fit a human hand. kyoto is beautiful though, you should definitely check out the small ramen shops in the side alleys near the shrines, i remember getting lost there for hours last time and the food was incredible. anyway... but yeah, the whole gear market is just frustrating lately.

• Sigma HG-11 Large Hand Grip
• Sigma BP-51 Li-ion Battery These fix the 1200mAh capacity and slick ergonomics. Youll definitely need them for the Kyoto trip.

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