Honestly, the fp is such a beast once you build it out! I took mine on a street photography trip last year and having a solid cage made it feel like a real tool instead of a slippery bar of soap. You absolutely need a full cage to start. I went with the SmallRig Cage for Sigma fp Series 2518 because it adds just enough weight to stabilize things without ruining the compact vibe. For the SSD situation, dont even bother with velcro or loose cables, that's just asking for a corrupted drive. Get the SmallRig Mount for Samsung T5 SSD 2245B. It screws directly into the cage and keeps your Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB totally locked down. I actually lost a whole afternoon of footage once because a cable jiggled loose on a cheaper mount... seriously, never again! Since the grip is bugging you, you gotta look at a top handle. It sounds overkill but it changes the balance completely for video. The SmallRig Top Handle with Cold Shoe 1638 is super cheap and feels fantastic in the hand. It basically turns the camera into a little lunchbox of power. For under 400 bucks you can grab all this and still have cash left for extra batteries. You're gonna need them because the fp eats through power like crazy when you're shooting 12-bit raw. Japan is gonna look amazing on this sensor tho!

> the ergonomics are driving me nuts. Budget is around 400 bucks. What are the absolute must-have accessories for a decent grip and maybe some ssd mounting? The ergonomics on the fp are unfortunately a total mess out of the box. I struggled with the same issue during my last trip and honestly, the camera is nearly unusable for long handheld sessions without a cage. It is disappointing that Sigma sells such a premium sensor in a body that feels so awkward in the hand. For your budget, dont waste money on the official Sigma grips. They lack the modularity you need for an SSD. I had issues with the Sigma HG-11 Large Hand Grip because it didnt provide enough leverage for larger lenses and offered zero mounting points. Instead, get the SmallRig Cage for Sigma fp and fp L CCM2518. It solves the handling issues by adding enough bulk to actually hold onto and provides the foundation for everything else. Regarding the SSD, you definitely need the Samsung T5 1TB Portable SSD. Pair it with the SmallRig Mount for Samsung T5 SSD 2245B. I tried a cheaper generic holder before but the cable kept slipping, which was not as good as expected and caused several recording errors. To fix the ergonomics further, I recommend adding the SmallRig Wooden Side Handle 2093C. Metal grips feel too clinical and cold, but the wood is much more comfortable for all-day street shooting in Japan.