Just catching up on this thread and honestly, Japan is gonna be a dream for content. Quick question tho before I give you my full list... are you planning on doing more run-and-gun street vlogging or are you aiming for those slow, cinematic landscape shots? The reason I ask is because the 17 Pro has that massive sensor array, and you really have to be careful about vignetting when you stack ND filters. For storage, since someone already mentioned the T7, I would suggest looking at the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB V2. Its basically the industry standard for ProRes workflow because it maintains high write speeds under load without throttling. For the optics, the Moment MagSafe Filter Mount 67mm is great for using standard filters. If you are worried about the gimbal blocking lenses, the Insta360 Flow AI Tracking Gimbal is super compact and usually plays nice with larger phone cases. Let me know your style so I can give better specs!

Stick with the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD for storage. Its super rugged and reliable, so you wont have to worry about losing your vacation videos.

Ngl, I've seen people buy the fanciest stuff only for it to fail because of thermal issues or bad cable connections. Japan involves a ton of walking, and if your setup is finicky, you're gonna hate it by day three. Over the years I've realized that reliability beats raw specs every time. I have a few thoughts on the technical side, but I need to narrow it down first:

• Whats your plan for power management? Filming ProRes drains the 17 Pro fast, so are you thinking about a rig with a built-in battery or just a standard power bank?
• Are you more worried about the physical weight of the gimbal or do you need specific AI tracking features for solo filming? Basically, I want to make sure the gear actually survives the trip without overheating or breaking. It really comes down to how much weight you're willing to lug around through the subways...

Unfortunately, many of the current recommendations are just overpriced for what they offer. While people love the T7, youre basically paying for the brand name at this point. I've found the Lexar SL500 2TB Portable SSD to be much more efficient for a Japan trip. It's tiny, fits in a pocket, and handles the sustained write speeds for 4K ProRes without the thermal throttling I've seen on more expensive units. Its a bit disappointing that the industry is still pushing bulky external drives for mobile setups. Regarding gimbals, its frustrating that most manufacturers havent updated their arm designs for the 17 Pro weight distribution. The smaller ones usually vibrate when you hit the limit of the motors. Honestly, unless you really need the AI tracking features, the Insta360 Flow Pro is probably the only one that doesnt feel like a chore to carry, tho the build quality is not as good as expected compared to older professional models. For filters, I'd skip the generic MagSafe kits. They usually have terrible color shift which is a pain to fix in post. Unfortunately, the magnetic attachment on some of these isnt strong enough for active street vlogging. If you must go magnetic, the NiSi MagSafe Filter Kit is okay, but its pricey. Honestly, using a mount with a K&F Concept 67mm Variable ND Filter ND2-ND32 is significantly more budget-friendly and gives you better optical clarity. Just dont stack too many or youll get that nasty X-pattern on the ultra-wide lens.