Proud Photography Blog

In these tough economical times, who would think of starting up a hobby like photography?  It must be expensive right, owning all that kit, the cameras, the lights, the computers etc.  If you are serious about taking up photography or you want to take it up more seriously then there’s always ways to find some bargains.

What will you need?

Every photographer is different and as you start to specialise, you will buy specific equipment depending on the genre you like.  But to begin with there are some things which are important to own or at least be able to get your hands on.

1.    Camera Body

You need a SLR camera body in order to take photographs.  There are plenty of entry level SLRs for a few hundred dollars which will usually come with a lens.  Good brands to look out for include Canon and Nikon because you need to consider compatibility as your kit grows.

Entry level bodies tend to be light and easy to carry around – it’s a great idea to go into a store to feel it, see if the LCD screen is big enough, are the buttons easy to press and so on – then look online for the best deals.  You can also search sites like eBay (always pay with PayPal or a credit card so your money is protected) or second hand stores although digital technology, it does help to have recent gear.

It is worth noting that there are some cameras which look like SLRs but do not have detachable lenses (in a bid to be somewhere between an SLR and a Compact) – do NOT buy one of these.  You need the flexibility to be able to change the lenses around.

2.    Camera Lens

Camera lenses are essential but there are so many to choose from!  Once again, what you later find your specialization is may affect which lenses you buy but as a beginner, look for a basic lens bundled in a kit for a good price.

Lenses are also on sale at second hand camera stores and auction sites but it always pays to check the quality of the product in person.  Look out for scratches and any marks in the glass as these will cause long term problems.

Online prices are usually better than high street so check the web for the best prices.  If you can only get one lens, look for a standard zoom.  These can vary widely, but something between 28mm-135mm (can also be anything in-between) is a standard zoom.  This will offer you some flexibility for a wide range of subjects.

3.    Memory Cards

With digital cards you need memory.  Search eBay for the best prices and also stores like Amazon.  Buy a number of small cards rather than one big card (i.e., two 1GB as opposed to one 8GB) as cards corrupt easily

4.    Bag

You will need a padded bag to carry your equipment.  Check out the internet again for best prices – it’s worth buying a genuine camera bag because it will have sections that are thickly padded.  Bags are a great thing to find second hand – people often upgrade as their kit grows so you can snap up a bargain.

5.    Computer

You will need a computer to download and view your images.  Obviously this is an expensive piece of equipment – buy yours second hand or look out for the various computer deals that are being offered by big companies like Dell.  Local libraries usually have a public computer you can use (although you may need to ask for permission to download your images).