Proud Photography Blog

After you have invested in your basic first kit, what other items are worthwhile investing in?  No doubt, the more specialized a piece of kit is, the more expensive it can be but there are always ways to find the best possible price and to seek out alternatives.

Notable pieces of equipment that you may not find to be critical to begin with but that will come in very helpful include:

1.    Tripods

If you want to take photographs with no blurring especially indoors or in low light conditions then you will need a tripod.  This helps your camera stay stable no matter what.  The more expensive brands are usually heavier and therefore more sturdy, but some are made of carbon fibre which are secure and light to carry.  They will also have premium features, such as bag hooks and arms that will hold a camera horizontally.
If buying on a budget, you need something that will offer stability at a lower price.

Look for non branded tripods, which you can buy at discount stores or regular catalogues, that have a decent amount of height so it is versatile.  You will want something that isn’t too heavy but is not too flimsy.
Tripods are usually good items to buy second hand too since many are kept in good condition .  Make sure yours has a spirit level which keeps the images level regardless of the price.

2.    Flashguns

Flashguns are far more powerful than what you already have on your camera so you will find these useful for when you need more power.  They are great for freezing action, creative light effects, as a fill in flash and more.

Branded flashguns are expensive so buy a non branded one, such as a stores own brand (as long as it is compatible with your camera).  The more fancy features it has, the more it will cost so bear this in mind.
In fact there are many third party flashguns on sale from Asia that will work with major lenses and are a fraction of the price – as long as they get the job done they are worth considering when you are on a budget.
Always consider your own budget and what you can afford - the most expensive is not necessarily the best but if there is a specific feature you want that is not available on a cheaper model then it could be worth saving up for a little longer to get it rather than regret buying the cheaper one.
If you simply must have a more expensive item then there are many companies offering 0% finance deals or buy now pay later offers.
Remember to negotiate for discounts! People sometimes think that because it is a piece of electrical equipment you can’t haggle but if you buy a few items together ask for 10% discount.  A lot of companies will agree as opposed to losing a big sale.