Beginner, essential purchases??

I find carrying extra memory cards is also essential. You never know which one may malfunction when. So its better to carry extra cards, they ain't bulky to carry
 
Stop spending money. If you're a beginner... go and practice. Get used to metering, exposure, and composition. Learn about lighting. Just practice. Buying stuff will do precisely bugger all at this stage except make you disillusioned when all this money seems to be doing nothing to improve your photography.

You'll know if you need something when you need it.


All you need to learn is a camera. You already have more than you actually need.
 
Got to agree with David and the very first reply you had, you need nothing, but if you feel the need to spend then an external flash unit.
 
When I started, I pretty much delved into the world of photography and tried to learn as much about photography as a whole and the different 'disciplines'. You will find certain areas will really interest you and that you want to try your hand a them, do some research and that will probably lead you onto your next purchase. For example, if you find marco photography interesting and you want to have a try at it, then you will be looking at picking up a decent macro lens and a flash maybe. If you find you like landscape work then you might want to look into a good set of lifters, or an interest in portraits might lead you on to investing in a couple of flashes, reflectors etc.

Basically, let your interests decide what you invest in. If you buy the gear and just try to use it, you might find you don't really have the enthusiasm to.

Look at other's work as much as possible, if you like a shot make a note of it, you might find you like a lot of a certain type of shots. Try to emulate them first and look into the equipment that allows you to do this. You will eventually evolve your own style.

As everyone has already said, pick up at least one spare battery, to allow you to keep shooting, and then kit to allow you to look after what you already have e.g. cleaning kit, camera bag, UV filters for your lenses.
 
Loving some of the suggestions above but honestly, if essentials are what you're looking for, you just need a camera body, a lens, a memory card or two, a spare battery, a charger, something safe to keep your gear in & a willingness to gain new knowledge.

Once you've realised what you prefer to shoot & feel that you've mastered the basics, I'd call everything else either desirable or specialist. I've been shooting both film & digital since I was 14, I've never found anything else essential to my kit, only desirable. I don't even own a flash as I discovered I'm a lover of natural light. It's a different story for every photographer but how can you know your own without finding it first.
 
Basically, let your interests decide what you invest in. If you buy the gear and just try to use it, you might find you don't really have the enthusiasm to.

Look at other's work as much as possible, if you like a shot make a note of it, you might find you like a lot of a certain type of shots. Try to emulate them first and look into the equipment that allows you to do this. You will eventually evolve your own style.

As everyone has already said, pick up at least one spare battery, to allow you to keep shooting, and then kit to allow you to look after what you already have e.g. cleaning kit, camera bag, UV filters for your lenses.

Great advice.
 
If you watch some of the tutorials on you tube beware of the marketing men behind the video. One I saw stated that you need a £200+ tripod anything less is rubbish. Now, If you have a very expensive rig on top or if you earn your living in photography fair enough but for occasional use I have a £15 vivitar tripod that is fairly sturdy and I have the nikon equivalent of your gear. I saw another that was trying to get you to buy a super-duper light-meter,again in the hundreds of pounds bracket.

Best advice is go out and shoot things from different directions to learn how light works, experiment with different settings and try not to use Full auto unless its a shoot it or lose it situation. Most of all remember that photography should be a pleasure not an ordeal.

I am new to digital photography and am loving the freedom it gives you to rattle away unlike my 35mm days when cost came into it, the fact that you have an extra string to your bow in being able to switch iso speed too.
 
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