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- John 'Jack'
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Ok, I have my camera and 2 lenses - 18-55mm and 50-200mm - , maybe not the best glass but certainly good enough for starting out. I've also got a small camera bag that takes a DSLR with lens, and my spare lens is wrapped up in lots of bubble wrap and kept in a plastic bag (both are carried in a waterproof backpack (not a camera specific bag) when I'm out and about. As yet I've not discovered what I am more drawn to in terms of shooting, so I'm not thinking about specific lenses for now. I'll run with the ones I have until i discover my muse.
What should I be looking to add to this to give me a good basic kit to be going on with? I'm not thinking about waterproof clothing etc, I'm ok on that front, besides my skin is waterproof! lol I'm thinking along the lines of a tripod, a proper camera rucksack (that must have room for light waterproofs, pieces and juice!) , remote shutter release, filters etc. Or should I just carry on with what I have for now?
Are there miscellaneous items I should maybe keep in my bag that a novice wouldn't think of but could maybe utilise from time to time?
Also, I'm quite happy to 'bodge' things if it saves a bit of cash and still gets results, I reckon there will be something pleasing about getting a 'result' this way. For example, shower cap for waterproofing, that kinda thing. Could I use different coloured sheer stockings as a sort of filter? Or would that blur the image too much?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.
The pieces and bits of miscellaneous items...
Spare batteries. Buy yourself one more for now, then expand to extras if needed, when you have the budget or found out what your muse is. For example: If you do landscape photography, one spare battery in addition to the one that came with the camera is good enough, beside, you can always charge up one battery at a pub when you're having lunch. But photojournalist, well I don't know, I 'm guessing could carry half a dozen of spare batteries, because in the middle of a war torn town, during the heat of a battle, their cameras could be on maximum power, full shooting speed, drains the batteries quicker, and they can't afford to miss headlines by going back to the hotel to recharge the only battery they got. Would be a good idea if in addition to the battery that came with the camera, you try for two spares.
Cleaning kit. Usually lens cloth, blower brush, stuff like that.
Spare caps. Spare front lens caps if needed (assuming you have a habit of losing your lens caps). Spare rear lens cap in addition to the one already put on the rear of lens you're not using. You may also want to carry your camera's body cap, because sometimes you would take the lens off to clear the rear of the lens, but don't want your camera without another lens or a body cap on, and a big hole there, letting in some dust or flies.
Filters. Yes, while it is supposed to help with exposure, for example ND filters to help with adjusting exposures, it can doubles as starch proof for the front of your lens. Usually a skylight filter on front of your lenses, plus a spare in the bag, in case the current filter on the lens gets damaged, then replace it with the spare.
The rest can wait as you expand. Remote shutter release for example, can wait, because for now you could make do with the camera's self-timer.