Building a system

After a while, once you have chosen your starter camera, you may want to add lenses and accessories. Depending on your needs, a wider lens and a longer lens can be used to expand your photography. This doesn't have to be rushed and if you started with a kit lens or superzoom, you'll be all set for a long time. There are a few lenses for some systems that aren't available in others but these are usually specialist lenses and very expensive, for example an Ultra Violet (UV) lens.

Many people go for a telephoto zoom or a wide angle zoom. On a personal note, I stay with the makers lenses as third party ones just don't last as long. In general, go longer for wildlife or sports, wider for landscapes or interiors.

Tripods are a tricky choice and just one doesn't fit all purposes. A fairly heavy one from a well known brand would be a good start unless you do a lot of walking, then look at carbon fibre ones. Others, such as table tripods have their uses and suit very lightweight compact cameras.

Camera bags are a similar problem and you may eventually end up with several depending on what you are photographing. My main bag is now a backpack style as I prefer to share the weight over two shoulders instead of one. It's impossible to suggest just one bag in this blog but don't buy the biggest because once they are full of photo gear, they're too heavy to lift. A plain one is less conspicuous to thieves.