Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

I know this will come as no surprise to the seasoned veterans on this website but I would like to have a conversation about the real cost of a DSLR. So many times someone says “I want to spend a thousand dollars, Pounds, or Euros on a camera” and we all gleefully jump in with our recommendations, not accounting for the hidden cost. I think new buyers should be educated about these costs and to that end I’ve made a short list and I invite others to add to it. I think its good advice to set aside two or three hundred for support gear. I’ve probably missed a few things but I’m sure you guys will help me out.

ESSENTIAL GEAR

SD CARD. You'll need to buy an SD card (two is better) and in the case of my 5D III, an additional CF card.
EXTRA BATTERY. Perhaps not absolutely required but my guess is most Hogs would count this little bit of equipment essential.
CAMERA BAG. Again, not absolutely essential but to have any hope of keeping your gear organized and in workable condition you will need a bag. You can improvise but a good sturdy bag is important.
UV FILTER. I don’t like UV filters most of the time but they are useful sometimes and many here would recommend them.

NOT ESSENTIAL (but put it high on your list). The really good stuff in this category is pricey but you can find serviceable product quite reasonably.

TRIPOD. A good tripod is worth its weight in gold. Even a mediocre one is a huge asset. Don’t skimp on this one! You don’t have to spend a fortune but get the best one you can.
MONOPOD. This is a nice tool. Buy one that’s good and solid.
TRIPOD HEAD. Get something that works smoothly
FLASH. Sometimes you need to light it up.

OPTIONAL

EXTEDED WARRANTIES. Some people like them some don’t.
INSURANCE. I personally encourage people to get coverage for camera gear, especially as you obtain more gear.

MISCELLANEOUS

Cleaning cloths, cleaning compound, shutter release, wireless controller.

Mormorazzi Loc: Temple, Texas

If You Give a Hog a DSLR ... or a house, or a car or a sailboat, or a sewing machine .... In the words of the late, great Gilda Radner, "It's always SOMETHING!"

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Add the following to the list:
flash,
polarizer filter,
extra lenses over the years,
upgrading or buying newer camera after a few years,
printer,
paper for printing,
ink for the printer,
scanner,
desk to keep all the stuff in and/or on,
and last but not least chair for the desk.
And if you don't have one, a computer for PP.
PP software.
Gilda was absolutely right. And one finds there is no such thing as nonessential.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I think the cleaning accessories are quite essential. Unless you never use the camera, it will get dusty and dirty at some point. A dusty lens isn't something you want to shoot through. I'd even rank the cleaning stuff above additional batteries concerning essential.

I would also include the lens hood as essential or semi-essential. Especially for photographers that do frequent outdoor shooting.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Photography is a little like Golf..."Not cheap to get into, but very cheap to "Play"! What is really nice, if you give Tiger Woods Walmart clubs, he is "Still Tiger Woods". And the same is true of a "Good Photographer". The really only down side of that is: Once you become a "Good Photographer"..you realize what a "Great Photographer" really is!! Thanks, Boone

cindij Loc: New Lowell, Ontario, Canada

Like any sport or hobby there will be costs. If you plan correctly you will find that you will be able to over time obtain all the equipment you will need to enjoy your craft. For me I quit smoking and saved up this money every year and purchased my equipment. In Canada that was a pack a day at $7.00 dollars a day which is a substantial amount over the year. And the good thing is that my camera won't cause cancer.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hey rook2c4, I agree completely. I should have ranked the cleaning supplies higher though they are comparatively inexpensive. And while I always use my lens hood Its not normally an additional purchase. Thanks for your input.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

There are a lot of hidden costs to even upgrading your DSLR. You have the memory card, spare battery, and spare charger. Then there are things like a new grip, remote triggers (Canon has two basic types of connectors), screen (LCD) protectors, and if you are an Adobe PhotoShop user- you may need to upgrade to the lastest version for RAW support.

riverlass Loc: northern California

And you forgot all the expensive lenses that we just can't live without.
This is not an inexpensive hobby... but I love it.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This was covered in a short story " Mountain Goat Don't Say Cheese" by Patrick McMannis
It is about his venture into wildlife photography at one point he tells how you can buy a Kodak and film from the drugstore for $49.95
and the rest of the needed items for about the same price as an elephant that can tap dance.
So far I just bought an elephant.

riverlass Loc: northern California

Tap dancing lessons will be expensive too.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes - but I cant find a dance studio that will take her much less her shoes.

riverlass Loc: northern California

For a price, you can find anything these days. Ha!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I've been waiting a long time for this subject to come up, so here's my rant. Pet peeve: Comments that it's FREE to shoot extra shots with a DSLR. Compared to film, cheaper but NOT FREE! Factor in little things like high initial cost, proprietary accessories that will fit only your camera, obsolescence, depreciation, etc. What's the worth of "good condition, 99,000 clicks" versus "like new, only 300 shutter actuations"? I figure, based on the above, it costs me about 1/2 a cent per shot. No big deal other than those who would have me shoot 40 shots of my toes to get my settings right. Now that's the same cost as a couple of film shots. Add in bracketing shots and high frames per second continuous shooting trying to catch "the perfect moment".... SO DON'T TELL ME IT'S FREE!!!!

I suggest the best way to control costs is to go with the $5 plastic disposable 35mm cameras that have a FIXED COST, no guessing. But you might want to add a little tripod, and maybe a couple of reflectors and sun shades, and backdrops, a few studio lights,....... Oh, never mind.

riverlass Loc: northern California

Oddjobber...Who said any of this was free? Are you on the same topic as the rest of us?