If you haven't figured it out already, photography can be an expensive undertaking. Really expensive.
By the time you buy a camera and a couple of lenses, a good tripod and a set of lens filters, a camera strap and a camera bag, you could easily surpass $1,000. Heck, you could easily surpass $5,000 for all that gear!
However, if you go about it the right way and look for a good balance of quality and price, you can find great photography gear without needing to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for it.
Here are a few of my recommendations for getting started in photography on a budget.
Editor's Note: Each of the products or services I recommend below are products or services that I have personally used, and my recommendations are based upon my positive experiences using each one.
HiiGuy Camera Strap
One of the most underrated pieces of photography gear is the camera strap.
Why? Well, I think the reason is twofold.
First, cameras come with a camera strap already, so most people just use it instead of looking for a new one.
Second, I don't think people realize just how bad factory camera straps really are.
Replacing a strap can cost hundreds of dollars, though, so you need to look for a strap that offers better comfort, functionality, and durability while maintaining a low price.
That's where the HiiGuy Camera Strap comes in...
This strap has a nice large pad that helps distribute the weight of your camera onto a larger surface area on your shoulder.
The strap is highly adjustable, giving you the ability to customize how high or low you carry your camera in relation to your body.
Better still, the strap comes with a three-year warranty, so if something goes awry, you can rest assured that your purchase is guaranteed.
But the best part of the HiiGuy Camera Strap is its value.
At less than $20, it's hard to beat the price of this strap.
That's especially considering that it comes with a host of goodies, including a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, a safety tether to ensure the security of your camera, and an eBook of photography tips to help you take better photos.
Now that's how to get started in photography on a budget!
Click here for more information about the HiiGuy Camera Strap
Sirui A-1005 Tripod With Y-10 Ball Head
Another highly underrated piece of photography gear that you need in your camera bag is a solid tripod.
A tripod isn't just for stabilizing your camera...
Instead, using a tripod can actually help you compose more impressive photos.
Think about it - not only does a tripod stabilize your camera and keep camera shake at bay, but if you invest in a good tripod that has tons of functionality, you can frame up interesting low-angle shots that have more visual appeal.
A great beginner tripod is the Sirui A-1005 shown above and below.
At less than $140, this tripod might seem expensive, but when you consider the value that a good tripod brings to the table, it more than pays for itself over the years.
That's especially true of this tripod, because not only is it a tripod, but it's also a monopod.
It also supports up to 22 pounds of gear, so even if you don't have a bunch of big, fancy equipment, this tripod can grow with you over the years as you add more gear to your collection.
What's more, shooting with a tripod helps you slow things down a little bit and pay attention to the details that make photos so great.
That is, rather than rushing your shots, you can take a moment to visualize the scene while you set up your tripod and figure out the direction you'd like to take your images.
Just taking that extra 10-15 seconds to really think about your composition can make all the difference in the quality of your photos!
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Pre-Owned Camera from MPB
New cameras can cost thousands of dollars, and if you're a beginner photographer, you might not want to spend that kind of money.
Fortunately, there's services like MPB that have thousands of pre-owned cameras for sale, which means you can get a great camera for a great price.
The advantage of buying a pre-owned camera from MPB is that each item is thoroughly checked and graded, so you know when you look at the listing page exactly what you're getting and the condition that the item is in.
That includes "like new" cameras that might have a few thousand shutter clicks, but are otherwise indistinguishable from a brand new camera (apart from the price!).
For example, you can get a Sony Alpha a6000 - a camera that costs about $550 brand new - for about $350 from MPB.
As another example, you can get a Canon EOS Rebel T6i - one of the best beginner cameras on the market - starting at $454 from MPB, compared to a $599 price tag brand new.
In other words, you don't have to spend all your money on just a new camera.
Instead, if you shop smart and find great deals on used cameras, you'll have plenty of money left over to upgrade your tripod and camera strap, too!