Originally posted by mpenza
pay $950 for the camera (standard package) and a UV lens.
other things you would probably need straight away:
1. camera bag
2. additional memory, probably 128MB
optional things:
1. rechargeable batteries and charger
2. tripod
3. circular polariser
The UV filter is cheap and it protects ur lens from dust and scratches. Get it!
U'll definitely need a semi-hard pouch or camera bag to protect and hold ur DC + other stuffs....a dry box to store the DC for extended periods is a good idea too.
Forget abt that puny 8MB SM which comes with the DC, get at least a 64MB SM.....at SHQ setting, u can take abt 45 ~ 50+ shots....each file is abt 1.2MB.
Buy at least 2 sets of rechargeable batteries and a quick charger (3hrs or less charging time).....a std set of 4x1600maH allows you to take from 100 ~ 150 pix, depending on flash and LCD usage, plus the sleep mode setting.
You'll need the tripod for night/long-exposure shots......the IS won't help in these cases.
As for the cir. polarizer, u can hold it off for now, but u may want to buy it in future when u r more comfotable with ur DC.
Be prepared to spend at least a few hundred more $$$ on all these stuffs.