Equipment
The gear you use can be expensive and you maybe tempted to reach out and look for the cheap items.
Word of warning, IT WILL END UP COSTING YOU MORE in the long run.
I made a few mistakes in the beginning. It started with spare batteries, cheap knock offs from ebay.
I got a pack of two with a charger at about 1/3 of the cost of just 1 battery bargain right!
I also purchased a camera bag from 'Ali-Express', looked similar to one of the more expensive ones (same colour scheme) just without the brand and, at about a sixth of the cost! another bargain!
The batteries worked reasonable well for about 2 months, then they were cactus and would not hold a charge.
I then purchased the genuine Nikon battery for about $75. Later saved up and bought another and all are still going strong 2+ years later.
The camera bag, although it looked the part, felt cheap and the zips would 'pop' open and all my gear would fall out.
The padding was substandard as well.
I ended up purchasing a good brand name bag and 5 years later it is still rock solid.
Cost about $160 and is worth every penny.
Cheap bag ( above)
Better bag (above)
Similar results with tripods. Too flimsy once the legs are extended and camera connected to the top is no good for long exposures. The slightest bump, even a breeze will blur you photos.
If you are ever taking long exposures (with shutter release) and the photos come out blurry after you know the focus was good, look at your tripod!
Quality is the key usually however, I purchased cheap knock off shutter release off E-bay 10 years ago and they are still going strong. The wireless remotes are a bit hit and miss but the cabled ones are fine.
Save up for:
* Good Camera Bag
* Good Solid Tripod (ball head mounts are great)
* Spare Quality Batteries
* Head Lamp torch (with white and red light)
* Shutter Release