What are the absolute must-have things I need to buy for my new Canon mirrorless camera before I go to my sisters wedding in San Diego in two weeks? Sorry if this is a really stupid question but I literally just opened the box for my Canon R50 and I feel like a total idiot because I didnt realize it doesnt even come with a memory card so I cant even take a single picture yet. I have like $300 left in my budget for everything else and I am super stressed that I'm gonna run out of battery or space or something right when shes walking down the aisle and I have no idea where to even start looking.
I see all these kits online with tripods and cleaning stuff and extra lenses but I dont know what's actually important and what's just junk. Like do I need a screen protector? Is that a thing for cameras? I am also worried about carrying it around all day because the strap that came in the box feels kinda cheap and itchy on my neck. I really want to get some good shots of the ceremony on the beach but I'm scared the sand or the sun might mess things up if I dont have the right gear.
Here is what I think I might need but please tell me if I'm wrong:
If there is anything else that is like a life saver for a beginner please let me know. I'm literally staring at the camera right now feeling so overwhelmed because I want these photos to look professional but I dont even know how to turn the flash on yet. Is there a specific brand of cards that works best with Canon or does it not matter? I really dont want to waste my last $300 on stuff I wont use but I also dont want to be unprepared for the big day...
Re: "Like someone mentioned, those generic kits are basically trash."
Like someone mentioned, those generic kits are basically trash. I've tried many setups over the years and simple is better for weddings. In my experience, the Samsung PRO Plus 128GB SDXC V30 is fast enough for the R50 and way cheaper than pro cards.
First off, skip the generic kits because they usually pack low-grade filters and flimsy tripods you wont ever use. The R50 is a solid little body but it pulls a lot of juice from those small LP-E17 cells, especially if you're using the electronic viewfinder or tracking focus during a ceremony. Ive seen third-party batteries trigger non-genuine warnings on Canon bodies, so sticking to OEM is the safer bet for a wedding. Here are the specific technical requirements I'd prioritize within that $300 budget: