The Basics
The Basics
As a cinematographer, you don't need to own lights or a dolly. Those are gripping and gaffing gear. You have to know what to do with them when they are on set, but forget trying to own them. A lot of DPs I have worked with usually end up renting cameras as well.
My best suggestion to you would be to buy an 8mm camera. You can find them cheap on ebay. Don't worry about getting one that has sound either, you don't need it. So you get your 8mm camera, buy some cheap film, then go to your local library and check out every book you can find on cinematography. Read the books, learn the techniques and then go out and practice what you've learned. You will soon find yourself learning how to compose shots, shoot for the emotion, and capture the essence of the story. Everything I learned about a shooting I learned with my grandfather's 8mm camera.
You might also want to find a local filmmaking group in your area and hook up with other filmmakers. Volunteer to work on the camera crews of films being shot in your area. You will learn tons just by watching other filmmakers work.
Rob