Another Lens or Better Flash?

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Shawn D

Member
I just got the Canon XSi and love it so far but now I am not sure if I should buy the 50mm f1.8 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002BA_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html) or if I should spend my money on a better flash. I only have $250 to spend right now as well so I could get the Speedlight 430EX II or I could get the lens and the Speedlight 220EX.

I only have the 18-55 kit lens right now and am getting the 55-250 at the end of January for my birthday.

Thanks
 
You'll eventually need both, I would start witha flash as even with the 1.8 of the 50mm a flash is sometimes needed. Also your other lenses especially the 55-250 will open only to 5.6 or maybe less when zoomed so at that focal distance and zoom you will suffer when handholding. The 50 mm only costs around 100 so you could always get it later on.
Can't help with the flash selection as I use Nikon and am not familiar with any of the two however I would say go for the stronger one (430) as it will give you more power so faster recycle times and more successive shots. I recently switched from an Sb600 to an 800 and my flash shots metering have improved a bit as the flash has more power and is more likely to light up your shot perfectly ans still have some power to the following shot...
In the end it all depends on your style of photography and which types of photography you do more. Try to check if there are other differences between the flashes as in Nikon flashes the SB 800 for instance had more opetions than the 600 to work in wireless mode and also came with a diffusor and colour gel... bottom line check the package for any difference. I'm sure other canon shooters will also chime in for more advice.
 
Don't waste your money on the 220EX, it's about as effective as the built in flash. It has very little power, can't be set manually, doesn't swivel or tilt, it would be a waste of your money.

I would go for the 430EX myself. Just like maroun.c said, the 50 f/1.8 is inexpensive enough that you wouldn't have to save up very much to pick it up later.
 
+1 on not buying a flash that does not swivel or tilt. I would also buy a diffusor if it does not come with one for softer light.
 
I personally think it depends on what you shoot. For example I have found that I shoot 99% of the time without a flash, and the times that I do need one I can make use of my popup. I actually sold my 18-200mm lens to get a better quality lens that does a better job of covering the 18-50mm that I usually shoot. So, if you can discover what you need it will be easier to make the decision, otherwise it is easy for people to tell you what they think you should use.
 
Brandon can you share what type of photography you do so that you don't use flash 99% of the time using the 18-200 which is not the fastest lens around? isyour 18-200 the VR model from nikon or another one? and what lens did you go for instead with the reasonning behind it?
I actually have the Nikon 18-200VR , 50mm 1.4 with the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and find myself shooting with flash most of the time (children, portraits, sports, wildlife, macros, aquarium fish and coral shots...) only time I turn flash on would be for landscapes.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14055067#post14055067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmwardo
I personally think it depends on what you shoot. For example I have found that I shoot 99% of the time without a flash, and the times that I do need one I can make use of my popup. I actually sold my 18-200mm lens to get a better quality lens that does a better job of covering the 18-50mm that I usually shoot. So, if you can discover what you need it will be easier to make the decision, otherwise it is easy for people to tell you what they think you should use.
Click to expand...
What that says to me is that you
A) Have never used an external flash, or
B) Have no idea how to use your external flash

Either way your missing out.
 
As stated, the 220EX is not a very good flash. It's certainly better than the built-in flash, but I really wish I'd just saved up for a 430. Of course, now I have a 580EXII, so life is good, though I'd still like to pick up a 430 for something lighter and more portable. Anyway, as stated, it really depends on what you shoot. When I first got my camera, I did a lot of outdoor nature shots, so the glass was more important. Recently, I've been doing a lot more shooting indoors, and a good flash is certainly worth its weight in gold.
 
I have decided to go with the 430exII, thanks for all the responses and sorry I didn't reply until now I was having internet problems. Thanks again
 
Changed my mind again, I realized if I got the 430ex that I wouldn't know what to do with it so I am going to read up on flash photography. In the mean time I ordered the Canon 135mm f2.8 soft focus lens, it sounds like a fun lens to me and has good reviews although I read the AF was a little loud. Anyone used this lens?
 
Well, I don't like hijacking threads but since I have been asked questions and accused of things I suppose I should respond.

maroun.c - I shoot Landscapes. I sold my Nikon 18-200 VR for the 16-85 VR which is much better optically and is better suited for use on my Nodal Ninja 3. My reasoning behind it was that I was unhappy with the optical results and in my research the 16-85 performed just as well as the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G ED (or at least close enough for my needs). Going through all of my shots I realized this lens (great between 16 and ~60mm) is all that I need at this point.

And to answer Titus: I would add at least one more option:

C) Have not found a need for an external flash in your photography.

I am not against external flashes, and I will probably eventually purchase one. I simply have never gone through my shots at this point and thought to myself: WOW, I really wish I had a flash to show off the foreground here especially when I can make a quick adjustment or two in LR if I really need, but I like to be patient and wait for the light I am given.

My post was aimed at the original poster, asking him to examine what his needs were. Similar to other areas of this forum I think people get too close minded in their ways and the "advice" given may not be directing the person asking towards a solution to suit their needs.
 
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With all due respect, I think my origional option "A" fit the bill just fine. You don't have an external flash. Because you have never experienced the benefits of one first hand, you can't see any reason to use one. I equate having an external flash to having a protein skimmer. I'm glad you get by fine without one (or think so without knowing what your missing), but you shouldn't call me closed minded for recommending a flash unit. It makes you sound like a fool.
 
Titus - I think you should read my responses over again.

Equating an external flash to using a protein skimmer is a weak observation, at least towards me, because for every marine system that I have seen a protein skimmer runs 100% of the time and gives obvious and smelly benefits as long as you are running a decent unit properly. But I have never met a Landscape (or any kind of) photographer that uses one for every shot all of the time.

I am not arguing that external flashes are useless, quite the opposite. I was, and am, arguing that as many of us don't have endless funds we should only purchase things that we need and have a use for. So in my landscape shooting I deal with vast areas that would be completely unaffected by any flash but I still wanted to bring an even exposure between the relatively dark foreground and the brilliant sunset or sunrise so I purchased a couple Singh-Ray ND filters, reverse and standard. This is an example of purchasing items that I need and will actually make a difference in my photography.

I don't know where you have gathered that I am calling you closed minded I simply was refering to my original post where I asked the poster to distinguish between what their needs were rather than essentially asking other people what they think his needs should be. And I am not necessarily even talking about people on this thread, it is just something I have noticed throughout forums and even at local camera shops. There is no reason to take it personally.

If it helps for you to place me in your box labeled "A" I guess there is no stopping you but for the timing being I will continue to put money towards items that help me shoot the kinds of landscapes that I do. You can also be sure that as soon as my wife and I have our first child that one of the first things I purchase is an external flash.

I don't know how else to get my point across on this manner, so if you wish to continue please send me a PM. Sorry to hijack this thread.

Cheers
 
I've never actually used it but it sounds like a really neat lens. Of course, with very little effort in Photoshop I could duplicate everything it does. Heck I am sure you can download all of the necessary layers premade for you somewhere, so all you have to do is import them over whatever photograph you choose. If you already have a good stock of lenses then by all means go for it. If there are any critical holes in your equipment I wouldn't recommend this lens over Photoshop though. Judging by your origional post in this thread I would guess you have lots and lots of holes in your equipment list.
 
Yes I would say I have lots of holes in my equipment list haha. So far all I have is the body and kit lens, and the 135 should be here friday, I also have photoshop for PP as thats how I got into photography first editing photos for our yearbook and now I want to take them. I will also be getting the 55-250mm for my birthday at the end of January. After that I will most likely get the external flash when I save up some money. I didn't get the 135mm just for the soft focus ability (knowing I could duplicate with PS) but because I have read that it is quite sharp when not useing soft focus and my other lenses only stop down to f4. I plan to use this lens for some nature shooting and I will probably end up shooting the school plays aswell.

Edit: The 100mm f2.8 macro is also on the list
 
I use the 100mm f2.8 macro. That lens is really really nice.

I also want to get the 430 flash. Bouncing light is so fun and gives cool effects! :)

Plus for standard things if I need better lighting I'm holding a flashlight up. Gets old after a while. :lol:
 
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