Is a flash the next most necessary gift?

[gardenboss]

I've come here for gift advice before and need you all again.

As we are trying to outfit our daughter with good equipment, a piece at a time, we have to go with her XTi, the Sigma 17-70 and the Canon 70-200L. While we are not quite ready to upgrade her camera to a professional one, we are hoping to purchase accessories that will transfer (I know the Sigma won't but it will be *a while* before we get to a 5D or better).

She has the above lenses, a tripod, studio lights and backdrops and the battery extender attachment thing.

Would you think the next accessory should be the 580exII? Should we get the gizmos like cords, remotes, etc (please describe)? If not a flash, what would you like to have next?

Thanks for the help!

[freebird]

Flash would be a very nice choice. Its seems like she has some very nice gear and I would assume learning alot. I might suggest just talking to her about where she is in her photography right now and does she think her gear is sufficient and if not what she might add to it. I know its a gift but you can get some hints from her Im sure by just talking about how its going.

Chuck

[rebelgeek]

Well the XTi is a professional body, thank you! The 580exII is my choice. Much more portable than backdrop and studio lights. I have both backdrops and studio lights, but I get a lot more use from my 580exII :)

[Curtis N]

Six reasons to own a good flash unit (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207470)

[Andrushka]

yeah, your daughter has some great gear - definitely sufficient to produce excellent images, the flash would definitely be a great addition to her kit and enable her to do a lot more with what she has, then say another lens or different body. Go with a flash! Trust me, very few people would ever complain about receiving a 580ex II for a gift!

[foty89]

I'd go with the flash too. For future reference though, depending on what she is interested in shooting, she will need more and better glass before a new body. Good glass is very, very important. Also, you don't necessarily need to skip past the prosumer line, right now the 40D to do professional work, plenty use that level camera for professional work.

[steved110]

If I didn't already have one, i'd be delighted to receive a 580 flash unit as a gift!

[In2Photos]

If I didn't already have one, i'd be delighted to receive a 580 flash unit as a gift!
And even if I had one, a second would still make a great gift! ;)

My flash practically lives on my camera. It has dramtically improved my photos, IMO.

[stathunter]

Any pictures of the daughter? :)