which one first?

[rojo]

wich one is most important (iyho), a spot meter or a flash? meaning wich one should be purchased first. i have a 300d and soon to have 20d. the flashes that i am looking at our 420ez or the 550 ex. also should i hold out for the 580ex to go along with the 20d? i was once told you can't take photo's without a flash, even in daylight. still not sure if i believe this statement. i know alot of the answers revolve around what type of photography i do. personel i like to shoot macro, portraits and sunset's. business is alot of landscape wide angle nite photography. any help,advice, opinions or sarcasm is not only welcome but expected, thanks.

[robertwgross]

wich one is most important (iyho), a spot meter or a flash? meaning wich one should be purchased first. i have a 300d and soon to have 20d. the flashes that i am looking at our 420ez or the 550 ex. also should i hold out for the 580ex to go along with the 20d? i was once told you can't take photo's without a flash, even in daylight. still not sure if i believe this statement. i know alot of the answers revolve around what type of photography i do. personel i like to shoot macro, portraits and sunset's. business is alot of landscape wide angle nite photography. any help,advice, opinions or sarcasm is not only welcome but expected, thanks.

First of all, if you are using a 300D camera, then any -EZ flash unit is NOT what you want, because it does not do ETTL. So, look at 580EX, 550EX, or 420EX.

Maybe somebody told you to never take photos without a flash, even in daylight, but I wouldn't put much stock in that. Some fill flash will improve a lot of daylight photos, but then, sometimes it does make any difference. Landscapes, for example, seldom need any fill flash.
---Bob Gross---

[billsh]

Personally, I have never owned a spot meter but use my flashes regularly. I can get by using the camera to spot meter when I need it, but have no alternative to a flash. It sounds like the flash would allow you to broaden your horizons in what and how you shoot.

Just my 2 cents worth. What does your gut feeling say?

[tofuboy]

I'll put a vote in for flash before meter. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on you using a flash without a spot meter more than a spot meter without a flash.