Flash or Tripod?

[Valleyboy]

This is just a sort of for-fun thing, and I'm not looking for a cut-and-dried answer of what I should buy, but basically I'm going to be buying, in the next little while, either a tripod, or a flash (can't do both right now because of $$). I shoot a variety of things, ranging from landscape, to candids, to a bit of sports. Mostly outdoors, but a bit of indoor stuff as well. My simple question, for those of you who shoot a variety of things, is which do you consider to be more useful, tripod, or flash? Which do you find using more often, and in what situations?

kinda broad, I know, but hey, I'm bored right now :D

[Rey.dos]

flash..........

[Jon]

Mostly outdoors? A tripod will open up more options for you than a flash will if you carry it. If you try to carry as little as possible, you're more likely to take a flash than a tripod along, and the accessory you have with you is more useful than the one you left at home because carrying it was too awkward.

[RDKirk]

Tripod for me, but that's because I'd rather capture the event in natural lighting or not capture it at all. Others would rather capture the event any way they can. It's kind of a matter of whether you're after the picture as a picture of the scene, or the picture as a record of the event. One thing I learned working with a view camera--it's amazing what things will hold still when your camera is on a tripod.

Now, if/when you can become more advanced with flash and reflectors, multiple flash, et cetera, then you can replicate natural light at the higher levels of flash.

But even then, a tripod is still valuable, and IMO more valuable more often than a single flash unit--unless your primary purpose is straight event-recording.

[Mocows]

I picked up a flash a while ago, it's nice to have. I haven't gotten around to buying a tripod yet (although I did order a monopod a few days ago)

[Mystwalker]

If you are doing mostly "outdoor" (landscape?) - I would go tripod - assuming you want to carry one with you.

In term of usefulness, for me it was flash. But majority of time I shoot indoors (at home).

[scorpio_e]

Depends on what you like to shoot. Landscapes get a Tripod.. People outdoors..get a reflector..Indoors get a flash.

[ben_r_]

If youre shooting mostly outdoors I really think youd benefit more from a good tripod.

[weezerfan84]

I have a flash, because it cost me $200 for the 430ex and allowed me to sell my 24-70. I bought the 24-70L, bought the flash, and then bought the 17-40L. Now I use the 17-40L as my zoom often, because it can focus really close and I have the Sigma 50 1.4 for everything else. I also have Manfrotto legs and head, so I can't say much here.

In the end I would take a flash first, especially if you have some slow glass. I can't use f/4 indoors and anywhere I'm at most of the time I'm using a flash anyways. I can set my shutter at 200 and I don't even have to worry about camera shake. I can also get all the beautiful bokeh that my Sigma offers as well.

My legs come in handy for family events when I need to setup for a family pic and I need to set the timer. That way I can leave a space for me and all I have to do is get in that space and pose. A flash and a tripod both have their uses, but a flash is about a necessity. Many of us probably can't afford a whole slew of fast glass. I know I can't.

[RPCrowe]

A flash will not only open doors (no pun intended) for indoor photography but, will increase the quality of your outdoor portraiture (human and animal) by using fill flash.

On the other hand, a good (good = stable, yet light enough that you will carry it) tripod will increase the image quality of your outdoor shots - especially landscapes. It is amazing the quality that a photographer can attain from a mid-grade consumer lens (like the 18-55mm IS kit lens) IF you shoot stopped down to f/8 or f/11.

Either piece of gear will pay benefits. A possible compromise would be to purchase BOTH a decent new flash and a decent tripod USED.

You can get a new 430EX for $200-$250.

Actually, you can get a very usable Manfrotto 3001P or 3011 or 3021 tripod for less than $100 used.
This would give you a tripod and a flash for a good price ($300 or so) and you would have benefits of both.

[Cyclop]

I would pursue purchase of a good tripod first.

[Hangbot]

Depends on what you shoot. While I prefer natural light, sometimes you need a flash - indoor and sometimes outdoor portraiture. I'd say to get the flash first.

- then again, if you shoot landscapes, get the tripod.