Need portrait lenses and flash help!

[paigewich]

I've been doing weddings and portraits for awhile now but I've never used flashes. Even the flash on my 40D, I've never really used.

Well, I'd really like to get some advice on buying a good, probably cheap, flash. Around $50-$200. I would use it for portraits, weddings. I don't know really anything about flashes, so it would really help if you could suggest some.

The same with lenses. I have a 50mm 1.8m and 28-80mm. I'd really like to buy a 85mm but not sure what to buy. Or another good portrait lens.

That would be great, thanks!

[egordon99]

How have you been able to shoot weddings without ANY flash? I would really like to know!

:lol:

If your budget maxes out at $200, see if you can find a used Canon 430. But since you seem to be making money off of this, it would benefit you to spend the extra money on the 580EXII.

[paigewich]

I just have never used it. I haven't used any either while doing the senior portraits.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pgphotographs/

That's my flickr, if you'd like to take a look.

Well I can spend over $200. I just am trying not to. If I can find a good flash that's worth it, I'll spend over $200.

[tkbslc]

Well I can spend over $200. I just am trying not to. If I can find a good flash that's worth it, I'll spend over $200.

An average flash is around $200 - the 430EX or Sigma 530 Super. A good flash is the 580EX at around $400. If you are doing paid work, I would probably not go cheaper than the 430EX - there just aren't any reliable options AFAIK.

P.S. Your shots on your flickr are excellent! I think you have the natural light thing nailed. Adding a little flash goes a long way, though, and sometimes is the only way to get a shot.

[paigewich]

An average flash is around $200 - the 430EX or Sigma 530 Super. A good flash is the 580EX at around $400. If you are doing paid work, I would probably not go cheaper than the 430EX.

Okay. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Titus213]

While the 50/1.8 is a fun lens to shoot and can produce some nice results I would not recommend it for portraits. I think the bokeh produced by it wide open leaves much to be desired. While the Canon 85/1.8 is a whole different story (great lens, amazing bokeh) I find it too long for most portrait work. If you have the room it's great, just not real versatile.

My selection would be the Canon 50/1.4, a 24-70/2.8 or the Tamron 28-75/2.8 that I currently use when I can get my 70-200/2.8 off the camera. That is an excellent portrait lens, again, if you have the room.

I'd also suggest a 430EX and a bracket for weddings.

[thrash_273]

85 1.8 , 17-40 and 100mm macro is what i have been using for my past two weddings. paired w/ 5D, xsi, 430ex and ab400

[SequinMiner.com]

We use 24-70 2.8L (GREAT for available light) well mannered bokeh, Tamron 10-24 on the crop body and 16-40L on the FF. Combination of 580and 430 speedlights.

Best budget/portable/quality setup I've ever found has been the 580Exii (although you could easily use a 430Exii) double diffused with a stofen diffuser gelled CTO into the Lumiquest Softboxiii ON CAMERA to stay on the move. Use Ettl and manual exposure. Start shutter at 250 and drag to create effect.

Example: Shot bright sunlight under canopies, everybody is black. Remove diffusers and zoom in at 85-105 to get under. Shots in Limo, Diffusers back on. Shots direct sunlight, Direct and with direct/wide panel to fill. Did a studio setup in the showroom but 90% was on camera to stay mobile! Judge for yourself but as one poster stated previously, tough to do portraits without some kind of flash ;)

Photo examples from a bikini bike wash, worksafe but it is what it is... Be advised.
http://www.sequinminer.com/Events/Petersons-Demo-EventOpen-House/9919368_92xt4#679110109_KeSCg

Steven
www.Sequinminer.com

[CosmoKid]

A good basic starter kit..

Canon 430 EX II - $240
Impact Umbrella/Stand/Holder - $50
eBay triggers/receiver - $40

That would get you started for some portraiture with off camera flash.

[mg550]

Get a 430EX II if it fits in your budget. Personally, I'd save for the 580EX II. You can use it as a master if you add more strobes. It also has more power, which can come in handy if you decide to pursue off camera flash.

[SequinMiner.com]

Quick noteworthy mention. Cactus V4 triggers are working flawlessly for us (so far, 6 at a time!) We have two transmitters and six receivers total price? 200 bucks!!

The ONLY downside thus far is that I haven't developed a solution to use 2 transmitters (on separate bodies) to fire the same setup and we had to zip tie the case of one cactus when we hung a 580ex, Cactus and beauty light off a boom at an angle (Serves me right).

[CosmoKid]

Get a 430EX II if it fits in your budget. Personally, I'd save for the 580EX II. You can use it as a master if you add more strobes. It also has more power, which can come in handy if you decide to pursue off camera flash.


but the 430 is lighter and powerful enough for most situations. when she is ready to start thinking about master/slave, she can buy a 580 to use as her master.

[egordon99]

Quick noteworthy mention. Cactus V4 triggers are working flawlessly for us (so far, 6 at a time!) We have two transmitters and six receivers total price? 200 bucks!!

The ONLY downside thus far is that I haven't developed a solution to use 2 transmitters (on separate bodies) to fire the same setup and we had to zip tie the case of one cactus when we hung a 580ex, Cactus and beauty light off a boom at an angle (Serves me right).


I've been having good luck with my V4 trigger. Going to give it a true workout at a wedding this weekend. SIX flashes? wow!

[SequinMiner.com]

Using a brand new 580exii as a master to fire a 430ex will make you cry and make you consider silly things like the st-e2.... Sadly my wallet still remembers.

[SequinMiner.com]

I've been having good luck with my V4 trigger. Going to give it a true workout at a wedding this weekend. SIX flashes? wow!

Two photogs, 3 each ;) If we get the time we'll gel sidelights but usually its two separate setups, Key/Fill/Rim

[egordon99]

Using a brand new 580exii as a master to fire a 430ex will make you cry and make you consider silly things like the st-e2.... Sadly my wallet still remembers.

Just felt that way when I bought my 430EXII this past summer...(after owning the 580EXII for awhile)

Why didn't I get into OCF earlier in my "career" ? :confused:

[10megapixel]

Well, no one ever really mentions it because the lack of the wheel on the back and the older design but the 550EX is a great bargain. Sure, it's a little bit more time consuming to operate than it's successors, but for the low used price your still getting the second most powerful flash in the Canon line-up which can also be used as a wireless master :cool: and It has all the bells and whistles of the 580EX for a fraction of it's new or even used price. I have 2 of them I bought used for a total of $300 bucks and I think their great.

[SequinMiner.com]

Well, no one ever really mentions it because the lack of the wheel on the back and the older design but the 550EX is a great bargain. Sure, it's a little bit more time consuming to operate than it's successors, but for the low used price your still getting the second most powerful flash in the Canon line-up which can also be used as a wireless master :cool: and It has all the bells and whistles of the 580EX for a fraction of it's new or even used price. I have 2 of them I bought used for a total of $300 bucks and I think their great.

(Chuckling here, stalking the thread, killing time)

10Meg you are 1000% right (Thats the flash I use when I have to use a master) Bout the only difference is slightly slower recycle time and less weather sealing plus I actually prefer the threaded type slider securing it to the hotshoe. Only problem is most people on Ebay dont know the difference between the 550/580EX and Exii so you sometimes see people overbidding thinking its the 580 EXii.... Youre right, great value AND you can use it on camera for a catchlight as well (again no st-e2 - Clearly I'm still bitter that Canon added Flash Controller to the 7d.....)

[10megapixel]

(Chuckling here, stalking the thread, killing time)

10Meg you are 1000% right (Thats the flash I use when I have to use a master) Bout the only difference is slightly slower recycle time and less weather sealing plus I actually prefer the threaded type slider securing it to the hotshoe. Only problem is most people on Ebay dont know the difference between the 550/580EX and Exii so you sometimes see people overbidding thinking its the 580 EXii.... Youre right, great value AND you can use it on camera for a catchlight as well (again no st-e2 - Clearly I'm still bitter that Canon added Flash Controller to the 7d.....)

Well, you know how to fix that...break out that wallet:lol:

[RPCrowe]

You have talent but, your photos could improve drastically if you were to use flash.

I have posted an example out of your gallery of an outdoor portrait which would be improved with fill flash.

If you used fill for this image, the shadows across the face would be lessened and the image and sky would be more balanced. You would not have the expanse of somewhat burned out sky around your subject.

I would suggest that you buy a Canon flash rather than a third party brand.

despite what previous posters have mentioned, there is a flash well within your budget. Get a used 420EX which should be priced between $100 and $150. The 420EX is a full featured flash which will both tilt and rotate and can also be used with high speed sync. HSS is a nice feature when using a flash for fill outdoors. When using HSS, you are not required to keep your flash below 1/250 or 1/200 second (depending on your camera).

Although it is not quite as powerful as the 430EX and is less powerful than either the 550EX or 580EX (series) flashes, you can still do a very good job with this low cost flash.

Additionally, if you decide to upgrade to a 550EX or 580EX in the future, the 420EX can be used as a slave to either of these units.

The 420EX is a relatively light weight flash and is the one that I grab if I need to travel light.

I would add a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro to produce some really nice lighting with your 420EX. Joe has a lot of great info regarding flash use on his web site.

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

Here is another web site which has a lot of great pointers on the creative use of flash.

http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

[bobbyz]

If I were shooting weddings I would get something which lets me atleast connect external power pack. I will take used 550ex over 430ex and one can get one for $200. Used 580ex is only $300.

[paigewich]

An average flash is around $200 - the 430EX or Sigma 530 Super. A good flash is the 580EX at around $400. If you are doing paid work, I would probably not go cheaper than the 430EX - there just aren't any reliable options AFAIK.

P.S. Your shots on your flickr are excellent! I think you have the natural light thing nailed. Adding a little flash goes a long way, though, and sometimes is the only way to get a shot.


I'm doing mostly paid work. I'm going to look them up right now. All the flashes that everyone has suggested. I'd really like to order one and get use to it before a friend's wedding I'm helping with at the end of this month.

And thank. I've pretty much just worked with natural lighting. Sometimes I'd mess with lighting inside, lamp and stuff, haha, but I've never used a flash before, so it will be nice and different to try it out. Hopefully I like it and can get use to it.

[paigewich]

While the 50/1.8 is a fun lens to shoot and can produce some nice results I would not recommend it for portraits. I think the bokeh produced by it wide open leaves much to be desired. While the Canon 85/1.8 is a whole different story (great lens, amazing bokeh) I find it too long for most portrait work. If you have the room it's great, just not real versatile.

My selection would be the Canon 50/1.4, a 24-70/2.8 or the Tamron 28-75/2.8 that I currently use when I can get my 70-200/2.8 off the camera. That is an excellent portrait lens, again, if you have the room.

I'd also suggest a 430EX and a bracket for weddings.

I've been using it for portraits and It's not bad. I'd really love to get a 1.4, I just can't afford it right now. I'm just really undecided on what to get right now, with not having tons of money, haha. Flash or lens...

I have a 28-80 tamron, but haven't been using it for portraits. I've had my wide angle attached to it for fun photos, but I should take it off and experiment with portraits.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to look up some stuff right now.

[Titus213]

Just be aware that the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is not the same Tamron you have if you have the 28-80.

[paigewich]

Just be aware that the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is not the same Tamron you have if you have the 28-80.

Oh, I know.

[57hardtop]

Paige, the Tamron 28-75 2.8 is a fantastic portrait lens...perfect range for single and small group portraits...and a whole lot more affordable than the Canon 24-70L (not in the same league, but still very nice). Another accessory you may want to look into is a camera/flash bracket. I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned it yet. You'll need to get your flash up a little higher (on the bracket) so you won't be fixing red-eye all night long in PP.

[paigewich]

Does anyone have a suggestion on a ring flash?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RF165-Best-Flash-Ring-Canon-430EX-430EXII_W0QQitemZ320408112335QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCa mera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item4a99cfcccf

If it would be a good idea for portraits or not? I've seen examples and like it, but I'd like to talk to someone whose used one/hasone.

[paigewich]

Paige, the Tamron 28-75 2.8 is a fantastic portrait lens...perfect range for single and small group portraits...and a whole lot more affordable than the Canon 24-70L (not in the same league, but still very nice). Another accessory you may want to look into is a camera/flash bracket. I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned it yet. You'll need to get your flash up a little higher (on the bracket) so you won't be fixing red-eye all night long in PP.

I'm looking into it. I'll have to save up for one. I think it would be a good idea.