What camera upgrades should I get?

[vesper39]

Hi everyone,

I've been shooting for about a year with my first camera. I use a Canon T2i with a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens.

I primarily enjoy shooting portrait shots and street photography and was wondering what upgrade would improve the quality of my pictures the most.

I was thinking either possibly a prime lens f1.4 or a external Flash such as a speedlight.

I find the main issue with the quality of my photos comes down to poor lighting. I am never really able to shoot well in doors, and I would like that to change that. Would a flash or faster lens be better?

Here are some sample shots I've done.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28025427@N03/
Thanks!

[touji]

If your main concern would be shooting indoors, I would recommend getting a flash! Flash paired with the 17-50 should make one heck of an indoor setup.

[Andrushka]

Depending on a situation - even 1.4 isn't enough indoors without a flash of some kind (on or off camera). Plus most flashes shoot a pulse light that will assist any lens lock focus more accurately, which is nice. Buy a used flash of CL or here in the FS section. If it doesnt get you the results you are looking for, turn around and sell it... no harm!


Plus there are other issues presented by using a fast prime indoors - shallow depths of field don't really work for group shots (even 2 people is 1 face too many at F/2) Plus, most affordable primes just aren't that wide. I love my Sigma 30 1.4, but its not the answer for tight spaces...

[Echo63]

Flash and learning to use it effectively.

I can make better pics indoors with my 350d, my off camera flash kit (580ex2, pocketwizards, brolly and lightstands) than I could using a mk4 and a fast prime.

Learning to see and use light effectively is much more valuable than the latest gear - I wish I had paid more attention years ago

[Drewlim]

I think street and portraits are different in ways that i normally try to go a bit wide for streets and telephoto on portraits. And i shoot street at f11 or f16 while with most portraits i go as wide open as i can.

I am not a fan of using flash either on cam or off.. Or maybe i dont know how.

So if i was in your place.. Id probably get a 35mm 1.4. And if budget allows a full frame camera so you can use higher iso for lower light situations. And if you do go full frame i would get the 50 instead of the 35.

Hope it helps.