Upcoming shoot - Need Help -W - Equip.

I have an engagement coming up in July and I would like to take the best pictures I can with My T3. It's for a 80th birthday and will be held in one of the officer clubs, so the lighting want be great. Currently, I have the standard lens that comes with the camera and a 55-250mm f/4-5.6. I plan on ordering the Canon Speedlite 90EX & the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II in the next couple of weeks. Money is limited, but should I substitue something else in place of the Canon Speedlite 90EX & the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II?

How much experience have you had with indoor shooting/events?

No much experience with indoor shooting.

If you are going to buy a flash at least get a 430EX or one of the Yongnuo flavors. . The 50 1.8 II also may not be the best because it does not do well focusing in low light.

It's certainly possible to get good or even excellent shots with that equipment but there's no reason to suspect you (or I) can get the job done.

I'd suggest some practice in a similar setting.

I have already went over to the location to check it out and it is similar to the lighting we have on our base here, so i'll be spending my lunch time taking a couple photos there.

iadubber wrote in post #16922641
If you are going to buy a flash at least get a 430EX or one of the Yongnuo flavors. . The 50 1.8 II also may not be the best because it does not do well focusing in low light.

What lens would you recommend?

JP,

You could rent any lens that you would like from several different companies.

You can get the Canon 50 f1.4 for 4 days for $20. http://www.lensrentals​.com/rent/canon/lenses​/normal-range/canon-50mm-f1.4 LINK

Or, the Canon 85 f1.8 for $23 for the same period. http://www.lensrentals​.com/rent/canon/lenses​/normal-range/canon-85mm-f1.8 LINK

And a Canon 430EXII Speedlight for $21 for the same period. http://www.lensrentals​.com/rent/canon/lighti​ng/canon-speedlites/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii LINK

I would NOT recommend the 90EX as it is quite anemic. I second purchasing either a Canon 430EXII or a Yongnuo YN468II for $85. http://www.amazon.com/​YongNuo-YN-468-E-TTL-Speedlite-Display/dp/B00660H6KU LINK

On further reflection, definitely rent or buy the flash first as this will have a more steep learning curve than a lens. You'll want to practice even if you never take it out of "auto".

My 2 cents.

Dwain

So, what did you decide?

DwainRowe wrote in post #16930787
So, what did you decide?

Definitely going to rent the equipment you are suggesting in June and see how much shooting I can do in 4 days in June then rent again in July for the event. Thanks for the input and the site as well.

JP Pittman wrote in post #16937856
Definitely going to rent the equipment you are suggesting in June and see how much shooting I can do in 4 days in June then rent again in July for the event. Thanks for the input and the site as well.

no need to rent, the 430exII (or Yongnuo ETTL equivalent) and 50mm 1.8 will be useful for many other events

Currently don't have enough money to purchase the 430EXII so i'm not sure if I will rent the 430exII or buy the Yongnuo YN468II . I will be buying the 50mm 1.8

Buy the flash, you'll want one later and anything you spend on rental takes away from the purchase pool. Get it asap so you can spend some time learning how to use it. Flash photos dont have to be poorly lit, but often are because people dont bother to learn technique.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16996092
Buy the flash, you'll want one later and anything you spend on rental takes away from the purchase pool. Get it asap so you can spend some time learning how to use it. Flash photos dont have to be poorly lit, but often are because people dont bother to learn technique.

If the Yongnuo YN468II will do the job then I can buy it now and won't waste money with buying the 430EXII

JP Pittman wrote in post #16996100
If the Yongnuo YN468II will do the job then I can buy it now and won't waste money with buying the 430EXII

Its a good little flash for the money. Certainly more useful than your original plan. Get it and learn how to bounce light, and then get a handle on how to balance the flash with the ambient.