Decisions, decisions... what to buy? - Would like to know what you think.

Hello Guys and Girls,

I placed this into the Lenses forum, but it is not a lens (only) question.

As thing look at the moment, I should get some money in the following Months.
And I was thinking about what should I buy.

Thing is, I do not really *NEED* anything atm., but there are things that would be nice to have.

As you can see at this moment I have a 5Ds and a 85mm lens.
I must also say, I am pretty happy with this combo.


But anyway here is a list what I selected:

- Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT:
Altough I mostly do not use a Flash, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to light a scene, mostly I would use it as bounce flash, or as a trigger for another flash. to add to this, my friend is currently willing to sell his old 420EX for a very friendly amount.
I was thinking, that since it served me well as a triggered flash before, I would buy that and then would have a master and a slave flash if needed.
Altough it has no manual mode, in E-TTL it worked well before - if needed.
But the 600EX alone would be a very nice addition to light a scene with bounce flash.

- Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Since I have a 85mm, sometimes I miss a bit wider view, I can cope with that, but would be sure nice to have a lens for those situations.
And who knows, if I like it I might be buying a 35mm f/1.4 later.
Of course in this case I could still buy the 420EX, but since that has no Manual mode, I would prefer that as a 2nd flash.

- Canon EOS M10 + EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
Sine the 5Ds is quite large, it would be nice to have a smaller camera, as a walkaround thing in my pocket, that is always there with me.
The EOS M10 would be pretty nice, and that was I would have a: Second camera, AND a 35mm lens.
Sure, downside is, that I cannot use the EF-M lens on the 5Ds, only on the M10.
Maybe I could go for the EOS M3 too.


I would like to get some input from you guys, what YOU would buy, and why.
That way, maybe you open up my eyes for possibilities that I did not think of, or other pros-and cons, I do not know of.
So that in the end I can make a better decision.

Since your choices are so varied, I can only suggest you get what you will use the most.

Until fairly recently, I have almost always carried all of my gear. Now I have to figure what to leave at home.
Being cheap, I hate spending money on stuff I don't use much.

Examples:
I have three flashes, carry one and rarely use it.
50mm compact macro, seldom used.
70-200 f/2.8 L IS II, and 100-400 II, it is always one or the other, not both.
5D II, never sees the light of day anymore. (I should sell it.)

Good luck with your choice.

Tapeman wrote in post #18010031
Since your choices are so varied, I can only suggest you get what you will use the most.

Until fairly recently, I have almost always carried all of my gear. Now I have to figure what to leave at home.
Being cheap, I hate spending money on stuff I don't use much.

And that is my problem too.
I don't want to buy something I would not use, yet a Falsh is very situational, the 35mm would make the most use, but then again, I might sell it later for a 35mm 1.4...
As for the MILC, it would be used the most, as I would carry it with me, but I am unsure how much real use it would see...

That is why I am unsure, and would like some opinions.

yongnuo 600ex-rt x3 and a YN-E3-RT would be roughly the same as a single Canon 600. There are a lot of things it makes sense to buy Canon on, speed lights is not one of them. They are incredibly over priced compared to the "knock-offs".

The 35 f/2 is is a great lens, but the best lenses will only perfectly capture the quality of light (or lack thereof) that is presented to them.

Since you only have a 85mm prime, I would think the 35mm would be of the most use. Of course, it depends on what you shoot mostly.

Since I have only one option you have listed I would go for the Canon 600 EX-RT. Learn how to use an additional tool to the body and lens. Then add the ST-E3 RT transmitter for off camera flash. Once you get into the EX-RT series, they multiply fast. I would not even think about a non RT flash after investing in your first.

Nick5 wrote in post #18012544
Since I have only one option you have listed I would go for the Canon 600 EX-RT. Learn how to use an additional tool to the body and lens. Then add the ST-E3 RT transmitter for off camera flash. Once you get into the EX-RT series, they multiply fast. I would not even think about a non RT flash after investing in your first.

weak... get the bare bulb stuff.

Very tough choice... but I couldn't imagine not having a flash. I'd highly suggest the yongnou 600RT. I have two of the canons and my buddy has two of the yongnuo and i've swapped and interchanged them... they are pretty decent for portrait stuff... for weddings or sports stick to the canon though.

Outdoors I seldom use a flash, however I seldom pose my subjects. (Actually I hardly use a flash indoors.)

Tapeman wrote in post #18012659
Outdoors I seldom use a flash, however I seldom pose my subjects. (Actually I hardly use a flash indoors.)

Probably something you should pickup and use. Part of this photography world is controlling light and using a flash lets you be in control.

Nick5 wrote in post #18012544
... . Then add the ST-E3 RT transmitter for off camera flash....

Yes, I have been thinking about it, BUT my big concern is:
It does not have AF Assist beam.

Now, in low light conditions, it would bean I will not be able to focus properly.
How do you get around that issue?

Then it would be more worth to get another 600EX... Or a few 430EX-es.

Nemeth.
Yes you are correct in the omission of the AF Assist beam in the Canon ST-E3 RT Transmitter. While the Youngnuo does have an AF Assist in their copy version, it is not the same as the AF Assist in the Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlite. Even the new Canon 430 EX-Rt III AF is not as good as the AF Assist Beam on the 600 Speedlite.
While shooting in dark reception halls, the ST-E3 RT works OK. However the best solution for me is to add an additional 600 EX-RT in the Hotshoe of my Camera body. I then can have the Flash work as fill light, bounce off a wall, or have the Flash NOT FIRE, but have the 600 EX-RT AF Assist still active. Although not the lightest option, it works.
Again the 600 EX-RT's keep multiplying.

Nick5 wrote in post #18012930
Nemeth.
Yes you are correct in the omission of the AF Assist beam in the Canon ST-E3 RT Transmitter. While the Youngnuo does have an AF Assist in their copy version, it is not the same as the AF Assist in the Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlite. Even the new Canon 430 EX-Rt III AF is not as good as the AF Assist Beam on the 600 Speedlite.
While shooting in dark reception halls, the ST-E3 RT works OK. However the best solution for me is to add an additional 600 EX-RT in the Hotshoe of my Camera body. I then can have the Flash work as fill light, bounce off a wall, or have the Flash NOT FIRE, but have the 600 EX-RT AF Assist still active. Although not the lightest option, it works.
Again the 600 EX-RT's keep multiplying.

Yes, that is my fear exactly too ...
There is never enough flash

At this point, I cannot possibly imagine who was the ****** at Canon, who left the AF Assist beam out of the ST-E3-RT.
At least for me that is a deal breaker for the ST-E3-RT.

Tapeman wrote in post #18012659
Outdoors I seldom use a flash, however I seldom pose my subjects. (Actually I hardly use a flash indoors.)

Indoors bounced flash is the single most "game changing" thing you can do to your photography.

vengence wrote in post #18013003
Indoors bounced flash is the single most "game changing" thing you can do to your photography.

no it's not, skip the flash get the lens

In the TS scenario, even a 420 flash + 35 f2 will be much more preferable to the ex 600 rt by itself, if your only lens is an 85, and you even think you need wider, then you need wider not a flash. Make due without.

in a tight spot, flash wont help you take that group photo....

i had a similar problem a short time ago. I had the choice of buying an old formula one race car, a tractor and a small biplane. I went for the tractor. Not sure it was the best decision.

Sorry if this doesn't help you much. Nothing else I suggest will either as you are the best judge of what you need (rather than just want).