Dumb Open ended questions....

.......that only a newbie would ask.

But what the heck, her goes.

Leaving on our first cruise Saturday, purchased new camera gear this month in anticapation......been practicing some....love it so far.....now the silly questions which probably can only be answered if you have been on a cruise.

1. Formal dining room, understand waitstaff puts on a show, best off having 50mm on for best exposure...or can will I get a enough light/flash quality to use the 28-80mm

2. Either going to shop Cancun or Play Del Carmen for an afternoon, which lens is my best bet for walking around in that type of enviroment.

3. Will I regret not having gotten the 580ex yet, and would it be worth it to risk pi***ng off my wife to run out and get it tomorrow.

4. We will be going under the sunshine skyway bridge at diner time...is it worth missing the first nights dinner to see/shot this??

5. Any shots I just gotta get???

Thanks

I think the less the better if you are not sure. The flash on the camera is pretty good. You just have to bring extra batteries. 50mm on the XT is really long. You will be better off with the 28-80. That lens isn't bad, but you need to use the flash all the time indoors. Take a medium size bag and put all your gear in. If you think you need a flash, the 430 EX isn't as expensive and is a capable flash.

buy the flash and don't unveil it until you're on your trip. Your roomie will be in too good a mood to be angry with you

Second, I would get a good performing low light lens...the 50mm f/1.4 springs to mind. I've often used mine (no flash) in fairly dim surroundings and have been pleased with the outcome.

Bon Voyage!!

1. You will need your widest lens for dining room. For special dinners the lights are dimmed before dessert for the waiters & bus boys to parade thru the dining room. Probably would need the flash, but the 50mm my work. Unfortunately our last cruise predates my gear, so can't give first hand information on this item.
2. The 28-80 would be best for walk around in Cancun. My advice is to skip Playa del Carmen. We know it as Playa del Nothing.
3. If you don't get the 580EX you can always use it as an excuse to go on another cruise.
4. Maybe better to shoot the bridge on the morning you return to port. Most cruises get in about 6:30 am so the light should be better. No point in ticking off the wife on the first day.

1. Formal dining room:
I think the 50mm maybe too long. You might have to use the flash and use ISO 400 or 800 with a 28-80. If not, stick with the 50mm, but my guess is that you may find even the 28mm not wide enough.

2. Either going to shop Cancun or Play Del Carmen for an afternoon, which lens is my best bet for walking around in that type of enviroment.
Your widest.

3. Will I regret not having gotten the 580ex yet, and would it be worth it to risk pi***ng off my wife to run out and get it tomorrow.
Get a Canon 430EX or a Sigma 500 instead as they are cheaper. The 580 has more reach and can hook up to a power pack, but doesn't really offer more features over the 430EX or the Sigma 500, I think.

4. We will be going under the sunshine skyway bridge at diner time...is it worth missing the first nights dinner to see/shot this?? I've no idea.

5. Any shots I just gotta get
Not sure here, sorry.