What Flash

Hey I am still very very new to this but I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I have the canon digital rebel xt, the only lenses i have are the canon efs 18-55mm, and the Tamron 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 LD.
I am looking for a portrait lens and a flash that i could use inside or outside. I am taking okay pictures, and I know i have alot to learn but im just not happy with the lighting...Can anyone lead me to the lens and flash i need.....I want a lens that i can get a great face shot with all the detail,so i am assuming i need a macro but correct me if im wrong.....But what mm macro is needed????? And what is the best flash for me......Help....

How much $$ you got to spend?

600 tops

Sounds more like headshots than portraits, but with 600 bucks for your needs, this would be my shopping list:

- 50mm 1.8
- 2 Speedlite 430EXs
- some white foamcore for bouncing
- an inexpensive or used light stand

Ideally you'd go for the 50mm 1.4 here, but if you've got decent light from the strobes you don't really need the extra stop. Plus, you'll save at least 200 bucks with the 1.8. Shoot above 2.0 for good sharpness.

One flash on-camera bounced off the ceiling/a wall/something white onto the subject. Use a Sto-fen Omnibounce to get a nice catchlight.

The other flash positioned wherever you need it, possibly down and to the side of the subject.

I use a similar setup (50mm 1.4 with a 550EX and 430EX), and find that it's ultra portable. You can use it indoors or outdoors easily. It also offers the benefit of being able to use ETTL, which has never given me trouble in a controlled setting (i.e. portraits).

ohsnap wrote in post #2416798
Sounds more like headshots than portraits, but with 600 bucks for your needs, this would be my shopping list:

- 50mm 1.8
- 2 Speedlite 430EXs
- some white foamcore for bouncing
- an inexpensive or used light stand

Ideally you'd go for the 50mm 1.4 here, but if you've got decent light from the strobes you don't really need the extra stop. Plus, you'll save at least 200 bucks with the 1.8. Shoot above 2.0 for good sharpness.

One flash on-camera bounced off the ceiling/a wall/something white onto the subject. Use a Sto-fen Omnibounce to get a nice catchlight.

The other flash positioned wherever you need it, possibly down and to the side of the subject.

I use a similar setup (50mm 1.4 with a 550EX and 430EX), and find that it's ultra portable. You can use it indoors or outdoors easily. It also offers the benefit of being able to use ETTL, which has never given me trouble in a controlled setting (i.e. portraits).

The only thing here is he needs something to transmit to the 430's since they dont have the built in one like the 580Ex. I do like this idea thou. Just swap one out for the 580EX or get the ST-E2.

In order to get a flash and a portrait lens for $600, you will have to make some compromises. But I think the lenses you have will get the job done. For portraiture, lighting is more important than sharpness. Seeing every pore and wisker on a person's face does not a great portrait make.

Formal portrait lighting generally involves some sort of off-camera lighting. But you can make some very nice casual portraits with a hotshoe-mounted flash and a bit of creativity.

At your stage of the game, I would start with either a Canon 430EX Speedlite or a Sigma EF-500 DG Super. Learn how to use on-camera flash effectively, and take it one step at a time.

MrWills wrote in post #2416881
The only thing here is he needs something to transmit to the 430's since they dont have the built in one like the 580Ex. I do like this idea thou. Just swap one out for the 580EX or get the ST-E2.

Very true, I forgot about that. I got my 550EX used for 200 bucks. If you can find a similar deal, it'll be cheaper than a new 430EX.

The ST-E2 might put you over budget. 1/3rd of your money is a lot to spend for something that doesnt' put out light as well. Better to find a used 550EX or 580EX.

You can really save money in the stands/diffusers department. Don't buy umbrellas and stands when you can clamp or bungee your strobes to doors, tables, or whatever's available. Use white paper or foamcore for bouncing. Get creative.

Also, there's a great resource for people who want to learn more about off-camera lighting at Strobist.com

Thanks so much guys. This really helps.....But I do still have questions.....You listed 2 430exs, why 2????? What exactly is foam core????I told you i was new at this..lol....

ohsnap wrote in post #2416798
Sounds more like headshots than portraits, but with 600 bucks for your needs, this would be my shopping list:

- 50mm 1.8
- 2 Speedlite 430EXs
- some white foamcore for bouncing
- an inexpensive or used light stand

Ideally you'd go for the 50mm 1.4 here, but if you've got decent light from the strobes you don't really need the extra stop. Plus, you'll save at least 200 bucks with the 1.8. Shoot above 2.0 for good sharpness.

One flash on-camera bounced off the ceiling/a wall/something white onto the subject. Use a Sto-fen Omnibounce to get a nice catchlight.

The other flash positioned wherever you need it, possibly down and to the side of the subject.

I use a similar setup (50mm 1.4 with a 550EX and 430EX), and find that it's ultra portable. You can use it indoors or outdoors easily. It also offers the benefit of being able to use ETTL, which has never given me trouble in a controlled setting (i.e. portraits).

can you post a pic of a portrait you did with that setup?

If you want to do portraits might as well go for something like an Alien Bee 400. It's a studio flash unit with a modeling light so you can see the effects of the light as you move it around. About $250 for the unit. Pick up a light stand off B&H for $40 or so. An umbrella is around $20. The Canon 50mm 1.4 is about $300 on there also. The 50mm 1.8 is around $80. Either one is a good lens actually. Foam core is art board you can get at craft stores, Wal-Mart, etc.

AB $250
Hot shoe adapter 14.95 (if the Rebel doesn't have a pc socket, I don't know)
Light Stand $50
Umbrella $20
50mm 1.8 $80
Foam core $6.00 ?

Little over $400. Leaves some for a light meter if you want or other toys.

Here are some I took this weekend, outside, with my canon digital rebel xt, tamron 75-300mm lens, with the flash that comes built on the canon rebel

I know i have alot to learn, but im having a blast......making extra cash and learning alot as i go......i just think some of my pics could be better, but iam a college student so money is tight and i dont know where to spend the little bit of money i have to get the best pics....That is why im askign about the flashes and up close lenses.....I would like to stay with mostly outside pics adn some inside face shots....I dont have the time or money to start with all the backdrops and umbrella lights and so forth, so if you have any ideas or tips that could help me out i would really appreciate it......I liek "different" pics not the normal.......anything will help

One light, off cam and a reflector will be the bare minimum. 50 f/1.4, or 85 f/1.8 will be a good start for lenses.

Well you can go this route. Set of Pocket Wizards $170 x2. Nikon SB-24 about $100 used. Prices are way up because of www.strobist.com . Light stand about $45 new, cheaper used or on Ebay. Umbrella about $20. This will give you one portable light that you can do lots with. Dependable, easy to use, set up anywhere in a couple of minutes. Cost is about $500.

You can cut off $340 of that by skipping the Pocket Wizards (remote radios) and getting cheap radio units on ebay. That would give you a setup for a little over $200. Another route is a hot shoe adapter for a pc cord connected to the flash. Canon flashes don't have PC sockets cause they are greedy you know whats! They want you to spend money on their ST-E2. That's why I mentioned the Nikon flashes. They have a built in pc socket for a cord attachent. Works with cords and Pocket Wizards and other radios systems. The flash won't work on camera but you get better results anyways getting it off camera. Go to the Strobist web site and read the Lighting 101. Tons and tons of info on getting a cheap lighting setup. They have do it yourself projects for cables and such.

ChrisBlaze wrote in post #2417890
can you post a pic of a portrait you did with that setup?

Sure, here are the links to some examples I have on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594416238737/

http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594416217556/

http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594416217556/