Recommendations?

I am about to head off in two weeks to go to schoolies and spend two weeks with freinds. My question is what to buy? I have a 400d, 55-250mm IS and a 18-55mm. Im thinking that my next lens should be something short like a sigma 10-20, as it seems like a good lens and it should take on all photography areas as i love photography and shoot in every area. Any other suggestions on a better decent second type of lens? I have about $500 AUS to spend. Also i have no clue as to where i could buy at?

Second question is the flash. Is having a flash everything? To me flashes are only good for weddings and proper photo shoots for sport and everything. I have been looking into the 430 EX but i think i can do without a flash. Will a flash make a huge difference?

Sorry for the random questions but help would be great...

A flash can greatly improve the quality of your images but lenses are important too. Which 18-55 do you have?

I have a 400d, the kit lens was the non IS EFS18-55. I would guess Jarrod has the same. I suspect he will be scraping to find a short 10-20 in his budget unless he is lucky enough to find a 2nd hand bargain, but then I am a Kiwi and their prices may be better than ours? Jarrod, I would love a 10-20 on the 400d, would almost be a walk around lens for me.

If you have the 18-55 II or I then I would recommend either getting the 18-55 IS or the Tamron 17-50. Both are optically superior to the ones you currently have. Or for a good standard zoom the Canon 28-135 IS is great too but I find it too long on the wide end. Of course, this varies from photog to photog and their shooting styles.

Thanks heaps guys. I have decided on the lens issue. However having three lenses and no flash just doesnt seem right. So a honest answer to this question should help

How does the 430 EX go as being a master flash on top? Does it bring out exposure in shots being noticeable? or is it a waste of money and worth waiting about 6 months untill money becomes good and buying a 580 EX II later on???

Thanks again

I rented a 580EXII for a weekend, and I actually liked my 430EX better.

The 430ex is a very capable flash. For the price of a 580ex you could get the 430ex and for a little more the 18-55 IS.

Get the 430EX. A flash is definatly NOT a waste of money! If you want a 580 later on, then you can use the 430 as a slave, so it will still have it's use.