Tamron 17-50mm or 580ex II?

I have a diy flash bouncer made of aluminum foil and wire hanger which I use for my pop up flash. It reflects light to the ceiling and I really like how my photos came out so I've wanted a 580ex II for better flexibility. However my primary lens is a Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 will be beneficial for low light condition.

Should I upgrade the lens to a 17-50mm or pair the 580ex II with a Canon 18-55mm?

I would definitely get the flash first. 430EX is really good too, if budget is an issue.

As tkbsic said, I would invest in a 430ex or the 530ex. If you're on a budget, consider the version II later.

The flash will make a much more noticeable difference in your photos.

If I'd known 4 months ago what I know now, I would have gotten the 580EX II rather than my 17-50mm.

maybe you can sell your current canon lens and buy a used tamron and with the money from selling the canon plus savings from buying a used tamron and few extra bones from your piggy bank you could pull out a 430 EX out of the hat to go along with that tamron and get both, LOL. <<<<< very hypothetical proposition, but, one that could work if you play your cards right.... I know lighting makes a HUGE difference in pictures... but your lens is lacking IMO in that Canon lens.

Flash! the EF-S 18-55 IS isn't that bad, get the flash bud!

thank you all! flash it is

jxs1984 wrote in post #9319301
thank you all! flash it is

you honestly couldn't have gone wrong either way.... you will be real happy with a flash like the 580 EX II.

Yep then save up for a better lens for that 7D!

jxs1984 wrote in post #9319163
Should I upgrade the lens to a 17-50mm or pair the 580ex II with a Canon 18-55mm?

get the flash first, I have the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and it's very good wide open but you can do more with a good flash (or even a cheap flash!)

watt100 wrote in post #9319980
get the flash first, I have the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and it's very good wide open but you can do more with a good flash (or even a cheap flash!)

Agreed. I dare say that my indoor pictures would have been better with my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS + Sigma EF 530 DG Super than with the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. But I sold the kit lens before I got the flash so I guess I'll never know...

change the lens first.

wow, didn't think people would be suggesting the flash first
the reason I say that is because (at least for me) I don't use my flash that much. Actually I try NOT using my flash unless I can't get it with my prime or when I need more DoF in low light.

It depends on what you think you'll use more. When I had my 40D, I LOVED the Tamron 17-50. To be honest, I kinda miss it.

I have both, but I bought the lens first and then about a year later I bought the 580ex. The Tammy stays on my camera 95% of the time. It is a great lens and the flash compliments it even more.