Flash Or Lens

I'm Having trouble Deciding. Hubby and I are getting a little more than we expected on our tax return so were fixing up his motorcycle. And were expecting a Boy in April so getting all the stuff we need. I've got maybe 200-300 That I can use for a new lens or Flash.. I dont do alot of Indoor shots. Mostly its outside Right now I only have 18-55mm lens that comes with the camera.

Mostly I'll be Shooting People and Portraits and of course babies and eventually a wedding or two (long way away) . Sould I get a New Lens Or a Flash ? I'm torn on it I want both but cant afford both. I have an XTi (yes crappy camera but It was cheap when I bought it). What would you Buy and what do you recommend, I've done some searching on here for lens and flashes and heard some good things I just dont know which I should buy ?

TIA

I'd say a flash.
I might get a lot of people disagreeing with me, but I think a flash is something you definitely won't regret.
How much do you have to spend?
If you get the 430exii instead of the 580, you should have some left over for a nifty fifty...

flash

a flash will completely change your photography (for the better)

Flash! Watch your local Craigslist for good deals on a used one.

Ok I think I'll get the Flash. Thanks

Flash for sure.

I got my 430EX II for christmas, and you can do so much with it, especially indoors. Bouncing it creates very natural colors, no harsh shadows, and makes everything much more pleasent to look at.

You won't be dissapointed!

Flash - definately.

Plus spending time learning how to use it properly (bouncing, fill flash, flash modifiers etc)

flash! If you can find one, the 550ex is a good bang for your buck. It's older and a large unit, but at the same price (used) as a 430ex i think its a much better value. More powerful, faster recharge, and you can connect external battery pack to it (big deal for me).

Since you are shooting outside perhaps look into buying a reflector.

And I must correct you- the XTi is not a crappy camera. Very good image quality, just doesn't have live view or video like the fancy new models.

DStanic wrote in post #9547737
flash! If you can find one, the 550ex is a good bang for your buck. It's older and a large unit, but at the same price (used) as a 430ex i think its a much better value. More powerful, faster recharge, and you can connect external battery pack to it (big deal for me).

Since you are shooting outside perhaps look into buying a reflector.

And I must correct you- the XTi is not a crappy camera. Very good image quality, just doesn't have live view or video like the fancy new models.

I got my Xti Brand new for 400.00 With a warranty its not a crappy camera but everyone has one I know there are better quailty ones out there though. I love it as a first SLR though its my baby.

My Goal is after I get my Degree next year I can afford to get a 7D .

I found a great package with the canon speedlite 480ex ii a remote and a diffuser for about 300.00 so I think I just might go that route

Tylers Mom wrote in post #9547869
=Tyler's Mom;9547869]I got my Xti Brand new for 400.00 With a warranty its not a crappy camera but everyone has one I know there are better quailty ones out there though. I love it as a first SLR though its my baby.

My Goal is after I get my Degree next year I can afford to get a 7D .

I found a great package with the canon speedlite 480ex ii a remote and a diffuser for about 300.00 so I think I just might go that route

yea thats a steal, i just picked up my first flash and im wow'd.

also got the 430 ex II and a gary fong lightsphere (which i recommend for sure)
stock up on rechargeable batteries too! or prepare to shell out tons of cash for alkalines!

so yes, flash is the way to go


congrats on the baby!

+8
Flash

This thread has convinced me to also buy a flash, while I'm waiting (im)patiently for my Tokina 11 -16 to come in.

This (500D) is my first dSLR and I've never had a camera with an external flash before. Is it difficult to learn how to use? When you bounce the flash, which I've heard lots of good things about, how do you know where to point at? Sorry for the dopey questions.

i'd say for $300 you could easily get a 430EX and a 50mm f1.8...that'd allow you to do a whole lot more than what your kit can do right now...

look for a used 430EX...and a used or new 50mm...

junipa wrote in post #9550619
This thread has convinced me to also buy a flash, while I'm waiting (im)patiently for my Tokina 11 -16 to come in.

This (500D) is my first dSLR and I've never had a camera with an external flash before. Is it difficult to learn how to use? When you bounce the flash, which I've heard lots of good things about, how do you know where to point at? Sorry for the dopey questions.

I did not find it difficult at all. You can use it as a direct flash and still get much, much better results then with the popup flash. Bounce it at the ceiling or off a wall, it's all common sense really once you get the hang of it.