Help! Lens or Flash?

Did not know which section to put this in so please move if in the wrong section.

After owning my 20D for a couple of months i got the manuals out for the first time the other day and guess what i found the book of money off vouchers that came with the camera that i didnt even know i had .So now i have a chance to get either a 17-40L with £140 of the recomended price plus what ever i get for my kit lens or a 580 EX flash with £105 off .Could see a use for either of these two but cant make my mind up.The 17-40L would be a great replacement for the kit lens which i use for the wider shots at motocross meetings that i cant get with the 50 1.4 but the flash might come in usefull as i have not got a decent flash unit therefore i never try my hand at flash photography.What deal do you think is the best to go for in the long term?

My 17-40 is the main lens on my 20d. I have a 28-70 2.8, 50 1.4, 70-200 2.8, 1.4x but I still use m 17-40 more than any other lens. That being said, I use my 550ex ALL the time. You have a really tough decision to make. One thing that I've found is that I shoot alot of ISO 1600 indoor concerts with no flash.

Your decision is going to have to be based on what typr of photography you shoot. For me, I bought my 550 before the 17-40.

Good Luck,

Darren

Cheers Darren,its a tough one and i have been trying to work out which one i would use more.Trouble is i can see a plus point for both items and that is whats causing the problem for me.LOL.

Given you have the kit lens which has a similar range and isn't as bad as people say, i'd personally get the 580EX. You might like to order a cheap lens hood for the kit lens though, to help prevent flare. You can get cheap generic ones easy.

I'd say go for the flash. As Tim says, you have a lense that covers the range. Even if it's not "Perfect" you still have the ability to get a shot to work with. If your in the dark, you have NO chance of getting the shot....know what I mean???

L8r,

Cheers Tim and Rigrider think you have come up with the answers i was having trouble getting my head round.Have been pleased with the kit lens apart from a couple of instances of flair and most of the pictures i have printed larger than 8x10 are not taken with the kit lens.Thanks once again for your advice.Most appreciated

get the tamron 17-35 and the sigma 500 super flash

Get the 580EX Speedlight. I've got the 550EX and have never regretted my purchase even for one second.

Get the flash! You have the lenses to cover a huge range, get the flash and practice with that. My longest lens is a 135mm, but i bought the 580 because I know I will use that alot indoors, Bday parties, wedding, etc. and it will give me better shots than the body mounted flash! I have the 17-40 but I dont think I would trade it for a flash and give up the 18

The kit lens does flare like a b*stard, that's why I recommended the lens hood, which might help prevent a bit of flare from the flash. I have a 550EX and a 580EX on the way, they're good investments. You eventually learn that lighting is one of the key parts of making a great photograph, and bringing your own light is the easiest way to control it.

sorry to steal...but where is the best place to get a lens hood for the kit lens?


oh...listen to everyone and get the flash! i would! i'm quite happy with my kit lens!

If you opt for the lens hood as Tim suggests, be sure to get one for a wide angle lens. My first time around on one was for a standard lens. Took me a bit to figure out why I had shadows on the edges of some of the pics.
The kit lens isn't all that bad if you have good lighting, which the 580EX will give you.

Cheers guys,just come home with the 580EX and have orderd the Canon lens hood so should be here in a few days.Thanks for all the help just cooking something then will go and have a play with the new kit.

good choise, 580 is great flash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!