guys, may I kindly get your opinion on the above topic?

I am a newbie photog here and would like to know what should i get, a flash or another lense.

here is my kit.

canon 350d
50mm f/1.8
18mm - 55mm (kit lens)
70mm - 300mm (telephoto lens)

i would like to have both a new flash and a better lens (l type or a little bit lower), but given the fact that i would like to maximize the use of my money (and the fact that budget is tight), i was wondering what would you guys recommend.

types of shots, given that i am a newbie here, i usually shoot indoor and mostly portraits of my kids and family members. with that, it looks like a flash is the way to go, but i also like shooting without a flash, hence the lens way. arrrrrggggh i am so confused, anyone care to enlighten me?

please?

Since you have a good range of lenses already, I suggest you buy 580EX. :D

Sam, get a Flash coz in really horrid lighting situations it will really help. :)

PS: Your signature quote is interesting... :)

Get a good flash since you shoot mostly indoors. All your lenses immediately get an upgrade from it.

Am also looking at the 580EX but might settle for an interim 430EX instead since my 420EX is busted.

hehehe, easy get the flash, 580EX in your case, it has a lot of features like stroboscopic, a transmitter if you opted for multiple flash lighting, etc.

Get the flash then when you have more cash to spend, get the lens. (then get another lens, then get another lens , then get another lens):Grin:

Hi Sam,

I am a newbie as well. My personal recommendation would be to get a flash unit first. Dys is right that you have good lenses. I suggest you stick with these and use them in conjunction with a flash, so you would learn how to maximize your camera setup before you buy anything expensive that you might regret.

Alas, I am a victim of this mistake because I bought some lenses that I didn't need and eventually got rid of.

Hope this helps with your decision! Good luck with your photography!

If you do decide to get a flash, i'd suggest the 580EX instead of a 430EX. I'm realizing that now, my 430EX comes short sometimes in terms of power.

Sam, I suggest get at least 2 flashes (ka presyo ng isang lens lang yan) Get a 580EX and get even the Sigma ST for your fill in. You'll be amazed what 2 flashes can produce. Para ka na ring may studio lights... mobile pa. Your 50 mm can do wonders lalo na with your 2 flash set-up.... but use Ansmann battery so you'll get uninterupted power he he he.

=)

sam flash flash flash! :D

ot: nagwowork ba ang Sigma ST with the wireless features of the 580EX? :D

they are correct, get the flash first.

Hey guys! thanks for the tips. . . . . .

it looks like the way to go is the flash! now the only problem is the funding to get the flash. Anyone care to suggest a decent place to get a decently priced flash?

of course, quiapo would be the best place to go. where there?

what about the malls, where can there be a not so far out price for the flash?

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Hey guys! thanks for the tips. . . . . .

it looks like the way to go is the flash! now the only problem is the funding to get the flash. Anyone care to suggest a decent place to get a decently priced flash?

of course, quiapo would be the best place to go. where there?

what about the malls, where can there be a not so far out price for the flash?

hidalgo...if you could wait till friday as it would be a 3 day sale. check this thread ... http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=1333

At Avenue in Hidalgo, you can get it installment via BPI cards. hehehe, like what I did.

thanks for the tips. around how much do you guys think the flash will go for?

Sam the Man... Go for the flash, Bro.

At Avenue in Hidalgo, you can get it installment via BPI cards. hehehe, like what I did.
Puwede ba yung SIP ng BPI madness promos? :Grin:

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sam flash flash flash! :D

ot: nagwowork ba ang Sigma ST with the wireless features of the 580EX? :D

Never tried, but the Sigma 500EF DG works with 550EX and 580EX so I assume pwede rin yung Sigma ST :)

At Avenue in Hidalgo, you can get it installment via BPI cards. hehehe, like what I did.

great!!! i just hope they'll offer the 0% installment plan...:)

Get the flash then when you have more cash to spend, get the lens. (then get another lens, then get another lens , then get another lens):Grin:

@ Pilar, I like the way you think.. hehe. :Grin:

Pwede yung SIP, yung 580EX is around 21K cash, me factor mark-up sa price pag ginamit mo SIP syempre, upto 12 mos pwede.

Puwede ba yung SIP ng BPI madness promos? :Grin:

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you know what? i just noticed that I did not spell lens correctly. sorry.

anyway, here is another newbie question, how the hell do i get to hidalgo?

i will be taking my car so may i kindly get some directions?

during this 3 day sale, will the 580ex be a lot cheaper?

you know what? i just noticed that I did not spell lens correctly. sorry.

anyway, here is another newbie question, how the hell do i get to hidalgo?

i will be taking my car so may i kindly get some directions?

during this 3 day sale, will the 580ex be a lot cheaper?

Try this map from Sir Randall which came from one of the threads:

http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=1324

I told him earlier this would be a lot of help for some members here who wants to go to Hidalgo. :)

just browsed Randall's map on the other thread...ang galeng galeng:)

i've got a little budget and am 90% towards going for the 580EX. I'll save up for the lens nalang again. Don't want to make the same mistakes when i was in Oly and Nikon's side na nagtipid sa flash (SB-600 and FL-36) and ended up wanting the big bruddas instead. hehehe! then, as pilar said, i'd get a lens. or two. ;)

well, i think i have made up my mind, and that is to get the flash. then yes, get another lens, then another then another. i basically want one of those mid range lenses. maybe a 24mm - 70mm or 85mm whatever, basta i know that this will be a very expensive hobby.

well, i think i have made up my mind, and that is to get the flash. then yes, get another lens, then another then another. i basically want one of those mid range lenses. maybe a 24mm - 70mm or 85mm whatever, basta i know that this will be a very expensive hobby.

im a also a newbie was thinking about it also...will follow the advises hehehehe :Grin:

well to all those who gave their opinion and advise, thanks.

I traversed to r hidalgo, with my wife in tow, and bought the 580ex.

thanks ha! now i just need to know how to use the flash. you know shoot without a shadow and all.

again, thanks, and keep those advises coming.

Guys,
how much is the 580Ex flash?
I assume it can be mounted sa eos400D?
Thanks for the info...

[quote=sam_ortiz]well to all those who gave their opinion and advise, thanks.

I traversed to r hidalgo, with my wife in tow, and bought the 580ex.

thanks ha! now i just need to know how to use the flash. you know shoot without a shadow and all.

speaking of flash techniques, buy a flash diffuser like the Stofen Omnibounce (P1,200) or the Gary Fong Lightsphere II ID (P3,850). make sure humingi ka ng demo/training DVD when you buy the Gary Fong thing. that'll help. i got both the Omni and the Lightsphere. really helps.

thanks. i did get the stofen.

[quote=sam_ortiz]well to all those who gave their opinion and advise, thanks.

I traversed to r hidalgo, with my wife in tow, and bought the 580ex.

thanks ha! now i just need to know how to use the flash. you know shoot without a shadow and all.

speaking of flash techniques, buy a flash diffuser like the Stofen Omnibounce (P1,200) or the Gary Fong Lightsphere II ID (P3,850). make sure humingi ka ng demo/training DVD when you buy the Gary Fong thing. that'll help. i got both the Omni and the Lightsphere. really helps.

Sir Angelo, where can you get a Stofen Omnibounce for a Nikon SB600 speedlight? Thanks. :)