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12/30/2009 10:06:17 PM · #1 |
okay so thankfully I made some money this Christmas season doing family portraits (YAY!)! I am debating if I should invest in the 85mm 1.8 (about $380 USD), go the fun way and buy a lensbaby composer (about $270 USD) OR buy the Speedlite 580EX II flash (about $400 USD)...I have been researching and I am stumped as to what I should buy at the moment. For those of you with any of them, how often do you use them & will they be useful to me? What do you think I should get first!? (ps. I do already have a 50mm 1.4.)
1) 85mm
2) Lensbaby
3) flash
WHICH ONE?!? |
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12/30/2009 10:11:22 PM · #2 |
| If you don't already have a flash, I think you would get the most mileage out of that. When I got my 430EX, it was wonderful to, all of a sudden, be able to get better indoor shots simply by bouncing the flash. |
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12/30/2009 10:12:18 PM · #3 |
You have the 50mm 1.4, so the 85 1.8 may not be that much of a difference.
I recommend the 580EX II over the Lensbaby. Excellent flash unit. Also, pick up a the cable that allows you to use the flash off camera. Canon makes one. |
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12/30/2009 10:13:11 PM · #4 |
Light hides less quality lenses, so a flash for portrait work. Personally - I don't know about the 580 as there are other options but depends what you want.
I just got a LB but that 85 is a far better thing for portraits IMO.
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12/30/2009 10:16:53 PM · #5 |
| okay so its definitely a flash i need then...what recommendations do you have then for a flash? (under $500 preferably...) |
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12/30/2009 10:25:14 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by LMA128:
okay so its definitely a flash i need then...what recommendations do you have then for a flash? (under $500 preferably...) |
I had two 580EX II flashes and they were wonderful. I don't know about other flash products because I never owned one but if I get the chance again to I would go with the 580EX II.
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12/30/2009 10:29:14 PM · #7 |
| I am happy with my 430ex, but I found a bargain on it and at full price, I might choose the 580 as well. The 580 has some additional features to work better with off-camera flash, and it is more powerful. |
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12/30/2009 10:34:28 PM · #8 |
| Picked up the 580EX II couple months ago, used it a ton this winter. As far as the 85mm. I sold mine here, missed it so much I bought a new one just a couple months Later....Lol..... Now the lensbaby would be fun to have......Good Luck :) |
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12/30/2009 10:35:35 PM · #9 |
It depends what you want... If your after eTTL then the 580 is great and your going to need a master for off camera flash in the future anyway... although the 7D can be that now and who knows for future bodies (the 430 can be a slave but not master).
The other option is manual flash, in which case you can use old non eTTL ones for far cheaper (checkout strobist.com). The mpex one is @$120 each and there is a gaggle of second hand options.
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12/30/2009 10:54:25 PM · #10 |
Unless doing lots of location work, I don't suggest the speedlite. Personally specially for portraits I suggest just going for an AlienBee800. It is 279 so for a few extra bones, you can pick up two. It will be (imho)more beneficial doing portrait work as well as other types of photography. I had a speedlite 430, but blew it because it wasn't enough for what I did. Though I will admit it was nice to go offsite with.
I have 3 AB800's and I love them. I was asked why I didn't go for the 1600, its because for one, in my small space I don't need that much power, and recycle time is not that important to me right now. Im not doing high speed photography so the 800's work great. 400's are not bad either but I suggest 800 min. You can pick up one, and use reflectors, soft boxes, gells and well any number of things to enhance what your desired effect is.
Great glass is great glass, though if you are working in steps I suggest the AB800 first, then next time through the glass or more lights. L()L Can never have too many.
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12/31/2009 12:04:51 AM · #11 |
get the 580EXII. You can shoot in pitch black with that thing (and be in focus) and it has come in handy in more scenarios than I could count.
For example: 2 weeks ago I went on a shoot with a Paranormal Investigation team for a magazine shoot which involved a lot of walking around tunnels and other areas where the only light was from flashlights and sometimes not even that- to get the shots I had the flash pointed at a cieling/wall with a 24-70 L on the camera, set the flash to high speed sync and shot as normal. It can focus in pitch black and be spot on with focus and exposure.
its awesome and an indispensable part of my kit. |
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12/31/2009 12:17:35 AM · #12 |
| I'd go for the flash and then really learn how to use it. I went to a daylong Canon workshop on speedlites and it's amazing what they can do. |
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12/31/2009 02:29:58 PM · #13 |
| well since right now most of my shoots are on location, i will be getting the 580 ex II. thank you so much for your input! :] |
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