Would I get more flexibility with...

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/06/2004 02:00:36 PM · #1

Being on a limited budget till mid- end- of summer, and having just purchased my Rebel, I can only kind of afford one more item.

My question, Lens or Flash? And only having a small allowance for it, which one? Which item is going to be more useful?

Any input is appreciated!

General

Kodak Z7590

04/06/2004 02:14:35 PM · #2

Lens should be better

jab119

04/06/2004 02:33:39 PM · #3

I agree, flashes can be expensive and finding the right one for your needs to me is harder to figure out than a lens choice.

James

agwright

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/06/2004 02:38:26 PM · #4

what lens are you thinking off ??

Prof_Fate

04/06/2004 02:43:21 PM · #5

Depends on what you plan to photograph. Being summer and lost more daylight than winter, perhaps a flash can wait. Depends on what flash you might like...I have a Quantaray QBSZ370 that i picked up on ebay for $20. The most recomended flash is a vivitar 283 or 285/285H. You'll need the 285H as your camera needs a very low trigger voltage.

I have used my flash a good bit. Lenses are on my list too (while my camera is not an SLR, I can get TC and close up lenses for it). What lens depends upon what type of subjuect you plan on shooting. And your budget, as a top quality digital 'approved' zoom lens with AF will get pricey, much more so than almost any flash.

If you camera has just a basic 50mm type lens then begin saving for something with up to a 200mm zoom, and read ratings and buy the best you can. You will over the years replace the camera body, but if you stay with canon you can use the lens for decades.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/06/2004 03:54:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by TooCool:

It depends. If you don't have any lenses, then a flash won't be much use!

But it depends on what you want to shoot and what you already have.

I use my flash a lot for some subjects and almost never for others for example, the same with certain lenses.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/07/2004 01:11:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by agwright:

what lens are you thinking off ??

The first one that I can really afford is gonna be the Cannon 50mm f1.8. I've heard really good things about it. Can't afford a zoom lens yet...

Message edited by author 2004-04-07 14:08:35.

superdave_909

Canon EOS-60D

04/07/2004 01:13:37 PM · #8

Originally posted by TooCool:

The first one that I can really afford is gonna be the Cannon 500mm f1.8. I've heard really good things about it. Can't afford a zoom lens yet...

50mm f/1.8?
although I like the sound of a 500mm f/1.8!

moodville

Nikon D100

04/07/2004 01:58:41 PM · #9

Originally posted by TooCool:

Originally posted by agwright:
what lens are you thinking off ??

The first one that I can really afford is gonna be the Cannon 500mm f1.8. I've heard really good things about it. Can't afford a zoom lens yet...

If all you can afford is the 50 f/1.8 then chances are you cant afford a flash yet anyways. Did you get the kit lens? 50mm lens is basically a portrait lens and maybe some general shooting.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

04/07/2004 02:09:59 PM · #10

Originally posted by moodville:

Originally posted by TooCool:

Originally posted by agwright:
what lens are you thinking off ??

The first one that I can really afford is gonna be the Cannon 500mm f1.8. I've heard really good things about it. Can't afford a zoom lens yet...

If all you can afford is the 50 f/1.8 then chances are you cant afford a flash yet anyways. Did you get the kit lens? 50mm lens is basically a portrait lens and maybe some general shooting.

I did get the kit lens. What I like about the f/1.8 is the low light capabilities. I LOVE doing night shots!

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

04/07/2004 02:12:05 PM · #11

Originally posted by TooCool:

I did get the kit lens. What I like about the f/1.8 is the low light capabilities. I LOVE doing night shots!

I say go for the 50mm then..

As Gordon says, it depends what you're shooting, but I've managed without a separate flash for three months so far..

Edit. And welcome to Team Canon / 300D.

Message edited by author 2004-04-07 14:12:38.

moodville

Nikon D100

04/07/2004 02:15:09 PM · #12

Originally posted by TooCool:

I did get the kit lens. What I like about the f/1.8 is the low light capabilities. I LOVE doing night shots!

Do you mean like long exposure night shots or candid shots of people walking around at night or in nightclubs? Because the kit lens is fairly wide you would get good skyline night shots with it. The 50 1.8 is certainly faster in low light conditions, like indoors with poor lighting.