Buying Prime Lens vs Speedlite

[OpticMemory]

hey folks.. this has been on my mind for a while.. maybe you guys can help me out.

with my limited budget, i'm trying to justify which one I should buy first.

1) Prime lens - Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens - $379
2) Speedlite - 430EX II Speedlite TTL - $279

(yes the Speedlite is cheaper.. but I can only get one now.. and have to save up for the other one later)

which one do you think is the most important for newbies...

Thanks in advance.

 

[tirediron]

Assuming that you don't have other lighting, and that the 50mm FL is already covered by your (I assume) kit lens, the speedlight will be of far more benefit than a fast prime.

 

[OpticMemory]

Yes you assumed correct. I only have a Canon T2i, 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens and a 70-300 USM zoom lens... nothing else. Trying to build my gear.
thanks for the advise. speedlite it is. B&H is selling em cheap right now til end of March.

 

[Crollo]

Assuming that you don't have other lighting, and that the 50mm FL is already covered by your (I assume) kit lens, the speedlight will be of far more benefit than a fast prime.

Uhh... First, it's a EF 50, a FL wouldn't mount without an adapter.
Second, a kit lens can not substitute for a 50mm 1.4 just because it has 50mm within it's range. If it did, then nobody would ever buy primes and every lens would be a superzoom.

 

[eshane]

Assuming that you don't have other lighting, and that the 50mm FL is already covered by your (I assume) kit lens, the speedlight will be of far more benefit than a fast prime.

I second that, I did the same bought the speedlite then the prime len.

 

[dsquared]

Well, think of it first... how much would you use that speedlight you will buy ? Hmm... maybe you will get more benefit from 50mm lens cause you will use it constantly for portraits, and of course other stuff... but still, I don't know, maybe you are doing photoshoots more and that's why you need speedlight more think of it, that's my suggestion

 

[Cuzzy]

I would go with the 430 and a Cactus V5. And it says when you order it takes 15 days for the Cactus but I got mine in less than a week.

 

[petto]

Uhh... First, it's a EF 50, a FL wouldn't mount without an adapter.
.

That is incorrect. Any EF will mount on the canon bodies. You just cannot put an EF-S on a full frame. I have a Canon 7D and my brother has a rebel and both bodies take EF lenses.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I would have gone with the 50 first. Fixed aperture fast lens is the best lens to learn with. Your 2 lenses wont give you that luxury.

 

[apples]

totally depends on what you will shoot more of. i got the same 50mm/1.4 first and loving it. when my tax returns come back i'll think about what to get next, probably a flash.

the 50mm prime is just cream though.

 

[o hey tyler]

Assuming that you don't have other lighting, and that the 50mm FL is already covered by your (I assume) kit lens, the speedlight will be of far more benefit than a fast prime.

Uhh... First, it's a EF 50, a FL wouldn't mount without an adapter.
Second, a kit lens can not substitute for a 50mm 1.4 just because it has 50mm within it's range. If it did, then nobody would ever buy primes and every lens would be a superzoom.

FL = Focal length

 

[DiskoJoe]

I would go with the 50mm to begin with. Flash helps but there is a lot that you can do with a 50mm f1.4 that you cannot do with a flash, like have a dof of f1.4.

 

[usayit]

What you want to accomplish should determine what equipment to buy next... not the other way around. Especially not according to what others have purchased or done.

So my vote is for Neither... save the money until you sort it all out.


PS> You can do wonders with a non-TTL flash for very little cash (check trigger voltages). For the price of that flash, you can buy two stands, two triggers, and two flashes. Far more effective for learning and creativity. That is of course if being this creative with flashes interests you.

 

[Crollo]

Assuming that you don't have other lighting, and that the 50mm FL is already covered by your (I assume) kit lens, the speedlight will be of far more benefit than a fast prime.

Uhh... First, it's a EF 50, a FL wouldn't mount without an adapter.
Second, a kit lens can not substitute for a 50mm 1.4 just because it has 50mm within it's range. If it did, then nobody would ever buy primes and every lens would be a superzoom.

FL = Focal length

...​Oh.

 

[Dao]

Uhh... First, it's a EF 50, a FL wouldn't mount without an adapter.
Second, a kit lens can not substitute for a 50mm 1.4 just because it has 50mm within it's range. If it did, then nobody would ever buy primes and every lens would be a superzoom.

FL = Focal length

...​Oh.

I figured your were referring to the Canon mount back in the 60's