Dilemma...would like some different points of view

[lennon33x]

Ok, so I am looking to upgrade some of my equipment. However, I'm on a budget. So here's my dilemma...

I'm considering purchasing a wide-angle lens (approx 10-22mm, or 12-24mm). It's going to use up all of the money that I have for photography gear. I'm looking to get a specific type of shot with some portraiture at a focal length I need just below what my current lens has (18-55mm). I can obviously distort the photograph a little more in LR, but I'd like to keep as much quality as possible.

My other option, is that I would like to get some more light modifiers. I currently have 2 brollyboxes and 2 white shoot-throughs. I'm having some difficult time controlling spill and controlling the light in general. So I could obviously upgrade my light modifiers to something easier to work with (softboxes, octaboxes, etc.).

I can get ALMOST that look that I want with my 18-55, but would have significantly more working room with a wider angle lens.

I'd like to get some new perspectives on the issue.

*Other important info: I shoot mostly nature stuff, love sunsets. However, I do use wide-angle.

 

[sm4him]

Can't really help with specifics on the lenses, but personally, if I have a lump sum and two needs/wants like the ones you've expressed above, I'd go for the more expensive single item--in this case, the lens. Buy the lens NOW while you have the money for it. Then as you can, you can always add one soft box, one octabox, whatever--point is, that can be added in stages as you have funds.

 

[Derrel]

Low-cost e-Bay softboxes with fabric grids are useful for keeping spill light contained. Shoot-through umbrellas tend to cause a lot of spill light to bounce around, especially in smaller rooms or those with low ceilings. I am with Sm4him--get the lens NOW. Then work on being able to control the light more to your liking.