Lens or light?

[Snakeguy101]

Which do you think is more important? I have about $500 to spend coming up and I can't decide if I should get another lens or if I should get a speedlight. I currently have a nifty fifty 1.8 and a 70-300 f/ 4-5.6 as far as glass goes and I was looking at getting a nice micro lens. But I also do not have a flash yet and I want to start learning lighting techniques. I was looking at the sb-700. Which do you think is more important or that I would be better off with?

 

[Dao]

It depends on what you need.

Personally, I would for sure and a wide angle lens and a decent cheap flash that can adjust flash power manually if money is a issue. In that case, a used Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 with flash such as Vivitar 285HV or Sunpak 383 auto.

 

[Geaux]

To me thats a toughie. Since you shoot reptiles a lot, the macro would be pretty awesome, but so would a strobe setup.

Personally, I'd go with the strobe setup, it opens ups a whole new world of photography.

 

[Destin]

I agree with the above, go for a used Tamron 17-50 2.8, and then head over to ebay with the money you have left and grab a Yongnuo yn-460 II and some radio triggers.

 

[AgentDrex]

I'd go with the flash...you don't have one...you have lenses...maybe not the ones you want...but you do have something you can work with...if you want to use a flash currently....you're outta luck...get one and you'll be able to use it with the glass you already have...

 

[Light Artisan]

Get whichever you need more first, then get the other one. Both are nice to have, pick one - not like you'll make a mistake.

 

[KmH]

You can't learn to do off camera flash (OCF), or hot shoe flash without a flash.

 

[SrBiscuit]

what about a tube for the 50mm and some lights?

 

[Felix 222]

personally, i would purchase the speedlight + diffuser. it works wonders with your photographs and allows you to be more creative with the light because of remote flash capability. if you enjoy portrait photography, it is a no brainer.

 

[ulrichsd]

I agree with the above, go for a used Tamron 17-50 2.8, and then head over to ebay with the money you have left and grab a Yongnuo yn-460 II and some radio triggers.

I'm in a similar situation as the above poster, having a 35mm 1.8 and a 70-300. I mostly use the 35mm and rarely use the on camera flash, the 35mm does pretty well with ambient light.

I'd love to get a wide angle lens, I am so ready to pull the trigger on the Tokina 12-24mm f/4. However, I know I'd love to get something that is better than the on-camera flash and everyone on this post seems to be in agreement on getting a better flash. I could probably afford the SB400, but this Yongnuo for $44 sounds like a deal. I have no knowledge about off-brand flashes though... Any input?

 

[Destin]

I agree with the above, go for a used Tamron 17-50 2.8, and then head over to ebay with the money you have left and grab a Yongnuo yn-460 II and some radio triggers.

I'm in a similar situation as the above poster, having a 35mm 1.8 and a 70-300. I mostly use the 35mm and rarely use the on camera flash, the 35mm does pretty well with ambient light.

I'd love to get a wide angle lens, I am so ready to pull the trigger on the Tokina 12-24mm f/4. However, I know I'd love to get something that is better than the on-camera flash and everyone on this post seems to be in agreement on getting a better flash. I could probably afford the SB400, but this Yongnuo for $44 sounds like a deal. I have no knowledge about off-brand flashes though... Any input?

The yongnuo's are decent little flashes man. I have 3 of them, along with one sb-600. I don't reccomend them for on camera use, as they are full manual... no ttl mode, which I like using when I'm using my flash on camera. But for learning off camera flash, and lighting angles they are great. If you want on camera flash, I reccomend getting at least an sb-600. Although Yongnuo also make the YN-467 (for nikon) and the yn-468 (for canon) that offer on camera ttl metering. I have no experience with them yet though, so I can't say how well they work.

One thing to know, is that the shipping times on these are slow as they come from China. your looking at 3-5 weeks in most cases, but I've never had an issue with them getting here, they have always arrived eventually. For the price they can't be beat.

 

[MissCream]

what about a tube for the 50mm and some lights?

Agree

 

[raryke]

If you go the lighting route check out AlienBees Thats what im going with eventually they give great light to photos and alot of photographers use them