Strobes and grips

[Bryant]

I'm wanting to buy both of these, but I'm not sure which one first. I would like a BGE2n grip for my 40D and a canon speedlite (not sure what type). I am into sports, but i also like portraiture.

I would like the grip for extra battery life when out shooting sporting events and activities after when i don't have time to charge. I would like a off-camera flash, I recently used my teachers 580 exII, and it was great, but I probably could get through with a 420 ex and not notice a difference. I have never been a strobist before so i have no clue the differences of them, is it necessary to have the best right at the bottom, will it make a diff to someone like me?

I just can't decide which one is more important to me right now. I might end up getting both at once if there is a good reason for both right now.

Thanks.

 

[Montana]

I have and use both the Canon BGE2N and the 580 EX II. I love the grip and the flash both. I cannot offer any info on the other flash, but the 580 EX II has never disappointed me. I leave the grip on the 40D always, and cannot think of more than 2 times that I charged the batteries in 5 months. And neither time were they totally discharged. The battery life is amazing.

Derrick