What's Better To Improve My Low Light Shoots? A Lighter Lens Or A Speedlite?

[Buckster]

No. AKA Educated. Say it with me, slowly: "Ed-yoo-kated"

By the way, speaking of snide remarks... Thanks for the lesson, professor.

 

[tirediron]

No. AKA Educated. Say it with me, slowly: "Ed-yoo-kated"

By the way, speaking of snide remarks... Thanks for the lesson, professor.

Turn about is fair play and all that!

 

[ghache]

buy a good ttl flash, your photography will be totally different, and that infrared beam focus light will make things alot easier in dark situations.

 

[Primoz]

I didn't go through the whole 3 pages of this thread and I'm sure good advice has already been given, but here's my opinion:
It all depends on what you shoot...

IF you shoot low light events such as concerts go get a low light lens - preferably a 70-200 2.8 (it's useful for other stuff too)

IF you shoot events such as parties etc. or portraits you'll benefit more from a speedlight. If your budget allows it I wouldn't recommend you an off-brand flash unit although it might be good, because later as a professional you'll regret you didn't invest a bit more and get an.

But don't just go away and buy 3000k worth of equipment... Learn to take a good photo with what you have. There are so many amazing "semi-pro" or even pro photographers who started with very basic DSLR setup and took with that setup such amazing shots you would never believe!

 

[Village Idiot]

IF you shoot low light events such as concerts go get a low light lens - preferably a 70-200 2.8 (it's useful for other stuff too)

But don't just go away and buy 3000k worth of equipment... Learn to take a good photo with what you have. There are so many amazing "semi-pro" or even pro photographers who started with very basic DSLR setup and took with that setup such amazing shots you would never believe!

:raisedbrow:

Did you even read the first post? OP is deciding between a speed light and a 50mm and you're telling him to go buy a $2,500 lens, but not to just go buy $3,000 worth of equipment.

 

[Buckster]

IF you shoot low light events such as concerts go get a low light lens - preferably a 70-200 2.8 (it's useful for other stuff too)

But don't just go away and buy 3000k worth of equipment... Learn to take a good photo with what you have. There are so many amazing "semi-pro" or even pro photographers who started with very basic DSLR setup and took with that setup such amazing shots you would never believe!

:raisedbrow:

Did you even read the first post? OP is deciding between a speed light and a 50mm and you're telling him to go buy a $2,500 lens, but not to just go buy $3,000 worth of equipment.

No surprise. It happens all the time around here. The OP's looking for an inexpensive solution in the couple hundred bucks range, and gets advice in the multi-thousands plus range. It started with the 3rd response in this thread, way back on page 1, then continued in the 4th response, and off we go...

Edit... Oops, I should have mentioned somewhere in there that he's getting educated. There, that's better.

 

[Primoz]

IF you shoot low light events such as concerts go get a low light lens - preferably a 70-200 2.8 (it's useful for other stuff too)

But don't just go away and buy 3000k worth of equipment... Learn to take a good photo with what you have. There are so many amazing "semi-pro" or even pro photographers who started with very basic DSLR setup and took with that setup such amazing shots you would never believe!

:raisedbrow:

Did you even read the first post? OP is deciding between a speed light and a 50mm and you're telling him to go buy a $2,500 lens, but not to just go buy $3,000 worth of equipment.

Why yes, I read it very well, actually.

First of all: He wrote: "... lighter lens such as 50mm..." - I understood what he meant is a lens with a larger aperture... And if you shoot low light concerts you need a longer range than just the 50mm... But if not - yes, I agree, a 50mm is a good way to go.

Secondly: Who says he has to get the latest lens on the market?? You can find a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 macro without IS for as low as 600$ if you're a bit lucky. Now that's not that much more than the price range of a good speedlight...

Don't you agree?

P.S.: He also stated, he'd like to get into photography professionally... Now in low light you can get away with a kit wide-angle lens. But in thelephoto range you really need someting with a constant aperture if you're getting paid for the job...