Flash vs Lens

AshD93

AshD93

AshD93

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Joined
21 Oct 2009
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1,613
Hi guys,

Following on from my thread before, we ended up buying a Canon 700d.

Pictures are lovely in light with the 18-55mm STM lens but lately, I'm taking more photos (generally portraits and similar) indoor, and a lot with low light or poor light.

So would I be beneficial buying a 50mm prime or buying a speedlite flash as my first purchase.

Canon has the 50mm 1.8 at £80 but I would need to save money to buy the 1.4 if it was suggested. Is there a huge difference with max shutter speeds? I've read so many reviews :eek:

Or would a 430 ex ii be a better buy?

Thanks for all advice in advance. Still learning so I'm :confused:

Ash

Bump

See post 18.

Hi guys, sorry to bump.

Would this be okay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yongnuo-Sp...item3f2b8becbf

Thanks. Just need a quick yes or no before ordering (only got round to it.. lazy me)

Cheers

Ash
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Speedlite imho, but can't comment on that model of flash.

the 1.8 is more than sufficient to start with, shooting at 1.4 takes a lot of practice.
 
How low light are you shooting in? Will the (at most) 3 and a bit stops (or 4 for the f/1.4 lens) extra from a wider aperture give you a useable shutter speed? If not, the 430 is the answer.

Personally, I'd go for the flash anway, but that's how I prefer to shoot.
 
john_s said:
How low light are you shooting in? Will the (at most) 3 and a bit stops (or 4 for the f/1.4 lens) extra from a wider aperture give you a useable shutter speed? If not, the 430 is the answer.

Personally, I'd go for the flash anway, but that's how I prefer to shoot.
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I think my low light is somewhat different to what you lot think I'm talking about.

Imagine a house or flat with those energy saver lights with only one or two lighting up a large room.

I'm honestly not sure what's beneficial hence why I ask. Would the 1.8 make a big difference if I'm shooting at f 3.5 to 5 currently compared to using a good flash?
 
Consider something like the YN 565 ex II instead of the Canon 430, buy the YN and you'll still have money left over for the 50mm 1.8 and it's still less than buying the Canon 430 on its own. Win, win.

http://speedlights.net/2011/08/28/yongnuo-yn-565-ex-flash-review/

. edit .

Bear in my the 50mm 1.8 is quite tight indoors unless you have a some room and are just taking reasonably tight shots. Best thing to do is use your 18 - 55 at 50mm and take lots of test shots during the day to see if the focal length would work for you.
 
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Sh4rkie said:
Consider something like the YN 565 ex II instead of the Canon 430, buy the YN and you'll still have money left over for the 50mm 1.8 and it's still less than buying the Canon 430 on its own. Win, win.

http://speedlights.net/2011/08/28/yongnuo-yn-565-ex-flash-review/

. edit .

Bear in my the 50mm 1.8 is quite tight indoors unless you have a some room and are just taking reasonably tight shots. Best thing to do is use your 18 - 55 at 50mm and take lots of test shots during the day to see if the focal length would work for you.
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I'll try that for sure. I do take a lot of close up portraits so being tight isn't a nad thing for me IMO.

Is there any disadvantage to buying a YN? I did see them but was a bit weary. The 'you get what you pay for' comes into mind.
 
AshD93 said:
I'll try that for sure. I do take a lot of close up portraits so being tight isn't a nad thing for me IMO.

Is there any disadvantage to buying a YN? I did see them but was a bit weary. The 'you get what you pay for' comes into mind.
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I use a couple of YN560III (manual flash, doesn't support ettl) for off camera flash work and they are every bit as good as my Canon 580ex ii for my needs. The reviews on the rainforest speak for themselves and lots of independent reviews say the same thing.

If you get one from the rainforest be careful as the cheaper ones ship from HK, get one from the bay and choose a UK seller. Still can be had for less than £100 (circa £75 or so) and get a cheap stofen clone for a few quid.

Then its play time, bouncing off walls and ceilings to get the best unflash looking light :)
 
Having learned the hard way I would definitely say get the flash first. It will at the very least, get more life out of the lens(es) you have while you save for lenses. Personally I have the 600EXRT and it's awesome, but maybe smaller version would suit you in this case. My uncle raves about his Yn560 (I think that's the model) but if you chuck a bit more in the pot you can get the speedlite range of flashes.

The reason I say get the flash is that while I more often than not don't need to use one, the times that you do find you need one but don't have one will at best give you an option of a very noisy high ISO shot. I was at an event for a friend and they turned on some very bright bar lights which ruined shots! That was the final straw for me :)
 
I still use the 430ex MkI - If that puts anything into perspective. All my indoor shots with flash are using that unless I'm remote firing in which case the YN560s come out.

You can get cheaper flashes that are TTL than the 430 MkII but they will differ in features and spec so it might be worth knowing your budget.

Edit*
Whatever TTL flash you get will deliver excellent results and will allow you to progress over the years.
 
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Flash with the ability to move the head to point at the ceiling, if it has focus assist it will help even more. I'm not really a fan of the 50mm f1.8 for indoor shots as I found the lens hunted to get focus.
 
Here's a video that might interest you OP, indoor low light portrait type stuff which show's what you can do with a kit lens and a speedlight in small areas and also cheap light modifiers :)


I have a 50mm 1.8 and I rarely use it in low light in doors. I much prefer my results with another lens and a speedlight. I have the 600RT but had a perfectly good 430ex2 before. I upgraded for the RT functions rather than the 430 not being up to the job :)
 
AshD93 said:
I think my low light is somewhat different to what you lot think I'm talking about.

Imagine a house or flat with those energy saver lights with only one or two lighting up a large room.

I'm honestly not sure what's beneficial hence why I ask. Would the 1.8 make a big difference if I'm shooting at f 3.5 to 5 currently compared to using a good flash?
Click to expand...

Get some SAD 6400k bulbs for the house.
 
Yes that should be just fine. In fact I'm tempted to pick 2 up myself to replace the manual 560s I have which over the years have been bashed about and no longer zoom :o
 
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