New Flash and lens....

DiCe! · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:30

Right I own a 350D, Not the best camera in the world, but im after soem good lenses:
I have a kit 18-55 with no IS
Nifty Fifty
Sigma 70-300 - with no auto focus which is a pain! - very tempted to replace this.

So Im looking to spend £400ish in the coming months and im looking at
A battery grip
a flash - nothing stupidly pricey just something that i can bounce and to improve the onboard
and as for the lens thinking of the 85mm prime, although it has no IS it gets good reviews.

What do you good people think? Is it worth waiting longer and getting an L?

Many thanks

Phate · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:41

Depends entirely on what you shoot.

I can vouch for the 85mm 1.8 though, its an incredible lens, I use it at weddings all the time, IS is not needed.

Flash, might as well get a Canon one if you are going to do it, this will improve and change your photography for life, I can't believe I went so long without one

DiCe! · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:49

The thing with a canon flash....are they worth £350? Really? I find that very hard to believe, but then I am a complete newbie to all this.

Phate · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:53

DiCe! said:
The thing with a canon flash....are they worth £350? Really? I find that very hard to believe, but then I am a complete newbie to all this.

Yes.

Well don't get the 580, it'll be seriously overkill, hunt for a second hand 430 or something.

Why are they worth it?

Won't have any compatability issues, any problems - straight to Canon to fix, they are reliable, take an absolute beating, they are powerful, flexible, fantastic build quality, easy to understand. Can't go wrong really!

DiCe! · 14 Jul 2011 at 13:03

Ok so the 430 is on the list, ill pick up a second hand.
85 1.8, ill pick that up when I have the cash.
The thing that is annoying me at the moment is the telephoto, Canon EF 70-300mm is on the cards as im wanting some animal/track day type shots.

Phate · 14 Jul 2011 at 13:13

Sigma do a nice 70-300 I believe has AF too I think

DiCe! · 14 Jul 2011 at 13:19

The sigma I have I believe is not meant for the new digitals, I could send it to get re-chipped but the cost is not worth it. might do like you say and replace like for like

Raikiri · 14 Jul 2011 at 13:26

Canon 55-250 IS is the best budget telephoto for Canon, you pick them up from about £130 new.

a1ex2001 · 15 Jul 2011 at 16:28

Phate said:
Won't have any compatability issues, any problems - straight to Canon to fix, they are reliable, take an absolute beating, they are powerful, flexible, fantastic build quality, easy to understand. Can't go wrong really!

I could say all the same things about my sigma flash (obviously it goes to sigma if it's bust) and I have an extra couple of hundred quid in my pocket.

adamau5 · 15 Jul 2011 at 16:33

I have a metz 48 af-1 and the canon 430exII

The metz is my go to... better exposures, recycling time, and once you get used to the menu, its quick to change settings.

DiCe! · 15 Jul 2011 at 16:47

a1ex2001 said:
I could say all the same things about my sigma flash (obviously it goes to sigma if it's bust) and I have an extra couple of hundred quid in my pocket.

And what flash is that?