Fast lens or Flash?

[dullFingers]

I'm torn between buying a flash or a fast lens. I personally prefer shots taken using a fast lens in a low light situation, on the other hand I still think I need a flash. I can't afford to buy both at the same time.

Hope you guys can help me decide.

Thanks!

[cradleofklien]

for me flash muna bilhin mo sir. mas marami ka pwede magawa sa flash and kahit sa low light situation magagamit mo parin ung flash. then ipon ka ulit for lens naman.

[Phil]

if you take pictures mostly in low light...then invest in flash.... you can use all the lens you have without problems.

[skin]

Flash is still more useful.  Bale wala ang fast lens kung walang light.  So flash is it.

[dullFingers]

I do love night photography. I think I need a flash, but i like the image quality of fast lenses when used in low light more than those images with flash used.

and... I want 'em both!

Hirap mag decide hehe

Thanks for your inputs guys!

[rockophoria]

oo both lang ang sagot dyan..

if ako nasa kalagayan mo I wont buy any of it nalang muna and save up so I can buy "BOTH" heheheh 

[kurtcobainer]

if ako nasa kalagayan mo I wont buy any of it nalang muna and save up so I can buy "BOTH" heheheh 

This.

Do you need them now? If not, then I suggest pag-ipunan mo muna until ma-bili mo silang parehas. Ako, I was torn between buying a flash or that 55-250mm lens. I ended up buying the lens kasi feel ko mas need ko sya eh although I also think I need a flash pero hindi pa ganun ka urgent so yung lens nalang muna binili ko.

[rockophoria]

This.

Do you need them now? If not, then I suggest pag-ipunan mo muna until ma-bili mo silang parehas. Ako, I was torn between buying a flash or that 55-250mm lens. I ended up buying the lens kasi feel ko mas need ko sya eh although I also think I need a flash pero hindi pa ganun ka urgent so yung lens nalang muna binili ko.

mismo! 

[rennell]

Tanong, ano ba shinushoot mo madalas?

[gainsucker]

mahal fast lens... compared sa flash...

pag low light portraits, may alternative, anjan ang 50mm f1.8

flash? try it... and you'll realize how hard it is to get a "great" image using a flash...

[dullFingers]

Salamat sa mga reply.

one factor is, hindi pa ako magaling gumamit ng flash. palagi ako bitin kapag nag shoot indoors sa mga family gathering etc. hindi rin ako kuntento sa built in flash. kahit may diffuser medyo white washed pa din images ko.

i don't shoot portraits that much, more on group shots plus travel/street photography. Gusto ko kasi yung contrast ng mga ilaw kapag gabi.

[rennell]

Salamat sa mga reply.

one factor is, hindi pa ako magaling gumamit ng flash. palagi ako bitin kapag nag shoot indoors sa mga family gathering etc. hindi rin ako kuntento sa built in flash. kahit may diffuser medyo white washed pa din images ko.

i don't shoot portraits that much, more on group shots plus travel/street photography. Gusto ko kasi yung contrast ng mga ilaw kapag gabi.

flash ka na. 

[dullFingers]

^^ hmm.. mukhang flash na nga. hindi kaya i'm just GASsing for a new lens? hehehe

another option: settle for a 3rd party fast lens and buy a good flash at the same time 

and the GAS never stops.....

[Phil]

Honestly... I am in the same shoes as you....

been debating on getting a flash or lens..... so far, I bought a new lens. Now, I am debating, if I get another lens or flash. I am thinking of getthing a 430ex II or the 580 ex II(2x price of a 430ex II)... but I think I will have my answer after a studio photo shoot on Friday...meeting with a stroby....  GGGGAAAAASSSSS.

[gainsucker]

a flash is a must, and will give you great photos if used properly... when it comes to lenses, always go f2.8 or lower... trust me, there's a big difference compared to those other lenses out there...

^^ hmm.. mukhang flash na nga. hindi kaya i'm just GASsing for a new lens? hehehe

another option: settle for a 3rd party fast lens and buy a good flash at the same time 

and the GAS never stops.....

better... 

[pallas]

I do love night photography. I think I need a flash, but i like the image quality of fast lenses when used in low light more than those images with flash used.

and... I want 'em both!

Hirap mag decide hehe

Thanks for your inputs guys!

I have an 85 1.4 and it is still compromised indoors....depending on subject.

Go for flash and it makes all your lenses look like they were primes.

[kawal]

Tanong, ano ba shinushoot mo madalas?

tama. anong klaseng night photography yan? nightscenes ba? street sa gabi? long exposures? concerts? events?

underwater macro na night photography?

[demoboi]

If you're into street photography or travel, get the fast lens. For me, the picture would be natural looking kung walang flash(for street photography). Pero in general, I would recommend na external flash muna.

[dullFingers]

If you're into street photography or travel, get the fast lens. For me, the picture would be natural looking kung walang flash(for street photography). Pero in general, I would recommend na external flash muna.

This is the reason why i like fast lenses.

tama. anong klaseng night photography yan? nightscenes ba? street sa gabi? long exposures? concerts? events?

underwater macro na night photography?

not much on concerts and events. kapag may mga occasion lang. for long exposure shots and nightscapes ok naman sakin yung tokina 11-16. i'm planning to buy a fast lens with a mid range zoom sana.

@pallas and gainsucker - mukhang flash is a must  it's big and bulky nga lang hehehe

@phil - buy 'em both! hehe
 

thanks for your replies 

[skin]

Get the flash.  With proper use of the flash, you can get natural light looking shots.

[Phil]

now the next question is...which flash?

[kurtcobainer]

now the next question is...which flash?

If I had the money, I'd get a Canon EOS Speedlite 430 EX ll. Sayang discontinued na yung 430 EX.

I read this:
If I was a typical amateur photographer who was looking for a new speedlite to go with a new DSLR, I'd probably go for the 430EX, unless I was really serious about getting into multiple flash photography. It has most of the features that average photographer is likely to need for single flash work. If you want to use multiple flash units, then the master wireless control features of the 580EX II are required but you'll still need a 430EX (or another 580EX II) as your wireless slave. The new 430EX II adds a number of features to the 430EX, but also adds $90 to the price ($330). Since you can get a 580EX II for under $410, I think I'd be tempted to get the 580EX II over the 430EX II, at least until the price on the 430EX II drops a little. The 430EX at around $240 is probably still the best value if you don't need a master wireless controller.

[skin]

If I had the money, I'd get a Canon EOS Speedlite 430 EX ll. Sayang discontinued na yung 430 EX.

I read this:
If I was a typical amateur photographer who was looking for a new speedlite to go with a new DSLR, I'd probably go for the 430EX, unless I was really serious about getting into multiple flash photography. It has most of the features that average photographer is likely to need for single flash work. If you want to use multiple flash units, then the master wireless control features of the 580EX II are required but you'll still need a 430EX (or another 580EX II) as your wireless slave. The new 430EX II adds a number of features to the 430EX, but also adds $90 to the price ($330). Since you can get a 580EX II for under $410, I think I'd be tempted to get the 580EX II over the 430EX II, at least until the price on the 430EX II drops a little. The 430EX at around $240 is probably still the best value if you don't need a master wireless controller.

My brother got a 430ex here in Philmusic for 8K I believe.  And I'm the one who browses this site since he's not a musician.  It was almost brand new.

Go for Canon 580EX II...or Nikon SB900...

[kurtcobainer]

Go for Canon 580EX II

Yeah, maganda sana yan. Kaya lang it's very expensive. I'd rather good lens than that.

[dullFingers]

now the next question is...which flash?

buy the best flash that you can afford. if the 580ex fits your budget go for it.  that way you won't be looking at other flashes in the near future. no more upgrades.. for now



- it's the sb900 for me since i'm a nikon user. and i think i will just settle for a cheaper lens.

my choices are the nikon 35mm f1.8 or the tokina 16-50 f2.8.

think boy..think