Help me spend £300!

James306

James306

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James
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I have set aside £300 from Christmas to get some new toys, current ideas are

1. Canon 50mm f1.4
2. Canon 85mm f1.8
3. Canon Speedlight 580 EX II
4. Canon Speedlight 430 EX II + 50mm f1.8
5. Put it in the fund tin for the 70-200 2.8 IS USM L

Any comments/suggestions? (Not suggestions such as give it to me etc :p )
 
Currently have a canon 10-22, tamron 17-50 2.8 and a speedlight 420 EX. The 50mm is covered but only at 2.8, would be nice to get creative and the 1.4 would be ideal to play with!

The flash however is borrowed, although for as long as I need it I'm not keen on holding on to peoples equipment for longer than I have to so the flash option is a good idea atm.
 
As said above, depends what you want to shoot.

How are you getting on with the flash?

I told myself I was crazy when I pressed the 'Buy' button for my first flash, the 580exII. However I am seriously impressed to what can be achieved with a flashgun or even a simple bounce from it.

If you take more people pics/indoors then I say get the flash. If you want more reach, then possibly bank the cash for a 70-200L


Andy
 
TBH the flash is the poor performer out of all my gear having quite a slow cycle time and eats batteries like nobodies business! It's an old flash now.

My preference is to shoot people however I dabble with everything.
 
I can't compare on flash recycle times as I have only ever used the 580exII however I believe it has a quick recycle time...probably far better than the 420. With decent rechargables, my gun is almost ready to fire right away when in ETTL.

I see Eneloops batteries often recommended on here, however Ive been using Energizer NIMH 2450mAh and find them superior to Duracell and Uniross equivelents. I will buy Eneloops next to try them out!

If your preference is people, I think a good flash gun is a wise purchase. Im more into landscapes so maybe a 'people' person can offer better advice :thumbs:
 
So then begs the question, 430 EXII and a nifty, or just get the 580 EXII?

I have used the 580 EXII and it is much much much quicker recycling than the 420, and has a lot more features! I have however never used a 430 EXII.

Thoughts anyone who has used both?
 
James306 said:
So then begs the question, 430 EXII and a nifty, or just get the 580 EXII?

I have used the 580 EXII and it is much much much quicker recycling than the 420, and has a lot more features! I have however never used a 430 EXII.

Thoughts anyone who has used both?
Click to expand...


I hadn't used any flash when I bought it...I really had no clue to what I needed or wanted.

I read some comparisons online and came to the conclusion that the extra cost was worth it. I mainly wanted the ability to trigger future flashes using the inbuilt Master commander feature of the 580exII, I also prefer that the head rotated 180degrees left and right and it was weatherproof.

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-430ex-ii-vs-canon-580ex-ii/

I also have a nifty fifty, and couldn't advise against buying one of them either!!

Personally, Im making no compromise on this photography adventure...I'd rather wait and build the proper kit bag over time than try and fill it sooner with lesser equipment...I could regret saying that haha..
 
85mm f/1.8 as you have everything else covered and it is an excellent lens.

Then flog 420 on ebay and get a used 430EX cheap. I have one and it really doesn't lack anything including speed (well it doesn't have wireless master and less power than 580 but that's not a deal breaker for you at the moment). I'd imagine about £20-50 investment here will be needed for the swap.
 
The 420 is borrowed, that's why I wanted to invest in my own. Everything else I have is my own kit.
 
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