flash or fast lens

I'm looking to get a new piece of equipment but I'm not sure weather to get a flash or a fast lens. I'm really into photography, however I don't know much about either (flash or lens). I'm starting to get really into live music photography and I want to be able to capture the picture in low lighting but I don't want to wash it out with my flash. I also can't do a slow shutter speed because they're moving to fast and it doesn't come out not blurry. tri-pod isn't an option either. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on what I would benefit more from buying and also what the differences between flashes and fast lens's are. like what's a good flash and what's not. PLEASE HELP!

What camera?

You might want to let us know what kind of camera you are using and give us some kind of budget to work with. The more information you give the better the answer to your question will be, Jeff

sorry! i have a canon rebel xsi and i'm not sure about the price range i guess between 2-5 hundred.. i just don't want to not spend a lot and not get something good. i'd rather spend more for something better. thanks!

In my opinion i would go with a flash first, nicer high end flashes (depending on your camera brand for the type of flash), that way you alwas are sure to have enough light and are not only dependent on your largest apature of the lens to get enough light. You can adjust levels of the flash and bounce the flash to avoid the washed out look you talked about.

Basically if you learn to master your flash it will make your current lenses and new faster lenses that you buy able to do their job while you help control the light.

my .02cents

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Originally Posted by Irie Times

In my opinion i would go with a flash first, nicer high end flashes (depending on your camera brand for the type of flash), that way you alwas are sure to have enough light and are not only dependent on your largest apature of the lens to get enough light. You can adjust levels of the flash and bounce the flash to avoid the washed out look you talked about.

Basically if you learn to master your flash it will make your current lenses and new faster lenses that you buy able to do their job while you help control the light.

my .02cents

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thanks. i'm just scared to buy a flash because I don't know how to use them really. but when I bought my xsi and my film camera i didn't know how to use them and now i mastered them so i'm thinking it'd be like that wish a flash too. i just heard a flash makes pictures look less real than a fast lens. true?

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Originally Posted by idk123

thanks. i'm just scared to buy a flash because I don't know how to use them really. but when I bought my xsi and my film camera i didn't know how to use them and now i mastered them so i'm thinking it'd be like that wish a flash too. i just heard a flash makes pictures look less real than a fast lens. true?

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I am not sure about less real, but yes you are adding an artificial light source to the picture so you can get some "less real pictures" but i believe that the flash used properly can highlight the part of the picture you want highlighted and add a bit of fill light if needed.

What's really going to get you is when you master a flash and end up buying 1 or 2 more and are using multiple flashes and lights.

I don't think that in the decision of getting a flash or fast lens, one is necessarily better than the other, i think that if you don't have a flash it is a very useful piece of equipment, that can be used with all of your lenses in all types of situations.

Good luck.

If you are looking to use ambient light to keep the "feel" of the venue, then faster glass is the obvious choice. However, with your budget you will be rather limited in your choices. A fast wide prime like a 50 or 85mm 1.8 would be within your budget but their usefulness will depend on your access to get close to the subject. Fast telephoto zooms are pretty pricey even used. Another consideration with fast lenses is DOF. At f1.8 for example, only objects within a few inches distance of your focus point will be in focus.

Just remember at some venues flash my not be allowed. In all cases you should check. Some times you my have to sneak the camera in.

I don't know what lens you have, but I'd second the suggestion for the 50 or 85 f1.8. Chances are you have about an 18-55 zoom, maybe a bigger range than that, so you should have a good idea which of those two focal lengths you'd prefer. The f1.8 would be a huge improvement for action in low light.

flash can be distracting in live performance, so make sure you'll be able to use it enough in the venues you're attending. I'd go with faster glass, personally, just because it's less obtrusive.