Help Files Camera and Photography Forum

For general camera equipment and photography technique questions. Moderated by another view. Also see the Learn section, Camera Reviews, Photography Lessons, and Glossary of Photo Terms.
Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    america
    Posts
    3

    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!

  2. #2
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    wa state
    Posts
    11,195

    Re: flash or fast lens

    What camera?
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  3. #3
    Spamminator Grandpaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Mississippi Gulf Coast, USA
    Posts
    4,808

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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
    Check out my website Here
    My Nikon D7000 Tips thread is HERE

    All images posted by me anywhere are Copyrighted by Federal Law and may not be copied or used in ANY FORM without my personal written permission. Jeff Impey
    "I decided years ago I was only going to have two types of days... Very Good Days or just Plain Good Days I just refuse to have Bad Ones!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

  4. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    america
    Posts
    3

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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!

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    SLC, Utah
    Posts
    150

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    america
    Posts
    3

    Re: flash or fast lens

    Quote 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
    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?

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    SLC, Utah
    Posts
    150

    Re: flash or fast lens

    Quote 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?

    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.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Greenville, KY, USA
    Posts
    522

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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.
    Daniel - PixElite Photography

    http://www.pixelitephotography.com
    http://www.actionphototips.com
    http://www.maxpreps.com
    I use Nikon Professional gear.

  9. #9
    Senior Member freygr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR, USA
    Posts
    2,522

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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.
    GRF

    Panorama Madness:

    Nikon D800, 50mm F1.4D AF, 16-35mm, 28-200mm & 70-300mm

  10. #10
    has-been... another view's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    7,649

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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.

  11. #11
    News & Rum-or-ator opus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Southeast Wisconsin
    Posts
    2,505

    Re: flash or fast lens

    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.
    Drink Coffee. Do stupid things faster with more energy.


Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •