flash or 50mm?

Llama

Llama

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Jack
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ok so this christmas im gonna spend some more money on my camera :D
but not sure what to spend it on, the stuff iv really enjoyed photographing has been biking, that makes me feel that i should go for the flash. but i also do other stuff and as i use my camera alot for art (and soon a-level photography) i feel that the 50mm might be better. what do you guys think?
also what flash would be best (i dont no much about them :( )
thank you
Jack
 
I'd probably go for the lens first.. a 50mm 1.8 is a great learning lens (thinking of your upcoming A-level). I say probably for a couple of reasons.. I don't personally find the 50mm focal length that pleasing on a crop sensor and there's a lot you can learn with a flash. With Yongnuo (for example) offering budget TTL flashguns and wireless triggers you might find that getting a basic strobist kit offers more possibilities.
 
Alastair said:
I'd probably go for the lens first.. a 50mm 1.8 is a great learning lens (thinking of your upcoming A-level). I say probably for a couple of reasons.. I don't personally find the 50mm focal length that pleasing on a crop sensor and there's a lot you can learn with a flash. With Yongnuo (for example) offering budget TTL flashguns and wireless triggers you might find that getting a basic strobist kit offers more possibilities.
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hmm i fell i need to learn a bit more about flashes before i make my decision, what effect will my crop sensor have on a 50mm lens (both technical and visible please :) )

o and also thank you dan for your response :)
 
While the D200 is a great camera, it isn't so hot at higher iso, with this in mind look at a flash sb600 or sb900, the sb600 is approx £180 while the sb900 is approx £330, I haven't used the 600 but from what I understand it is an excellent flash, I do have the 900 which has the easiest interface to use plus it zooms to 200mm while the 600 is 105mm. I also have 3x 50mm lenses they are either different models or makes and they are all great. If you can get both the lens and flash they will both be a great benefit to your photography:D
 
Davec223 said:
While the D200 is a great camera, it isn't so hot at higher iso, with this in mind look at a flash sb600 or sb900, the sb600 is approx £180 while the sb900 is approx £330, I haven't used the 600 but from what I understand it is an excellent flash, I do have the 900 which has the easiest interface to use plus it zooms to 200mm while the 600 is 105mm. I also have 3x 50mm lenses they are either different models or makes and they are all great. If you can get both the lens and flash they will both be a great benefit to your photography:D
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yea iv noticed the ISO, and although the 50mm would allow me to stop down the aperture,the flash would sort the problem on any lens.
o n btw, this may be a stupid question but how can a flash zoom?
and thank you for your help, appreciated
 
redddraggon said:
50mm on your D200 is like a 75mm on full frame/35mm
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boliston said:
Why not get a 35/1.8? This would be ideal for a D200 DX body, similar to using the 50/1.8 on an FX body.
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hmm im not sure anymore, iv seen pictures taken with 50mm on a dx seonsor and thats what i asuumed i would be getting, would a 35mm look better then?
 
Llama said:
would a 35mm look better then?
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No, it'd just be a wider field of view.

I have a 50mm f/1.4 and it's good for portraits, but as with all primes foot zoom doesn't always let frame stuff right. Sometimes I wish it was a bit shorter, and sometimes a bit longer, but I find a 50mm about right on a crop for what I use it for.
 
redddraggon said:
No, it'd just be a wider field of view.

I have a 50mm f/1.4 and it's good for portraits, but as with all primes foot zoom doesn't always let frame stuff right. Sometimes I wish it was a bit shorter, and sometimes a bit longer, but I find a 50mm about right on a crop for what I use it for.
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ok that's what i was thinking :)
i planed to buy second hand, so if i change my mind i can always just sell it for a similar price and just buy what i actully wont
 
I find that with a 50mm on a crop sensor you see the shot, raise your camera and find yourself taking a few steps backwards to get the shot your eye saw. With a 30mm (on a 1.6xCanon crop body) I can raise the camera to my eye and get exactly the shot that I saw in my head. Of course the 30mm (or 35mm) is going to strecth the budget further than a 50mm.

A flash zooms by adjusting the focussing lens in front of the bulb, this can narrow or widen the beam of the flash to match the field of view of the lens being used. No point throwing light to the sides if you're using a telephoto lens.
 
Llama said:
yea iv noticed the ISO, and although the 50mm would allow me to stop down the aperture,the flash would sort the problem on any lens.
o n btw, this may be a stupid question but how can a flash zoom?
and thank you for your help, appreciated
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The flash zooms to adjust the spread of light it produces a wider lens needs a wide spread of light while using a longer lens means a tighter beam can be used and increase the usable distance that can be iluminated
 
Alastair said:
I find that with a 50mm on a crop sensor you see the shot, raise your camera and find yourself taking a few steps backwards to get the shot your eye saw. With a 30mm (on a 1.6xCanon crop body) I can raise the camera to my eye and get exactly the shot that I saw in my head. Of course the 30mm (or 35mm) is going to strecth the budget further than a 50mm.

A flash zooms by adjusting the focussing lens in front of the bulb, this can narrow or widen the beam of the flash to match the field of view of the lens being used. No point throwing light to the sides if you're using a telephoto lens.
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ok got it ty :thumbs:

think im gonna go with the 50mm, mainly for budget, (I'm also saving for a mac-book pro) thank you for all the advise, i have improved my knowledge and have stuff to think about if i do raise some more funds, once again thank you everyone :D
jack
 
I was thinking the same thing, decided to go for the lens first - last week got the 50mm 1.8 second hand and ended up getting the SB600 two days later!

It was more than I had intended to spend at the moment, but I'm really enjoying portraits and my other interest is dancing and I wanted to get some nice dancing shots over the Christmas period. I reckoned I was going to get both soon anyway so might as well stretch to get them now and start using them. Tried the combination of both on Sat night and was pleased with the results.
 
50mm f1.4d - approx 200 new...
But i find that its a bit zoomy and prefer the sigma 30mm f1.4
However their build quality could be a problem.

Also found it best to invest approx 300 on a lens and I have a few now that were that price range. Better quality :)

If you are unsure and have a little dosh to spare, perhaps rent the lens for a few days and take some pics (or find a fellow photographer who will loan you the lens/walk with you as you test it).
 
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