Speedlite 580 EXII or 50mm 1.4 prime lens for my XTi? Would I get enough natural light with a 1.4 prime lens so as NOT TO NEED the external flash, or should I get the flash and hold of on the prime lens?
281013
The answer, of course, is "it depends." The 50mm 1.4 gives you 4 stops more than the 18-55 kit lens at the long end, which is a lot more light. However, the depth of field at f/1.4 is very shallow. If you're shooting subjects at "across-the-room" distances, depending on what look you want, you may find that shooting the 50 wide open doesn't give you enough depth of field. It also isn't very sharp at f/1.4. Putting the 580 on your hot shoe isn't going to magically make the "deer in the headlights" look go away. You'll need to soften the flash by bouncing it off a wall or ceiling, or get it off the camera and onto a lightstand so you can use an umbrella or softbox. If you really want to fall down the rabbit hole I suggest you check out the Lighting 101 tutorial on the Strobist blog (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html). All that said...the 580 is a very big, very powerful speedlight. I recommend you check out the 430EX II, which will give you much of the power and many of the features of the 580 in a smaller package, at 2/3rds the price. That's what I use on my XTi.
1867000
I was not expecting much with the XT-1's included flash unit. But I must say that I have been very pleasantly surprised by the quality of my photos when using the flash! If you are not needing a high power flash that can illuminate the subject beyond 10 to 15 feet and do not need to angle the flash the included flash unit of the XT-1 is very, very good. Good luck!
1794473
Without it being available yet it's hard to say just what exactly will be different quality wise. The new one will improve bokeh out of focus highlights at a price though. You will lose T-Stops (light transmission) For example 1.2 might give you the same light as f1.8-2. This is because the filter is a type of Neutral Density filter. For me I shoot low light and having that extra stop is important. The trade off combined with price just doesn't work. So what's more important to you? Bokeh quality or low light shooting? The 56mm is a fantastic lens in either version. Highly recommended!
759249
My brother has loan his 50 1.4 to me. I like. I may get the 24-70 2.8 - we get so many positives about it. Use the 24-70 indoors and the 4f lens where there is good light??Thanks for your suggestions.
1170609
Best for macro. Use speedlight for other shots. Ring flash can produce "halo" for other than macro.
101689
I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit? This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail
1106225
I use the Speedlite for my 7 D and have no exprrience with other Canon body. Sorry. It is great with my camera. No worry with underpower.
1820406
This is my walkaround lens, and it's almost always on my XTi. I'd say my lens usage breaks down like this:1. 50mm f/1.8: 90% of the time2. 70mm-210mm f/4: 7% (sports, closeups, weddings, etc.)3. XTi kit lens: 3% (I use it for landscapes, at the wide end only). What the 50mm lacks in zoom, it makes up for in sharpness and depth of field. I love bokeh; I hate using a flash. For these reasons, the 50mm is perfect for me. I love it when I take pictures of people at a party, and they say "Take another one . . . the flash didn't go off!" Then they look and see how good this lens performs in low light, and they're usually amazed! This is my walkaround lens, and it's almost always on my XTi. I'd say my lens usage breaks down like this:1. 50mm f/1.8: 90% of the time2. 70mm-210mm f/4: 7% (sports, closeups, weddings, etc.)3. XTi kit lens: 3% (I use it for landscapes, at the wide end only). What the 50mm lacks in zoom, it makes up for in sharpness and depth of field. I love bokeh; I hate using a flash. For these reasons, the 50mm is perfect for me. I love it when I take pictures of people at a party, and they say "Take another one . . . the flash didn't go off!" Then they... » Read More This is my walkaround lens, and it's almost always on my XTi. I'd say my lens usage breaks down like this:1. 50mm f/1.8: 90% of the time2. 70mm-210mm f/4: 7% (sports, closeups, weddings, etc.)3. XTi kit lens: 3% (I use it for landscapes, at the wide end only). What the 50mm lacks in zoom, it makes up for in sharpness and depth of field. I love bokeh; I hate using a flash. For these reasons, the 50mm is perfect for me. I love it when I take pictures of people at a party, and they say "Take another one . . . the flash didn't go off!" Then they look and see how good this lens performs in low light, and they're usually amazed! « Show Less
479023
I only use the fast f 1.4 setting when the light level is low. In this case the fast lens is very useful. I can take nice, natural pictures without using a flash. In bright sun I use a much higher f stop such as f 11 or f 16. I have no problems taking nicely exposed pictures in bright sunlight. If you put the camera on the "Smart" setting it will control the exposure automatically. I am very satisfied with the EX2F camera. JDS
227598
I am in the same boat. I am highly contemplating the d40/d40x and the Rebel xt/xti. Right now I am leaning towards the d40 as I don't plan on doing large size prints for the most part and I've heard that the Nikon lens kit is better. My only concern is that I want to do some HDR photography, and the Nikon's don't have AEB which concerns me, but I'm seeing a lot of discussion about shooting in RAW and getting similar results from one picture. Should I go with the XTi so I know I can do HDR properly and suffer with lower quality lenses, or get the D40/x and shoot in RAW and be done with it?
36983
I already had the 17mm f1.8 and the 45mm f1.8 which are great for low light. I decided to buy the 12-40mm f2.8 because it is weather sealed and a great workaround lens. If I had to decide I would choose the 12-40mm lens. Just be aware that you loose a little more than a stop of light when compared to the primes.
1346883
I have the 50mm f1.8 and love everything about it. My only problem is the focusing speed. I don't mind spending $340 for the 1.4 but I read alot of people had problem with it and have to send it in for repair. This made me very nervous. Anybody familiar with this problem? One more thing, if you want to choose between the 50mm or 85mm, check the crop on your camera first. Ex. T3i have a 1.6 vs 5D have a 1.0 meaning a 50mm on a T3i is equal to a 80mm on a 5D.
210014
There's the Canon Speedlite 270EX. Its small but not very powerful though it can be bounced off the ceiling (only) in landscape orientation for much more flattering light. The flash uses annoying light pulses in order to assist the camera's auto focus in dim light (more advanced models use a low key red focus assist beam). I can't find a listing for one directly from Amazon right now so be careful who you buy it from. The Sigma EF-530 DG Super is a full-featured powerful flash - I was quite happy with my old EF-500 Super - which offers some features only found on Canon's high-end Speedlite 580EX but its not all that much cheaper than a 430EX II. You'll find the quality of no-name third party flashes varies quite a bit so be very cautious about trying to go too cheap. Metz has a very good reputation for their high end flashes but I'm not really sure about their cheap models. Sunpak has been making good quality flashes for many years but, again, I'm not entirely sure about their cheap models. I'm not sure I'd trust any other brands as they are entirely, or nearly so, all re-labelled Chinese imports of unknown quality. By the way, whichever flash you decide on, be sure to pick up a set of NiMH rechargable batteries. You'll get more shots and shorter flash charge-up times among other advantages. Look for low-self-discharge/pre-charged/hybrid batteries like Sanyo Eneloops. These batteries are made to hold a charge longer while sitting unused so your flash will always be ready to go (standard NiMH will lose their charge over time at a faster rate).
2056006
The flash is designed to fit 58mm and smaller filter size. If you try and adapt to 62mm or 67mm, you are going to get vignetting (fall-off of light causing darkening of the image at the edges and/or corners.) You need either a larger ring flash for those larger lenses, or to use another flash setup-- a ring light, most probably, for Macro, or a standard flash or 2 or 3 if you are doing portraiture. It seems odd that you would have three different macro lenses, so I'm guessing that you wanting to use the light for both macro (probably your 52mm filter size lens) and for portraiture with your other lenses. Might be best to go with separate flash set-ups for macro and portraiture. Making a lot of assumptions here, but trying to address your concerns. Good luck.
227594
Hey, i just purchased the Nikon D60... i am thinking about exchanging it for the XTI for the same reason. the time to for the flash to "refresh" really makes it hard to catch the moment when flash is needed. Are you stil happy with your exchange? Can anyone comment on the reasons for the substantially slower flash in the Nikon D60 when compared to the canon XTI? Also, i heard that the Canon XTI is being taken out of the market and only the XSi will remain... is that true?
781337
Pick up a lens with a low F stop. I have a Minolta Maxxum AF 50 mm f 1.7 on my alpha and I can take pictures without flash.
2109069
I am using it with my X-E1. I do not have any problems with the speed thus far for my uses (enthusiast photography, architectural and stills). I do like the quality, very sharp and great colors. I am not sure what kind of speed you are looking for and unfortunately I have not used the Canon lens you mention. If speed is desired, F2.8 is desirable, but as far as performance and price point is concerned; this is the sweet spot for me. Also, read some of the reviews on the purchase page. Very good info there as well. Good luck!