decisions, decisions

[Danielle10]

So im saving up for a new toy to add to my collection.
And because im a woman i want everything yesterday
What would you buy first?
70-200 f2.8?
100mm macro?
external flash?

I want the 70-200 mainly for the large aperture and ability to zoom (and hoping to use this for portraiture as well??) correct me if im wrong in wanting to use this.
I want the macro to open up the world of macro photography and to use for portraiture
and I want the flash coz i want to learn about flash photography and learn to use it.

in short thats what i want to do.
ANy ideas????

[mrDooba]

What do you already have??

With out knowing I'd go for the 70-200/2.8

[Shelley]

inside/outside portraiture? I use my 70-200 outside and 24-70 inside - space limitations.

[colinbm]

Hi Danni
I got worried when I saw "" decisions, decisions ""
I thought you were thinking of a new cam like Nikon D700 or something
I was going to suggest the Sigma SD1

I don't remember what lens you have now ?? 50mm ??
I would go with the 70-200 f2.8 It will be your walk-around lens & open up the most horizons for you
The other gear will be nice to have, but walk first
The other stuff is a bit more specialized

Hope you are keeping warm.
Cheers
Col

[Morbo]

I have a 70-200mm 2.8 and I love it, incredible picture quality! The bokeh looks great, would highly recommend. But they can be very expensive depending on what variant you have. And depends on what you have already etc etc

[unistudent1962]

Assuming you're on Canon, unless you REALLY NEED f2.8, get a 70-200 f4L IS AND 100 f2.8 Macro AND 430EXII Flash for close to the same price as the 70-200 f2.8L IS (local prices).

[para]

As a few others have said
I would go for 70-200 2.8 is quite a versatile lens great for sport etc and portraits and a lot in between

[Bennymiata]

Think about what your main uses are, then go and see and feel the lenses you're interesting in.
Check them out through the viewfinder and how they feel on the camera.
Being a lady, you might find the 70-200 F2.8 to be too big and heavy, and is quite a lug to carry around all day long.

A flash is a very important accessory, and once you have one, you'll wonder what you ever did without it, however, there are some very good, and inexpensive flashes that work very well with Canons, so you can save a lot just there.
For lenses, get the best you can afford, but look around for the right price once you've made your decision/s.

[Fedgrub]

Appreciate this thread, Danielle, as I am in the same boat as you. Not sure what to get, and my item choices are similar to yours.

Thanks for the posts everyone

[DNA]

What would depend on what you want to photograph the most yesterday. Probably the 70-200 and flash. Macro can come later. You do get 100 on the zoom for portraits. Hell, just buy all three, no big deal. Best of luck with your purchases.

[KeeFy]

The 70-200 is a beast to carry. Combine it with a few lenses your bag tends to get heavy. Also if you're using a small body, you will want to invest in a battery grip if you don't have one and a handstrap. Helps to balance out the weight of the 70-200. I've got friends who fingers cramp trying to use it for long periods of time on a canon XXXD body without a BG and a handstrap.

As for flashses. I'd highly recommend one as well!

[Xenedis]

It's not an easy decision, as they are all very different tools for different purposes.

The only advice I can give you is to go for the item which fills the biggest gap first, or would get more use.

If you're really into macro or have a strong desire to explore it, the macro lens is the best choice.

On the flip-side, the macro lens is the most specialised of the three items you've mentioned, although its 100mm focal length can certainly be used for portraits, still life or general-purpose photography if the focal length is suitable.

The 70-200/2.8 is the most versatile of the lot, but has no use as a macro lens.

You need to look at your images and your photographic interests, and see what kinds of subjects you shoot or want to shoot. If you're frequently finding yourself at the long end of your wide/standard zoom, the 70-200 might be the most useful.

If you get into flash, you'll want to look at techniques and equipment for using the flash off the camera; on-camera flash is utterly evil. If you want to get into portraiture, you'll want angled or side lighting, which means the flash needs to be off the camera. It can be tethered via a cable, or triggered wirelessly. There's a whole world of off-camera flash you may like to explore, but first things come first.

[dulvariprestige]

For around $2,000, you could get the new sigma 70-200mm OS, massive improvement over the non OS, reviews say it's as good as the canon MK 1, and I think they're right,
canon 100mm non L macro,
a YN-468 TTL flash
a set of pixel TR-332 TTL triggers, I've had these trigger for nearly 12mths and they work really well, the YN-468 is no 580EXII, but I've heard good things about them if you're on a budget and would like TTL, or get the 580 and still be under the price of a canon 70-200 MKII

[Danielle10]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I found a used 100mm macro on the US eBay site ( god love the Aussie dollar at the moment) so I took the plunge and bought it.
I'm always intrigued by macro images and would love to learn and see if I can do it.

[peterb666]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I found a used 100mm macro on the US eBay site ( god love the Aussie dollar at the moment) so I took the plunge and bought it.
I'm always intrigued by macro images and would love to learn and see if I can do it.

Well done. Look forward to seeing what you do with it.

[colinbm]

Good on you Danni, I'd love a macro too, but impatiently waiting
Col