So, Christmas is coming and I need to decide myself about what I'll get. Since I usually need some time to decide myself...
I currently have a D80, 18-70 and a 50 1.4.
My choices are:
Flash: SB-600 or SB-800, hard to decide, probably the 600 because I don't think I'll buy others, and I guess the 800 is more useful when someone has more than one flash right? Are the other differences between them worth the 120€? I also thought about a Ring Flash, the effect looks very cool on people but I have my doubts on a more general use...
Lens: 70-300 VR is probably my best choice now though i would like a wide lens also...
I personally would go for the SB-600 or the 70-300mm VR. You could probably make due with your 18-70mm for the wide end of your range. Eventually, you will most likely decide to buy and ultra-wide angle lens as well. Good luck.
70-300mm VR is a fantastic lens from 70-200mm and a very good one from 200-300mm. As for a flash, I'd suggest either the SB-400 or the SB-800 (you can do an awful lot with a little SB-400, some folded white cardboard, and a some sticky-tape/rubber-bands)
And how about the ring flash, any opinion? The thing is, I would use the flash almost only for interiors I think, maybe I would try to shoot some models but I'm afraid of ugly shadows with only one flash. That's why I'm thinking about a possible Ring Flash (Sigma?) since shadows wouldn't be a problem as they are more "uniform". But I'm afraid of other general uses I might want, since I don't know how a ring flash behaves when compared to a normal SB-xxx on general situations.
I saw some options to "convert" a normal flash into a ring flash but eh... a real one looks better! *jk*
I actually also have a 500w light (one of those real cheap ones) that I bought to use on a DIYlight box, maybe I could use it with with a SB-xxx to avoid ugly shadows.
Anyway, these are just thoughts for now as I have absolutely no experience with flash lightning!
About the lens, 70-300 would be the choice for now! Maybe later a ultra wide lens or even an eye fish.
the 70-300VR is an excellent choice...
and about the flash, the SB-800 could be an interesting choice because it comes with a diffusion dome, a built in reflector card, filters, it has more power, a broader focal distance range. The price difference with the 600 is justified. Avoiding shadows is a matter of technique, using the ceiling as a reflector, using your own reflector, working wireless, ... you can learn a lot looking at the strobist site.
Maybe later a ultra wide lens or even an eye fish.