If I can't afford to buy a Speedlite, are the other brands worth spending any money on? I have an sxi with the 28-135 and 55-250 zoom lenses. On Amazon I see a lot of Bower flashes, but I know there are many others.
I want to buy a good fixed lens and am considering buying a better quality zoom lens.
Here's some of my pics, I am an amateur who is trying to get much better! http://365project.org/debihas27/365/2012-10-21
If you are good with learning manual flash (its really very simple, check out www.strobist.com). Buy a lumopro 160. All the power of a 580EXII, but manual only controls for a fraction of the price, and very reliable. The Youngo (sp?) flashes are cheaper, but seem to be a bit more hit or miss on quality.
Good cheap prime? 50 1.8 or 40 2.8. Both stellar IQ. $100 and $200 respectively. I think the 40 is on rebate now for $150...what a bargain.
Why not an older use Speedlite, like a 550 or 430EX? Or you could always buy a Yongnuo flash (they're Chinese copies of Canon's Speedlites); they are cheap too.
I would definitely get rid of the 28-135. I had one years ago with my 40D and 28mm on a crop camera just isn't wide enough. The 55-250 though is a great lens for the price.
As for a prime, if you're on a budget I would look for a used 35 f/2 or maybe on of the new 40mm. Of course there is always the nifty-fifty (50mm 1.8).
I've had great, great experience with my sigma ef500 DG Super. Operation isn't as simple as Canon, but still very capable. Had it for years now and use it regularly. Newer models are out there now.
I've had great, great experience with my sigma ef500 DG Super. Operation isn't as simple as Canon, but still very capable. Had it for years now and use it regularly. Newer models are out there now.
The Sigma EF 500 only works up to a 40D, unless it is eligible for a firmware upgrade. Mine was not and did not work on my new 50D. I had to upgrade to the EF 610, which is an excellent flash for half the price of Canon. Guide number 61 and ETTL.
I also have a Yongnuo ETTL flash I keep with my Rebel t2i. Guide number of 33 and less than $100. I also have their ring flash. Not bad for $45.
dansmail26 wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I'll start shopping.
Confused on the 28-135 mm zoom comment, the pq using that lens seems so good, is it considered a 'bad' lens?
I think there is a lot of copy variation - I had a very nice copy of it. Whatever zoom lens you look at in Canon's lineup, someone will have had a bad experience with it so don't worry.
dansmail26 wrote:
Thanks for the advice, I'll start shopping.
Confused on the 28-135 mm zoom comment, the pq using that lens seems so good, is it considered a 'bad' lens?
here's what I can say:
Sell your 28-135 and 55-250 canons. If you want cheap but good ZOOM buy the Tamron 28-75mm then send it to Tamron have it calibrated for your XSi body.
I have the digital version as well......and it was a waste of money....the earlier non digital version set on auto gives equally good results (that is...outstanding results) at a third the price.
If you are not familiar with them they are tough as old boots hammerheads with duel outputs (a main multi direction swivel head and a fixed fill in) and anyone who has owned one will comment on the quality of the Metz light.
I use a sunpak pz42x flash, but to be honest, I don't use it very often and it doesn't support high speed sync...so it's limited in usefulness. It is TTL and has a crop and full frame zoom option. It works well for what I need.
Nifty 50 is always a good, inexpensive prime, and a decent portrait lens on a crop sensor. All of Canon's primes are pretty good though, so make sure to look at a focal length that suits your needs.
As for flash, Canon's are the best. A used 430ex or even a 320ex might be the most affordable option. Otherwise, the Nissin flashes are supposed to be pretty good. I've seen good prices for them on maxsaver.net, but not sure how reputable they are (they get recommended for filters fairly often).
dansmail26 wrote:
Confused on the 28-135 mm zoom comment, the pq using that lens seems so good, is it considered a 'bad' lens?
The 28-135 is not a "bad" lens but there are better lenses out there. The design is a bit old (14 years), it has an older IS system, and it was designed for 35mm film cameras. For me, the biggest downside is the focal range. On a crop body, it's equivalent to a 45mm-216mm. I shoot in the 24-44mm range too much to have that lens be useful. Personally, I would favor an lens that starts in the 17-18mm range for my carry around lens.
The 550 EX is great, but costs $175-$200. If you don't need ttl A good new option is the lumopro lp 160, for used, nikon SB-28 or SB-24 are cheap and good.
Whatever zoom lens you look at in Canon's lineup, someone will have had a bad experience with it so don't worry.