I'm new to DSLR photography and am wanting to get myself some new lighting kit (I don't have any right now). I currently have a Cannon Rebel T2i/550d.
I bought myself a 50mm 1.8 lens and am loving it. I still have so much to learn with it but have identified my next lens as the 24-70L lens 2.8 which I'm saving for.
I want to also invest in some lighting gear. I can't justify spending too much on this stuff but equally I want good quality gear which I can use to grow my photography skills.
The main reason for buying such lighting would be for portraits mostly which I'd initially use with my 50mm lens and then with the new 24-70 lens. In the future I'd like to get a specific portrait lens such as the 85mm 1.8 but it won't be for some time.
Anyway, my main question is, what lighting gear should I get?
I've seen that people regard the Speedlight 430 ex quite highly but I've seen a lot of nice results with the Alien bees ABR800 ringflash.
Well as far as the lenses go the 50mm on a t2i is equal to about 80mm because its not a full frame sensor. It's still a great lens, I have it as well and I shoot a T2i also. The 35mm would be about the equivalent to a 50. The 24-70 a friend of mine has and its an incredible lens so good choice with that one. My next investment is the canon 10-22mm. Now with lighting I'm not much help with. I haven't purchased anything yet but just looking around I've found some nice looking kits with backdrops and umbrella lights for 150 bucks. Probly get what you pay for though.
@wolfe The 10-22mm is awesome. I use it frequently.
Bear in mind that the 24-70mm is indeed an excellent lens, but as Wolfe suggests with the 50mm the focal length of it on a cropped sensor body would be something like 38-112. So, quite long. The 17-55mm f/2.8 EF-S lens (made only for crop bodies) would be my choice when taking portraits on a 550D and was made to cover a similar focal length as the 24-70mm would be on a full frame body.
Are you looking for on or off camera lighting? What's your budget?
If on camera, the 430ex II is a fine flash. The 580exII is better, but if you can't afford it, the 430 will do.
If off camera, I would probably still go with the 430ex or 580ex over a strobe. I definitely wouldn't get a ringflash - I think they have pretty limited use. If you want a strobe, the AlienBees400 or 800, depending on how much power you need, are great strobes for the money. And unless you want your camera connected to your light with a cable, you'll also need some wireless triggers.... it never ends :)
I would recommend just starting with a single speedlight, play around with it for a couple months, check out Neil Van Niekerk's site about maximizing your on camera flash - and when you start to wish you could put it somewhere other than on your camera, get some wireless triggers.
this is as personal as boxers or briefs... rings can be fun... they are just very different from on camera or a strobe... first this how portable do you want your system?
+1 to alien bees if you want studio or portable lights...(the power pack is good)
1600 if you want to beat up the sun or 800 if you will be indoors (sounds silly but it is tough to turn the 1600 down low enough for many indoor shoots)
Okay thanks all for the advice. I think I'm going to get a 430ex and see where it takes my photography.
Also, I reckon I'll get the 24-70L or the 17-40L because I'll eventually get a full frame body so am reluctant to buy the EF-S model lenses.
I definitely really like the look of the ring flashes but I think I'd find more applications for a regular flashgun and there's plenty to learn about bouncing that off walls and what not :-)
@vikdaddy Sorry to drag up an old(ish) post, but since you have a 430EXII can you tell me if it swivels and tilts? None of the reviews I've found online seem to say one way or another. Looking at hiring one for the weekend, $10 difference between a day rental for it and the 580EXII (chump change I know)
thanks!
@neda I have one and can tell you that it tilts 90 degrees to the right and 90 degrees to the left. You can also tilt it vertically up to point at the ceiling.
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Bear in mind that the 24-70mm is indeed an excellent lens, but as Wolfe suggests with the 50mm the focal length of it on a cropped sensor body would be something like 38-112. So, quite long. The 17-55mm f/2.8 EF-S lens (made only for crop bodies) would be my choice when taking portraits on a 550D and was made to cover a similar focal length as the 24-70mm would be on a full frame body.
If on camera, the 430ex II is a fine flash. The 580exII is better, but if you can't afford it, the 430 will do.
If off camera, I would probably still go with the 430ex or 580ex over a strobe. I definitely wouldn't get a ringflash - I think they have pretty limited use. If you want a strobe, the AlienBees400 or 800, depending on how much power you need, are great strobes for the money. And unless you want your camera connected to your light with a cable, you'll also need some wireless triggers.... it never ends :)
I would recommend just starting with a single speedlight, play around with it for a couple months, check out Neil Van Niekerk's site about maximizing your on camera flash - and when you start to wish you could put it somewhere other than on your camera, get some wireless triggers.
Neil's site: http://neilvn.com/tangents/
+1 to alien bees if you want studio or portable lights...(the power pack is good)
1600 if you want to beat up the sun or 800 if you will be indoors (sounds silly but it is tough to turn the 1600 down low enough for many indoor shoots)
Also, I reckon I'll get the 24-70L or the 17-40L because I'll eventually get a full frame body so am reluctant to buy the EF-S model lenses.
I definitely really like the look of the ring flashes but I think I'd find more applications for a regular flashgun and there's plenty to learn about bouncing that off walls and what not :-)
thanks!