What to get next?!?!

Hello all! I'd love to get the 580ex II speedlight along with the 70-200mm f/4 (no IS) lens. but my wife and I just bought a new laptop and i'd like to save $ and decide on one. although, the canon rebates are really tempting me to get both!


my current gear list: 7d, 16-35mm, 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8. i don't have the nice telephoto zoom but I have found myself possibly needing the speedlight a little more. I love to do portraits and landscapes.


my thoughts are to get the speedlight and save up for the 70-200 2.8 a year or so down the line.


any thoughts?

I'd get the speedlight and a small light stand set up. Portraits get a lot better with a flash, i'd also get a light stand, and set up to use off camera flash as well. Save up for the 70-200 2.8

I've spent about $400 on a light setup, with 2 Vivitar 285HV, 2 light stands, 2 umbrellas, and Cactus V4 wireless triggers. It's great capturing the moments with great lenses, but I also found that with off camera lighting it opens up a whole new world. Instead of capturing moments, you get to create your own with artificial lighting. It's quite addicting actually [;)]





I actually also have the 70-200mm f/4L non IS coming in the mail today. I don't regret getting the light setup first at all [:D]

I'd agree with the other guys. If you like portrait work then a speedlight is a great accessory to have.


Light stands are really cheap (3m air cushioned stands can go for as little as $40-$50) and umbrellas (also very cheap) are a great way to start off and get to learn the basics. I don't own the 7D so I'm not sure how the flash trigger works but I assume it works off the on-camera flash, triggering the speedlight. I'd suggest a wireless/ radio trigger for the speedlight. I did a bit of a writeup on the Yongno RF-602 ( http://community.the-digital-picture.com/forums/p/3441/28509.aspx#28509) triggers that you might be interested in. I still use these by the way and have had no issues at all.


Hope this helps, Ben

I own a 7D, and I've only once used the pop-up to control an off-camera flash (580EX). I use Cybersyncs 99.9% of the time. It's just plain easier to deal with (even though it involves more walking around to manually adjust flash output).

Another point I just thought of too, I found the 70-200mm range far too long for portrait work on a crop body.

Yeah go with your initial thought and get the 580.


If you had mentioned one more good reason for buying the 70-200 I would doubt my advice, but at this point and from what I've read...the 580 is something you'll probably love more.

thanks for all the help everyone! i'm surprised no one tried to twist my arm convincing me to get both! haha


it looks like it's the 580 for me. which is perfect for what i'm missing... especially since i like the faster glass and would eventually regret getting the f/4 lens. (not that there's anything wrong with that) but i will save up for it down the line. i have used the 580 with the 7d and was blown away. just amazing what it can do for portraits. a nice feature is that it does take a lot of the guess work out of it, especially when i'm running and gunning it. (90% of the time)


thanks again!!

Great choice then! Enjoy it!


Oh and believe me you're not the only one here who has to explain expenses to a girlfriend or wife [:P] that's probably why no-one convinced you to buy both....don't want to upset the lady [;)]

haha very true. in order to get my 16-35, i had to justify it with a new purse, nice new dress and a pair of shoes... this stuff is already expensive as it is!!