Need help in Lens/Flash Decisions

Gringriff

I really need help and suggestions. A friend is having a birthday party for her twin boys turning two next Saturday (July 18). I am going to take some outdoor portraits and a bunch of indoor shots during the party. (Also in August I am going to another church to shot portraits and reception for some senior citizens. So this will apply to that scenario and others to come.)

My question is about the gear I should be using.
Current gear includes a Canon 50D, Canon lens: kit lens (17-55 IS), 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and 70-200mm L f/2.8 and a Sigma 18-200mm (3.5-6.3).

I am curious about trying to use the 50mm for the indoor shots during the party. I am afraid that it will not be wide enough to get the shots needed especially with twins involved. All my other lenses are even tighter except the kit and Sigma which do not do so well in low light situations which will be true in the church fellowship hall during the party.

Also, I do not have an external flash. My main questions revolve around should I look at adding an external (speedlite) flash to really improve the indoor lighting and for the fill flash outdoors or would the built in flash (I can adjust the power down) and go with a combination of the kit lens and 50mm for indoors work just as well?

I have been reading a lot of reviews on the Canon 17-55 (too expensive at this time) and the Tamron 17-50mm and think these would be much better for the low light indoors than the kit lens (with or without a flash). So I am leaning towards the either Tamron or the External Flash. If I could only afford to buy one at this time, which item would improve my chances of getting the best shots? Any feedback would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Andy

ziggy53

Andy,

A flash with a focus assist light will help any lens in a low light situation. A flash can also be used as either primary (key) or fill, depending on ambient lighting.

I would suggest the flash first since that can benefit most. I use the Sigma flashes and the DG Super models are authentic E-TTL II capable. A couple of flash modifiers and you are fairly well set for now.

These are the DIY modifiers I recommend (cheap and easy to make and they work well):

http://www.fototime.com/inv/908195739C4C0D3

http://abetterbouncecard.com/

Gringriff

Thanks Ziggy. I will check out these links asap.

Toshido

I will go with the safe answer and agree with Ziggy. Besides it was what I was actually thinking before I saw he responded.

I have a 430 EXII on my 50D and seem to be using flash more and more. Regardless of whether it is a dark nightclub or really bright sunlight, it just plain helps.

Now if I had done more research I would likely have a sigma flash on my camera instead of canon's 430EXII. Bit more power and can be used as a master to control other flashes. All positives in my books.

I also followed Ziggy's advice and made a foam scoop thingy. I have not made it into a scoop yet, just a big while piece of foam on the side of the flash and it works like that, and works well. If I don't have a ceiling to bounce off I just tilt the whole thing to reflect more. Works like a charm and hate using a flash indoors without it now. Wife things I look dorky with it though

Gringriff

Follow - Up
The new lens and flash arrived on Friday (really love B&H photo btw). Just in case any others are considering the same type of “upgrade” I am adding these unscientific first shots comparisons.

All were shot within a few minutes of each other, hand held sitting in recliner in RAW with Canon 50D and using bounce flash off ceiling with new Canon 430EX II flash.

In each shot I tried to focus on the deck of cards on the table.

No PP was done except opening in Adobe Bridge then to Photoshop and Save as JPG.

Of course this is not scientific but it is a little odd that the wide angle with the Tamron appears a little darker even with the higher aperture. But on second look I think this is due to the blurred back and foreground with the 2.8 aperture. It also appears to me that the Tamron shot @ 50mm f/5.6 is sharper than the 50mm f/2.8. Maybe I was not consistent holding the camera (a tripod would have been better)???

My initial thoughts are:
The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens is fine but may not be much of an upgrade from the Canon 18-55 IS 3.5-5.6. I did read before hand that it zooms in opposite directions as the Canon lenses (hopefully this will not come into play as much as zooming in and out for soccer etc... with he 70-200). This is probably more of a lateral move.

The ADVANTAGES
A little wider angle for those tight areas or wide group shots and yes it does offer 2.8 for low light when flash is not an option (or not allowed ).
Feels more sturdy

The DISADVANTAGES
Does not have IS
I just spent an extra $450.00!

So if you need a lens along this line, it is a CHEAP alternative to the higher quality Canon 17-55 f/2.8 (as has been well documented) but not as cheap as the plastic but apparently good Canon 18-55 ID kit lens.

Comments are welcome.

And yes those are my feet you see.
Andy

1. Canon @ 18mm, Bounce Flash, F/3.5, Speed 1/100, ISO320


2. Tamron @ 17mm, Bounce Flash, f/2.8, Speed 1/100, ISO320


3. Canon @ 55mm, Bounce Flash, f/5.6, Speed 1/100, ISO320


4. Tamron @ 50mm, Bounce Flash, f/5.6, Speed 1/100, ISO320


5. Tamron @ 50mm, Bounce Flash, f/2.8, Speed 1/100, ISO320