Flash vs Tripod

[5am8rown]

Hi, I'm new to DSLR photography and although ive done the research, mixed opinions make me feel as if i could be making bad choices. Im on a very tight budget as im only 14, so not very 'wealthy' and my parents are tight on money to say the least.http://digital-photography-school.co...milies/mad.gif Anyway, I will tell you my equipment and then the tripod and flash I was looking at.

I'm currently using the Sony A35, yes it's a sony and its only because the lenses are affordable. I have the 18-55mm kit lens and the 55-200mm telephoto lens. They are both very nice and massive improvment from my Panasconic tz4.
The photography i will be doing is of mainly family. It is a family camera however with my interest in photography I bought a dslr. Anyway it will be a family camera with myself doing some macro, as that is the photography i am wishing to venture into. I wont be investing in a macro lens currently but in some close-up filters.

Now the flash I was looking into was Jessops 360d Flashgun. It is £79.99 and will be used instead of my internal flash. My internal flash is too harsh and creates a false look. Ive made a diffuser out of several tissues and that has softened it but then the flash has little effect on large area's. The other reason than that my internal flash is rubbish is that it cant even be controlled. Its power is set and no changes, direction is straight forward. Not wanted at all. Also the flash will be used for the Macro aswell so it being wireless helps(which the Jessops is).

Now the tripod I was looking for would be used for similar, not so much family as the moment is only there once not for 10mins to set up a tripod, so mainly macro, holiday, night photography, im not someone who will venture out, more if it looks good, take some shots see how it goes. But the one I was looking at was the Giottos mtl9361 with head. It is a sutiable tripod and bout £120. with the head. Any advice as to which one to choose for the needs that i will be using. Sorry its so long but i cant afford to make a mistake,

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by 5am8rown

Hi, I'm new to DSLR photography and although ive done the research, mixed opinions make me feel as if i could be making bad choices. Im on a very tight budget as im only 14, so not very 'wealthy' and my parents are tight on money to say the least.http://digital-photography-school.co...milies/mad.gif Anyway, I will tell you my equipment and then the tripod and flash I was looking at.

I'm currently using the Sony A35, yes it's a sony and its only because the lenses are affordable. I have the 18-55mm kit lens and the 55-200mm telephoto lens. They are both very nice and massive improvment from my Panasconic tz4.
The photography i will be doing is of mainly family. It is a family camera however with my interest in photography I bought a dslr. Anyway it will be a family camera with myself doing some macro, as that is the photography i am wishing to venture into. I wont be investing in a macro lens currently but in some close-up filters.

Now the flash I was looking into was Jessops 360d Flashgun. It is £79.99 and will be used instead of my internal flash. My internal flash is too harsh and creates a false look. Ive made a diffuser out of several tissues and that has softened it but then the flash has little effect on large area's. The other reason than that my internal flash is rubbish is that it cant even be controlled. Its power is set and no changes, direction is straight forward. Not wanted at all. Also the flash will be used for the Macro aswell so it being wireless helps(which the Jessops is).

Now the tripod I was looking for would be used for similar, not so much family as the moment is only there once not for 10mins to set up a tripod, so mainly macro, holiday, night photography, im not someone who will venture out, more if it looks good, take some shots see how it goes. But the one I was looking at was the Giottos mtl9361 with head. It is a sutiable tripod and bout £120. with the head. Any advice as to which one to choose for the needs that i will be using. Sorry its so long but i cant afford to make a mistake,

If you're new and honestly dirt poor, why bother investing into anything else? I'd wait until you've mastered the tools you already have then when you know you've mastered them or you have some cash to invest with then go ahead get new tools to play with... As for the macro photography you cannot do much with filters, I'd look into doing for now landscapes/cityscapes, etc. that doesnt require macro lenses until you can get a true macro lens. Just note, macro photography as a hobby only may be the only thing going for ya as macro photography will never pay the bills consistently in the future when you're older. Just my 2cents worth of advice...

[5am8rown]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

If you're new and honestly dirt poor, why bother investing into anything else? I'd wait until you've mastered the tools you already have then when you know you've mastered them or you have some cash to invest with then go ahead get new tools to play with... As for the macro photography you cannot do much with filters, I'd look into doing for now landscapes/cityscapes, etc. that doesnt require macro lenses until you can get a true macro lens. Just note, macro photography as a hobby only may be the only thing going for ya as macro photography will never pay the bills consistently in the future when you're older. Just my 2cents worth of advice...

I understand this, and ive been experementing with my camera and read more tips than i'll ever need. But i see you as giving a fair point. I am short on money, not that short but I didnt want people coming in with buy this £300 flash its better, thats all. It is only a hobby and wont become a proffension in the near future. You explained doing landscape but surely I would need a tripod then??

[Pasq]

Originally Posted by 5am8rown

I understand this, and ive been experementing with my camera and read more tips than i'll ever need. But i see you as giving a fair point. I am short on money, not that short but I didnt want people coming in with buy this £300 flash its better, thats all. It is only a hobby and wont become a proffension in the near future. You explained doing landscape but surely I would need a tripod then??

I think what Chris was saying is to become very comfortable with shooting on shutter and Aperture priority thus giving you more time for higher rated gear.

With that said, profession artists love to give advice. Decades ago (cringes with the pain of being old) I "interviewed" as many local photographers as possible to get a feel for what gear they started shooting with, from camera body to lighting to tripods and even bags to tote their gear in.

I will say there's not too much wrong the camera you have now. My favorite camera I have ever used is still the Pentax K-1000. Like I said, I'm old.

BUT!!!!! I also get the feel you want the gear now. The flash and tripod you're looking at will do what you want them to do. The question is how fast will you "out grow" the features they have. You seem to be a very level headed young person. I'd go to as many local photography store you have in your local area and talk to the people that work there and get their thoughts as well. However, it all comes down to the demand you'll be placing on the equipment and your learning curve.

Such a long post I'd done and still didn't come out and just answer your question. I wonder why.....

[doctorjames]

Ok, first of all dont be sorry that you bought a sony.

My reasons for buying sony are a little different to yours, but they make good/excellent cameras, and at a significant cost saving compared to a canon or nikon, and have a better line up/second hand availability than pentax.

There is nothing that at your level you are going to want your camera to do that it wont, when a canon or nikon will (within the same 'range'). They all have the same modes that you should be learning to use, and pound for pound the Canon will cost you 1.5x the price.

So... I think you have made an excellent choice with the Sony, but then I would

My advice would be, if you are on a tight budget especially:

Look second hand, especially for the tripod. I picked up a manfrotto 055 complete with manfrotto head for £50, in good condition, and locally on ebay.

Look on ebay and the dyxum forum : Home of the Minolta / Alpha-mount dSLR photographer yxum forums for good quality second hand lenses.

Pretty much all of the minolta AF lenses also fit the sony a-mount (which yours is) which means there are some bargins to be had if you are patient and wait.

As for a flash, I have the f58am which is the 'top dog' and cost best part of £300 if memory serves. I use it mostly with a wireless trigger, in manual mode, something which my second flash does for me at £50 (YN560). So its not about how much you spend, its about how you are going to use it.

If I had to choose, I would go for a tripod, as it gives you a million and one more options than the flash does. Flash gets expensive, as when you have one, you need two, and when you have two you want four, e.t.c. google strobist to see what I mean.

[Pasq]

Originally Posted by doctorjames

Ok, first of all dont be sorry that you bought a sony.

My reasons for buying sony are a little different to yours, but they make good/excellent cameras, and at a significant cost saving compared to a canon or nikon, and have a better line up/second hand availability than pentax.

There is nothing that at your level you are going to want your camera to do that it wont, when a canon or nikon will (within the same 'range'). They all have the same modes that you should be learning to use, and pound for pound the Canon will cost you 1.5x the price.

So... I think you have made an excellent choice with the Sony, but then I would

My advice would be, if you are on a tight budget especially:

Look second hand, especially for the tripod. I picked up a manfrotto 055 complete with manfrotto head for £50, in good condition, and locally on ebay.

Look on ebay and the dyxum forum : Home of the Minolta / Alpha-mount dSLR photographer yxum forums for good quality second hand lenses.

Pretty much all of the minolta AF lenses also fit the sony a-mount (which yours is) which means there are some bargins to be had if you are patient and wait.

As for a flash, I have the f58am which is the 'top dog' and cost best part of £300 if memory serves. I use it mostly with a wireless trigger, in manual mode, something which my second flash does for me at £50 (YN560). So its not about how much you spend, its about how you are going to use it.

If I had to choose, I would go for a tripod, as it gives you a million and one more options than the flash does. Flash gets expensive, as when you have one, you need two, and when you have two you want four, e.t.c. google strobist to see what I mean.

Now this is very good advice!

[5am8rown]

Originally Posted by doctorjames

Ok, first of all dont be sorry that you bought a sony.

My reasons for buying sony are a little different to yours, but they make good/excellent cameras, and at a significant cost saving compared to a canon or nikon, and have a better line up/second hand availability than pentax.

There is nothing that at your level you are going to want your camera to do that it wont, when a canon or nikon will (within the same 'range'). They all have the same modes that you should be learning to use, and pound for pound the Canon will cost you 1.5x the price.

So... I think you have made an excellent choice with the Sony, but then I would

My advice would be, if you are on a tight budget especially:

Look second hand, especially for the tripod. I picked up a manfrotto 055 complete with manfrotto head for £50, in good condition, and locally on ebay.

Look on ebay and the dyxum forum : Home of the Minolta / Alpha-mount dSLR photographer yxum forums for good quality second hand lenses.

Pretty much all of the minolta AF lenses also fit the sony a-mount (which yours is) which means there are some bargins to be had if you are patient and wait.

As for a flash, I have the f58am which is the 'top dog' and cost best part of £300 if memory serves. I use it mostly with a wireless trigger, in manual mode, something which my second flash does for me at £50 (YN560). So its not about how much you spend, its about how you are going to use it.

If I had to choose, I would go for a tripod, as it gives you a million and one more options than the flash does. Flash gets expensive, as when you have one, you need two, and when you have two you want four, e.t.c. google strobist to see what I mean.

Originally Posted by Pasq

I think what Chris was saying is to become very comfortable with shooting on shutter and Aperture priority thus giving you more time for higher rated gear.

With that said, profession artists love to give advice. Decades ago (cringes with the pain of being old) I "interviewed" as many local photographers as possible to get a feel for what gear they started shooting with, from camera body to lighting to tripods and even bags to tote their gear in.

I will say there's not too much wrong the camera you have now. My favorite camera I have ever used is still the Pentax K-1000. Like I said, I'm old.

BUT!!!!! I also get the feel you want the gear now. The flash and tripod you're looking at will do what you want them to do. The question is how fast will you "out grow" the features they have. You seem to be a very level headed young person. I'd go to as many local photography store you have in your local area and talk to the people that work there and get their thoughts as well. However, it all comes down to the demand you'll be placing on the equipment and your learning curve.

Such a long post I'd done and still didn't come out and just answer your question. I wonder why.....

I undertsand where you are coming from and second-hand was something i enjoy looking into, but if i bought a tripod, how can i be sure the leg locks are loose(something you cant tell from a picture). If i bought a lens people arent honest, there could be fungus....so many questions, i find it so confusing and thats probably why i enjoy it, you can never be right or wrong, there is never an answer

[Pasq]

AHA!!!! why I always find a local store that sells what I am considering on buying to "get my hands on it".

As far as store clerks lying, that's why I visit as many stores as possible. In a time of digital everything, there's nothing better than touching what you plan on buying.

Are there secondhand stores where you live?

[5am8rown]

Originally Posted by Pasq

AHA!!!! why I always find a local store that sells what I am considering on buying to "get my hands on it".

As far as store clerks lying, that's why I visit as many stores as possible. In a time of digital everything, there's nothing better than touching what you plan on buying.

Are there secondhand stores where you live?

There is but nothing that would sell lenses, i check the paper if there is anything and also ebay....
I would happily buy the stuff, i always ask for pictures of any mistakes etc, and do the usual checks

[JFSanders]

Buy the flash and use found items to hold up the camera. By going with the flash you will have many more options than if you went with the tripod. If possible at least get a cord so you can move the flash off camera a little bit.

Jim