Help choosing lense and flash

[wbixby]

Hello, I am in the market for a couple of new lenses and a flash. I own a Canon Rebel T3 (1100D). I am for sure going to get the Canon f/2.8 50mm prime, but I also want to get the 100mm f/2.8 macro. I was shopping around online the other day and I came across the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. The question I would like to ask is which one should I get? I can afford either one, but would like to save the extra 100 that the Canon costs. I have researched both of them online and have saw the side by side tests, but I would like to know from real people who have either tried them both or one or the other. From what I understand they are pretty much identical, I just want to make sure that it really can do all of the same things that the Canon can do just as good.

Also I would like to know about any options for flahes. I also have researched these but whenever I find one that I like the compatibility chart does not list my camera as being compatible. I would like a flash that is good for a beginner that knows nothing about using flash except the one that comes on the camera. My only requirements for the flash is that it has a manual mode, has variable power, and has an lcd, works with my camera and is not overly expensive (in other words I don't want the 580ex).

If anyone would be willing to help me with my dilema I would be really greatful.

Thank you,
-Bill

[inkista]

1) Hope you mean the EF 50mm f/1.8 II, not the EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro. The 50/2.5 is going to be "duplicated" if you get a ~100mm macro, too. And the EF 50mm f/1.8 II is about $120 new and a great portrait lens.

2) The Tamron's a good alternative to the Canon. The only issue with 3rd party lenses is typically one of future compatibility. If Canon changes the mount protocol, then the Tamron may lose some function, but it should be fine with the T3.

3). What do you want to do with the flash? Are you planning on using in on-camera for run'n'gun event shooting? Or going Strobist? And why do you have to have an LCD screen on the back (that seems like a rather odd requirement to me).

For on-camera run'n'gun shooting, or bouncing, I'd recommend looking for a flash that's eTTL capable. eTTL is a feature where the camera body and the flash can communicate with each other, and the camera can tell the flash to send out a "preflash" pulse of light for the camera to meter, and then the camera can adjust the flash's output automatically. Think of it as Av mode for the flash. If you do not have eTTL capability, you have to manually dial in the flash's output level for every shot. And the meter in your camera won't be much help in telling you what to set it to, because the meter can only deal with the light that's in the scene [which doesn't include the flash main burst].

Flashes that can do this that aren't the Canon 580EX II would include the 580EX, the 550EX, the 430EX II, and the 430EX. There are also Metz, Nissin, Sigma, and Yongnuo flashes that can accomplish this. The Metz and the Nissin are probably the ones with the most function and best build quality, but also the higher pricetags. The Yongnuos are the cheapest, but the least reliable.

If you only plan on using the flash off-camera for a Strobist-type setup, then you just need manual output control. The two typical Strobist candidates for this are the Lumopro LP160 from mpex.com, and the Yongnou YN-560 (which has... variable build quality and reliability for the $70 pricetag). Neither has an LCD on the back, but they do have indicator lights. More importantly, both have built-in optical slaves so that you could trigger them with the pop-up flash of the T3.

[wbixby]

Thanks for the reply!

1.) Yes, lol I'm sorry I did mean the f/1.8 50mm.

2.) I know that Tamron is a good alternative to the Canon, but do you think that the Tamron will be as tack sharp as the Canon is? I'm just scared to buy the tamron, and it not be as good as I have been led to believe the Canon is, and I'm scared to get the Canon and regret spending the extra money when the Tamron is the same thing. I know I sound like an idiot, but that is alot of money to me considering the actual camera was only like $550, I guess I just don't want to end up having any regrets.

3.)For the flash I would like to take pictures of water drops, and smoke, as well as portraits. The on camera flash works ok for the water drops (as long as I cover the flash with a coffee filter), but it dont work for smoke, and portraits look terrible with it. I guess the only reason that I wanted an lcd screen is they look easier to operate.

Thanks again

[ChrisAdval]

I never used a Tamron, but all I hear is very bad things on their construction of their products.

[ishootRAW]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I never used a Tamron, but all I hear is very bad things on their construction of their products.

I depends, for instance, IMHO their 17-50 is built better then canon's $1100 17-55. but yes a lot of their stuff is not built the best.