New lens or flash

[JKJD]

I'd like some advice on my next gear purchase. I'm just starting out in photography and still have a lot to learn.

I am currently shooting with a D40. I have 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200). I've been trying to decide what my next purchase for my camera should be. I'm really interested in the 50mm prime that Nikon has. Everything I've read about it has been good. But as much as I want that, I'm thinking I should invest in a flash next. I don't have one right now (except for the pop up on the camera).

So what does everyone think. As a begginer, should I buy the lens or the flash next? And is there a really good all around flash I should start with?

Thanks for the help! -- Josh

[inkista]

Both are basic pieces of kit; both are great additions for you.

But my personal take is, if you aren't comfortable shooting in full manual and swapping stops between iso, shutter speed, and aperture, don't get a flash yet, go for the prime (as long as you're aware that the 50/1.8 doesn't autofocus on the D40; you may want to consider the 35/1.8 instead). Either of those lenses costs less than a new SB-600 or SB-800. And Strobist disciples will probably also be urging that if you get a speedlight to also get radio triggers to go with it. The outlay can be considerably more if you go with lighting gear (stand, umbrella, bracket, triggers + flash.)

A prime lens is a simpler, cheaper purchase, easier to learn, and teaches you all about wider apertures, the joys of out of focus blur (bokeh), and being able to shoot handheld with available light.

Flash, otoh, can be very frustrating and confusing to learn. It's got a much steeper learning curve, because instead of juggling three settings for exposure, you're adding distance, power, and spread into the mix, and you're juggling two different exposures in the same photo (ambient and flash-lit). There's a lot of additional thinking that you have to work your way through with flash photography. It's not hard, but it does build upon having mastered the basics of ambient photography, first.

I say read your way through some of the Strobist and Planet Neil websites before getting a flash unit; how you'll want to work with your speedlights can have a profound impact on what equipment you'll want to buy.

Just my opinion, but a flash is more "advanced" purchase, to me than a first fast prime.

[dcclark]

First question: what kind of photography do you intend to do? Landscape, weddings, nature, etc.?

That said, I suspect that if you're a beginner an not sure what to do yet, that inkista's advice is spot-on: grab a prime. It'll get you thinking in terms of composition, and probably help you learn a lot of good things about how to take photos. Do look in to the new 35/1.8, since the 50/1.8 won't autofocus.

[JKJD]

Thanks for the responses. At present, I'm really liking nature and macro photography. Since I'm just starting out, I don't feel very confident in shooting people. I find it hard to get a good shot of a person. But I geuss that just comes with time and the more I learn. A flower on the other hand will sit still as long as I need it to until I figure out the best way to shoot it I'll check out those lenses. Thanks for the advice.