Tripod or Flash?

[MNFats]

Hi Everyone.

I know the question I'm about to ask is somewhat subjective and could be answered by another question such as, "what type of shots do you take? It depends on your style etc..."

I get this, but I still want your opinions.

I recently won my fantasy football league and I'm going to get about $200 for my extremely lucky team. I have a Nikon D90 with Kit Lens and a Prime 50mm 1.8.

I am really just making photography a bigger hobby and as you can imagine, I'm quite new at this. I would like to use the money that I have won to buy some gear. I was leaning towards one of 2 things.

The Nikon SB-600 Flash or a decent tripod.

Which would you choose? I'm leaning towards the tripod, because I really can see how it add to ones pictures. However, there are times when I really wish I had a better flash that I could bounce, defuse, etc...

Any opinions I would greately appreciate!

Thank you!

[SusanH1970]

I used my flash (580EX II) a LOT more often than my tripod, but I also do a lot of children's portraits which don't require a tripod. I do have a tripod, though and it has come in handy a few times for other types of photography. However, my tripod is a bottom of the barrell cheap one, rather than something really sturdy.

[MNFats]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

I used my flash (580EX II) a LOT more often than my tripod, but I also do a lot of children's portraits which don't require a tripod. I do have a tripod, though and it has come in handy a few times for other types of photography. However, my tripod is a bottom of the barrell cheap one, rather than something really sturdy.

Susan,

Thanks for the opinion... I too have a cheap tripod now, and I do take a lot of children's portraits too (I got a 3yr old and 6 month old!) Great information! Thank you!

[zona5101]

SB600.
You can bounce it, rotate it...you can even set it up to fire remotely with your D90. It's iTTL so you can put it in program for easy, accurate flash exposures (literally slap it on top and go) or put it in manual to try some more creative stuff.

[HomeschoolWinner]

The flash! I have basically the same setup as you and if I had extra bucks lying around I'd get an SB600. I have a really old tripod that was my dads and it's not the sturdiest, but it works well for me. You can pick up an adequate tripod for a reasonable price and get the SB600 and be one happy camper

[monday]

I got a tripod at BestBuy for under $40.00. By all means it isn't any thing magnificient, but it's nice to learn with. I too am wanting the SB-600.
On another note, I just filled out my picks for the week. To be honest my photography hobby started from winning on a football pool. The pool I play in gets to around $3500.00 a week and I tied with 6 other people and was able to afford a D3000. I am into designing and wanted to take it a step further with photography. Maybe I can win some in the last week. I will definitely get the speedlight if I do. Good luck with your decision.

[RustySterling]

Immediately you'll find the flash much more useful than a tripod. But you should still consider a tripod sooner than later. But like I said, if given the choice you have with what you have, definitely the flash.

[wulf]

It does depend what you want to take photos of. A tripod is a much better choice if landscapes are your thing but the flash will win out for taking photos of your children.

Wulf

[CaptainNH]

If you had neither, I'd suggest a tripod over a flash. Using a tripod makes you take your time over a shot and helps you concentrate on composition.

However, given that you already have a tripod, I'd suggest that you would get more out of buying a flash. There is soooo much to learn about lighting that you'll get months of learning and progression out of a simple strobe.

[Shokinen]

Both are usefull and will not step on each other's toews. So which one first ? I purchased my flash before my tripod because I was going on a cruise for my brother's wedding. I wasn't the main photograph but I didn't want to miss some shots since we were inside.

I knew I was going to need a tripod as well for the cruise (ie: sunrise, night portrait, etc.) so I purchased a really cheap one (40$) just for the trip. I keep gatherging money and couple months after I purchased a Manfrotto 190XPROB with a 804RC2 3-way head.

Today, I find myself using my tripod more often than my flash due to the type of photography I'm doing.

My advice is choose your next device based on the type of photography you think you'll be doing more in the next few months. Keep gathering money and go for the other after.