in your opinion, which should i purchase first?

Question

i recently bought a canon digital eos xti. i was just wondering, should i first buy the canon 430 ex speedlite or a IS USM standard lens.

and why?

(for a hobbyist only and pictures of family/friends occasions)

Answer 1

I would recommend the speedlite, because the bounce flash will make your photos much better for indoors, which you'll use a lot for events. It's a really useful tool. Instead of the IS USM lens, you can also get the 50mm f1.8 which is also nice in low light and only costs $80.

Answer 2

The speedlight (assuming you already have the standard issue lens.) The built-in flash does not always 'reach' as far as you want it to or it can be too harsh on the faces of your subject not to mention more possibility of red-eye. Bounding a flash is good for catching better shots of family and occasions, too. Maybe settle for a Promaster flash which supposedly performs as well as the Canon and then continue to save up for the IS lens. Good luck! (Eventually you will have to get it all!!)

Answer 3

Buy the lens. You can then take pictures while saving up for the flash. It's really hard to get sharp pictures without a lens. You could try pinhole photography by carefully drilling a hole in the lens cap, but a real lens will work faster. Besides I hate flash pictures :)

Answer 4

I believe a flash is more important for simple use than a lens.

While you're learning your camera, you will be able to decide if you need a new lens or not.