Would you order Pancake instead of Flashing? Waffles invited!

[PrincessInOz]

What would you do?

I have acquired vouchers to a local photo shop chain in Melbourne. Been chewing the fat (so to speak) about what I should do and I thought I'd canvas for opinions.

My options are as follows:

1. The $$$ are enough to buy the new Canon pancake 40 mm f/2.8 STM, even with the mark-up for buying the lens in Australia.

Points for consideration

• I won't have to fork out any additional cash.
• Canon US has issued a warning on this lens with an intermittent fault on the autofocus; only some lenses affected, not all. Patch is coming to fix the issue. I could wait a couple of months but there is no guarantee that the lenses will be from new stock. I assume I can download the patch…but I’m such a luddite at the best of time.
• I already have the 17 - 55 mm f/2.8 in my bag; so I won't be gaining anything new with this lens.
• As we’ve recently become a TWOCH (TWO Canon Household…DH has snaffled back HIS camera and upgraded my ‘body’), we can lens share. We already have the 50 mm f/1.8. DH is more likely to shoot video than I am; so the STM would be useful for him. (He's no help with this decision as he's barely even beginning to learn to shoot with the kit lenses; and besides, he thinks that it's my vouchers to spend and he knows he can enjoy whatever I get).
• If I wanted to go light to a park or anywhere, this would be something worth taking .... right?

2. My other option is to FLASH – the 430EX II is the one I have my eye on.

Points for consideration

• I would need to stump up another $150 - $200 for this.
• I haven't even yet started to take pictures with the in-camera flash. I know nothing about flash photography!
• I know nothing about flash photography! But it is time I started to learn.

3. Get something else. I really would prefer to get a 28 mm or 30mm f/1.8. Problem is that the price in Australia is ridiculous. I don't mind some mark up; but even with the vouchers, the difference I have to pay is the same or a little more than what the cost of the lens is in the US. I refuse to buy in Australia as a matter of principle! DH probably has a trip to the US in October this year so he could always pick one up or I could always buy it on-line.

Points for consideration

• Nope - I got nothin'.

4. Am I missing something (aside from being able to eat pancake whilst I’m waffling on)?


What would you do?

I'm kinda leaning towards the 40 mm only because there is $0 outlay. The reviews have been pretty good and most of the conclusions are that this is a good lens to have in the bag because of the size and price.
I can wait for the 430 flash and the 28/30 mm for when I'm in the US. Both are significantly cheaper than purchasing in Oz.....


In the grand tradition of the Dis, I’ve set up a poll. Feel free to vote without comment….

 

[photo_chick]

If it were me I wouldn't get the 40mm pancake if I already had the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.8 in my bag. But I'm all about buying lenses that add something to my kit before I double up on focal length/aperture combinations. As far as getting a flash or a different lens... I'd be more inclined to go with another lens over the flash. But that's me. W eall have different needs.

 

[PrincessInOz]

If it were me I wouldn't get the 40mm pancake if I already had the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.8 in my bag. But I'm all about buying lenses that add something to my kit before I double up on focal length/aperture combinations. As far as getting a flash or a different lens... I'd be more inclined to go with another lens over the flash. But that's me. W eall have different needs.

Thanks.

Over here, store vouchers can only be used in the store it is issued in. I know some of the stores in the US will accept vouchers from another store so that they get your business. So, I'm stuck with having to spend those vouchers. I have 4 months left to spend them.

You've given me food for thought and I completely agree with you. I would prefer another lens. My first preference is the 28 mm f/1.8.

Here's my problem. It is retailing at $650 over here and $450 in the US. Our dollars are comparable. The vouchers amount to $250. I would be out of pocket by $400. For a little more outlay, I could get the lens in the US and still have the Aussie vouchers to spend.

My other option is to buy memory cards with the vouchers. But I won the vouchers as part of a photo competition and I wanted something more tangible than memory cards.

I'm open to other suggestions....

 

[ukstitch]

If you've still got 4 months to spend them then I'd be quite tempted to leave them for a little while and to start practicing with the in built camera flash.

I don't use camera flash a lot in my photographs, but I've found it has it's places - for example I enjoy taking macro shots of wildlife including insects and butterflies where setting a tripod up is a huge pain to me - especially somewhere like in the middle of a butterfly house. The flash comes in very useful to help me improve the depth of field when I do this without turning the photo into the perfect candidate for the "what is it" category from the summer scavenger hunt.

If you practice with the in built one first, you can decide if you're likely to ever use flash having experimented to see if you like the different colours, exposure levels etc that come from using the flash. If you do, then I'd spring for the flash because the flash unit would be a good upgrade from the in built one.

If not, then I'd look at lens options - as with photo_chick I'd personally look for a lens you haven't already got, unless there's significant gain in sharpness by getting the prime and you regularly use the 40-50mm range (allowing for cropping to take you up to 50mm equivalent where your 50/1.8 would take over.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm all about the flash. I probably use the flash as much in the day as I do in the dark conditions (fill flash). The flash will open up a whole new area of photography and learning. The lens is just another lens with a focal length that you already cover. Thats my $.02!

 

[Cafeen]

If you've still got 4 months to spend them then I'd be quite tempted to leave them for a little while and to start practicing with the in built camera flash.

I've already given my opinion elsewhere , but the above has me wondering something (as a special note, I did just pick up the same flash as PIO is considering). Since a higher end speedlite is considerably different than the built-in pop up (bouncing, manual settings, displayed flash distance, etc), is it really that worthwhile to start using the pop up to practice for something that likely won't be used very close to how the pop up is being used?

Really just wondering here, but I'm thinking that since it's considerably different (and how you use the flash itself is considerably different), much of the practice gained by the pop up wouldn't be all that useful with the speedlite.

(Speaking of which, I need to look into a hot shoe cord so I can move the flash off of the camera for stuff...I'll just put in on my tab!)

 

[ukstitch]

I've already given my opinion elsewhere , but the above has me wondering something (as a special note, I did just pick up the same flash as PIO is considering). Since a higher end speedlite is considerably different than the built-in pop up (bouncing, manual settings, displayed flash distance, etc), is it really that worthwhile to start using the pop up to practice for something that likely won't be used very close to how the pop up is being used?

Really just wondering here, but I'm thinking that since it's considerably different (and how you use the flash itself is considerably different), much of the practice gained by the pop up wouldn't be all that useful with the speedlite.

(Speaking of which, I need to look into a hot shoe cord so I can move the flash off of the camera for stuff...I'll just put in on my tab!)

Maybe practice wasn't quite the right word - I fully appreciate that what I suggested is equivalent to getting a low end point and shoot to "practice" before buying a DSLR with far more settings and options.

But - $350 - $400 seems a lot to spend on a flash, only to realise you're not that fond of the "style" that comes with using a flash and that you'd rather specialise in lowlight photography.

I do also appreciate, however, that you can do things with the speedlight e.g. bounce that will change that style and improve upon the limitations of an inbuilt flash.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Maybe practice wasn't quite the right word - I fully appreciate that what I suggested is equivalent to getting a low end point and shoot to "practice" before buying a DSLR with far more settings and options.

But - $350 - $400 seems a lot to spend on a flash, only to realise you're not that fond of the "style" that comes with using a flash and that you'd rather specialise in lowlight photography.

I do also appreciate, however, that you can do things with the speedlight e.g. bounce that will change that style and improve upon the limitations of an inbuilt flash.

I use a flash quite a bit and I never looked at it as a "style". My view is that it makes shots easier and with fill flash, enhances my images by removing shadows and leveling the color. Its an enhancement to what you are already shooting. Here is an example of a shot from last night that was made easier by use of the flash. This would have required much more PP and taken more time to obtain a similar result.


Classic 4036 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

The OP, if she desires, can also look at a third party flash which will be cheaper than the OEM. I use Sigma flashes.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_189101_EF610_DG_Super_Flash.html

 

[ukcatfan]

A flash and a wide aperture lens serve different purposes. What you are trying to do makes a difference. For example if you are going to be shooting portraits in low light then you need some DOF, so the wide aperture might not even be able to help with the low light. Since you already have that exact range covered with the same aperture, I would say go with the flash.

 

[PrincessInOz]

If you've still got 4 months to spend them then I'd be quite tempted to leave them for a little while and to start practicing with the in built camera flash.

I don't use camera flash a lot in my photographs, but I've found it has it's places - for example I enjoy taking macro shots of wildlife including insects and butterflies where setting a tripod up is a huge pain to me - especially somewhere like in the middle of a butterfly house. The flash comes in very useful to help me improve the depth of field when I do this without turning the photo into the perfect candidate for the "what is it" category from the summer scavenger hunt.

If you practice with the in built one first, you can decide if you're likely to ever use flash having experimented to see if you like the different colours, exposure levels etc that come from using the flash. If you do, then I'd spring for the flash because the flash unit would be a good upgrade from the in built one.

If not, then I'd look at lens options - as with photo_chick I'd personally look for a lens you haven't already got, unless there's significant gain in sharpness by getting the prime and you regularly use the 40-50mm range (allowing for cropping to take you up to 50mm equivalent where your 50/1.8 would take over.

Good point.

I'm all about the flash. I probably use the flash as much in the day as I do in the dark conditions (fill flash). The flash will open up a whole new area of photography and learning. The lens is just another lens with a focal length that you already cover. Thats my $.02!

Always love to see a good flash on that body!

Seriously though - I learn from everyone on this forum and I can see what a difference having a fill flash makes. So, it is on the agenda....just about when.

I've already given my opinion elsewhere , but the above has me wondering something (as a special note, I did just pick up the same flash as PIO is considering). Since a higher end speedlite is considerably different than the built-in pop up (bouncing, manual settings, displayed flash distance, etc), is it really that worthwhile to start using the pop up to practice for something that likely won't be used very close to how the pop up is being used?

Really just wondering here, but I'm thinking that since it's considerably different (and how you use the flash itself is considerably different), much of the practice gained by the pop up wouldn't be all that useful with the speedlite.

(Speaking of which, I need to look into a hot shoe cord so I can move the flash off of the camera for stuff...I'll just put in on my tab!)

Thanks for your insights elsewhere Allan. Maybe it is worth thinking about using the pop-up flash as well as the speedlite.
Might be a time and place for both??

Maybe practice wasn't quite the right word - I fully appreciate that what I suggested is equivalent to getting a low end point and shoot to "practice" before buying a DSLR with far more settings and options.

But - $350 - $400 seems a lot to spend on a flash, only to realise you're not that fond of the "style" that comes with using a flash and that you'd rather specialise in lowlight photography.

I do also appreciate, however, that you can do things with the speedlight e.g. bounce that will change that style and improve upon the limitations of an inbuilt flash.

The thing is that my DH used to "flash" a bit in the days of SLR/film. If I don't end up liking the style, he'll definitely use it.

I use a flash quite a bit and I never looked at it as a "style". My view is that it makes shots easier and with fill flash, enhances my images by removing shadows and leveling the color. Its an enhancement to what you are already shooting. Here is an example of a shot from last night that was made easier by use of the flash. This would have required much more PP and taken more time to obtain a similar result.


Classic 4036 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

The OP, if she desires, can also look at a third party flash which will be cheaper than the OEM. I use Sigma flashes.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_189101_EF610_DG_Super_Flash.html

Definitely a good flash on the body!

A flash and a wide aperture lens serve different purposes. What you are trying to do makes a difference. For example if you are going to be shooting portraits in low light then you need some DOF, so the wide aperture might not even be able to help with the low light. Since you already have that exact range covered with the same aperture, I would say go with the flash.

Thanks. I am definitely coming to the same conclusion myself.
And I can put the 28 mm on the shopping list for one of DH's upcoming trips....maybe next year.



Thanks everyone. I think I will go for the flash - just might give it a couple of months and start using the pop-up for now.

 

[zackiedawg]

I think the flash is the better option than the 40 pancake...but I voted for 'other' myself...mostly because you were asking for OUR opinions!

Thinking on what gear I have, and pretending I suddenly don't have it anymore...pretending I only have the two lenses you mentioned and no flash...I then tried to imagine which things I'd want back first...my flash, my 30mm F1.4, my 10-24mm UWA, my big zooms or primes, my 90 macro, etc.

And my first pick would be to get my hands back on my 10-24mm ultrawide. So that would be my first 'other' recommendation to consider...I don't know how much the voucher covers, but I could get my UWA back for under $500, so I'd go for that.

Next would be to get back my 30mm F1.4 or something close. I'd consider if the 28mm is too expensive, maybe a 30mm or 35mm F1.4-1.8 or so...I don't know Canon's selection, but some of these in other lines can be quite inexpensive and may fit better into your budget. I could get by on my fast 50, but since getting my 30mm fast prime, the 50mm has barely been touched. I find the wider focal much more useful.

After those two, then I'd want my flash back. And my big zooms, and primes. Then my macro. Then some more memory cards. Nicer straps. Extra batteries. Some filters to play with. A new bag. A second body. A P&S to play with. A waterproof bag. An SLR rain cover. Probably another 15-20 random things I found around the camera shop. And only after I exhausted every other possible thing I could buy, would I then consider the 40mm pancake.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think the flash is the better option than the 40 pancake...but I voted for 'other' myself...mostly because you were asking for OUR opinions!

Thinking on what gear I have, and pretending I suddenly don't have it anymore...pretending I only have the two lenses you mentioned and no flash...I then tried to imagine which things I'd want back first...my flash, my 30mm F1.4, my 10-24mm UWA, my big zooms or primes, my 90 macro, etc.

And my first pick would be to get my hands back on my 10-24mm ultrawide. So that would be my first 'other' recommendation to consider...I don't know how much the voucher covers, but I could get my UWA back for under $500, so I'd go for that.

Next would be to get back my 30mm F1.4 or something close. I'd consider if the 28mm is too expensive, maybe a 30mm or 35mm F1.4-1.8 or so...I don't know Canon's selection, but some of these in other lines can be quite inexpensive and may fit better into your budget. I could get by on my fast 50, but since getting my 30mm fast prime, the 50mm has barely been touched. I find the wider focal much more useful.

After those two, then I'd want my flash back. And my big zooms, and primes. Then my macro. Then some more memory cards. Nicer straps. Extra batteries. Some filters to play with. A new bag. A second body. A P&S to play with. A waterproof bag. An SLR rain cover. Probably another 15-20 random things I found around the camera shop. And only after I exhausted every other possible thing I could buy, would I then consider the 40mm pancake.

Thanks zackiedawg. Vouchers amount to $250 and I'm trying to keep it in that ball park.

Love your work! All the items you listed are great.