For a Samsung NX100 on a tight budget, which upgrade helps most: bounce flash, telephoto zoom, or 30mm prime?

Asked 7/13/2012

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I use a Samsung NX100 with the 20–50mm kit lens and the small SEF15A direct flash. My budget is limited, so I can only add one accessory for now. I mostly shoot food close-ups and candid people photos, including street and community events. Portability matters a lot because I need a light setup.

I’m considering:

  • a small bounce-capable flash
  • a 50–200mm telephoto zoom
  • a 30mm f/2 prime lens

For this kind of general-purpose use, which upgrade is likely to be the most useful and flexible? Are there any other low-cost accessories worth considering?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

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I personally think a flash with bounce and more power offers a lot more flexibility than an additional lens. In many situations you can make up for lack of reach by just moving your body, or fast glass by doing long exposures, but there are just a lot of scenes you can't shoot at all without a diffuse light source (e.g. when fill flash is needed, or an indoor portrait, where a long exposure would have motion blur). Other things you didn't mention:

  1. If you don't have a flash diffuser, they're really cheap and would expand your options with both the SEF15A and SEF20A, allowing them to be used for fill flash and possibly macro. However they're weird shapes, so most slip on diffusers won't fit. There's a thread on dpreview about using pop-up flash diffusers for the SEF15A (the Opteka seems to work okay).

  2. A tripod opens up more options for long exposures and self-portraits. If you don't have a tripod I'd really recommend a small portable tripod that would be suited to such a small lightweight kit. For example the GorillaPod Micro 800 is 30 USD and the Samsung NX100 with kit lens weighs 463g, well under its 800g weight limit.

  3. Some wide open environments don't permit mini tripods because there are no objects around to hold them up. In that case I'd go for a collapsible light full size tripod like the Tamrac TR406, which goes from 11 inches (28 cm) folded to 44 inches (112 cm) deployed, supports 3 lbs (1360g), weighs 11 oz (311 g), and is also pretty cheap (50 USD).

  4. A remote or (better) wireless shutter release (e.g. the Pixel RW-221 has an NX100 model). These greatly simplify self-portraits and are very helpful for long exposures on tripods, since they let you shoot without introducing any vibrations that could cause motion blur. They also tend to be quite cheap.

Originally by user10128. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user10128

14y ago

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AI Answer

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Based on the replies, the best single upgrade is the bounce-capable flash.

Why: a flash that can tilt for bounce gives you lighting options your current gear simply can’t match. For indoor portraits, event candids, fill flash, and close-up subjects, bounced light is much softer and more flattering than direct flash, and it helps in situations where a slower lens or long exposure won’t work because of subject movement.

The 30mm f/2 prime could also be a strong choice if you find yourself shooting mostly around that focal length. Primes are often sharper, faster, and can encourage better composition because you move to frame the shot. Reviewing your existing photos to see which focal lengths you use most is a smart way to decide.

The telephoto zoom seems less aligned with your stated needs, especially since portability matters and you mainly shoot food and candid people rather than distant subjects.

A cheap diffuser is also worth considering, especially for macro/food or fill flash, though fit can be awkward with very small flashes.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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