New lens vs 3x600ex-RT

[FunPhotons]

I have three 600ex-rt on preorder and the st-e3-rt. I've been thinking, for the money I could instead get the 24mm TSE, the fishy zoom, or the Zeiss 18mm.

I have the 16-35II, 24-105 and 70-200/2.8, and two older flashes, plus the 5dmkii. I like shooting wide most of the time, and tight family portraits. I hate using the optical wireless, and need more flashes anyhow (have been holding out for RT). The three lenses are also on my list, but no immediate need with the 16-35.

I could use some advice, since I'm not buying a 2012 body (so have budget), which purchase do you think will give the most chance to develop and explore? It seems like the flashes are the logical step, but a new lens might be a good direction, (especially a prime) and yes I don't want third party wireless.

 

[CanineCandidsByL]

Since you haven't received any replies, let me say....I hate you....can I be you friend?

I guess it depends which way you want to grow first. At this I'm waffling between lenses and flashes, so I'm not really of any help.

 

[briansquibb]

I stopped buying flashes when I got to 6. Flashes are very usefull wherever you are

The 8-15 is a very sharp lens

The TSE-24 II is a very sharp lens (and is very good as a vanilla 24 too) - manual focus only

I would say the 8-15 would probably have the least use - although I am using it regularly it is only used in 1 in 50 the majority (for me) is the 70-200 II

Perhaps:

- sell your existing flashes (they dont integrate well with the 600)
- get the TSE-24 II

 

[FunPhotons]

Yeah, I thought to sell the existing flashes, but I decided to keep them for the few cases I want/need five flashes. I'll just drop to optical and I can use all five of them. I hate selling stuff, and the few hundred won't make any difference. If its too abhorrent to drop to optical wireless I'll sell them and buy a couple 600's with the proceeds. Or just wait for the rumored RF adaptor.

You bring up what I'm thinking of, which is "Flashes are very useful wherever you are". That's the rub, I think the RF flash will be more useful to me then a new lens at the moment. I don't use my flashes off shoe much because its too much a pain, or I'm not in a situation where I can. The RF (why, oh why did they call it RT (radio technology?) instead of simply RF like everybody else?) flashes, plus controller, will probably give me much more room to grow.

 

[FunPhotons]

Well it's been decided for me; the order went from backordered to "new order processing". Well except for the ST-E3-RT which is still backordered.