[Eran.mrg]

So after thinking abut it and reading your posts I think I'm going to go for the flash, I hate using the build in flash and I'm interested in flash photography/ lighting (that is the main reason).
any way thanks for all of your comments you helped me a lot.
for the tripod I have an "ok" one and I don't use it much, but that is because up until now my main field was street photography.

[Coeurdechene]

Nice!
i'm sure you know about the basic reference stuff..but if you don't here you go:
http://strobist.blogspot.com
Then you got the zack aria's dvd, and the strobist dvd lighting in layers, and the taped seminars. Those are a great way to start, with great tips and new techniques to test and incorporate in your bag of tricks. In addition to the flash you may want to look into buying something like the cactus V5, and maybe a cheap manual flash or an old but very powerfull Nikon Sb series flash (sb 24,25,28,28dx or 80dx are great options and you can find them cheap).