hot shoe flash question for 30D/5D

[The_Camera_Poser]

Hi all,

I have no earthly idea when it comes to flashes. Can anyone suggest brands/models comparable to the 430EX or 580EX, so I can go and do my obsessive net searching on them before trying to find some way to mortgage more of my soul to buy one?

Thanks!

[Curtis N]

There are cheaper options in the aftermarket, but they all lack one feature or another. Whether or not that matters to you depends on how you want to use the flash.

Tell us about the kinds of shots you want to use it for. Indoors/outdoors, big room/small rooms, on camera/off camera?

[The_Camera_Poser]

Curtis- mostly for macro, but also for indoor candids with the family, and I'd lke to try a better beemer for birds. I do a lot of forest photography as well, where fill flash would be really useful.

[Curtis N]

The only flash I recommend that's significantly cheaper than a 430EX is the Sigma EF-530 DG ST (often confused with the similarly named EF-530 DG Super). It goes for about $190 at B&H. Be careful to get the version made for Canon.

It's powerful and will work well for the uses you describe.

It has no off-camera capability, no high speed sync and a very limited manual mode.

[The_Camera_Poser]

No worries- thanks Curtis. I'll have a look.