Flash Recommendation, please.

[TSEE]

Ok I need some external flash recommendations for my Canon EOS 20D.
I would be shooting mainly portraits, both indoor and outdoor....I suppose wedding photos is what I'm most concerned about not turning out due to poor lighting.

So what I found was:
Sigma EF-500 ST-DG and Sigma EF-500 DG Super E-TTL II
or
Sunpak PZ040C Ultra-Compact Digital TTL Dedicated Flash DBL and
Sunpak PZ040CS Ultra-Compact Digital TTL Dedicated Flash DBL

Are any of these any good or even compatiable with the 20D, any misfires or alike with them or do they hold up pretty good?
And does anyone know if the Sigma flashes comes with a cord (or where could you buy one if it doesn't come with one?) so you don't have to have it mounted to the camera but move the flash around?
Oh and can anyone fill me in on what the TTL means.http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/icons/icon5.gif

Thanks!

[robertwgross]

To your list, you can add the Canon 580EX, 550EX, and 420EX.

TTL means through the lens, and that is generally a description of a metering system.

---Bob Gross---

[TSEE]

I wanted to stay away from the canon line really since they're rather pricey.
Do you know if any of those I mentioned would be any good?
Thanks for clearifying the TTL part, makes sense! :)

[EricKonieczny]

Get the Canon 580EX and get the ST-E2 Transmitter remote


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=348457&is=GREY

[robertwgross]

Somwhere in your decision-making, you want to consider whether you are trying to do ETTL flash, I or II, or else manual flash. Different flash units have different capabilities and require different connections to get there. The Canon wireless flash system is kind of handy.

Personally, for weddings, I always shoot ETTL with at least one flash unit on a bracket with the off-shoe cable.

---Bob Gross---

[cmM]

yea, I think ETTL is the choice for most wedding photographers. Everything moves pretty fast, you don't have time to crap around with anything else.
I would recommend a Canon flash, I use 550EX and it works great.

[Jon]

I wouldn't get the ST-E2, either. That would be better for strictly studio situations, since all it'll do is fire your other flash; the OCC2 will get your main flash off camera, and the $200 price tag for the ST-E2 would buy a Sigma 500 Super instead.

[robertwgross]

I wouldn't get the ST-E2, either. That would be better for strictly studio situations, since all it'll do is fire your other flash; ...

A non-studio situation is exactly where the Canon wireless system is intended for use.

I use the STE2 exactly for firing the other flash units when there is no time to run cables around a room.

Example: Wedding reception. The bride is getting ready to toss the bouquet. I can set up the camera at one place with the STE2, then have the first flash ready to illuminate the bride, and have the second flash across the floor ready to illuminate the catchers.

---Bob Gross---

[TSEE]

Sounds like the Sigma Super is the better flash of those mentioned (aside from the canon line which is a little out of price range right now).
Thanks for all the tips, I appreciate it!