Suggestions for a decent budget flash for 300d...

I have a 300D, and want to get a flash for it. I have the kit lense and a Sigma APO DG Macro, and like to shoot mostly macro but some all around stuff. Basically, I don't want to spend a lot of money (between $100-$150), but I want a flash that doesn't suck. There are of course the speedlites, but then there are sigma, sunpak, quantaray, and 1,000,000 other manufacturers with their own flashes. I want a flash that can do the FP mode for flashes at really high shutter speeds, and I want one that has a swivel head. Other than that, I think anything will work. I was just wondering if anyone has a suggestion of which one to use. With all the different flashes and the lack of reviews, it's tough to know which budget ones are good and wihch ones suck miserably. Thanks!

Raise your budget a little and get a 420EX, or buy one 2nd hand.

My thoughts exactly...you should be able to find a nice but used 420EX in or close to your price range.

Ok, so you guys think that the canon is worth the extra money? Then, that is what I shall do. Thanks!

Even though the 420EX is a great little flash (I have one and use it with my 20D and PowerShot G2), the 300D and 420EX are NOT a really good match.

The reason for the poor match is that there is no FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) in the 300D. Also, there is no way to adjust the 420EX's output. If you needed to tweak the lighting up or down a little, you're without the tools that are necessary - unless you use one of the firmware hacks for the 300D to obtain the FEC capability.

There's no reason not to do that, it worked fine for me a year ago when I had a 300D.

No swivel head, but since you're "AirBrontosaurus", you might consider the extinct Vivitar 283-285 series which go for about $40 on eBay. See my posts in these threads.

You'll need the Wein HSHS (Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe) Safe Sync to bring down the trigger voltage so they're safe for use on the 300D & 350.
http://www.weinproduct​s.com/safesyncs.htm
It's about $70 here, but I've seen them for less:
Safe-Sync Hot Shoe Mounted High Voltage Sync Regulator
http://www.omegasatter​.com …laycategory.cfm​?CatID=482
$60
http://web.ivenue.com …ographic2/item4​71881.ctlg

I use the 283 with the Varipower for nature with the 70-200 f/4 at min focus & it works quite well. A walk by the river. One advantage is that you can go from close-up to infinity just as fast as the lens will focus. (Yah, you'll feel stupid with the flash going off with geese 100 yards away overhead, but the system works!)