Speedlite Flash and a G5 camera????

I'm wanting to buy an external flash and a lot of people say the 430EX Speedlite is a good start...............

Is there any other flashes that will do a good job and aren't this expensive??

Look for a 420EX. It has a slightly lower guide number and doesn't have all the fancy electronics and LCD display but does a great job.

The 430 replaced it so you might not find one new at many retail outlets so you might have to look at Ebay or Fred Miranda's buy/sell forum:

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/board/10

I did see a 220EX for around $140 I think.........I suppose for just a little more I would get a much better flash. Does an external help THAT much......I don't take proffessional pics and not a lot of portraits or people pics so I'm not real sure what I need or even if I need anything???

Don't even bother with a 220EX -- it doesn't even have a tilt head which is one major advantage of an external flash. Plus $140 is WAY too much. Look for a 420EX and you'll be happy. If you use flash at all, an external is the way to go.

OK......Thanks!

What about an off brand flash????

http://cgi.ebay.com …07931QQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Hey! I have 220EX on my G5, and I like it. I think I paid around 100 cdn a year and half ago used off ebay and at the time it was significant cheaper than the 380, and 420. But alas, yes there are better EX flashes. I've found it useful and not so big as to overwhelm the G5 body (fits well with the zoom range). It is certainly not as powerful as the other EX's but for my purpose with the G5 it hasn't disappointed. The head is fixed, but angled up...and there is always the option to take it offshoe with a cord. All depends on the price, features you need, and your plans to evolve into a dslr or not.

I will be stuck with this camera for at least another year or more.......Eventually I plan on getting into something "bigger and better" but for now, my G5 will have to do. I'm into portraits and close-ups...

If you want a cheaper flash, get the Sunpak 383 Super. It's about $80 and a very good flash (I've had mine for about 3 years.) You will lose ETTL though so you will have to manually set the flash to match the ISO and aperture settings on the camera.