Advice on Flashes Needed.

Just wanting a little guidance with flashes. I need a good flash that isn't going to break the bank. I see most of you use the 580ex but when I researched the price I saw that it was out of my price range. I just need something that is a solid flash but around $100 -$175. Primary purpose would be for weddings and outdoor portraits.

Stretch it a little and buy a used 550 EX for $200-250. Almost all of the features of the 580, and plenty of flash for your needs.

I use 2 550's.

I used to use a Sigma EF 500 DG Super (still have it), but it doesn't recycle fast enough. I also tried a 420ex, but again, it recycled slowly, and I burned it out after one wedding. The 550 recycles plenty fast enough, and you can add an external battery pack to make it recycle even faster.

So if you're serious about weddings/portraits, spend the extra $50 or so, and get a decent flash!

580 single button head rotate is damn handy. If you can't afford this don't get into weddings, since you need two camera bodies, two flashes, probably 4 good lenses, 8-12GB of CF, and probably other things too to do the job right.