First Flash for my Canon DSLR

[MPaley]

After years of using the pop-up flash, I'm ready to move up to a "real" flash. I'm looking at the 430 EX, but also want info on non-Canon flashes. Way back when I had a flash for my film SLR, I had a Vivitar. Any suggestions? I've gone though some of the previous posts and know there's some linking to the focus and settings. Immediately, a friend asked me to take photos for a 13 year-old's party.

Thanks!

[inkista]

Try this page.

Flash for Canon - cheap alternatives and Canon flash models | Speedlights.net

I'd also recommend holding off a little bit, and gathering some information/knowledge.

1) Make sure you're completely comfortable shooting in M mode on the camera before attempting flash. Just my opinion, but it makes it easier to suss out what's going on if you already have ambient light under your belt.

2) Figure out if you want to do on-camera run'n'gun event shooting (like say, a party) or posed portrait studio work. Whether you use a flash on or off camera can have a huge effect on what you need and how much you're going to end up spending. The run'n'gun is actually going to be more expensive, because you're going to want eTTL.

3). Figure out a budget. And understand that, like lenses, those of us who get into flash photography tend not to stop at just one. A studio setup can easily require two, three, or even four flash units. While you're looking at flashes, $250 vs. $350 doesn't look like much when you're only looking at one flash, but multiply it by three, and.... ditto radio triggers, stands, modifiers, etc.

4). Go read the Strobist for a bit. But when it gets technically confusing, switch over to Tangents to get on-camera basics under your belt before hitting the off-camera fun'n'games.