Want to buy a speedlite

[metoo]

Hi everyone, I originally wanted the canon 430ex but I really can't afford it. I thought I was out of luck with a flash for at least a year. I have since found this flash and it seems to have good reviews.
YONGNUO TTL Speedlite Flash Unit YN-468 for Canon EOS - eBay (item 190489833506 end time Feb-10-11 22:24:01 PST)

I have a canon xs and know nothing about flashes. I have so far only used my built in flash. I do know I want to use the flash on my camera, mainly for pictures of my kids and such. I want a swivel head so that I can bounce the light off walls etc. Other than that I have no idea what to look for(or how to use it!). I also need it to be cheap. The canon 430ex is just not in the budget right now. If that is my only option I will be buying a light scoop. LOL Budget is 100.00 or less.

[inkista]

The yong-nuo flashes are the cheapie darlings of the Strobist set, but be prepared for the fact that you may get a dud, and that you may have to mail your return to Hong Kong. Build quality and consistency are not among YongNuo's virtues--that low low cost is going to show up somewhere.

[archersdad]

Since you are on a tight budget, a YN flash is probably what you should look for. The newer YN-560 is more powerful and offers quite a bit more functionality for around $70. Don't forget that you will also need some way to trigger the flash; either radio, optical, or wired.

I purchased 4 YN-460s about two years ago and only two of them are still working. For the price, that isn't too bad, but I have been upgrading as they burn out.