yet another flash question

[thegarageblog]

I'm a recent dslr convert from point and shoot and I'm shooting with a 30D. Sorry if this is a duplicate question, but I can't find much about Canon and flashes with my search.

Normally I shoot motorsports, which is outside with natural light. A flash is not usually an issue. I've got a couple of portrait type shoots coming up and I'm thinking that having (and learning to use) a flash beforehand might be a wise concept. Ya think...

My question then is what are my possible alternatives for flash units? Here in Ontario, the Canon units seem to be in the $400 plus range and I have no interest in spending that much, What are my options?

[inkista]

If you're doing portraits in a studio-like setting, you could probably get away with manual-only speedlights and a Strobist set up. You can go really cheap with LumoPro 160, or YN-460s, but you won't have any fancy features like high-speed synch, e-TTL, or remote commanding, and with the Yong Nuos, build consistency/quality may also be an issue.

And then there's remote triggering choices.... The main choice you have here is features and reliability vs. cost. At the low-low end you can get cheap radio triggers at around $60 for a Tx/Rx pair, but reliability and build quality/consistency may be an issue.

This stuff can go really deep. I'd recommend scooting about the Strobist blog and Flickr group discussions, and also consider whether or not going with limited speedlights (AA, smalll, portable), or maybe moving up to monolights may be a better move. A high end speedlight can cost more than a low end monoblock.

[thegarageblog]

Good suggestions inkista, thanks.

Now, I'll take this to another level - I've been reading since I posted this. Has anyone had any experience with Bower products? A US company that manufactures in Singapore.

The SFD680C flash looks like it might be worth checking out.