Cheapest Decent Auto Flash?

[keith204]

I'm trying to hook my brother up with a cheap dslr setup.

Is there a cheap, decent, offbrand, auto flash out there? Probably going with 430ex, but just fishing for something cheaper that will work.

 

[usayit]

Used 420EX would be cheaper...

Sigma also makes a flash that is compatible with EOS E-ttl

 

[Big Mike]

By auto flash, do you want it to work with the camera's E-TTL metering? Or would a flash with it's own auto setting be good enough?

 

[keith204]

By auto flash, do you want it to work with the camera's E-TTL metering? Or would a flash with it's own auto setting be good enough?

hmm. i suppose non-e-ttl should be ok. I have a sunpak 383 that has somewhat auto functions, but you have to set the iso, and the highest iso you can set is 1000.

 

[Big Mike]

It takes a bit more know-how to work with a non-dedicated flash, but it's a lot cheaper than a dedicated E-TTL flash. It's not too bad with digital because you can see what you get. I learned it with film, which was a bit tougher.

It doens't really matter too much about the ISO range...you can adjust the ISO or aperture on the camera to vary the flash exposure.