Well as my extremely sporadic posting on here might suggest, I've barely done anything with photography in the last year. I'm off to a family get together later, and again it dawned on me that I don't have a dedicated flash unit (still!).
Now I'm aware that there are a lot of mentions of flashes on these forums, so forgive me for asking here, but I'm after the most recent info I can get my mitts on
I've never researched much on flash information as what I was doing, and pretty much still do, involves daylight photography. I've spent today looking around at the lower end Speedlite flash units (and just missed out on one on an auction site for £40
).
My question is this: With a Canon 30D, and baring in mind I'll mainly be using it for relatively small indoor events, which would be the best option? I've seen Metz ones, Sigma and Canon. Obviously for compatibility reasons I imagine the Canon range is the best to go for. My main issue is funding as I've just chucked a chunk of cash at a treadmill
With that in mind, is it worth getting the bottom end of the range flash unit, or would you say to go for something like the Speedlite 270EX over the 220EX? Are the other brands worth getting at the lower end? Recharge time isn't an issue really (as the longest I've seen is about 8 seconds, which is fine).
I just about got away with a higher ISO last time, but realise I need a flash.
An example of the last attempt. While okay, they're nothing great!
Oh, and would you recommend updating the firmware on my 30D, which is a couple of years old now and hasn't had an upgrade?
All help appreciated. Apologies for my ramble
Now I'm aware that there are a lot of mentions of flashes on these forums, so forgive me for asking here, but I'm after the most recent info I can get my mitts on

I've never researched much on flash information as what I was doing, and pretty much still do, involves daylight photography. I've spent today looking around at the lower end Speedlite flash units (and just missed out on one on an auction site for £40

My question is this: With a Canon 30D, and baring in mind I'll mainly be using it for relatively small indoor events, which would be the best option? I've seen Metz ones, Sigma and Canon. Obviously for compatibility reasons I imagine the Canon range is the best to go for. My main issue is funding as I've just chucked a chunk of cash at a treadmill

With that in mind, is it worth getting the bottom end of the range flash unit, or would you say to go for something like the Speedlite 270EX over the 220EX? Are the other brands worth getting at the lower end? Recharge time isn't an issue really (as the longest I've seen is about 8 seconds, which is fine).
I just about got away with a higher ISO last time, but realise I need a flash.
An example of the last attempt. While okay, they're nothing great!
Oh, and would you recommend updating the firmware on my 30D, which is a couple of years old now and hasn't had an upgrade?
All help appreciated. Apologies for my ramble
