i'm no camera expert.. i need your help!

i take family pics and such.. tons, really.

i'd like to take advantage of the hot shoe for more flash and for bouncing the flash... i was SHOCKED to find out how much a canon flash is! my camera is $500... do i really need to spend another $300 just for a flash???

please recommend a good flash (and maybe a place to buy it). thanks!!

If you want it to be a "point and shoot" system with no real input required, you need a TTL flash...

That puts you in the Canon 430EX - $240 <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397664-USA/Canon_0298B002_430EX_TTL_Flash.html">here</a>

If you're willing to go the manual route (and I'm not sure your G7 can do this...) you can save yourself a LOT of money.

One (excellent) example is the Vivitar 285HV - $89.95 <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Auto_Flash.html">here</a>

i don't know what i'm talking about, though... so maybe it is well worth it. i take no less than 100 pictures / month.. usually more.

the accessories listed are below. do you know what the main differences between them would be FOR ME (a p/s guy with some manual control doing family shots and events and such):

220EX
430EX
580EX

thank you.

The flash head has a full 360 pivot, up down , back diagonally!

Also the flash bulb moves forwards and backwards along with the focusing reflector to tightent the flash for longer distances. Automtically does this depending upon the lens you are using and its zoom setting.

So yeah, its badass.

430EX, then?

the 430 is midrange... plenty of output, no zoom/pan/tilt

the 220 isn't listed as compatible with your camera. If it is, it's just less power than the 430.

I have a 550, and want a couple of 580s...

but for a P/S, I'd be hesitant to spend more than the 430.

my first impression was that the 580ex was bigger and had more maximum power. but otherwise, as long as you know how to use the 430, you'll be in good shape.

look into the archives here and make a "better bounce card" from some fun foam stuff from the craft store. or you can spend a lot of money and buy a premade flash diffuser/reflector. and you'll probably want to look into rechargeable AA's if you plan on using the flash regularly.