430ex II or something else?

[Captain Awesome]

I know this has been discussed here a bit, but it looked like most of the threads were a bit older.

Looking to get a flash for my t2i, and the Canon 430ex II seems the most obvious choice. I've found it around (refurb) for $250 or so, and a 430ex seems to go for around $210, so I might as well go with the newer one between those two.

I'm basically getting this to round out my "starter kit", which is the t2i, the kit lenses (I got the 18-55/55-250 set), and a Sigma 70-300 I just bought here. I'll probably drop that to 2 of the 3 before too long, and pick up a wide angle prime, or a zoom somewhere around 10-20.

I don't plan to have off-camera flash at this point, but may want it down the road if it seems it's something that's holding me back. This is really intended to give me bounce flash capability for indoor shots (particularly family/friends candids more than portraits) and fill flash for outdoor shots. With only one flash, and when planning mostly for walkaround/candid shooting instead of posed/studio style stuff, master/slave capability isn't a major concern. Good automatic TTL flash management (auto-zoom, crop sensor compensation, fairly granular power control) is far more important. I don't think I need HSS, but if that should be a priority, let me know.

Is there anything else that I should be looking at? The Yongnuo 468 seems like it might be a good option, but at POTN I see some complaints about build quality. I'm not familiar enough with other options to know what I should be considering. I'm a "little" price-sensitive, which means I can spend for the 430ex II if I have to, but if I can save money, I'd like that. I just want to be sure I don't cheap out and end up with something underpowered that will require me to upgrade right away.

Finally, anyone selling something you think I should buy?

[smmokan]

I'd look at the Sigma Super 530 DG as well. I bought it for a wedding last year and wouldn't hesitate to use it again- you can check out some of the wedding pictures on my site, I think they turned out pretty well. I think it's comparable to the more expensive Canon EX580 (?), although it's significantly cheaper.

I may have to buy another flash this year, and I'm looking at those Yongnuo flashes- the 468 looks like a great cheap alternative with Electronic TTL.

[Captain Awesome]

Nice. Looks like it's cheaper than the 430ex II, too (at Amazon, seeing it for $199). Does it do the E-TTL and everything? Do you feel any significant trade-offs, other than a different brand name and not being able to work with the Canon wireless system (which my t2i doesn't do anyway)?

[smmokan]

I'm not really up on flashes to talk knowingly about trade-offs... essentially, the Sigma flash did everything I needed it to do: it worked well, it was easy to learn and use, and it's well built. I would have no qualms with buying another one if needed. With the batteries and charger, I think I paid around $215 or so- and then a couple months ago I sold them on POTN for $175.

[Captain Awesome]

My choice may have been made for me. This afternoon, Amazon had the Sigma 530 Super for $189, but now the cheapest I can find seems to be more like $250. I can get a 430ex II for just about the same price, and know that it'll be 100% compatible with my camera. I wonder if the situation in Japan will have any effect on pricing for the Canon stuff, meaning I should buy before prices go up?

Update: just picked up a refurb 430ex II from Adorama for $239, free shipping, 1 year shop warranty. Should be safe. If nothing else, I can probably resell for close to what I paid, right?