help with flashes

[cpearson]

My boss is thinking of getting a Canon Powershot G2 and is looking for help on which Speedlite flash would be the best value for the money? I think the 220 EX has been ruled out but the others are up for discussion. Since I'm on here, I volunteered to ask. Any opinions?

[DrJalapeno]

The 420ex seems to be the hands down winner with G2/Pro90 owners. It's half the cost of the 550ex with 80% of the power. The 380ex will tilt but not swivel. The 220ex will do neither. Be aware that a lot of the functions of the flash won't work with digital cameras (e.g. low light focus assist, high speed sync, 2nd curtain sync, modelling light). Bounce flash and higher power than the onboard flash are the main selling points. Non Canon flashes will only work in Manual mode.<BR>
Here's a link regarding a minor quirk with the G2 and the 420ex flash:<BR>
<A HREF=http://www.popphoto.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=000399" TARGET='_blank'>http://www.popphoto.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=000399</A>