Flash recommendations
 

Having recently purchased a new 7D + EF-S 15-85 - Tamron 70-300 I dont really have the cash to stretch to Canon's own Speedlites.

Can anyone suggest or recommend alternatives at more affordable prices?

Thanks.

I use a Nissin Speedlite Di866. You can pick them up for the £150 mark on eBay. They boast as many features as the canon 580 and even spec a little higher on some points. Truly a fantastic flash gun. I couldn't afford the 580 at the time I brought the Nissin but after a friend lent me the 580 I can't see why I would need to spend an extra £150. The only down side is the motor is a bit nosiey and the head tilt don't lock so when using my Gary Fong defusser it can someones tilt by its self at curtain angles, its not a problem just annoying when it does slip and its not an issue with normal smaller defussers.

I agree with Lapistola, the DI866 is a bargain for the money, it is noisy but it does also work with the 7D wireless flash system as well.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will look into the Di86. Sounds good.

I would also look at the nissin di622mk2