What flash to go with my new DSLR kit?

[JAGS]

Hi,

I picked up the following kit on the weekend:
Canon EOS 550D 18-55 kit
8GB SDHC Extreme card
LowePro Classified 160AW carry case

Loving the camera and experimenting with the various settings on the creative modes to get a feel for things. Have taken some good shots both indoors and outdoors, but as a few suggestions were initially made (on my previous thread about what kit to get) for me to consider a flash to go with the camera, I was wandering what flash to go for…

Are there any good units that should be considered or should I just get the cheapest possible and be done with it? Stick with Canon branded only or are there aftermarket ones that will do just a good job at a more reasonable price?

Still experimenting with my camera at the moment, and finding out what makes a good/bad shot. This hobby could get expensive!

[Simpo Two]

Buy the best Canon flash you can afford and it'll probably keep you happy for years. Better to have a powerful flash working at half grunt than an econo-flash struggling to keep up.

[rottie102]

Sigmas are good too. Nissin Di866 is apparently very good. You don't HAVE TO buy Canon to have good results.