spoolin01
Contributor
If you haven't bought the Ikelite case yet you might check if there's a Canon case, it would likely be cheaper. The Ikelite cases are better made and sturdier, but generally bulkier and not suited to one-handed shooting. I've had several Canon cases and never had one leak or fail. I only buy off eBay and have had almost no problems.
There are cheaper strobe options - slaves. You don't get variable strobe output with any of the really cheap ones, but you can work around that. Morris makes one that is handheld, looks like a flashlight, for under $50 new. I've got one but haven't tried it out yet. I've used the Ikelight A35 and they're pretty good quality for the money. They make a similar looking AQ/S that's less powerful. You can get the A35 for well under $100 on eBay when it comes up, and the AQ/S often goes for less than $50. Bonica makes/made an inexpensive slave strobe but I haven't used one. My impression is that the Ikelite is probably the most power for the $$. Their customer service is great too. I find the Ikelites easy to trigger - which gives some latitude in positioning the strobe for exposure. I played a bit with a Bonica and it was hard to trigger.
Good luck!
There are cheaper strobe options - slaves. You don't get variable strobe output with any of the really cheap ones, but you can work around that. Morris makes one that is handheld, looks like a flashlight, for under $50 new. I've got one but haven't tried it out yet. I've used the Ikelight A35 and they're pretty good quality for the money. They make a similar looking AQ/S that's less powerful. You can get the A35 for well under $100 on eBay when it comes up, and the AQ/S often goes for less than $50. Bonica makes/made an inexpensive slave strobe but I haven't used one. My impression is that the Ikelite is probably the most power for the $$. Their customer service is great too. I find the Ikelites easy to trigger - which gives some latitude in positioning the strobe for exposure. I played a bit with a Bonica and it was hard to trigger.
Good luck!