Sony external flash for stills?

[Peru]

I need to get an external flash for my Sony HDR-HC9 camcorder to take stills with a wide angle lens, since the lens blocks the built in flash.

This is the only one I could find:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... ifications

The Sony website and a call to Sony support said that the bulb is only good for 1,500 flashes, which doesn't seem much to me. A replacement bulb is available for about $20.00.

Anybody with a Sony using this flash?