Nikon D5100 External Flash Compatability?

I will be purchasing the 5100 shortly and I would like to get into flash photography, but am new to the flash scene.

I have been doing some research and found out the 5100 is not iTTL compatible. What would be a good external flash system for the 5100? My budget for flash is around $1, 000. I'd preferably like to get a couple, a soft box, gels, reflectors, etc. I heard the Nikon SB 600 might be a good start? I'd rather do without the cords as I do a lot of travel photography… Would a pocket wizard also be compatible with syncing the flash units?

You need to work on your research skills, because the D5100 most certainly is iTTL compatible. It does not have the capability of controlling a flash off camera by itself, but that is not the same thing.

For off camera use, you can use anything you can afford. Pocket wizards will work just fine with your camera, as will the Chinese triggers off Ebay for much less money. The main advantage of the PW system is that they have a very long range, more than most people would ever possibly need.

The SB-600 costs too much to be an off-camera flash controlled with radio triggers. All you need is a basic flash unit that you can vary the output manually… The Vivitar 285HV is the perfect example. $90 brand new, auto thyristor or full manual control, and includes both hot shoe and PC cable operation.

If you want more power, the Metz handle mounts can be had for a song now, from places like KEH.com. I use Metz 45's like this… On stands with umbrella's and fired with Chinese radio triggers.

The Sunpak 120J or something similar would also be great… If you can find one. Or an older Quantum…