What camera flash is best?

I have a Nikon D5100 and looking to purchase a flash for weddings and Zumba class photography. I would like to be able to bounce it and also use off camera.

The Nikon SB-700 would be the more affordable speedlight with fully rotatable head, bounce card, diffuser and best power output. The SB-900 would be the top of the Nikon speedlight range, it would be the best you can get.

The SB-400 or any other small flash unit like that would be a complete waste of money, it's only just as good as the pop-up flash on your camera - it's terrible.

Talk to a local dealer or visit Amazon (in the US, I'd also recommend B+H Photo) and see which models are available.

Either Nikon or Metz are excellent, if you don't mind the expense. Always buy the most powerful flash you can afford, because it's much easier to reduce the output of a big gun than to increase the power of a little one.

Get the most expensive Nikon Speedlight you can afford.