I already know in advance that people are going to flame me and disagree because what I use isn't Nikon, and it isn't even expensive. But it works, at least for me. And to me, that's all that matters. Why get overly technical and costly if simple and inexpensive works as well as this does?
I use a Nikon bodies, D40, D80, and D70S, so I can lower the power of the built-in camera flash (you have to experiment to see how low it will go) if I want, OR I can use one of these flashes on camera for a master, but I have several of these little flashes that, when they "see" the on camera master flash go off, that (wirelessly) triggers them to go off when they see the master unit flash.
There are limitations to this, but I can set them anywhere they can actually see the light from the on camera master flash. It took some experimentation to know how to use the shutter speed and aperture settings, and to set the power for the master flash, but I can shoot with several of these little flashes, all wireless, no radio triggers or wires or anything.
I have seen people here on TPF test radio triggers 3-4 football fields away, even show pics of doing it but who shoots like that? For what I do, these work just fine, indoors or outdoors.
I can use them for front lighting, back lighting, fill, and they even tilt and rotate. For me they work so easy it seems almost stupid to admit it.
And I know where these flashes can be bought for $30.00 each (open box with 1-year warranty), with free shipping on
eBay. $30.00, geez... Seller has a 99.9% positive feedback rating on
eBay. Shipped from Colorado, right here in the USA.
I have an SB-400 and had a SB-600 but these little flashes are so easy and so cheap I just don't need anything else. Already sold the SB-600, SB-400 is about to be sold. I just don't need it because these suckers work so well for me.
What I am referring to Quantaray (Sunpak, el-cheapo, I never said they weren't) Model PZ-1 DSZ dual swivel zoom, and they make them specifically for Nikon, Canon, and Minolta, but used like I do, doesn't matter who they are made for, the wireless slave (optically triggered) fuction works the same.
Uses 4 "AA" cells, usually comes with original instructions, and 1-year warranty.
I am seriously thinking about buying a whole bunch of these while I can get them so dang cheap.
Here is the listing # 390086843199 for you to search for, when you get it, you can look at sellers other listings to see other flashes than Nikon, and other stuff besides flashes.
What I make is just a suggestion for you to do with as you choose, but these work well for me.
Happy shooting!