Recommend a flash for my Nikon?

[marcyj]

I've got a Nikon D3000 and I'm starting to get into event / reception photography so I'm looking to purchase a flash for my camera. Can anyone recommend one?

 

[Mach0]

I'd say a sb800.

 

[Big Mike]

SB700 or SB900

 

[KmH]

For event photography it is really helpful to use a flash bracket so the flash unit is not right on the lens axis and is higher than it would be if it was just on the camera's hot shoe.
However, your D3000 lacks some features/ports/functions that would make that possible.

The SB-900 has been replaced by the SB-910.

Are you familiar with the ins-and-outs of using Nikon's iTTL flash control system? If not I highly recommend you get Mike Hagen's book - The Nikon Creative Lighting System: Using the SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, and R1C1 Flashes

However, as mentioned your D3000 lacks some features and functions, like CLS Commander mode, Mike covers in the book.