In article <31F7A1F0.3EE3@Brown.EDU>, Michael_Brucker@Brown.EDU says...

>I really don't want to put nearly $500 into a SB21A... does anyone
>have any other recomendations? Metz? Sunpak? Other options that will
>give me good flash coverage with my 105 f2.8 up close?

It is hard to beat an SB-17 (add a cp05Y filter for good color with
slide film) on an SC-14(?) F3 TTL remote cord, mounted with a flat bar
attached to the camera tripod socket. This rig allows the placing of
the flash at the end of the lens (the "tilt-o-whirl" capabilities of
the SB-17 flash [or SB-15/SC-17{?} cord on other Nikons] allows the
flash head to be aimed directly at the subject). Since the flash
head is large relative to the subject, the light is soft and
natural-looking. This rig is compact, relatively inexpensive,
and excellent for the purpose. (BTW, you can place the flash head
at an angle that will allow equally good lighting for both vertical
and horizontal framing.) The above may be possible with the new
SB-27 on recent cameras, but I have not tried it yet (the
flash head may not turn relative to the flash body,
as it does with the SB-15/17).
Hope This Helps