> I mainly shoot portraits and events, so I need a flash that offers good power, fast recycle times, and TTL compatibility. Adding my two cents tho... if reliability is your main thing for events, nothing beats the Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight. I've used it for a while now and the built-in cooling system is legit. It wont overheat when things get intense during a shoot, which is a huge peace of mind. Another solid choice is the Nissin MG80 Pro. Its super rugged and handles the high-intensity stuff really well. In my experience, Nissin is underrated but their stuff is built like a tank. Quick tip: make sure you update the firmware on whatever flash you get so it works perfectly with the Z series. Also, check out the Strobist blog (strobist.blogspot.com) for lighting tips. Its basically the best resource out there for learning how to actually use these things. Let me know if you need anything else!

Adding my two cents... if youre doing a lot of event work with the Z5, you might want to consider the Westcott FJ80 II Speedlight. It packs 80Ws of power and the recycle time is basically instant at lower settings. Be careful with the touch screen tho, its super easy to accidentally bump your settings in a crowded room. Make sure to check for firmware updates right away because Nikon Z TTL can be a bit quirky with third party gear sometimes. For portraits, I usually suggest a DIY approach by getting a Godox S2 Flash S-Type Bracket. It lets you use big Bowens softboxes instead of those tiny plastic caps that dont really do much. Just watch the thermal levels if youre shooting full power. Mirrorless bodies can be sensitive to heat build up in the shoe area during long sessions. Ngl, having a universal mount is a lifesaver if you ever need to switch bodies for a day.

> I mainly shoot portraits and events, so I need a flash that offers good power, fast recycle times, and TTL compatibility. ^ This. Also, had a moment to think about the brand loyalty thing. My buddy and I got into a massive argument last summer about whether native Nikon gear is actually better than third-party stuff for events. He was so sure his off-brand kit was superior, but then he forgot his charger at home. I was happy just watching him panic while I used my gear. It turned into a whole ordeal where we spent more time looking for a spare cable than actually taking photos. We never even got to see which one had faster recycle times tho... honestly just a wasted afternoon.

> I mainly shoot portraits and events, so I need a flash that offers good power, fast recycle times, and TTL compatibility. In my experience, the Godox TT685II-N is the smart choice here. It offers a solid Guide Number of 60 and the recycling time is roughly 2.6 seconds when you use high-quality NiMH batteries. I've tried many flashes over the years and honestly, the proprietary lithium packs in the V1 or V860 lines can be a headache if they bloat or fail mid-shoot. I always recommend Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA 2500mAh cells instead because you can find replacements anywhere if you're in a pinch. Actually reminds me of this time I was shooting a festival in the middle of nowhere and my car battery died because I left my charger plugged in overnight. Had to trade a spare set of AAs to a guy with a jumper cable just to get home. My wife still brings it up every time I buy more batteries. Anyway, for the Z5, the TT685II is the way to go.

Godox V1 is a good choice.

Godox V860III