Versatile "hammerhead" bounce and swivel auto/manual flash unit for cameras with standard flash lead

• Hammerhead auto flash unit
• Guide number 30m (100ft)
• Bounce and swivel flash head
• Two auto modes and manual
• Auto power saving feature
• For most manual cameras
  (the trigger voltage is 50v),
  and some digital models
• Standard flash lead fitting
• Includes camera bracket
• Includes 4x AA batteries

This Hanimex Pro 550 flash unit is powerful, versatile, comes with bracket and can be used with many cameras with a standard flash sync socket. It's ideal for older cameras with no hot shoe, including many 35mm and medium format models. It can be used on some digital cameras, but see below for important compatibility information, as it has quite a high trigger voltage.

The flash head can tilt up to 90 degrees vertically, and swivel 90 degrees horizontally, for bounce flash in portrait or landscape orientations. Bounce flash gives softer, more natural lighting than direct flash, and reduces the chance of redeye. The flash covers lenses down to 35mm (on a 35mm camera) and wider coverage is also produced when using bounce flash.

This is a powerful flash unit with a guide number of 30 (meters) and 100 (feet) with ISO 100. This gives a theoretical maximum range of up to 17m (56 feet) with an f/1.8 standard lens, and this doubles to 34m/112 feet with ISO 400 film. As always, actual range will depend on the conditions. Auto or manual exposure control, with two conventional auto ranges. This gives a choice of settings (f/4 or f/8 with ISO 100 film) for auto shots to suit the subject, with ranges up to 7.5m (25 feet) and 3.7m (12 feet) respectively. Thyristor circuitry for reduced recycling times (or to keep up with auto winders) and more flashes per set of batteries at close distances. The auto sensor on the front of the flash remains pointed at the subject even if the flash is tilted or swivelled, retaining auto exposure for bounce flash.

Comprehensive control panel on the side includes film speeds from ISO 25 to 400 (DIN 15 to 25 for German users!), apertures from f/2 to f/32 and distances from 1 to 15 meters (3 to 50 feet). Ready light, test button and auto check light confirms correct exposure. Auto power saving system shuts down if the flash isn't used, to save battery power. Power is supplied by 4x standard AA batteries, and Alkaline disposable types are recommended (supplied).

This is a "hammerhead" or handle-mount flash, and comes with a bracket that screws into the camera's tripod socket (standard 1/4-inch thread). This is much more solid and robust than fitting a large flash into the camera's hot shoe, and gives you a useful extra left hand grip. The base of the attachment screw has an extra thread so the camera/flash combination can still be tripod mounted. The flash alone can also be fitted to a tripod - for example, to be used with a slave unit (not included) in the studio. The flash is quite lightweight, and only weighs around 400g with bracket (not including batteries).

An excellent "hammerhead" flash unit for many cameras!

Condition: Excellent++ (8/10)
The flash is in good condition and fully working order, and has been checked on our suitable digital cameras. All controls work positively, and all features work correctly. Cosmetically it shows just the usual surface scratches and scrapes here and there in the plastic finish, and it rattles slightly when shaken. The battery contacts are clean, with no evidence of battery leakage or corrosion. No cracks, splits or deep scratches, and overall it's in good shape! At the time of listing we have more than one of this item, but the pictures and description here are representative of all of them.

Includes instructions, bracket and screws, plus Alkaline batteries

Compatibility
This flash has the once-standard flash lead which fits cameras with a PC flash sync socket. These connections have been fitted to cameras for generations, including many 35mm SLR and rangefinder cameras, medium format models and even large format lenses. The lead can plug into slave units or extension leads (not included) for multiple flash setups, and adapters are available (not included) for cameras with just a hot shoe.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This type of flash is really designed for manual (mechanical) cameras, and has a trigger voltage of just under 50v. This isn't particularly high (we've seen older units with hundreds of volts!), but it shouldn't be used with many modern electronic, AF or digital cameras, which typically expect a voltage of around 6v to 24v (ISO standard). Some models accept higher voltages including the popular Fujifilm S602, S602 Pro, FX6900 and FX4900 (350v), S20 Pro and S7000 (250v). It will work on the Fujifilm S9000, S9100, S9500 and S9600, though the flash will only cover the 28mm end of the zoom range when using direct flash. If in doubt, check with your camera manufacturer for the safe voltage for your equipment. Adapters are available (not included) which isolate the trigger voltage and reduce it to safe levels even for these cameras.