Compact auto flash unit with bounce/zoom head, and standard hot shoe fitting

• Tilting head for bounce
• 35-85mm zoom flash with
  28mm wide angle diffuser
• Guide number 20-28m
• 2 auto & manual modes
• Comprehensive scales
• Standard hot shoe fitting
• For mechanical cameras
• For some digital models
  (trigger voltage 90v+)
• Includes AA batteries

National was a brand name widely used by Matsushita (now Panasonic), and this versatile PE-2057 electronic flash unit has a bounce and zoom head, with auto or manual operation. The standard hot shoe fitting can be used with many older, mechanical cameras plus some modern and digital models (including several popular Fujifilm types - see the Compatibility section below, as it has a high trigger voltage). It's in good condition, easy to use and comes with batteries.

The bounce flash head tilts up to 90 degrees for bounce flash, which gives much softer, more natural lighting than direct flash. The zoom flash head adjusts for wide angle (35mm), normal (50mm) and telephoto (85mm and longer) lenses (or the equivalents on other formats), giving wider coverage or greater range as appropriate. A separate extra wide angle diffuser provides coverage for 28mm lenses, or the equivalent on other formats.

The guide number varies from around 28m (92ft) at the telephoto setting, 24m (78 feet) at standard and 20m (65 feet) at wide angle. This gives a theoretical maximum range of around 20m (66 feet) with ISO 400 and f/2.8 telephoto lens, but as with all flashguns, actual range will depend on the conditions. Two auto exposure modes are available, giving ranges of up to 8.5m (28 feet) at f/2.8, or 6m (19.5 feet) at f/4 with ISO 100, at the standard setting. Full power manual option provided.

A comprehensive control dial on the rear of the flash provides distances from 1 to 14m (3 to 47 feet), apertures from f/1.4 to f/22 and film speeds from ASA (ISO) 25 to 800 (DIN 15 to 30). A ready light is provided, plus an auto check light confirms correct exposure after the shot has been taken. This flashgun is nicely made (in Japan), around 105mm (4 inches) tall and weighs only around 215g without batteries. Power is provided by 2x standard AA batteries (included). Locking shoe fitting for secure mounting - please note that the shoe must be locked before the flash will charge!

An excellent little flash unit!

Condition: Excellent++ (8/10)
The flash is in good condition and fully working order. All controls work positively, and the flash has been checked on suitable cameras. Cosmetically it shows just the usual surface scratches and scrapes here and there in the plastic finish. The battery contacts are clean with no sign of 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 wide angle diffuser, plus new Alkaline batteries

Compatibility
This flash has the once-standard hot shoe which fits cameras with a hot shoe connection. These connections have been fitted to cameras for generations, including many 35mm SLR and rangefinder cameras, medium format models and even many modern digital cameras.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This type of flash is really designed for manual (mechanical) cameras, and has a trigger voltage of around 90v. 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. Some digital cameras specify a maximum of 250v or even more, in which case this one will be fine. We've checked it on our own Fujifilm S602 Pro (which accepts up to 350v) and it works well. Other Fuji models such as the S602, S7000, FX4900 and FX6900 (350v), S9500 and S9600 (250v) are also compatible. Not recommended for the Fujifilm S100FS, S200EXR (40v) or HS-10 (50v).

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 for other cameras.