Versatile bounce auto/manual flash unit with grip and bracket for most cameras with standard flash lead or hot shoe

• Hammerhead auto flash unit
• Guide number 32m (104ft)
• Tilting head for bounce flash
• 28-105mm wide to tele zoom
• Three auto exposure modes
• Full power manual override
• Slave sensor (not for digital)
• Standard flash lead fitting
• Includes hot shoe adapter
• Trigger voltage under 11v
• Suitable for many types of
  film and digital cameras
• Includes AA batteries

Nissin is a long standing Japanese manufacturer of flash units under their own name and many others. This 3200GS hammerhead flash is powerful, versatile, comes with bracket, synchro cable and hot shoe adapter so it can be used with many 35mm, medium format and digital cameras (including many digital SLRs and fixed-lens cameras with a hot shoe), but please see the Compatibility section below for more specific information.

The flash head can tilt up to 90 degrees vertically for bounce flash, which gives softer, more natural lighting than direct flash, and reduces the chance of redeye. The zoom head covers lenses from 28mm wide angle, through 50mm standard to 105mm (and longer) telephoto, or the equivalents on other formats. Even wider lenses can be used with bounce flash.

This is a powerful flash unit with a guide number of 32m (104 feet) at the standard zoom setting, 28m (89ft) at wide angle and 38m (125ft) at telephoto, with ISO 100. This gives a theoretical maximum range of up to around 18m (58 feet) with an f/1.8 standard lens, and this doubles with ISO 400. As always, actual range will depend on the conditions.

Auto or manual exposure control, with three auto ranges. This gives a choice of settings (f/2.8, f/5.6 or f/11 with ISO 100) for auto shots to suit the subject, with ranges up to 13.6m (45ft). 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, retaining auto exposure for bounce flash. A full power manual setting is provided.

The flash has a built in slave trigger, so it can fire automatically when another flash is detected. This is useful when used in multi-flash setups for portraits, still life, product photography and other studio subjects. The slave can also be used with some cameras that have a built in flash but no flash synchro socket. If your camera emits a single flash it will synchronize correctly. If it emits any pre-flashes (many cameras do this for exposure measurement, especially digital models), then it won't. Switching off the anti-redeye feature on some cameras may help here.

Comprehensive control panel on the rear includes film speeds from ASA (ISO) 64 to 1600 (DIN 19 to 33 for German users), apertures from f/2 to f/32 and distances from 3 to 23 meters (10 to 75 feet). A ready light and test button are provided, and an auto check light confirms correct exposure. Power is supplied by 4x standard AA batteries, and Alkaline disposable (supplied) or rechargeable NiCd and NiMH types can be used.

This is a "hammerhead" or handle-mount flash, and comes complete 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 tripod screws have extra threads so the camera/flash combination can still be tripod mounted. The flash weighs around 400g complete with bracket (but not batteries), and stands around 180mm (7 inches) tall.

An excellent flash unit for many film and digital cameras!

Condition: Excellent+++ (8.5/10)
The flash is in very good condition and fully working order, and has been tested on our film and suitable digital cameras. All features work as expected, and all controls work positively. Cosmetically it shows just the usual surface marks here and there in the plastic finish. The battery contacts are clean with no signs of corrosion and work fine.

No cracks, splits or deep scratches, and overall it's in nice shape!
Pictures in this listing show the actual item offered for sale.

Includes bracket, synchro cable and hot shoe adapter, plus Alkaline batteries

Compatibility
This flash has the standard hot shoe and synchro cable connections which have been fitted to cameras for generations, including many 35mm SLR and rangefinder cameras, medium format models and even many modern digital cameras. It's ideal for digital cameras with a standard (non-dedicated) hot shoe such as the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 (S9000Z), S9600 (S9100Z), S100FS, S200EXR, HS10 (down to 28mm zoom only), S20 Pro, S7000, S602, S602 Pro and 6900Z, Panasonic DMC-FZ10, FZ20, FZ30 (non-dedicated on the FZ50), FZ100 and FZ150 (non-dedicated, down to 28mm zoom only) plus many others. The lead can plug into slave units or extension leads (not included) for multiple flash setups.

It's also usable on many film and digital SLR cameras with non-dedicated operation. You set the shutter speed and aperture manually on the camera in M mode, then the flash adjusts its output automatically depending on the distance. We've tried these flash units on our Panasonic GH1 digital, and they work very well. Manual 35mm SLRs such as the Pentax K1000 and many others are also suitable.

The trigger voltage is quite low at just 10.3v, which is safe for most cameras (the ISO 10330 standard is 24v, but some voltage-intolerant cameras like cheaper Canon EOS only accept up to 6v). 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.