Heritage Cameras Description

Versatile auto or manual flash unit with bounce and zoom head, plus standard hot shoe fitting for many film and digital cameras

  • Quality Japanese flash
  • Tilting head for bounce
  • 28-85mm zooming flash
  • Guide numbers to 42m
  • Three automatic modes
  • Three manual settings
  • Thyristor fast recycling
  • Optional audible signals
  • Standard hot shoe fitting
    (trigger voltage is <10v)
  • For most film and digital
    cameras (non-dedicated)
  • With copy of instructions
  • Includes AA batteries
National was a brand name widely used by Matsushita (now Panasonic), and this versatile Japanese PE-3057 electronic flash unit has a bounce and zoom head, with multiple auto or variable manual modes. The standard hot shoe fitting and moderate trigger voltage mean it can be used with most cameras including many modern and digital types (including Panasonic and many other digital cameras with non-dedicated operation). It's in fully working order, good used condition, supplied with instructions (copy) and Alkaline batteries. Please read the full description for more compatibility information.

The flash head tilts up to 90 degrees for bounce flash, and the zoom action adjusts for wide angle (28mm and 35mm), normal (50mm) or telephoto (85mm and longer) lenses or the equivalent on other formats, and even wider lenses can be used with bounce flash.

The guide number varies from around 42m (136ft) at the telephoto setting to 26m (85ft) at 28mm. Three auto exposure modes are available, using apertures of f/2.8, f/5.6 or f/11 with ISO 100, for ranges up to 15m (49ft), but as with all flashguns, actual range will depend on the conditions. A full power manual option is provided, plus two reduced power settings of 1/4 and 1/16. This description is copyright © Heritage Cameras. Thyristor circuitry is used for faster recycling and more flashes per set of batteries at closer distances on auto and in low power manual modes. 

A comprehensive control dial on the rear of the flash provides distances in metres and feet, apertures and film speeds in ASA (ISO) or DIN. An auto check indicator confirms correct exposure, and audible ready or OK signals can be switched on if required. This flashgun is very nicely made (in Japan), and powered by 4x standard AA batteries including disposable Alkaline (supplied) or rechargeable NiCd or NiMH types. There's a locking shoe fitting for secure mounting – please note that this must be locked before the flash will charge.

An excellent flash unit for many hot shoe film and digital cameras.

Compatibility

This flash has the once-standard fitting for cameras with a hot shoe. 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.

NOTE: Many older flashguns have high trigger voltages – sometimes hundreds of volts – which can theoretically damage modern electronic cameras. We've tested this flash, and it has a trigger voltage of 9.1v, which is well within the ISO standard of 24v, and only the most voltage-intolerant cameras (particularly non-professional Canon EOS) specify up to 6v. If in doubt, check with your camera manufacturer for the safe voltage for your equipment.

Panasonic states that trigger voltages up to 24v may be used on the company's digital cameras. Suitable models include the Lumix DMC-L1 and L10 FourThirds DSLRs, many G, GF, GH and GX Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, LC1, LC5, LX3, LX5, LX7, FZ50, FZ100, FZ150, FZ200 and FZ1000 fixed-lens cameras, with non-dedicated operation. You set the shutter speed and aperture on the camera in M mode, and the flash then adjusts its output automatically depending on the distance. Suitable cameras include many film or digital models with a standard hot shoe from Canon, Carena, Chinon, Contax, Fujica, Fujifilm, Kodak, Konica, Leica, Mamiya, Minolta, Miranda, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Praktica, Ricoh, Rolleiflex, Sigma, Vivitar, Yashica, etc. It's ideal for digital cameras with a standard (non-dedicated) hot shoe such as the Panasonic DMC-FZ10, FZ20, FZ30 and DMC-LC5. Fujifilm S602 and Pro, S20 Pro, FX6900, FX4900, S7000, S9000, S9100, S9500, S9600, S100FS, S200EXR and HS10 (down to 28mm zoom), etc.

Please note that it's NOT suitable for cameras with a non-standard flash shoe such as many Minolta or Konica Minolta Dynax, Maxxum, Alpha or Vectis, many Sony Alpha digital, Nikon 1 series digital and other similar cameras.

Please contact us before buying if you have any questions about compatibility with your equipment. E&OE. Text and images are copyright © Heritage Cameras 2022, and may not be used without permission.