Figure 13-1: Wireless flash makes complex shots like this exceptionally easy!
Figure 13-1: Wireless flash makes complex shots like this exceptionally easy! |
“Wireless Flash” refers to the ability to move Sony’s accessory flashes away from the camera, position them anywhere else in the room, and still have them fire and auto-expose as if one of them were still sitting on the camera’s flash-mount shoe. In the old days, it was very difficult to accomplish this, but the wireless technology makes off-camera flash as easy as autofocus makes it easy to focus.
It’s true that a lot of people are scared off by wireless flash at first, but let me reassure you that it’s easy, fun, and the results are totally worth it!
On the next pages are some more examples of wireless flash in use.
TIP: In order for ANY flash to be used (normal or wireless), MENU --> |
The shot above is a truly remarkable image using only ONE off-camera FLASH, and again shows off the versatility of this flash system in automatic mode. The flash was placed BEHIND the model and over her shoulder so that the bottom of the flash “beam” just touched her hair, and the majority of the beam hit the reflector placed out-of-frame, on the right. The right reflector was angled to reflect some of the light onto the model’s face, and some of it to the reflector placed out-of-frame to the left. This secondary-bounce light then illuminated the left side of the model’s face.
Before we get into the basics, there are three Sony flash models that will fit onto your camera's hot shoe. All of them are shown in Figure 13-2 and some of the important differences are spelled out. And because Sony’s flash model nomenclature can be a mouthful, let me provide a quick translation table between the Sony names, and how I’ll refer to each of them in this chapter:
Sony Name |
Friedman Name :-) |
Notes |
|
HVL-F60M |
“F60” |
Works great on top of camera. Can trigger other wireless flashes using the “New” flash protocol. Can control ratios or groups using the new protocol. Can act as an off-camera wireless flash via either the new or old protocols. In “Slave” mode, understands ratio mode, and can be controlled in groups. |
|
HVL-F43M |
“F43” |
The “60”’s little brother. It functions identically to the 60 flash other than the price and output power, both of which are lower. (And the user interface is different too.) |
|
HVL-F32M |
“F32” |
Same capabilities as the F43, but with a size that doesn’t dominate an E-mount body. Runs on only 2 AA batteries and lower power than the F43. |
|
HVL-F20M |
“F20” |
Small and light, makes for a convenient way to trigger wireless flash (or a slightly stronger popup flash). It cannot be used as a slave. |
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HVL-F60M HVL-F43M HVL-F32M HVL-F20M Figure 13-2: The Sony Accessory flashes that will work with your camera. Note that there are similar-sounding models (HVL-F43AM, HVL-F20AM) which will not fit your camera's hot shoe. |
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TIP 1: There are many (but not all) older Sony and Minolta flashes that possess the old Minolta hot shoe, and require the Sony ADP-MAA adapter to work on your camera. I’m not going to talk about them in this book, but I will list them by name: HVL-F36AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F58AM, 5600HS(D), and 3600HS(D). Without needing the adapter, these flashes work great as wireless receivers and since they’re been obsoleted they can be bought pretty cheaply in the used market. TIP 2: Those of you owning 3rd party “dumb” radio flash triggers and slaves for conventional ISO flash feet may find that the position of the firing pin on the new Sony flashes don’t line up with firing contact on most of the 3rd party radio triggers out there. Here’s a youtube video showing the kind of modifications one Sony shooter had to make to overcome this design deficiency: http://youtu.be/pG_jywhbMeg |
5 --> Silent Shooting 