Minolta flash for Sony Alphas?

[Seeking~Zen]

Hey everyone, I'm wondering if Minolta external flashes work with Sony Alphas like their lenses do?

thanks,
S~Z

[Keith]

This is from Tom Bonner's Field GUide to the Sony A350

Using older Minolta Flashes with the Sony A300 Series

Many but not all Minolta flashes are fully compatible with the Sony Alpha. The Minolta 5600HS (D) and the 3600HS (D) are basically the same flash as the SOny HLV-F56AM and HLV-36Am respectively. The only other Minolta flash that is fully compatible with the A300 series is the somewhat basic 2500(D) These three Minolta flashes should work as well on the Alpha series as any SOny flash

Other Minolta flashes will fit and fire as expected but there is a problem . . . Only the (D) series flashes can be fully controlled by Sony Alpha and Minolta DSLRS. The older flashes can be controlled by equally old film cameras but NOT by any DSLR. If you shoot with one of the old flashes on the A300 series, the flash will always fire at full power as there is no way for the camera to control the flash output. THis practically guarantees that your images will be seriously over exposed unless you are in a situation where the full power is required

HOWEVER!!!

I have a Minolta 5400HS which is at present NOT compatible with my A350 but if you contact blitzadapter@voitzsch.net; you can purchase a part for the flash which converts it so that it IS compatible with the Sony Alpha. The cost is 30 Euros plus shipping and you will need either someone who can fit it for you or you can fit it yourself if you are sufficiently skilled

Hope this is of some help

[Seeking~Zen]

Excellent, thanks very much for the info & link!

[jml79]

I can verify the above. I tried a Minolta 3500xi flash and it would only work at full power with my A100. It also will not work properly using it off camera. Ie the timing in the Alpha digital cameras is not the same as the older Minolta flashes. I later tried the flash with a Minolta film camera and it worked perfectly on and off camera.

[Seeking~Zen]

terrific, thanks again!