You gonna FLASH me, Bro?

[DonSchap]

Flash Solutions

One of the unfortunate side effects of using a SONY HVL “wireless flash” solution is that the remote flash has to see the built-in (pop-up) flash on the camera. If you do not extend the flash or are using an A900 … you don’t get a flash.

Now, with the recent advent of the HVL-F20AM Compact Flash (April 2009), the A900 now can offer control through its “wireless” option, but again, the remote flash has to “see” the pre-flash from the camera to operate properly. In other words, it is all optically controlled.

Question: What is another good solution to this “wireless” issue?

SONY offers a “Sync Terminal Adaptor” for the camera’s hot shoe.

SONY-Sync-Terminal-Adaptor.jpg

This part offers a “pc-sync” port to cameras that do not have one (A100, A200, A230, A300, A330, A350 & A380) so that you can add generic external flash control to the camera. This is an expensive part, if you consult the SONY Style store for it. An alternative is purchasing a third party “FS1100” Hot shoe adapter (The A700 & A900 already have the "pc-sync" port built into them, so there is no need for this part.)

FS1100
FS1100.jpg

This is one-tenth (1/10) the cost of the SONY part and, personally, it is the way to go … that is, unless you have nothing better to do with your cash.

Now, wireless flash control can be offered through a number of devices, but my personal favorite is the “PocketWizard PLUS II” which is an “RF” solution and does not need any kind of optical or infrared pre-flash. Yes, it costs a little more, but what you get in return is true flexibility and RELIABILITY, which is the mainstay of most photography. You want flash NOW … not when it decides it wants to work.

You will require two units, one connected to the camera and the other to the flash. The camera connection requires the PC1 Cable (pc-sync) to attach the camera's port to the PocketWizard.

The HVL-series of flashes do not support the “pc-sync” port, which would be necessary for the PocketWizard to be connected to the flash. The solution is another small third-party adapter, the “FS1200”, which attaches to the flashes’ hot shoe and immediately provides a “pc-sync” port to the flash unit.

FS1200
FS1200.jpg

HVL-F36AM, FS1200 Adapter, pc-sync cable (PC1) , and PocketWizard PLUS II
PocketWizard-HVL-F36AM.jpg

Also, the “PocketWizard” can be use to trigger a “studio strobe” without having to drape a pc-sync cord a dozen or so feet away and take the chance of a ‘subject’, grip or even yourself tripping over it and taking down your expensive lamp. The main difference is that you will probably need a MM1 cable, instead of the PC1 cable (used in the above SONY HVL-connection)

So, in effect, you have a wireless link between your camera and the flash (studio or electronic) that is reliable and channelized, so you can set off different units at different times, if you so wish. You would require additional “PocketWizards” for such ideas.

[bmcguirk]

I'm using an a700. A friend loaned me a couple pocketwizards to try out while he is away on business for a while. I hooked them up correctly as far as i can tell. PC sync on the a700 to one of the wizards (camera/flash point) and have the other on an adaptor (FS1200) with the pc sync connected to my F42AM and the flash connector on the PW. Now the problem is the flash won't flash. It flashes if I press the test button on the flash itself, but not if I press the test button on either PW or actually try to take a photo. Both units are set to Both and Channel 1. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Bob

[bmcguirk]

Hmmm Could be the flash? I tried it with my F56AM and it seems to work ok...

[DonSchap]

I do not have a HVL-F42AM to try, Bob. Only the '36 and the '56 ... so we are out of luck with me trying to duplicate it.

Remember, the '56 and the '42 really do not necessarily play well together. The '42 was really designed to be partnered to the newer '58 flash. As you have already attested, I have it working with the '36 and the '56, myself.

You might just try looking for a '36 on ebay (<- click this) or in one of the local camera shops. You should be able to find it cheap enough. I got mine, USED, for around $80

[bmcguirk]

That is a great idea, Don. Sometimes I get caught up in the "if it's newer it has to be better" thing. And sometimes it's not necessarily true. I'm headed to ebay! Thanks

[DonSchap]

I am pretty convinced that SONY had to make some changes to be able to simply differentiate itself from Minolta, because the Minolta 5600HS D is identical to the HVL-F56AM and the Minolta 3600HS D is identical to the HVL-F36AM.

SONY added "flash groups" the HVL-F58AM & HVL-F42AM flashes. It's a different approach to using wireless, but, personally, I haven't found much use for it. The A900 seems to be more comfortable with these new flashes. The new '58's rotating flash is a novel idea ... but, again, non-traditional ... making for unique issues.

[TammyB74]

I was wondering if I can pick your brain. :-) I' am started to do more destination weddings, and I really need to learn to have more control over my flash. I have a A700 and a F42 flash. What do you recommend that I get (lighting wise) that will give me good control over lighting and that can be transported easliy? (most of the wedding coming up are out of the country and with all the luggage requirements I try to keep within the carry on requirements)

I have been reading a pocket wizards, but honeslty I'm not sure exactly what is needed to make them work properly and how to set them up.

[DonSchap]

I apologize if I was not clear about this, earlier. It can be difficult to assume certain levels of understanding from a "one-way" explanation. I would appreciate feedback for any ambiguous spots you may encounter. This is the digital photography “school”, so it is important that the proper explanation be employed and conveyed.

Here we go, from the beginning (stick with me on this, I believe this explanation will eventually wind up where you want to be, but hopefully you will also understand some other built-in options you have, along the way):

First -> Purchase two PocketWizard PLUS II (<- click on this) Transceivers and four "AA" batteries.
Second -> Purchase a FS1100 (<- click on this) hot shoe adapter; FS1200 (<- click on this) hot shoe adapter and a "standard" mini-stand flash foot (not a SONY flash foot).

Some background:

Minolta/SONY external flashes (Minolta 3600 HS D, Minolta 5600 HS D, SONY HVL-F36AM, SONY HVL-F56AM, SONY HVL-F42AM, SONY HVL-58AM) have a "wireless" mode, which allows the device to be triggered by the built-in (“pop-up”) pre-flash of the DSLR camera. Supposedly … this flash will trigger the “Wireless” a split second after the pop-up goes off. In practice … sometimes, it is hard to say.

Anyway, this system is ‘optical’ and as such the remote “wireless” flashes have to “see” the pop-up’s ‘pre-flash’ to work properly. (Add procedure for wireless)

Let’s review the general procedure to do this, first:

1) Attach the flash to the camera and turn the power of the flash and the camera on.
2) Set the camera to wireless flash.
3) Remove the flash from the camera and raise the built-in flash.
4) Set up (orient) the camera and flash.
5) Make sure that the built-in flash and external flash are fully charged.
6) Use test flash to check flash operation.
7) Check again that the built-in and external flash are fully charged, and press the shutter button to take the photo.

To avoid “optical” failure, either due to sunlight or some kind of optical interference, such as a bright lamp or blockage (could be as simple as the flash simply not seeing the pop-up’s pre-flash)

Consider this the “normal” method of remote flash operation.

Now, we get to the fun stuff, using a third party RF (radio frequency) remote trigger. To do this with a SONY or Minolta brand external flash (see above list), you will need a way to get the trigger signal into the external flash. This can be done by use of a hot shoe adapter (FS1200). The FS1200 mounts on the bottom of the external flash, on its hot shoe, and provides a pc-sync port. Through the pc-sync port, you can attach a (REMOTE) third party triggering device, such as a PocketWizard. (it should be mentioned, as a matter of convenience, that you should also acquire a ‘standard’ flash mini-stand to support your flash, as the provided SONY flash foot will not work with the FS1200 adapter because of the adapter’s design. It was originally designed to allow the advanced flashed to work on the older Minolta camera’s ‘standard’ hot shoe.)

If you are using one of the new SONY DSLRs (A200, A230, A300, A330, A350, A380) or an A100, you will need a FS1100 adapter for the camera’s hot shoe, to provide a pc-sync port to the (LOCAL) third party triggering device.

The PC sync cables are provided with these devices, so you should all set to go, with the following procedure.

At the camera location:

1) Attach the FS1100 adapter to the hot shoe of the DSLR.
2) Plug the short pc-sync cable into the pc-sync port of the FS1100 adapter (located on the side of the adapter)
3) Plug the miniature plug of the pc-sync into “camera/flash” port of the PocketWizard device.
4) Turn on the PocketWizard. The LEDs should start to flash.

At the flash location:

5) Attach the FS1200 adapter to the bottom of the external SONY flash.
6) Plug the short pc-sync cable into the pc-sync port of the FS1200 adapter (located on the side of the adapter)
7) Plug the miniature plug of the pc-sync cable into “camera/flash” port of the PocketWizard device.
8) Turn on the PocketWizard. After a second or two, the LEDs of this device and the camera’s PocketWizard should now should start to flash in synchronization.
9) Position the flash as you wish.

http://digital-photography-school.co...2&d=1248414925 (<- click link for image)

Go take an image. This should eliminate an distance issues you will have, up to about forty feet.

The entire set up is highly portable and easy to use. I hope this was helpful

[aa2]

hi guys, i recently broke my sigma flash and replace it with our very own 58am....in the course of looking for the best price, i encountered this wireless trigger-receiver for our alphas and cost me $50.00 for this set.....sharing

[A700_User1029]

Originally Posted by DonSchap

Flash Solutions

One of the unfortunate side effects of using a SONY HVL “wireless flash” solution is that the remote flash has to see the built-in (pop-up) flash on the camera. If you do not extend the flash or are using an A900 … you don’t get a flash.

Now, with the recent advent of the HVL-F20AM Compact Flash (April 2009), the A900 now can offer control through its “wireless” option, but again, the remote flash has to “see” the pre-flash from the camera to operate properly. In other words, it is all optically controlled.

Question: What is another good solution to this “wireless” issue?

SONY offers a “Sync Terminal Adaptor” for the camera’s hot shoe.

Attachment 17839

This part offers a “pc-sync” port to cameras that do not have one (A100, A200, A230, A300, A330, A350 & A380) so that you can add generic external flash control to the camera. This is an expensive part, if you consult the SONY Style store for it. An alternative is purchasing a third party “FS1100” Hot shoe adapter (The A700 & A900 already have the "pc-sync" port built into them, so there is no need for this part.)

FS1100
Attachment 17840

This is one-tenth (1/10) the cost of the SONY part and, personally, it is the way to go … that is, unless you have nothing better to do with your cash.

Now, wireless flash control can be offered through a number of devices, but my personal favorite is the “PocketWizard PLUS II” which is an “RF” solution and does not need any kind of optical or infrared pre-flash. Yes, it costs a little more, but what you get in return is true flexibility and RELIABILITY, which is the mainstay of most photography. You want flash NOW … not when it decides it wants to work.

You will require two units, one connected to the camera and the other to the flash. The camera connection requires the PC1 Cable (pc-sync) to attach the camera's port to the PocketWizard.

The HVL-series of flashes do not support the “pc-sync” port, which would be necessary for the PocketWizard to be connected to the flash. The solution is another small third-party adapter, the “FS1200”, which attaches to the flashes’ hot shoe and immediately provides a “pc-sync” port to the flash unit.

FS1200
Attachment 17841

HVL-F36AM, FS1200 Adapter, pc-sync cable (PC1) , and PocketWizard PLUS II
Attachment 17842

Also, the “PocketWizard” can be use to trigger a “studio strobe” without having to drape a pc-sync cord a dozen or so feet away and take the chance of a ‘subject’, grip or even yourself tripping over it and taking down your expensive lamp. The main difference is that you will probably need a MM1 cable, instead of the PC1 cable (used in the above SONY HVL-connection)

So, in effect, you have a wireless link between your camera and the flash (studio or electronic) that is reliable and channelized, so you can set off different units at different times, if you so wish. You would require additional “PocketWizards” for such ideas.

I have the HVL58AM Flash version.. is the FS1200 adapter compatible with that flash too? wasn't too sure since the Reviews only listed flashes from 36,42 and 56 Models. I am trying to sync the PW with the 58.