Sony F717 with external flash

Green Baron · 30th November 2002

Does anyone know if the Sony F717 supports off camera flash (with Sony & non Sony flash) and what features will not be available if a non Sony Flash is used ?
Thx

wormz777 · 30th November 2002

well, no functions are lost if I am not wrong cos the sony flash is just a basic auto flash.

The more popular ones are metz 32z1 and the vivitar 285. The metz can tilt and swivel. The vivitar can only tilt and is much bigger and heavier but has zoom and slightly more powerful than the metz. The metz 32z1 is ard $170 while the vivitar is ard $140.

There is one sunpak 383 which can both swivel and tilt and is as powerful as the vivitar and is ard vivitar's price, but its rare in singapore and is one which I am looking for now too.

Hope this helps.

p/s please do a search next time before u post a question here as these info can be found easily in the forum. No excuses even though you are a newbie here

2nd December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Gan CW
[b]Does anyone know if the Sony F717 supports off camera flash (with Sony & non Sony flash) and what features will not be available if a non Sony Flash is used ?B]

Since the F717 has a standard hotshoe connector, you should be able to mount any (non-dedicated) flashgun on it and get it working. If I'm not mistaken, not even the Sony flash works in TTL mode with the F717, so basically no flashgun has any inherent advantage over the rest in this respect.

wormz777 · 2nd December 2002

Hey, Midnight! Are there other brands/models of flashes other than the ones I have mention do u recommend to use with the sony 717??

Perferably have swivel and tilt and omni bounce cards are availabe?

3rd December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by wormz777
Hey, Midnight! Are there other brands/models of flashes other than the ones I have mention do u recommend to use with the sony 717?? Perferably have swivel and tilt and omni bounce cards are availabe?

As you already know, most people will tend to agree that the best generic (i.e. non-dedicated) auto flashguns out there are the Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 models, so I'm in full agreement with you there. If you need greater reach, the Metz units are excellent but these are comparatively high-end, a fact that tends to be reflected in their price. So, as you can see, you've already covered all the best existing options out there right now in your own post.

Of course, a good dedicated TTL flash would be the best option, but unfortunately no such thing exists for the Sony F717.

Stevick_Lee · 7th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Midnight
As you already know, most people will tend to agree that the best generic (i.e. non-dedicated) auto flashguns out there are the Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 models, so I'm in full agreement with you there. If you need greater reach, the Metz units are excellent but these are comparatively high-end, a fact that tends to be reflected in their price. So, as you can see, you've already covered all the best existing options out there right now in your own post.

Of course, a good dedicated TTL flash would be the best option, but unfortunately no such thing exists for the Sony F717.

Hi all, I m using a cheapo Vivitar 729AF for my 717, as it has both tilt n swivel movements. But having a hard time looking for a omni bounce. Any tips ?

"Forever aspiring for inspirations"
Stevick
Singapore
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/stevick_lee
Sony DSC F717
Fujifilm S304
Canon Ixus V2
Ricoh RDC6000
Nikon F601M

Stevick_Lee · 7th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Midnight
As you already know, most people will tend to agree that the best generic (i.e. non-dedicated) auto flashguns out there are the Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 models, so I'm in full agreement with you there. If you need greater reach, the Metz units are excellent but these are comparatively high-end, a fact that tends to be reflected in their price. So, as you can see, you've already covered all the best existing options out there right now in your own post.

Of course, a good dedicated TTL flash would be the best option, but unfortunately no such thing exists for the Sony F717.

Hi all, I m using a cheapo Vivitar 729AF for my 717, as it has both tilt n swivel movements. But having a hard time looking for a omni bounce. Any tips ?

"Forever aspiring for inspirations"
Stevick
Singapore
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/stevick_lee
Sony DSC F717
Fujifilm S304
Canon Ixus V2
Ricoh RDC6000
Nikon F601M

Green Baron · 10th December 2002

Thanks for all the advice. I am still new to this forum. Will seach before asking next time.

A few more questions :
- I noticed the Sony Flash has a cable for attaching to the camera but the other brands don't. What is that cable for ?

- Can I use external flash off camera instead of mounting on the hotshoe ?

Thanks

denizenx · 10th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee

Hi all, I m using a cheapo Vivitar 729AF for my 717, as it has both tilt n swivel movements. But having a hard time looking for a omni bounce. Any tips ?

handphone pouch? I tried white plastic bag also can...

darkness · 10th December 2002

Actually I believe that Sony's F1000 does work in TTL mode with the F717 using the ACC connector.

Falcon · 10th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee
[b]

Hi all, I m using a cheapo Vivitar 729AF for my 717, as it has both tilt n swivel movements. But having a hard time looking for a omni bounce. Any tips ?

What is the guide number? Saw somewhere that it is quite weak and also no manual control.

Stevick_Lee · 10th December 2002

Finally got hold of a Sto-fen Omni Bounce that fits. Its meant for Canon 380EX, Nikon SB-24 etc. Juz to add on, it has a zooming shroud too.

The guide number :24m/80ft at ISO 100(50mm)

So how does it fair?

Stevick

Falcon · 10th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee
Finally got hold of a Sto-fen Omni Bounce that fits. Its mend for Canon 380EX, Nikon SB-24 etc. Juz to add on, it has a zooming shroud too.

The guide number :24m/80ft at ISO 100(50mm)

So how does it fair?

Stevick

Maybe need some experts to read the guide number. So is the guide number 24? I know vivatar 285HV is 120. Can't be such a big difference rite?

mpenza · 10th December 2002

The guide number for Vivitar 285HV is 120 FEET or around 36 meters at 50mm zoom. The max guide number is ~43 meters at full "zoom" of the flash head.

For comparison, Nikon SB24 has a max GN of 50 meters at full zoom of the flash head. Also, the Sony expensive proprietary, non-TTL flash has a GN of only 28m.

Stevick_Lee · 10th December 2002

Well, pretty please with it considering the price of it.

Falcon · 11th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee
Well, pretty please with it considering the price of it.

Are you able to control the intensity of the flash?

Stevick_Lee · 11th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Falcon

Are you able to control the intensity of the flash?

Oh, it has no control over intensity, well the price tells the story.

JaGr · 30th December 2002

anyone has overexposure problems shooting in auto mode with the 717 and F1000 as reported by dpreview ppl? How about other flashes are they easy to use in auto mode?

mpenza · 30th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Stevick_Lee

Oh, it has no control over intensity, well the price tells the story.

with the flash on auto, you adjust flash exposure by changing the aperture settings on the camera....

JaGr · 30th December 2002

are you referring to the F1000 flash? can give more details? how does camera aperture affect the flash exposure. thanks!

Quote:

Originally posted by mpenza

with the flash on auto, you adjust flash exposure by changing the aperture settings on the camera....

30th November 2002	#1
Green Baron Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 186	Sony F717 with external flash Does anyone know if the Sony F717 supports off camera flash (with Sony & non Sony flash) and what features will not be available if a non Sony Flash is used ? Thx

30th November 2002	#2
wormz777 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CCK Posts: 2,255	well, no functions are lost if I am not wrong cos the sony flash is just a basic auto flash. The more popular ones are metz 32z1 and the vivitar 285. The metz can tilt and swivel. The vivitar can only tilt and is much bigger and heavier but has zoom and slightly more powerful than the metz. The metz 32z1 is ard $170 while the vivitar is ard $140. There is one sunpak 383 which can both swivel and tilt and is as powerful as the vivitar and is ard vivitar's price, but its rare in singapore and is one which I am looking for now too. Hope this helps. p/s please do a search next time before u post a question here as these info can be found easily in the forum. No excuses even though you are a newbie here __________________ www.coolblackbox.com

2nd December 2002	#4
wormz777 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CCK Posts: 2,255	Hey, Midnight! Are there other brands/models of flashes other than the ones I have mention do u recommend to use with the sony 717?? Perferably have swivel and tilt and omni bounce cards are availabe? __________________ www.coolblackbox.com

10th December 2002	#12
Stevick_Lee Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Posts: 200	Finally got hold of a Sto-fen Omni Bounce that fits. Its meant for Canon 380EX, Nikon SB-24 etc. Juz to add on, it has a zooming shroud too. The guide number :24m/80ft at ISO 100(50mm) So how does it fair? Stevick Last edited by Stevick_Lee; 10th December 2002 at 11:03 PM.

10th December 2002	#14
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,402	The guide number for Vivitar 285HV is 120 FEET or around 36 meters at 50mm zoom. The max guide number is ~43 meters at full "zoom" of the flash head. For comparison, Nikon SB24 has a max GN of 50 meters at full zoom of the flash head. Also, the Sony expensive proprietary, non-TTL flash has a GN of only 28m. Last edited by mpenza; 10th December 2002 at 11:14 PM.

10th December 2002	#10
darkness Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 757	Actually I believe that Sony's F1000 does work in TTL mode with the F717 using the ACC connector.

30th December 2002	#18
JaGr Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 320	anyone has overexposure problems shooting in auto mode with the 717 and F1000 as reported by dpreview ppl? How about other flashes are they easy to use in auto mode?