Inconsistency with my Sony HVL-56AM Flash

[silversurfer]

hi all bros

i am facing some issues with my flash, like to garner some feedback or experiences here.

Got this flash about 1 yr back, do not use it often. But after i used it, i will remove the batteries everytime. i would use Powerex rechargeable batteries.

The issue i faced was inconsistency in its flash. Last night i was taking some company pics, the 1st few 5 pics were properly exposed with the flash. The flash was set to TTL mode

However, i turned either the camera (KM5D) off or the flash off, after that, all the pics were severly underexposed-almost a black frame. I did not change any settings.

The flash was very weak no matter how far i was from the subject. i even pushed the ISO to 1600 and the pics were still under exposed. The problem was the flash burst was weak.

i did a TEST flash, and the flash burst was full blast. It shows that battery not flat and flash bulb is ok.

Then i had to set the flash and camera to Manual mode, but of course it was by luck that i will get exposures correctly. hence i gave up and resorted to the built in flash on the camera.

i recalled reading some many months back, there was some posting on the flash as well regarding a similar issue, but i cannot seem to relocate it.

So if anyone can point me to that post or reply via this post, i will really appreciate it.

[UY79]

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335554

[silversurfer]

thanks, but i have a different issue from the thread posted.

Its either my camera setting or flash setting is all haywire. Pls see the 2 pics below. They are of not artistic value, but merely to illustrate what my problem was.
The subject was in a room, not more than 3m away from me.
every setting was the same, except the brighter pic was taken using my build in flash. The darker pic was my Sony HVL-56AM flash


this above pic was taken with my Sony flash.


this above pic was taken with my build in flash.

I have set my KM5D setting to TTL, but still the same results-severly underexposed.
If i have made any wrong settings or metering taken wrongly, the results cannot be so extreme

Anyone?

[Galdor]

Can't see the exif info of the pictures. Anyway, did you try cleaning the contacts on your cam and flash? What is the position of your flash head? Did you see the flash fire?

[silversurfer]

How do i get the exif info to be implanted with the upload pics? sorrie, this is among my first few posts with pics

The flash head is facing directly at the subject and i saw the flash fire, MEEKLY. Then when i do a test burst, it was VERY bright.

I turned off/on on my flash and camera hoping to "reboot and wake up settings" but still same results

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Pic 1
Camera Make: KONICA MINOLTA
Camera Model: DYNAX 5D
Image Date: 2008:06:01 21:14:40
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 35.0mm (35mm equivalent: 52mm)
Exposure Time: 0.067 s (1/15)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

pic 2
Camera Make: KONICA MINOLTA
Camera Model: DYNAX 5D
Image Date: 2008:06:01 21:15:11
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 18.0mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm)
Exposure Time: 0.067 s (1/15)
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

how come your flash manual?

[silversurfer]

That's a VERY good question. I could have sworn its TTL, setted in my camera "menu flash setting"

By the way, how the heck do we set flash to "manual" for both Sony and build in flash?

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by silversurfer That's a VERY good question. I could have sworn its TTL, setted in my camera "menu flash setting" By the way, how the heck do we set flash to "manual" for both Sony and build in flash?

where you stay... if i'm free i give u a 1 to 1 special training...

at my convenience...

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt where you stay... if i'm free i give u a 1 to 1 special training... at my convenience...

Wah...personal training. I also want leh.

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by Galdor Wah...personal training. I also want leh.

u expert liao still need meh...

for newbies i fine with it lah...

i not working with sony, still using minolta...

those with sony probably can look for Sulhan.

[silversurfer]

thanks for the offer. i stay in the North, YCK area.

But i am more concern about the inconsistency about my flash. Will go try and set the settings to "auto" and see if it helps

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt u expert liao still need meh... for newbies i fine with it lah... i not working with sony, still using minolta... those with sony probably can look for Sulhan.

I no expert lah. Still learning.

I'm using Minolta too and it's serving me well.

So when are you imparting your knowledge, master?

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

galdor u live so far...

yck still near.

to test flash, best is do at night at some void decks or something.

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt galdor u live so far... yck still near. to test flash, best is do at night at some void decks or something.

You stay in the North meh? I thought you're staying somewhere in the East.

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by Galdor You stay in the North meh? I thought you're staying somewhere in the East.

central to be exact...

mrt wise, between toa payoh and kallang, beside boon keng.

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt central to be exact... mrt wise, between toa payoh and kallang, beside boon keng.

Oh. Quite near your office then.

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by Galdor Oh. Quite near your office then.

very near... about 3 mins drive thru, 10mins back (due to the congestion at night)

[Galdor]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt very near... about 3 mins drive thru, 10mins back (due to the congestion at night)

Wah, so near you still ar bro. Petrol price going up leh.

[s2s1]

Let me know if there is a free flash training! I go if I am free. I can return your things also, Del_CtrlnoAlt.

[Timber Wolf]

Yo bros,
I have this feeling that Yes(Manual) for flash means that you forced it to fire (by switching the flash on)
QX