Sony Flash

[yannh]

Hi,

I understand that F36AM can be triggered wirelessly using body built-in flash. Can it be triggered using another external flash mounted on the hotshoe? There isn't seems any setting for that.

What about F42AM & F56AM?

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by yannh Hi, I understand that F36AM can be triggered wirelessly using body built-in flash. Can it be triggered using another external flash mounted on the hotshoe? There isn't seems any setting for that. What about F42AM & F56AM?

no. these flashes are triggered using a different flash signal.

also, only studio strobes or external flashes with SU-4 modes (slave) are able to be triggered by a light source.

[sytan81]

I'm using the F42AM. When put on Wireless mode, it can be triggered by my in-built flash. When I use my hands to cover the in-built flash, the F42AM doesn't fire. This affirms that the F42AM is being triggered by the light from the in-built flash.

[BigRsg]

In built flash can trigger it. Cuz there is a coded signal in the in-built flash that sends the TTL info across. No other flash can trigger it.

[yannh]

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt no. these flashes are triggered using a different flash signal. also, only studio strobes or external flashes with SU-4 modes (slave) are able to be triggered by a light source.

So even F56AM don't support slave mode?
It's quite pitiful that none of these flash can be triggered by mounted flash. Why can't the morse code that transmitted from in-built flash transmitted via external flash also?

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by yannh So even F56AM don't support slave mode? It's quite pitiful that none of these flash can be triggered by mounted flash. Why can't the morse code that transmitted from in-built flash transmitted via external flash also?

you can use your 56 to trigger other 56s, but not with another brand of external flash.

Its a MINOLTA thing (not Sony)...

Other brands like Canon / Nikon, have a special mode call SU4, which is not in 56, unless they decide to add that in later.

[yannh]

I tried F56 last night. Can't get the on-shoe flash to trigger off-shoe flash.
According to manual, setting the on-shoe flash to "wireless control" mode. But anytime when shutter release is half press, this function is canceled off. Anybody has get it done? Or this only work on film body?

[eow]

u need to enable both on wireless either thru the menu screen of both the camera and flash separately
or
attach the flash on yr body and enable the wireless thru the body menu before detaching it for off-shoe useage

The on body flash need to stay open for the wireless flash to work and unless u shooting indoor. it had to be within line of sight

[yannh]

Originally Posted by eow u need to enable both on wireless either thru the menu screen of both the camera and flash separately or attach the flash on yr body and enable the wireless thru the body menu before detaching it for off-shoe useage The on body flash need to stay open for the wireless flash to work and unless u shooting indoor. it had to be within line of sight

I tried exactly the same way.
According to the manual, the mounted on-shoe flash have to be in "wireless controller" mode. But whenever I half press the release, it was reset back to "wireless" mode. And "wireless" mode flash cannot trigger another off-shoe "wireless" mode flash. Not sure if you have tried the same.

[eow]

Originally Posted by yannh I tried exactly the same way. According to the manual, the mounted on-shoe flash have to be in "wireless controller" mode. But whenever I half press the release, it was reset back to "wireless" mode. And "wireless" mode flash cannot trigger another off-shoe "wireless" mode flash. Not sure if you have tried the same.

u cannot trigger wirelessly using a mounted flash even in wireless mode,it had to be off the hot-shoe
only the the built-in flash of the camera can trigger

[yannh]

Thanks for all the replies.
Now I know that using 3rd party optical slave flash is my only option.

[ryosae]

i think i've done it before- but by accident. have you tried setting the mounted flash to non-wireless?

[yannh]

Originally Posted by ryosae i think i've done it before- but by accident. have you tried setting the mounted flash to non-wireless?

Yes I tried. No accident for me so far.

[ryosae]

haiz.. sorry. wish i could help.

[TME]

Originally Posted by yannh Thanks for all the replies. Now I know that using 3rd party optical slave flash is my only option.

The Metz are the only wireless solution that works on the Alpha/Dynax DSLRs at present if you want the mounted main flash to be the fill flash plus trigger. Well.. other than the recently announced HVL-F58AM...

[yannh]

Originally Posted by TME The Metz are the only wireless solution that works on the Alpha/Dynax DSLRs at present if you want the mounted main flash to be the fill flash plus trigger. Well.. other than the recently announced HVL-F58AM...

If you're talking about optical slave, I have tested Sigma to work well too.
Not sure about F58... Logically it should, because A900 doesn't have built-in flash.

[eow]

Originally Posted by TME The Metz are the only wireless solution that works on the Alpha/Dynax DSLRs at present if you want the mounted main flash to be the fill flash plus trigger. Well.. other than the recently announced HVL-F58AM...

U tried before already?

[TME]

Originally Posted by yannh If you're talking about optical slave, I have tested Sigma to work well too. Not sure about F58... Logically it should, because A900 doesn't have built-in flash.

Not sure about Sigma, but the Metz will work like the flash system did during film days for Minolta. Including ratio and groups I think...

[Knighthunter]

The HVL-42 can be used as primary flash, I can trigger my old HSD 3600 with it mounted on A700 with wireless mode on. But not vice versa.

[TME]

Originally Posted by Knighthunter The HVL-42 can be used as primary flash, I can trigger my old HSD 3600 with it mounted on A700 with wireless mode on. But not vice versa.

Is it manual or TTL?