Photo Jottings

Sony eSupport HVL-F58AM page    Go here and click ‘manuals, specs & warranty’ tab.

Original Sony MSRP; $499.99

Sony A580, Sony A900.

Flash, stand, vinyl pouch and instructions.

Very good all around.

No.

Sony proprietary type

58 meters, 190′. (ISO 100, @105mm zoom position), and 42 meters, 138′ (ISO 100, @50mm zoom).  Specs are for full frame sensors and 35mm film.

Maximum output seems similar to other models with same rating.

Not stated.

LCD.  1.7″ x 1.1″ (43mm x 28mm).  Has low battery indicator, overheat, zoom length with wide panel down indicator, power levels, HSS, quick shift bounce, wireless channels, and many other items, see images above.

Test/Flash charge light, display light, TTL/M, zoom, function button inside four way controller, and the on-off switch.

4 AA, 1.5V

About 3 sec at 1/1.  Half-power (1/2) is instantaneous for about 2-3 pops, then it slows down.  Quarter (1/4) power is instantaneous.  Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries used.

Sony claims about 5 seconds for full power recharge, probably using standard throw-away AA batteries.

No info.

Yes, none, 30sec, 3min, and 30min.  Wireless flash mode power save can be set to 60min or none.

Six full levels; Auto, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, no half or third stops.

Built-in, pulls out and down, covers 16mm, (11mm APS-C) and shows on display when pulled out (Wide).

White bounce card built in over diffuser, pulls out.

150°, 120°, 90°, 75°, 60°, 45°, 0° and -10° (down).

Right, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, – Left, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°.

Auto, wide (16mm), 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 105mm.

Internal, and fully automatic in auto mode.

Yes, the flash knows what focal length the lens is at, either full frame or APS-C format, except on the Sony A100.

Yes, red, works properly.

The following settings may be customized.  (Wireless CH1-4).  (HSS, on or off). (Wireless controller mode setting, 1 or 2).  (Time to power save-30sec, 3min, 30min, none).  (Time to power save when using wireless flash; 60min/none).  (Recording modes in which manual flash or multiple flash may be set, M mode only or all modes).  (Feet or meters on LCD).  (Test flash setting, once, 3 times, 4 seconds).

Sony off-camera cable and Sony external battery adapter connector.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, highly customizable.

Yes, to the cameras highest shutter speed.

Yes, and can be used as a wireless control flash for up to three groups.

Yes.

Not supported by Sony.

3.0″W x 7.1H x 3.0D   77mm x 195mm x 78mm   Maximum length 7.1″ (195mm) including shoe mount.  Length and depth measured with flash flat.

15.6oz (440g) without batteries.

0°-40°C,  32°-104°F

Modeling flash option uses a custom ‘test’ button setting, so you have to change back and forth unless you want the modeling flash to go off every time you test fire the flash.

Flash will fire even if it isn’t charged sufficiently, so check the charge indicator before shooting, otherwise you may wind up with the wrong exposure.  It does this so you won’t miss a shot waiting for the flash to fully charge.

Bounce indicator shows only on downward bounce (10°), but not in any ‘up’ position.  It will show when the flash is swiveled.

Can be custom set for full manual use in all recording modes, even “auto.”  Flash is automatically turned off when camera power is turned off, then back on if flash is still switched on.

Fully compatible out of the box with Radiopoppers™ triggers.

Almost everything.  Suited well for studio use because of the ability to use an external battery pack, and off-camera cables for connecting other flashes, although real studio strobes are less expensive and recycle much faster.

Good for everything, but most people will probably be better served with the HVL-F43AM, which is much less expensive.

Discontinued, replaced with Sony HVL-F60M.