11/28/11
The new Sony mid-level flash unit is the best that Sony or Minolta has ever produced. It has a fast recycle time of less than 3 seconds at full power, 4 second modeling flash, a 15mm wide panel diffuser, (look for a 10mm-? zoom soon), customizable multi-flash emission, weather sealing, (I don’t see it), a total of 22 power level adjustments 1/1-1/128 with increments of 0.5 or 0.3, your choice, and last, but not least, it can be used as a controller for multiple flashes in optical wireless mode.
The large range of power level adjustments are great for close work, and lighting small rooms. I sometimes use 1/32 power in a small bathroom as an accent, and find it’s too much light, so being able to adjust the light down to 1/128 is very useful. Sony Finally has a flash unit that’s comparable to a good Canon or Nikon. Believe it or not, the more expensive Sony HVL-F58AM doesn’t have the same level of power adjustments the HVL-F43AM has.
I’d be nice if it had a warming filter pack, and the ability to sense when a filter has been attached, and automatically adjust to the proper white balance, but maybe that’ll be for the next new flash.
Sony went and changed something from the old HVL-F42AM, and that change allows the new flash to work great with Radiopoppers™ right out of the box!
The Sony HVL-F43AM is a great performing little flash unit, that’s why it’s on the recommended accessories list!
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