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| Contents of box, including stand, case, manual and flash unit. |
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| LCD lit up, showing some available settings |
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| Display items possible on LCD |
Specifications and general information.
| Model |
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Owner’s manual
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Price
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Original Sony MSRP; $349.99
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Tested on
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Sony A580, Sony A900.
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In the box
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Flash, stand, vinyl pouch and instructions.
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Build quality
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Very good all around.
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Weather sealing?
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Sony claims it’s dust and moisture resistant.
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Hotshoe style
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Sony proprietary type
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Guide number
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43 meters, 141′ (ISO 100, @105mm zoom position), and 30 meters, 98′ (ISO 100 @50mm zoom). Specs are for full frame sensors and 35mm film.
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Guide number accuracy
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Maximum output seems similar to other models with same rating.
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Stated color temperature
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Not stated. New version states approx. 5500k.
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LCD monitor
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LCD. 1.65″ x .95″ (42mm x 24mm). 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 image above.
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Lights and switches
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Test/Flash charge light, display light, TTL/M, zoom, function button inside four way controller, and the on-off switch.
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Power source
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4 AA, 1.5V
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| Recycle time |
Less than 3 sec at 1/1. Half-power (1/2) is instantaneous for 2-3 pops, then it slows down slightly. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries used.
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Flash duration rating
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No info.
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Power saving function
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Yes, none, 30sec, 3min, and 30min. Wireless flash mode power save can be set to 60min or none.
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Adjustable power levels
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Eight full levels; Auto, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, and third or half stop intervals, user selectable for a total of 22 levels. Power levels will not continue on after reaching highest or lowest setting, you must manually press the up or down buttons and go back.
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Wide angle diffuser type
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Built-in, pulls out and down, covers 15mm, (10mm APS-C) and shows on display when attached (Wide).
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Bounce card or reflector plate
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White bounce card built in over diffuser, pulls out.
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Bounce positions
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150°, 120°, 90°, 75°, 60°, 45°, 30°, 0° and -8° (down).
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Swivel positions
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Right, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, – Left, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°.
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Zoom positions
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Auto, wide (15mm), 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 105mm.
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Zoom type
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Internal, and fully automatic in auto mode.
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Auto format zoom
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Yes, the flash knows what focal length the lens is at, either full frame or APS-C format, except on the Sony A100.
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AF assist beam
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Yes, red, works properly.
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Custom functions
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The following settings may be customized. (Wireless CH1-4). (HSS, on or off). (Wireless contoller mode setting, 1 or 2). (Power level intervals, .03/.05). (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).
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Connections
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None.
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White balance info
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Yes.
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Modeling flash
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Yes.
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Multi-flash emission
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Yes, highly customizable.
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| High speed sync |
Yes, to the cameras highest shutter speed.
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Wireless ability
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Yes, and can be used as a control flash for a total of three groups.
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Sony ADI support
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Yes.
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Red eye reduction
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Not supported by Sony.
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Dimensions
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2.9″W x 6.9H x 2.75D 73mm x 164mm x 68mm Maximum length 6.9″ (164mm) including shoe mount. Length and depth measured with flash flat.
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Weight
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12.0oz (340g) without batteries.
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Operating temp
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0°-40°C, 32°-104°F
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| Quirks |
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 (8°), but not in any ‘up’ position. It will show when the flash is swiveled.
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Notes
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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™ flash triggers.
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Good for
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Almost everything.
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Not good for
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A minor negative: Intense studio use, as there is no external battery pack input or cable connection like the F56AM or F58AM.
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Recommended?
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Highly recommended. Replaced HVL-F42AM in early 2011. |
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