Sony HVL-F56AM flash quick review
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| Contents of box, velcro on flash head not included. |
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| LCD lit up, showing some available settings |
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| Display items possible on LCD |
Specifications and general information.
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Sony HVL-F56AM Discontinued in mid 2008.
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Price
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MSRP $399 at introduction, $449 when replaced.
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Tested on
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Sony A580, Sony A700, 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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Hotshoe style
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Sony proprietary type
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Guide number
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56 (184′) ISO 100, @85mm zoom position, and 44 (144′) at 50mm zoom.
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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 |
Not stated.
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LCD monitor
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LCD. 1.9″ x .9″ (49mm x 23mm). Has low battery indicator, zoom length with wide panel down indicator, power levels, HSS, bounce, wireless channels, and auto levels, see image above.
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Lights and switches
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Flash charge light, display light, mode, select, + or -, zoom, on-off, test, selector switch for modeling, multi flash, single and hold positions.
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Power source
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4 AA, 1.5V
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| Recycle time |
About 6 sec at 1/1. Half-power (1/2) is instantaneous to about 1 sec depending on zoom setting, quarter (1/4) power is instantaneous for 2-3 pops. 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, 4min, 15min, 60min and none. Wireless flash mode power save can be set to 60min or none.
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Adjustable power levels
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Six full levels only; Auto, 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32.
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Wide angle diffuser type
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Built-in, pulls out and down, covers 17mm, (11mm APS-C) and shows on display when attached (Wide).
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Bounce card or reflector plate
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Not included.
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Bounce positions
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45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°.
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Swivel positions
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Right, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, – Left, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°, anddownwards 10°.
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Zoom positions
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Auto, wide (17mm), 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm.
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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, but it doesn’t always choose the appropriate APS-C focal length for some reason.
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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. Time to power save-4min, 15min, 60min, none. Time to power save when using wireless flash; 60min/none. Recording modes in which manual flash may be set. Feet or meters on LCD.
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Connections
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Sony off-camera cable and Sony external battery adapter connector.
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White balance info
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No.
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Modeling flash
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Yes.
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Multi-flash emission
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Yes, customizable.
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| High speed sync |
Yes, Sony claims up to 1/12000, although Sony doesn’t have any cameras yet with a 1/12000 shutter speed, that’s a carry-over from 1990s Minolta Maxxum (Dynax) 9 series film cameras. Reality suggests HSS is available up to the maximum shutter speed of the camera.
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Wireless ability
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Yes.
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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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3.0″W x 6.9H x 2.4D 76mm x 175mm x 62mm Maximum length 6.9″ (175mm) including shoe mount. Length and depth measured with flash flat.
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Weight
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13.0oz (369g) without batteries, 17.0oz (481g) with batteries.
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| Operating temp |
0°-40°C, 32°-104°F
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| Quirks |
Works great with Radiopoppers™ triggers, without the set-up hassle of the Sony HVL-F42AMflash.
Has ‘Ratio 2:1‘ flash indicator but this function isn’t available, it’s a carry-over from Minolta film cameras.
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.
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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.
Compatible with Sony’s newest control flashes.
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Good for
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everything.
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Not good for
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A very small negative would be the 6 second full recharge rate, but that can be shortened with better batteries or an external battery pack.
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Recommended?
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Highly recommended, but not available new. Replaced with HVL-F58AM in late 2008.
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