Wireless flash transmitter for my Sony a900 & a850?

Did Sony or third parties make a wireless transmitter for my old full frame Sony bodies? I'm currently using the 43AM on camera to fire the 42AM and would like a lighter TTL option, like I have with my Nikon SU-800. Is the 20AM a good option?

I have no direct experience, but the mhohner.de web resource suggests it will work, see A Minolta/Sony Alpha Flash Compendium - Flash Setups and scroll down to select camera, flash used as controller, and remote flashes.

Looks like I'll keep using my 20AM and 43AM as the transmitter. I was looking a way to trigger an off camera flash or flashes without a flash firing from the hotshoe and retaining TTL control. I use a cheap non TTL setup with Neewer flashes with Sony bodies. With my Nikon D700 I use a Yongnuo SU-800 which cost $49.99 to trigger SB-600 x 2. Since the a900 and a850 came out around the same time as the Nikon D700 I thought Sony would have produced a wireless transmitter for their flashes but it looks like it didn't, what a shame. I prefer working TTL to manual because my wife only uses Program mode and iTTL with her Nikon body and has no interest in learning anything else. I prefer the Sony body to the Nikon but prefer Nikon flash to Sony flash because of the Nikon iTTL technology and capability!

Ah, I see. Sony do a wireless controller (FA-WRC1M), but I think it is for the current multi shoe, not the earlier iISO shoe. You might need an adapter to make it work. And you might need receivers on your flashes, judging by the wording on the Sony site.

 

Godox sell a controller, the XProS, which claims to be Sony flash compatible - see GODOX PHOTO EQUIPMENT CO.,LTD Xpro-F. I have one for Godox flashes, but I don't have a Sony flash to test it. However, that too uses the Multi shoe.

I personally use the Pixel King Pro Transceivers for my full wireless needs. They provide full TTL information from camera to flash via radio, 2.4ghz. I have 6 of the Transceivers and they can be set to Transceiver or Receiver. The King X is only a receiver should you buy a King Pro set that includes the King X. Link to Pixel: https://www.pixelhk.com/cn/product/KingPro-for-sony

 

You can get them on ebay or Amazon. They work great. For those of you who have an A99II or newer E-Mount cameras you may have to do a firmware upgrade.

 

Also, Metz sells a Transceiver as well. It is a Pixel King Pro re-badged with the Metz name. Link to Metz: Product information: Metz

 

B&H Photo Video sells the Metz Transceiver as does ebay or Amazon probably.

 

The Pixel branding is the cheaper of the two. Rest assured they are identical units except for the the badge names.

 

By the way, you would need to use the hot-shoe adapter from Sony to be able to use the transceivers on an A900, A850 or A700. Basically, any Minolta/Sony camera that uses the iISO hot-shoe will need the adapter since these transceivers were designed for the new Sony Multi Interface Shoe.

 

Link to B&H for adapter: Sony Auto-Lock Shoe Adapter

 

Regards,

Niko

Edited October 28, 2020 by photosbyniko