Do any A-100 users have opinion on Minolta 3600 flash?

[bill_sasser1]

I understand the Minolta 3600 HS(D)model is exactly same model as Sony HVL-

F36AM flash. I have a A-100 and was wondering if any one has experience with

this flash and how it rates. Thanks!

[ricardovaste]

I am an A100 user. I have owned a fair few 3600HSD's/HVL-F35AM's. One sony version went dead, cant repair it.<p>

 

These are good little flashses. And now because of the introduction of newer flashes they are starting to sell for about what they are worth. When i got my first one it was 120GBP second hand... that doesnt represent the features that it offers to be honest, its a low end flash, but perfectly capable.<p>

 

I used to have 3 3600HSD's/HVl-F36AM's for macro work. They offers great versitility for macro and 3 meant you could balance the light very well.<p>

 

<b>Two wireless 3600HSD's<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2310510660/" title="Fly by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2310510660_f7644784e7_o.jpg" width="800" height="504" alt="Fly" /></a><P>

One wireless 3600HSD<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2368041871/" title="Bubbles! by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2368041871_5989305b00_o.jpg" width="1058" height="719" alt="Bubbles!" /></a><p>One 3600HSD in bounce/rear sync mode<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2309439035/" title="Liam and Stace by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2309439035_8e0886872c_o.jpg" width="640" height="1020" alt="Liam and Stace" /></a><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2309437841/" title="Jord by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2309437841_f219d11a09_o.jpg" width="1024" height="685" alt="Jord" /></a><br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2310240518/" title="Haz by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2310240518_287b2c8f52_o.jpg" width="1024" height="670" alt="Haz" /></a>

<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardharrisnaps/2309435153/" title="Claire and Stace by ricardovaste, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2309435153_84c0e2004b_o.jpg" width="1024" height="685" alt="Claire and Stace" /></a><p></b><p>Hope that helps.<br>Best of luck,<br>Rich

[samn]

Very nice Rich. I just bought 2 of these used to go with a Maxxum 7. Hope I get as good results as you. Could you use 2 Minolta cameras at the same time with both of them working the flashes?

[kimanh999]

Naturally. Good flashes

[steve_c.5]

Having used the 3600, the 5600, and the new H56 flash, they all work fine. My advice is that the Sony 56 flash is the best to go with, because it's not that much more expensive than the 36, and it has the LCD display with more functions, and the swivel head, which the 36 does not. However, the 36 will work just fine, if you don't need the swivel. I need it, because I use the Gary Fong Lightsphere, which works best with swivel head units, and eliminates the need for a flash bracket.

 

Those are awesome pictures, Richard! Wonderful work! That fly is amazing!

[michael_hohner]

This is certainly not a low end flash. That would be the Minolta 2500.

[scott_lewis3]

I've used this flash on a lot of different Minolta and Sony cameras and find it a very piratical flash, but is is mostly only a back up for my 5600HSD (or second off shoe flash)

[ricardovaste]

Steve points out the exact reason why I will use a 56AM for my next "event" type shoot. Swivle is needed for a CFL, but also if you want to bounce the flash in all positions. No doubt the now discontinued HVL-56AM/5600HSD is a better flash. Its over twice the price though too, which is why i didnt buy it at first. Now that I can fully appreciate the usefullness of flash and get decent results I would purchase the 56AM. As said, the 3600 is perfectly capable though & can be found pretty cheap now.

 

Glad you liked them Sam & Steve :-)

[steve_c.5]

Just a minor correction to what Richard said...the only one that has been discontinued is the Konica Minolta 5600D. Sony rebadged it as the HVL-F56AM. Same thing, though.

[ricardovaste]

Steve, I heard word that the HVL-56AM was being discontinued. In replace of a flash that will come when this full-frame camera comes... the flash was shown at PMA next to the big alpha, its definately a new flash & its not the new HVL-42AM. We shall see what happened though i guess.