Flash Choice

[brien_szabo]

<p>I currently own the Minolta 3600 HSD flash unit that I have had since my film days. On my 7D, it was terrible, it is better on my A700 but when I use the sync cord, you can't predict the results - It may shoot well for a few shots, then the next set are all dark. So I've been thinking of upgrading the sync cord and a new flash.</p>

<p>Of course my choices are the Sony HVL-F42 AM and the HVL-F58 AM (<em>though this is bit higher than my budget and I don't rely on flash for any significant portion of my shooting</em>). I was also considering the Metz 54MZ-4 or Metz 58 AF-1. Any pro's and cons and general thoughts about these units would be helpful. The Sony HVL-F42 Am is what I was thinking about, but was wondering if the Metz units offered a little more band for the buck?<br>

Thanks</p>

[peterblaise]

<p>.</p>

<p>Brien,</p>

<p>I'm not sure what you mean by "terrible". If it is broken or doesn't meet specifications, get it repaired:</p>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://eservice.sony.com/">http://eservice.sony.com/</a></li>

<li><a href="http://esupport.sony.com/">http://esupport.sony.com/</a></li>

</ul>

<p>If it's an inappropriate match for your needs or skill set then one or the other or both need review and revisiting.. Can you tell us more about what your expectations are? Were you trying to use it before it recycled? Why not use wireless remote? I've never had a problem with Minolta flash that was not resolved by rethinking my expectations and making adjustments in the way I used them. I find them incredibly sophisticated and flexible, yet often counterintuitive and frustrating. I cannot expect newer flashes to do anything but be brighter and recycle faster, otherwise, same same. But we all use them differently, so share on, tell us more.</p>

<p> ----------</p>

<p>See also the 2 Gary's of Minolta flash:</p>

<p><em><strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.northnet.org/waltsman/great.html" target="_blank">Photo Techniques, Gary Walts Photography, Minolta Flash System</a> </strong></em><br />"I am about to embark on a rave review of the Minolta flash system. They have thought of everything. Mostly I rave about the wireless remote TTL ability of ..."</p>

<ul>

<li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.northnet.org/waltsman/great.html" target="_blank">http://www.northnet.org/waltsman/great.html</a> </li>

</ul>

<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.northnet.org/waltsman/great.html" target="_blank"></a><br /><strong><em><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.friedmanarchives.com/flash.htm" target="_blank">Minolta's Wireless Flash </a></em></strong><br />Minolta ’s Wireless Flash – A Primer. By Gary L. Friedman <strong>.....</strong> About 9 years after <em>Minolta</em> introduced wireless <em>flash</em> , Canon introduced their own version, <strong>...</strong></p>

<ul>

<li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.friedmanarchives.com/flash.htm" target="_blank">http://www.friedmanarchives.com/flash.htm</a> </li>

</ul>

<p>Fill flash is another example, and enjoy Konica Minolta Sony Alpha Mount Camera (and DiMage) Photographer Gary Friedman's recent newsletter extolling the virtues of fill flash, and the A900:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.friedmanarchives.com/flash.htm" target="_blank"></a></p>

<ul>

<li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://friedmanarchives.com/newsletters/newsletter-09-04/index.htm" target="_blank">http://friedmanarchives.com/newsletters/newsletter-09-04/index.htm</a> </li>

</ul>

<p>.</p>

[brien_szabo]

<p>I don't doubt operator error may play into it but when I used the 3600 with my film system it operated great and without flaw. With the 7D, it just never seemed to connect with it and images were mostly terrible, too dark, too bright, wouldn't recognize the unit at times, wouldn't fire - i'm aware enough to understand recycling time. With the A700, it works fairly well mounted to the camera. I recently did a bunch of head shots and promotional stuff in an outside setting where it worked pretty well attached to the camera but once I connected the cord, it decided to act unreliable. Shooting inside usng the cord is even more unpredictable. And trying to shoot macro stuff using the cord during the day or at night is iffy at best. Like I said, with the film body, it all works great without interruption, with the digital bodies..., spotty. That's why I was thinking an upgrade might be in order.</p>

 

[steve_c.5]

<p>Brien, the best recommendation I can give you, as someone who shoots weddings with two A700's and two HVL-F56AM flashes, is: if the 58AM flash is too pricey, then look around for the 56 flash instead. For some stupid reason, Sony has discontinued these, but they're still around. You'll find you have WAY better control of flash output, including a useful Manual mode, and it will work flawlessly with your A700. It also has a connector on the side for attaching an aux. battery pack to juice the flash faster. The 42 doesn't have this.<br>

I'd also take a good look at your sync cord. The Minolta sync cords with the OS-1100 flash shoe adapter have the possibility of getting a broken wire inside the housing, since the circular connector swivels back and forth. This happened to me, and I had to solder the wires back inside. Not the best design. This could be the source of your flash sync problems.<br>

Another thing that happens with Sony/Minolta flashes is that dust/dirt gets inside the slot around the four spring-loaded pins, and the pins will get stuck. Check this. They should readily spring out and not get stuck when you push them in.<br>

On Ebay, there are a number of sources for Minolta/Sony flash adapters. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-TTL-Flash-Remote-Cord-For-A900-A700-A350-A200-A100_W0QQitemZ370198546141QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item56318d86dd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50" target="_blank">Here</a> is one, and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Off-Camera-TTL-FLASH-Cord-For-Sony-F58AM-F42AM-AU07_W0QQitemZ270379654263QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Flash_Accessories?hash=item3ef3e21c77&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50" target="_blank">here</a> is another (I took one of these and modified it with a long 10' cable because you can disassemble it and get to the connectors, whereas the first one you can't).</p>

[samn]

<p>I reciently used the Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash SO-ADI in an extended shoot over 2 days on a Maxxum 7. Over 600 firings off and on the camera. It preformed flawlessly throughout and recovery time was very good. Wireless was easy and reliable.</p>