Sony 4-183-746-11(1) User Manual

FlashHVL-F58AM© 2008 Sony Corporation4-183-746-11(1)Operating Instructions

10Name of partsA Built-in wide panel (page 34)B FlashtubeC Wireless control signal receiver (page 54)D AF illuminator (page 72)Remove the protective s

11H Bounce indicator (upper angle) (page 36)I LCD panel (page 13)J Control panel (page 12)K Bounce indicator (side angle) (page 36)L Mounting-foot rel

12Control panelA TTL/M (MANUAL/MULTI) button (page 44, 48, 61, 66, 73)B MODE button (page 22)C TEST button (page 31)The status while the lamp is litAm

13LCD panelA Zoom indicator (page 32)B Flash mode indicator (page 22, 61, 64, 66)C Flash-OFF indicator (page 22)D Power-level indicator (page 43, 48)E

14Q Wireless controller/remote indicator (page 54)R Flash-range/Multiple-flash frequency/flash-ratio display (page 27, 48, 66)S Ratio-flash indicator

Preparations15PreparationsInserting batteriesThe HVL-F58AM may be powered by :• Four AA-size alkaline batteries*• Four AA-size rechargeable nickel-met

16Checking BatteriesThe indicator on the data panel blinks when the batteries are low.• If nothing appears on the LCD panel when the POWER switch is

Preparations17OVERHEAT indicatorWhen the temperature of this unit rises at the time of continuous flash use or use in a high temperature environment,

18Attachment and removal of the flash unitAttaching the flash unit to the cameraWith the flash unit turned off, push the mounting foot firmly and full

Preparations19Removing the flash unit from the cameraWhile pressing the mounting-foot release button 1, remove the flash unit 2.

2Before operating the product, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the

20Turning on the powerSet the POWER switch to ON.The power of the flash unit turns on.• When the power of the flash unit is turned on, the LCD panel l

Preparations21Power save modeWhen the camera or flash unit is not used for three minutes, the flash unit changes to power save mode to save the batter

22Changing the flash modePress the MODE button.• The indicator on the LCD panel changes as follows.When the flash unit is not connected to your camera

Preparations23About flash mode• (Fill-flash mode) The flash unit always fires.• AUTO (Auto flash mode) The flash unit is set to this mode when the c

24LCD panel illuminatorIlluminates the data panel at low-light levels.Press the button.• The LCD panel is illuminated for approximately eight second

Basics25BasicsProgram auto flash (The basics)1 Select the P mode on the camera.2 Press the MODE button to display [ AUTO] or [ ] on the LCD panel.• [

263 Press the shutter button halfway down and make sure that the subject is within the flash range.• See page 27 for details on the flash range.4 When

Basics27When the correct exposure has been obtained for the photo just taken, the TEST button on the control panel blinks in green.• The photo will be

28The range that can be displayed on the LCD panel is from 1.5 m to 28 m (0.7 m to 28 m for downward bounce; see page 41). When the distance is beyond

Basics29Using flash in each recording mode of the cameraThis section explains how to use the flash unit in each recording mode of the camera.Aperture

3Do not operate appliance with a damaged cord or if the appliance has been dropped or damaged- until it has been examined by a qualified serviceman.Le

30Shutter speed priority flash photography (S)1 Select the S mode on the camera.2 Press the MODE button to display [ ].• Fill-flash is selected.3 Set

Applications31ApplicationsTest-flashYou can try a test flash before shooting. Check the light level using the test flash when you use a flash meter, e

32Zoom flash coverageAuto zoomThis flash unit automatically switches optimum flash coverage (zoom flash coverage) to cover a range of focal lengths fr

Applications33Manual zoomYou can manually set the flash coverage regardless of the focal length of the lens in use (manual zoom).Press the ZOOM button

34Built-in wide panel (16 mm zoom angle)Pulling out the built-in wide panel expands flash coverage to a focal length of 16 mm.Pull out the wide panel

Applications35Flash coverage & focal lengthThe larger the focal length figure of the lens on a camera, the further away a subject can be photograp

36Bounce flashUsing the flash unit with a wall directly behind the subject produces strong shadows on the wall. By directing the flash unit at the cei

Applications37Rotate the flash unit upwards or to the left and right while holding the camera firmly. • appears on the LCD panel.The flash may be se

38• When the flash is rotated upwards, the flash range is not displayed on the LCD panel. High-speed sync (page 47) is also cleared.• When the flash i

Applications39When the flash is bounced upwards Determine the angle in relation to the following table.Using the bounce sheetThe bounce sheet creates

4For customers in EuropeDisposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with sepa

4090° sideways bounceWhen the bounce angle is set to 90° sideways and 0° upwards while shooting in the portrait position, the top and bottom of the ph

Applications41Close-up photography (downward bounce)Tilt the flash slightly downwards when photographing objects between 0.7 m and 1.5 m from the came

42• appears on the LCD panel.• When photographing at a distance closer than 0.7 m, the flash will not be able to completely cover the subject and the

Applications43Manual flash (M)Normal TTL flash metering automatically adjusts the flash intensity to provide the proper exposure for the subject. Manu

442 Press the TTL/M button to display on the LCD panel.• The modes change in the following order. , , 3 Press the g or G button to select the powe

Applications45• When the shutter button is pressed halfway down, the distance at which the proper exposure is obtained appears on the LCD panel.• In m

46TTL flashManual flash provides a fixed flash intensity irrespective of the brightness of the subject and the camera setting. TTL* flash measures the

Applications47High-speed sync (HSS)High-speed sync eliminates the restrictions of flash sync speed and enables the flash to be used through the entire

48Multiple flash (MULTI)The flash is triggered a number of times while the shutter is open (multiple flash). Multiple flash allows motion of the subje

Applications493 Press the Fn button to make [TIMES] blink.• The current number of flashes for multiple flash is displayed on the LCD panel.

5However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio

504 Press the f or F button to select the number of flashes.• The number of flashes may be selected from the following.- -, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 4

Applications516 Press the f or F button to select the flash frequency.• The flash frequency may be selected from the following.100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50

529 Press the Fn button.10Set the shutter speed and aperture.• The shutter speed is calculated as follows to suit the selected flash frequency and num

Applications53Maximum number of continuous flashesThe maximum number of continuous flashes during multiple flash photography is limited by the charge

54Wireless flash mode (WL)Photographs taken with the flash unit attached to the camera are flat as shown in photo 1. In such cases, remove the flash u

Applications55Wireless Flash RangeThe wireless flash uses a light signal from the flash as a trigger to operate the off-camera flash unit. Follow the

56Distance camera-HVL-F58AM-subject• The distances in the above table assume the use of ISO 100. If ISO 400 is used the distances must be multiplied b

Applications57Opening and closing the mini-stand• The mini-stand is collapsible and must be open when used.Attaching and removing the mini-stand• Use

58• When mini-stand break into each part, fit the part of shaft into the other part.Possible wireless flash photography for this flash unitThe followi

Applications59• For details, see “Combination of camera, off-camera flash and controller.”• You can use several off-camera flashes at the same time.•

6Table of ContentsFeatures ... 9Name of parts ...

60*4This flash unit has two wireless control modes, [CTRL1] and [CTRL2]. The wireless controller indicator on the LCD panel is displayed as follows.[C

Applications61[1] Wireless flash photography with built-in flash of the cameraUse only an off-camera flash unit, using the light from the built-in fla

625 Make sure that the built-in flash and flash unit are fully charged.• “ ” is lit in the viewfinder when the built-in flash is fully charged.• When

Applications63Setting wireless flash by flash onlyOnce you have performed the wireless flash setup in step [1], if you continue to use the same camera

64[2] Wireless flash photography without built-in flash of cameraYou can take a photo with wireless flash by using 2 flash units, one as a controller

Applications655Press the g or G button to make RATIO [OFF] blink.6 Press the Fn button.• [CTRL+] or [CTRL] is displayed.Off-camera flash setting:Set t

666 Check again that the controller and the flash unit are fully charged, and press the shutter button to take the photo.• Even if RATIO is set to [OF

Applications67Camera Setting:Set the camera to wireless flash.For details, refer to the operating instructions supplied with your camera.Controller Se

68Off-camera flash setting:Set the wireless flash while the flash unit is attached to the camera, and then remove it from the camera. For details, ref

Applications69Connecting camera and flash by cableUsing the off-camera cables FA-CC1AM (optional) allows photography with flash units separate from th

7Additional InformationNotes on use ... 81Maintenance ...

70• In this mode, ADI metering will be canceled and Pre-flash TTL metering will be used automatically (page 43).• High-speed sync in the P mode cannot

Applications71Using external battery adaptorYou can use an External Battery Adaptor FA-EB1AM (optional) as an external power supply.1 Remove the termi

72AF illuminatorIn low-light or when subject contrast is low, when the shutter button is pressed halfway down for Auto Focus, the red lamp on the fron

Applications73Reset to the default settingsPress the MODE and TTL/M buttons together for three seconds.Most flash functions return to their default se

74Custom settingThe various flash settings may be changed as necessary.The following eight items may be changed.• HSS setting (on/off)• Wireless chann

Applications752 Press the g or G button to select the item.For details on the each setting, refer to “Changing the custom setting” (page 78).3 Press t

76Select with the f button or F buttonSelect with the g button or G buttonC01. HSS settingon offC02. Wireless channel settingChannel 1 Channel 2 Chann

Applications77Select with the f button or F buttonSelect with the g button or G buttonC05. Test-flash settingOnce 3 timesC06. Time to power save30 sec

78Changing the custom settingThis is an explanation of how to change each custom setting is given below.To set the high-speed sync (C01)You can set th

Applications79To select wireless control mode (C03)You can change the wireless control mode. This flash unit has two controller modes, [CTRL1] and [CT

8Before useUse this unit in combination with a camera that has an accessory shoe.For details, refer to the operating instructions supplied with your c

80To change the test-flash mode (C05)You can change the flashing method when using test-flash.Press the f or F button to select the test-flash setting

Additional Information81Additional InformationNotes on useWhile shooting• This flash unit generates strong light, so it should not be used directly in

82• Remove the batteries only after turning the power off and waiting several minutes, when changing the batteries. The batteries may be hot, dependin

Additional Information83MaintenanceRemove this unit from the camera. Clean the flash with a dry soft cloth. If the flash has been in contact with sand

84SpecificationsGuide numberNormal flash (ISO100)Manual flash/35mm-formatAPS-C formatPower levelFlash coverage setting (mm)16* 24 28 35 50 70 1051/1 1

Additional Information85HSS flat flash (ISO100)Manual flash/35mm-formatAPS-C formatFrequency/Repetition• Repetition is the approximate number of times

86Functions in these operating instructions depend on testing conditions at our firm.Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.Tr

Additional Information87

Printed in JapanPrinted on 70% or more recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

9Features* When Sony digital single-lens reflex camera (other than the DSLR-A100) is used.The HVL-F58AM is a functional, clip-on flash that provides a