Reconnecting with my A77 and need a good flash

The HVL-F43AM is my preferred flash with the a77 on camera and the HVL-F58AM for off camera with umbrellas and soft boxes. The HVL-F56AM's are also good but I like the Quick Shift Bounce. The most common issue I've come across buying used is the battery compartment for leaked batteries and the battery door locks. If the compartment is clean, door locks and flash fires they last a long time but invest in good rechargeable batteries. I still have a few Sigma EF-500 DG Super (SO)-ADI Flash units, very inexpensive and work OK. The Sony HVL-42AM is a good basic unit, and usually half the price of the HVL-F43AM.
P.S. If you go off camera get a BOWENS S Mount and save the shoe.


Edited by LAbernethy - 17 January 2021 at 04:52

KEH has an "excellent condition" HVL-43AM for $97.46, which is covered by an 180-day warranty. You can probably find a coupon to get at least 5% off that price, maybe better. I absolutely trust that KEH rates honestly, and when they're rarely incorrect, they will get it right. You can likely find it for less on ebay, but without any warranty or hassle free return.

Personally, I own the 58, which I use mostly off camera with Phottix radio controller, but it's a fine on camera unit.

Rambler358 wrote: I was primarily going to have the flash on-camera, though that could change in the future. @LAbernethy - Why do you prefer the 43 on camera vs the 58, and would you also choose the 43 on camera for outdoor evening/night events?

The HVL-F43AM is just a little bit smaller and lighter and for most applications the small power and recycle handicap isn't noticeable. Outdoor evening/night events? Depends. How many frames? How quickly? At what distance? I've used it at events with a Lightsphere 1/4 power and no problems what so ever.

For on camera use without any adapters required

- Minolta 2500(D): No zoom (limited to 28mm (18mm on APS-C ?) No WL capacity. No HSS. Bounce only, no tilt head to allow bounce on the ceiling in portrait mode. Kind of difficult to find

- Minolta 3600 HS(D) or Sony HVL-F36AM: No manual settings. WL capacity. Bounce head but no tilt.

- Minolta 5600 HS(D) or Sony HVL-F56AM: WL capacity but limited to basic WL protocol. Bounce AND Tilt head. Can be powered by Minolta's EP-1 or EP-1 external battery packs. Can also use Minolta Bounce Reflector V but this is very very difficult to find.

- Sony HVL-F42AM: Bounce and Tilt . WL capacity. Can still work in Group 2 in more recent WL Control + protocol using HVL-F43AM or F58AM as controllers.

- Sony HVL-F43AM: Bounce and Tilt. WL capacity both as Controller and remote. As a controller in Control + mode, can control flashes in 3 different groups. This would be my preference as a 1st flash to use with A77

Sony HVL-F58AM: Same features as F43AM but adds capacity to use Minolta or Sony EP battery packs to allow faster recycling and more flashes without changing batteries. This one has a known tendency to overheat when used in intensive shooting situations.

Did not really try other brands extensively since every time i did, something either did not work or did not work as it should or was wobbly and occasionally lost contact with the body. I stuck to Sony and Minolta and everything just works together.
With the advent of the Control + protocol and the newer Sony Radio controlled system, more recent units (HVL-F45RM and F60RM) seem to have lost the capacity to operate properly with the older units in optical WL so counting on mixing old and new eventually may lead to incompatibilities that are unavoidable.

Edited by michelb - 17 January 2021 at 14:18

Phil Wood wrote: The Minolta 3600HS(D) & 5600HS(D) come up very cheaply on ebay these days - they are, essentially the Sony HVL F36AM & F56AM. I have bought both and am very happy with them on my A77.

I always hated the battery door design of the Minolta 3600HS(D) & 5600HS(D) /Sony HVL-F36AM HVL-F56AM.

Edited by LAbernethy - 17 January 2021 at 16:43

LAbernethy wrote: Phil Wood wrote: The Minolta 3600HS(D) & 5600HS(D) come up very cheaply on ebay these days - they are, essentially the Sony HVL F36AM & F56AM. I have bought both and am very happy with them on my A77. I always hated the battery door design.

It's not great.

LAbernethy wrote: Phil Wood wrote: Their downside, of course, is that I have since acquired an A99ii and developed an urge to get an HVL60M or RM. I Know what you mean. With my A77II and A99 I still like the HVL-F43M but am tempted by the HLV-F60RM for the High Speed Continuous Flash. Maybe when I start to remember to engage the lock I'll upgrade. That Auto Lock on the old shoe was excellent.

Not to imply that the HVL-F43AM or HVL-F43M doesn't have this feature. I know they do but the recommended shot numbers and power levels makes its application limited. I could be wrong but the HVL-F56AM is the best iteration of this feature in the Minolta hot shoe, with the HVL-F58AM the easiest and most precise to set up, IMO.

Edited by LAbernethy - 22 January 2021 at 14:50