Reconnecting with my A77 and need a good flash

michelb wrote: 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. You won't be able to use the Radio control of the RM units on either A77II or A99

Very true. Maybe a HVL-F60M to stay wireless compatible with what I have but that would defeat the feature. I think the power output has risen from the HVL-F56AM but the heat resistance stayed the same. With each generation the frames per second increased and the over heating through the 58 and 60 got worse. The HVL-F60RM is said to have better heat resistance.

If you got it, use it. Or at least keep it for when you may need to use a flash.

samfieldhouse wrote: I really must learn when is the time and how to get the best of it.

Go to YouTube and type this in the search bar:
“how to use dslr flash”
Probably more than you want to know, but it’ll get you started.

LAbernethy wrote: michelb wrote: 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. You won't be able to use the Radio control of the RM units on either A77II or A99 Very true. Maybe a HVL-F60M to stay wireless compatible with what I have but that would defeat the feature. I think the power output has risen from the HVL-F56AM but the heat resistance stayed the same. With each generation the frames per second increased and the over heating through the 58 and 60 got worse. The HVL-F60RM is said to have better heat resistance.

When it comes to power, it depends how you want to look at it:

GN at 35mm @ ISO 100 as per instructions:

- HVL-F56AM: GN 38 (56 is at 85mm)
- HVL-F60M: 36, (60 is at 105mm)
- HVL-F60RM: 30 ( 60 is at 200mm and only 49 at 105mm)

This trend is similar throughout the zooming range of the 3 units

So which is the most powerful ?

Also, beware some early HVL-F60M required a firmware update that had to be done at Sony service facilities to help lower the incidence of overheating. With this, the flash actually recycles slower ( that was probably the cause of overheating in the first place). I have no idea why someone may think the 60RM is good or better at continuous flash since they probably share some of the electronics.

Warning from the on line Guide for the HVL-F60RM:

Do not use the flash 20 times in a row or in quick succession in order to prevent heating and degradation of the camera and flash unit.
(when the flash power level is 1/32, 40 times in a row.)
Stop using the flash unit and cool it for 20 minutes or more, if the flash is triggered up to the limit for the number of times in quick
succession.

samfieldhouse wrote: An interesting thread, I've just bought an A77 as my 'new' camera and I blooming' LOVE it. I'm gradually getting to grips with it, but it seems a fairly friendly and effortless camera. I have a 42AM, bought new years ago that I've maybe used a handful of times on my old a350 - I can't believe how much they get listed for on eBay... I might sell it, or maybe I should try and master flash photography?

The HVL-F42AM is a nice basic flash. It's easier to use off camera with the little stand, using the built in flash as trigger as long as the off camera is in an arc ahead of you.

samfieldhouse wrote: An interesting thread, I've just bought an A77 as my 'new' camera and I blooming' LOVE it. I'm gradually getting to grips with it, but it seems a fairly friendly and effortless camera. I have a 42AM, bought new years ago that I've maybe used a handful of times on my old a350 - I can't believe how much they get listed for on eBay... I might sell it, or maybe I should try and master flash photography?

I have an A77v and two HVL-42AMs (I got a second when I thought I'd lost my original and the "lost" flash subsequently turned up!). In wireless mode my a77 will operate both flash units simultaneously, which can give near studio quality light when bounced. Don't be afraid to experiment.

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 of the Minolta 3600HS(D) & 5600HS(D) /Sony HVL-F36AM HVL-F56AM.

Ugh,I picked up a 3600 and understand why you hate that door now. Hard to open and shreds the wrapper on my eneloops