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uncleclive View Drop Down
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Posts: 37 		Post Options Post Options   Quote uncleclive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Flash for A68
    Posted: 27 November 2022 at 16:06
I just bought an A68. The accessory shoe looks just like the very first film-era hot shoe, like I had on my Praktica MTL-3 45 years ago! ie outer contact and inner contact. I want something more powerful than the integral flash. I can't find useful info on Sony website. Please has anyone any (not too expensive) recommendations?
Edit: I just noticed an array of tiny contacts out of sight under the front skirt of the accessory shoe. My question about a flash still holds.

Edited by uncleclive - 27 November 2022 at 17:49
 



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addy landzaat View Drop Down
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Posts: 13716 		Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 16:49
The A68 has the new Multi Interface Shoe - new flashes are compatible.
Are you looking for a Sony branded flash or is third party fine?
How much power do you need?

I use a Sony HVL-F60M for serious stuff and a Godox TT350 for just a bit of extra power.

If your looking for Sony, go to Mhohner's Flash page and select the Multi Interface Flashes.

Edited by addy landzaat - 27 November 2022 at 17:08
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Hezu View Drop Down
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Posts: 3845 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Hezu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 17:03
And if you already have an older Sony flash for iISO hot shoe, there are also hot shoe adapters available.
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uncleclive View Drop Down
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Posts: 37 		Post Options Post Options   Quote uncleclive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 17:56
Thank you for your reply. I've since discovered the dozen or so tiny-tiny contacts under the front of the accessory shoe's skirt.
Yes, I'll follow the link you provided. Thank you.
I'm quite happy with the idea of a 3rd party accessory if it won't damage the camera.
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uncleclive View Drop Down
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Posts: 37 		Post Options Post Options   Quote uncleclive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 18:01
Thank you for your reply. No, I have no flashguns at all.

Incidentally, I have since discovered the dozen or so tiny-tiny contacts hidden under the front of the accessory shoe's skirt.

I'm now considering staying with the camera's integral flash and increasing the ISO accordingly.
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addy landzaat View Drop Down
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Posts: 13716 		Post Options Post Options   Quote addy landzaat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 19:11
Originally posted by uncleclive uncleclive wrote:

I'm quite happy with the idea of a 3rd party accessory if it won't damage the camera.
People have good experience with the likes of Nissin and Godox. My TT3590 is less then €100,- for a light and small midrange flash.

You mentioned higher ISO's. In my experience with the A77m2 (same generation, slightly different sensor) it probably is quite good at 1600iso and more then acceptable at 3200iso - 6400iso is stretching it imho (ymmv).
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Matt View Drop Down
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Posts: 719 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 19:16
There are a number of options:

* OEM flashes from Sony
* Third party flash from Sigma, Godox, Nissin or Metz.

Whatever flash is selected depends on your requirements like:

* Size of the flash
* Price tag
* Wireless capability
* Battery type used

Whatever flash is taken, it will be much better than the build-in flash.

I personally would always take a flash that supports the wireless system of the camera, as it makes flash use much more flexible. You will not require extra hardware (besides the external flash), as the built-in flash of the A68 can be used to control and trigger the external wireless flash.

Edited by Matt - 27 November 2022 at 19:20
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neilt3 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3092 		Post Options Post Options   Quote neilt3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 19:59
Most of my flashes are Minolta ones , a Sony HVL-F20AM and 58AM .
For a good while the a77ii was my only camera that had the new shoe and not using flash with it a lot I've just used the adapter and continued using my iISO foot flashes on it .
As I've now picked up newer cameras A mount and E mount , which all use the new MIS shoe I've picked up a new (used) flash to mount straight on them .
It's a Sony HVL-F43M and I got it off ebay for £83 delivered , apart from being a conventional flash it also has a video light on it that comes in handy for focussing , especially manual focussing , when it's getting dull .

I haven't tried it yet , but I believe it'll also control my other flashes wirelessly , if not the HVL-F20AM will .
see my photostream on flickr;
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sv900 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sv900 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 21:12
I'm using Godox TT350 with my A77ii and I'm happy with it.
The main use for me is in complete darkness in the tunnels of WWII bunkers and it works very well.
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Phil Wood View Drop Down
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Posts: 2613 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Phil Wood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 November 2022 at 23:18
I'm another using older Sony/Minolta flashes with an adapter though I do have a little HVL-F20M for use as a trigger and for basic low power stuff with my A99ii & A6000.
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Miranda F View Drop Down
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Posts: 4072 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Miranda F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 November 2022 at 23:56
There's an argument for using a small flash on the camera as an optical trigger for one or more flashes elsewhere, but most nowadays go for a wireless trigger. But if you're just using the flash at parties, etc, it's often good enough to use bounce flash off the ceiling (if there is one! ) which means a flash with tilt and preferably swivel (eg for portrait orientation).

My preference always used to be to have a flash on a bracket by the side of the camera with a cable to the hotshoe, as it is much less ungainly than the flash-on camera but hardly anyone seems to do that nowadays.

Gary Friedman's flash guide is well worth reading, and there are several older threads here that discuss the Godox and Nissin flashes.
Miranda F & Sensorex, Sony A7Rii, A58, Nex-6, Dynax 4, 5, 60, 500si/600si/700si/800si, various Sony & Minolta lenses, several Tamrons, lots of MF primes and *far* too many old film cameras ...
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LAbernethy View Drop Down
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Posts: 3018 		Post Options Post Options   Quote LAbernethy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 November 2022 at 00:40
Originally posted by neilt3 neilt3 wrote:

Most of my flashes are Minolta ones , a Sony HVL-F20AM and 58AM .
For a good while the a77ii was my only camera that had the new shoe and not using flash with it a lot I've just used the adapter and continued using my iISO foot flashes on it .
As I've now picked up newer cameras A mount and E mount , which all use the new MIS shoe I've picked up a new (used) flash to mount straight on them .
It's a Sony HVL-F43M and I got it off ebay for £83 delivered , apart from being a conventional flash it also has a video light on it that comes in handy for focussing , especially manual focussing , when it's getting dull .

I haven't tried it yet , but I believe it'll also control my other flashes wirelessly , if not the HVL-F20AM will .

The Sony HVL-F43 is my preferred on camera flash. Yes, it works as a controller for other Sony flash units wirelessly. The one thing I will say about the Godox on camera flash units; I can not believe how STIFF they are. Trying to move the head about feels like I'm going to damage the hotshoe or the mounting foot. No such problem with the Sony's.
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