Wireless Flash using my A900

My A900 is running firmware version 2.00. I own both the HVL-F58AM and the HVL-F56AM flashes, and I want to take some wireless flash photos. Reading the manual (and from previous posts in this forum), I understand that I should use the F58 on camera to trigger the F56AM positioned off camera.

I have, so far, been unsuccessful using the following procedure:

Mount F56 on a stand (in my case, a small tripod), switch it on and select WL mode CH-1 (CH-1 is the default, I guess).

Turn on A900, press 'c' to bring up 'Flash Mode' menu, select WL, depress joystick selector to accept setting and exit 'Flash Mode' menu.

Switch on F58, depress 'mode' button until WL CH1 appears in the window. Mount F58 to A900.

To my understanding, having followed the above procedure, I should be able to trigger the F56AM by depressing the shutter of the A900. For testing purposes, I position the F58 in direct sight of my A900, so that, if the F56 fires as expected, the illuminated F56 should show in my captured shot. I also keep my left eye open as I fire each test shot to observe the F56 directly.

So far, I have not been able to get the F56 to fire.

Obviously, I am doing something wrong. The following step is listed in the A900 menu regarding wireless flash: '2 Set the HVL-F58AM as the wireless controller and attach it to the
camera.' There is, however, no direction on how to achieve this setting if it is different or in addition to the steps I outline above.

What am I missing?

Advice much appreciated as I am visiting my daughter and she has requested me (the family 'camera guy') to shoot the annual family photo of her and her husband/children. I know I can achieve an acceptable capture by bouncing either of these flash units mounted directly on the A900, or, if we shoot outdoors, by shooting them positioned with sun (if a sunny day) coming from behind them and me using either of these units to fill their faces (I detest shooting subjects with the sun streaming into their faces - makes for harsh lighting and squinting eyes). In either setting, off camera flash may improve my lighting setup.

I do have two old Vivitar 283 units fitted with Wein slave feet and infinitely variable power adjusters which I have used successfully with this camera and, before that, my trusty A700, both set to full manual, but would really like to take advantage of Sony's auto wireless flash capabilities.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Caruso

Your instructions worked a charm, thanks. I have downloaded manuals for the f58 and A900.
Did not find any instructions as detailed as yours. I may have missed them. If you can direct me to where the instructions you offered are located in the manual, I would review the printed version. There are other settings available in the menus with which I am unfamiliar and I would like to learn more about them.
Thanks again for your informative reply.
Caruso

Will review all thoroughly.
Thanks again.
Caruso

LAbernethy wrote: I think using the the HVL-F58AM as a trigger is a bit excessive. I can recommend the HVL-F20AM as a simple trigger. It works quite well and simply on my a850 to trigger the HVL-F58AM and HVL-F56AM.

I appreciate the suggestion, LAbernethy, however, I already own the the F58 and F56 units, and have used the F56 for years as both a direct (mostly bounce) flash and as a trigger for my Vivitar 283 units via Wein Slave Foot modules mounted on the 283s.

Having purchased the F58, I am free to use it on camera in lieu of the F56, and find it no bother at all to be able to fire the F56 wirelessly using the F58 on camera as a trigger. Best of all, there is no need for me to purchase yet another flash unit.

Thanks for your reply.

Caruso

I think the impression of overkill when using a flash like the F58AM as a trigger is cost / power and size / weight. It's too good a tool not to be off camera.

michelb wrote: LAbernethy wrote: I think the impression of overkill when using a flash like the F58AM as a trigger is cost / power and size / weight. It's too good a tool not to be off camera. Unless you use it in Ratio Mode which then makes it collaborate to exposure in a controlled (by the user) way. It can be direct, bounced and/or softened by a light modifier and still control WL remotes while still providing good light. Smaller models like HVL-F20AM can not work in Ratio mode so their influence on exposure is minimal. For this kind of purpose, i will usually use a slightly smaller flash like the HVL-F43AM but that is sill not very compact but still provides Ratio possibility.

Yes. but that defeats the point of off camera flash.