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a6000 - what am I doing wrong?

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RVafter60

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I traded my a230 for an a6000. I got the ADP-MAA adapter which allows me to use my minolta-mount flash on the a6000. Well, it works, but it fires at the wrong time. I am new to this, but it seems to be firing prior to the shutter tripping. I spoke to Sony about this and they said that the adapter has minimal functionality, and since I had a Vivitar flash they couldn't help me.

So then I tried using the Vivitar flash in slave mode (the old slave, where it goes off when it sees another flash). Once again the Vivitar flash appears to fire too soon. I then set the camera for slow sync flash ... that was no better. So I set the camera for rear flash ... that was no better.

I tried all my tests over again with the little F20M flash, and the results were always the same.

So, unless someone here can point out the error of my ways, I have several nice flashes that (despite Sony promoting the MAA adapter) are good for doorstops. It seems that the a6000 always does some sort of ttl pre-flash, which makes my flashes useless.

Your assistance is appreciated.
 
You need to either use a flash with the ttl switched on then the A6000 will control it in using ttl in auto/semi auto modes or you need to use A6000 in manual mode and set the flash manually as well.
 
RVafter60 said:
So then I tried using the Vivitar flash in slave mode (the old slave, where it goes off when it sees another flash). Once again the Vivitar flash appears to fire too soon. I then set the camera for slow sync flash ... that was no better. So I set the camera for rear flash ... that was no better.
Click to expand...
The flash need to have a slave mode that ignores pre-flashes. As I know there's no way to turn the pre-flash off on A6000.
 
This is a problem with several, lower cost "compatible" flashes. Nissan had this problem and did a firmware update that fixed it part way.

On Mirrorless and even the SLT cameras the timing is different. I got a Nissan to work better by turning off Electronic First Curtain Shutter. But doing this doubles your shutter wear.

See if Vivitar ever did a Firmware Update or ditch it for Sony flash.. I have also never seen this with a Metz flash.
 
I hardly EVER shoot flash as I simply never seem to have the need for it these days.. But I've still got much of my old gear and after reading this thread I just decided to give it a go with my newly acquired A6000.

I've always shot flash with a HAMA Cube Slave attached to the flash gun and that of course fires the gun.. triggered by the in-built little camera flash. The flash used is an excellent Olympus FL40 which I used years ago with the Oly 8080 camera I then had. That used here hand-held to my left and triggered as usual just by the A6000 little flash when popped up.

NOTHING at all special..just a rubbish shot really.. but it does seem to work OK and I'm sure with a bit of tampering on settings it could be a lot better.. so I now know at least that I CAN use flash if ever required.. and I ALWAYS use this separate triggered way.

Shot with Olympus FL40 with HAMA Slave Cube attached.. triggered by camera.. about 4-5 feet
Shot with Olympus FL40 with HAMA Slave Cube attached.. triggered by camera.. about 4-5 feet

--
/eric
Staffordshire, UK
 
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Looking yet further into the Olympus FL-40 Flash which I mentioned being used above.. I'm quite surprised to see that a quick search on Ebay-UK brought up a couple of them.. one in particular coming from a regular Dealer and appears to be in excellent order and at what I think is a very excellent value price of £50... give or take a £ or so..
Since the above proves it to be absolutely easy and straightforward to use on the A6000.. and can be varied in many other ways apart from the very simple and easy switch-on-and-shoot which I adopted for simplicity.. it seems an excellent buy for anyone flash-oriented. Of course I used it off-camera and fired by the small cube slave attached to the base.. but those HAMA ones are still sold and I think even now are only about £10-15 or so from a few places...

Yep.. here it is...

Loading…

www.amazon.co.uk
 
All my old flashes worked perfectly with the A6000 and ADP-MAA adapter. I have two older Metz flashes, and I've tried newer Sony flashes (with the old shoe) which also worked perfectly. I think it is your Vivitar flash that is the problem.
 
I also have two Metz flashes they work with the adapter with no problem. My TTL Pixel King RF flash triggers also work with the A6000 and the flash adapter.
 
ericN2 said:
Looking yet further into the Olympus FL-40 Flash which I mentioned being used above.. I'm quite surprised to see that a quick search on Ebay-UK brought up a couple of them.. one in particular coming from a regular Dealer and appears to be in excellent order and at what I think is a very excellent value price of £50... give or take a £ or so..
Since the above proves it to be absolutely easy and straightforward to use on the A6000.. and can be varied in many other ways apart from the very simple and easy switch-on-and-shoot which I adopted for simplicity.. it seems an excellent buy for anyone flash-oriented. Of course I used it off-camera and fired by the small cube slave attached to the base.. but those HAMA ones are still sold and I think even now are only about £10-15 or so from a few places...

Yep.. here it is...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Slave-Unit-Shoe-Contact/dp/B00005LLPK
Click to expand...
 
Like ppl said - Vivitar might be needing some TLC or FW upgrade.

I used my ISO Metz-48 flash (from Pentax) on A6000 - in manual mode. It works fine. But adjusting manual is a pain. I much prefer TTL operation. So I use Sony HVL-20.
 
Ye flash connection.. I wonder what happened to good old cable. Hope to find one that would adapt to hot shew.

wonder if there is one.. cheers..miro
 
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