Question about Wireless Flash

[mrmjs]

I tested today using a F43AM Sony Flash... Wireless works shooting through an umbrella (inside).. Not sure how it would do outdoors.

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

I tested today using a F43AM Sony Flash... Wireless works shooting through an umbrella (inside).. Not sure how it would do outdoors.

Yes, sure, wireless works into an umbrella, and the exposure should still be good TTL, but can you do ratios of key to fill etc? I see that I do have control of the output such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and so on, but I am not sure if that is manual only or if it can apply to TTL auto.

PS, nothing you can do to change the ratios such as putting one twice as far as the other or putting a gel in front of one will necessarily do what you expect, because the flash will just output until the TTL tells it it has enough light. Plus, it is hard to know how much each unit will contribute to "enough" - half? Just dunno.

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Gary Eickmeier

 

[kurja]

I tested today using a F43AM Sony Flash... Wireless works shooting through an umbrella (inside).. Not sure how it would do outdoors.

Yes, sure, wireless works into an umbrella, and the exposure should still be good TTL, but can you do ratios of key to fill etc? I see that I do have control of the output such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and so on, but I am not sure if that is manual only or if it can apply to TTL auto.

That power setting is for manual, non-ttl use.

PS, nothing you can do to change the ratios such as putting one twice as far as the other or putting a gel in front of one will necessarily do what you expect, because the flash will just output until the TTL tells it it has enough light. Plus, it is hard to know how much each unit will contribute to "enough" - half? Just dunno.

As said above, when using multiple externals without using built-in ratio control each of them fill fire for the same duration / power. So, placing them at different distances should produce predictable and repeatable results - I can't think of a reason why it didn't work that way for you.

flash will just output until the TTL tells it it has enough light

That's how it works with Minolta film cameras, but that's not the case with digital. When taking a picture, your controller flash first commands the externals to emit a metering pulse, which the camera meters. After that, when the shutter is ready and the flashes should fire, controller tells the externals to do that at the needed duration/power and unless you're using the ratio control system each external will fire at that same power setting.

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

flash will just output until the TTL tells it it has enough light

That's how it works with Minolta film cameras, but that's not the case with digital. When taking a picture, your controller flash first commands the externals to emit a metering pulse, which the camera meters. After that, when the shutter is ready and the flashes should fire, controller tells the externals to do that at the needed duration/power and unless you're using the ratio control system each external will fire at that same power setting.

So you think I can control the ratios with distance?

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Gary Eickmeier

 

[OldClicker]

flash will just output until the TTL tells it it has enough light

That's how it works with Minolta film cameras, but that's not the case with digital. When taking a picture, your controller flash first commands the externals to emit a metering pulse, which the camera meters. After that, when the shutter is ready and the flashes should fire, controller tells the externals to do that at the needed duration/power and unless you're using the ratio control system each external will fire at that same power setting.

So you think I can control the ratios with distance?

If you have two of the same flash being fired remotely by the on board flash and put one twice as far as the other and use TTL, the one twice as far will put 1/4 as much light on the subject. - TF

 

[ArmandN]

I use manual mode. It's not that difficult.

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http://www.twin-pixels.com

 

[ArmandN]

Thank you.

I don't have any diagrams, although I am thinking about writing a tutorial on lighting sometimes.

The font for headings on Twin-Pixels.com is called Sansation, it's free.

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http://www.twin-pixels.com

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

I use manual mode. It's not that difficult.

Sure you can use manual mode with any camera. Let's go back to 1960. But these smarty new cameras are supposed to make life much easier for us, and sometimes they work against real photographic needs. TTL flash exposure control is a potentially WONDERFUL advancement, permitting us to shoot faster, more accurately. Wireless mode is even better, permitting multiple flashes for portrature or other lighting needs. But if something as basic as ratio control and keeping the on-camera flash shut off or at least not visible have not been provided for, that makes it - well, back to 1960.

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Gary Eickmeier

 

[Klipsen]

Sony's or Metz' 58, Sony's 43 - and at least one Nissin model - are compatible with Sony's latest flash control protocol, which allows ratio flash to be used.

This system is not backward compatible.

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

Sony's or Metz' 58, Sony's 43 - and at least one Nissin model - are compatible with Sony's latest flash control protocol, which allows ratio flash to be used.

This system is not backward compatible.

OK, thanks. I may have to try the distance method again soon on some portraits, but my experience so far is that using different distances does not provide ratio control.

OR I could use just one of them and a reflector for the key and fill, and use the other one for a hair light/kicker.

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Gary Eickmeier

 

[jadawgis732]

For any of the HVL-F42/43/58AM owners, is the zooming function on your flash quite loud? My 56 sounds like an old non-HSM Sigma lens focusing.
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Flickr Gallery https://secure.flickr.com/photos/jonasjschreiber/sets/

 

[kurja]

For any of the HVL-F42/43/58AM owners, is the zooming function on your flash quite loud? My 56 sounds like an old non-HSM Sigma lens focusing.
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Flickr Gallery https://secure.flickr.com/photos/jonasjschreiber/sets/

It's clearly audible, yes.

 

[jadawgis732]

Thanks, my other question is, is there any way to reduce tension on the button to depress which allows the bounce and swivel? I feel like I have to put way too much pressure on mine to get it to move.
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Flickr Gallery https://secure.flickr.com/photos/jonasjschreiber/sets/

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

I am nervous about the amount of looseness on my camera mount for the flash. It can wiggle within the flash mount track.

Anyone else?
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Gary Eickmeier

 

[MarkyM]

This seems to be a manufacturing tolerance issue so I wouldn't worry about it unless it is very loose.

My 43 flash fit perfectly on my A55 but is a very slight bit wobbly on my A77.

I also have a Metz and it was a little loose on my old A700, pretty good with a slight wobble on the A55 and about the same as it was on the A700 on the A77.

So I think a little wobble is OK and "within tolerance", although annoying.

--Mark--

I am nervous about the amount of looseness on my camera mount for the flash. It can wiggle within the flash mount track.

Anyone else?
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Gary Eickmeier