New sony flagship flash - HVL-F58AM

Advertise on this site

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

[fother]

Dunno, but I can't see it really weighing much more than a 36 or 56 -- the main weight tends to be the batteries, really

[Fud]

Do we know how heavy that thing is?
If you need to shoot an event over a whole evening wiht the for instance A700 plus power grip than weight slowly but surely starts to play a role... at least for me
Stef.

Stef we're going to have to start sending you down the gym if you keep commenting on the weight

[Asher]

Do we know how heavy that thing is?
If you need to shoot an event over a whole evening wiht the for instance A700 plus power grip than weight slowly but surely starts to play a role... at least for me
Stef.

You will have to start using both hands.

[d7d (aka Ronin, aka Shot by scott)]

Do we know how heavy that thing is?
If you need to shoot an event over a whole evening wiht the for instance A700 plus power grip than weight slowly but surely starts to play a role... at least for me
Stef.

You will have to start using both hands.

time to start going to the gym

[Stef.]

LOL! You are really helpful Camera plus lens i.e. 70200G plus VG plus flash is probably somewhere around 3.5Kg? Soo for me that is a lot eventhough I go 3x per week to the gym!
Stef.

[Bill]

Hi everyone!

I thought about beating Fother to the scoop on this yesterday morning, but I had too many things to do.  I waited for this flash to arrive.  When I saw the release date and the price, I opted for the 42 instead.

This flash looks really cool.  I like the swivel action.  But I can tell you this...the HVL-42AM works better on my a700 than the 5400HS did on my film 7!

I am REALLY impressed with the exposure and white balance.  It works from 16mm to 105mm, where my 5400HS only went from 24mm to 85mm.  It is more responsive and easier to navigate.

Stef, my only lens at the moment is the 70-200 SSM G.  My camera is the a700 and the grip never leaves it.  I have no problem with this flash attached! 

Bill

[fother]

Stef., weight is 15.6 oz (440 g).

If you're gym work isn't getting you up to that level, you need a new personal trainer


In fact, 5600 / HVL F56AM weight is 470 g, so this new model is lighter, not heavier

[Bill]

I took some more test shots with the 42 last night.  If the 58 communicates white balance to the camera as well as this little gem does, Sony will be solidly building on the outstanding Minolta flash system IMHO.

I have patiently awaited this new 58, planning on buying one for quite some time.  However, the price announcement and the additional 3 month wait put me off.  While I would love the added features, I don't see myself needing them at this point in time.  Perhaps in the future... 

I know this is a thread about the new 58 flash, but I have to tell you again...this 42 produces better pics than my 5400HS did (a lot better!) and I really liked the 5400HS.  The colors are spot on, and when using the "D" lens and the ADI function on the camera, I am amazed at how perfect the exposure is, especially on tricky reflective subjects.

Bill

[Chris Huber]

Wow!  With that set-up you'd get through crowds easily by just pushing the whole lot ahead of you!  That is if they haven't moved away in awe already after seeing whats coming!

[TG]

The HVL-F58AM flash unit can also control the ratio of lighting from several off-camera flash units.

.
With which Camera can be done?Is it clear that the A700 can use this function. Maybe only with the A900!!!
What kind of battery dose this unit use (4 alkaline or NP-FM500H)

Very intelligent flash( APS-C & 35mm) can be recognise and adjust the light as needed

[fother]

As stated in the Specifications (linked in the original post of this thread), it takes 4 AA batteries.

There's no basis to suggest that only an a900 could control it - the ratio function is controlled within the flash. There's nothing to suggest it can't be used on a 5D, a100, etc etc

[springtide]

Question/Speculation....

So do we think that it might also support radio triggering in addition to the traditional IR?

Or do you think that the A900 has IR triggering, just not in the form of a pop-up flash?

[fother]

I'd bet that the a900 will have IR triggering in a new form. Whatever it does will need to be compatible with all the 56s and 36s out there...

(as well as 42s and 58s)

[springtide]

I've been thinking about this he other day.... 

What does Nikon do on the D3?  Does it rely on an external flash for triggering other flash wirelessly, or can it trigger a single flash remotely from the body?

Just wondering if the A900 will do something similar.

[Bill]

I REALLY wish that these flashes would be compatible with the Sony rechargeable batteries.  Perhaps my Eneloops are just fine, but I am impressed with the power and time that these infolithiums last.

Bill