Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A100 Operating Instructions Manual page 145

With the Remote Commander clip attached to the shoulder strap, you can catch the cord to
secure it.
HVL-F56AM/HVL-F36AM Flash
A powerful flash can cover a longer distance than the built-in flash can, enabling flash
shooting that produces beautiful images.
When using the flash (not supplied), remove the accessory shoe cap and slide the flash onto
the camera.
High Speed Sync (HSS) Shooting
You can perform high speed sync shooting with a HVL-F56AM or a HVL-F36AM.
With a flash HVL-F56AM or HVL-F36AM mounted on the camera and "HSS" appearing on
the LCD window of the flash, the limitation on the flash sync speed* is canceled, enabling you
to perform flash shooting across every shutter speed available with this camera (30 ~
1/4000 second). This means you have a wider option of aperture values. Even with the flash,
you can widen the aperture to blur the background and accentuate the subject, producing a
perfect portrait picture.
In addition, when using the flash with the aperture open in aperture priority mode or manual
exposure mode, you can attain a proper exposure using the high speed flash even on a scene
with a very bright background, which would normally cause overexposure.
* This camera's flash sync speed is 1/125 second with the Super SteadyShot on and 1/160 second with the
Super SteadyShot off. The shutter speed will not be faster in other flash shooting than high speed sync.
• In high speed sync mode (when the shutter speed is faster than the flash sync speed noted above), "H"
appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.
• In high speed sync mode, the flash range is shorter than in normal flash shooting. Before taking a picture,
make sure the subject is within the range of distance displayed on the flash window.
Accessory shoe
cap
Flash HVL-F56AM
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