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Help Guide
Flash
HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA
Use this Help Guide when you have issues or questions on how to use your flash unit.
Compatible cameras
This flash unit can be used in combination with the following Sony brand devices:
- Interchangeable Lens Digital Cameras with a conventional Multi Interface Shoe
- Interchangeable Lens Digital HD Video Camera Recorders
- Digital Still Cameras
The settings of the flash unit can be viewed on the attached camera. View the external flash unit settings on the camera.
When a camera without external flash setting capabilities is used, the settings you can make for the flash unit may be limited.
For details, view here.
For camera models compatible with this flash unit, view the following. (Another window will open.)
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Compatible models with HVL-F28RM
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Compatible models with HVL-F28RMA
About this Help Guide
Locating parts and controls
Preparations
Unpacking
Inserting batteries
Attaching/removing the flash unit to/from the camera
Attaching/removing the mini-stand
Removing/attaching the dust and moisture resistant cover
Turning on the power to the flash unit
Pairing with a radio wireless commander/receiver (for radio wireless flash photography)
Photographing
TTL flash photography (TTL)
Manual flash photography (MANUAL)
High-speed sync photography (HSS)
Multiple flash photography (MULTI)
Firing test flashes
Radio wireless flash photography
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Summary of Contents for Sony HVL-F28RMA

  • Page 1 Use this Help Guide when you have issues or questions on how to use your flash unit. Compatible cameras This flash unit can be used in combination with the following Sony brand devices: - Interchangeable Lens Digital Cameras with a conventional Multi Interface Shoe...
  • Page 2 Resetting the flash firing settings to the factory defaults Restoring the factory default state of the flash unit Notes on using/cleaning the flash unit Notes on use Specifications Specifications Guide number Radio wireless features Trademarks License 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 3 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA About this Help Guide This Help Guide is provided for 2 flash unit models: HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA. The illustrations used for common descriptions are of the HVL-F28RM flash unit. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 4: Locating Parts And Controls

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Locating parts and controls Flash unit (front side) Built-in wide panel Flashlamp Bounce sheet Micro USB terminal Multi Interface foot About the built-in wide panel When you need a wider flash coverage for the focal length of 50 mm for photography, use the built-in wide panel.
  • Page 5 Bounce indicator (upper/lower angle) Operation console Lock lever Release button Bounce lock release button Battery chamber door Dust and moisture resistant cover Operation console CMD lamp LEVEL lamp LEVEL -/+ button TEST button LINK lamp PAIRING button Power switch Mini-stand Shoe for the Multi Interface foot Tripod attachment hole...
  • Page 6 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 7 If you find anything missing, please contact your dealer. The number in the parentheses indicates the quantity. Flash unit (1) Connector protect cap (attached) (1) Dust and moisture resistant cover (attached) (1) Mini-stand (1) Pouch (1) Set of printed documentation 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 8: Inserting Batteries

    Slide open the battery chamber door following the steps indicated in the following illustration. Insert the batteries into the battery chamber as illustrated ( ). ( indicate the direction of the batteries.) Close the battery chamber door. Perform the step 1 operations in reverse order. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 9: Attaching/Removing The Flash Unit To/From The Camera

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Attaching/removing the flash unit to/from the camera To attach the flash unit to the camera Turn the power switch on the flash unit to “OFF.” Press and hold the release button and rotate the lock lever away from “LOCK.”...
  • Page 10 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 11 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Attaching/removing the mini-stand When you have removed the flash unit from the camera to place and use it alone for wireless flash photography, attach the supplied mini-stand to the unit. To attach the mini-stand Press and hold the release button and rotate the lock lever away from “LOCK.”...
  • Page 12 Note When you are finished with using this flash unit, be sure to attach the connector protect cap back to the Multi Interface foot. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 13 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Removing/attaching the dust and moisture resistant cover Depending on the external design of a camera, the dust and moisture resistant cover attached to this flash unit may come in contact with the camera body, but you can still attach the flash unit to the camera and use it for photography.
  • Page 14 Make sure that the dust and moisture resistant cover is not distorted and there is no gap between the cover and the flash unit. Tug each of the four corners of the cover to make sure it is firmly in place. If the attached cover is distorted, remove and attach it back on. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 15: Turning On The Power To The Flash Unit

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Turning on the power to the flash unit Turn the power switch on this flash unit to “ON.” The flash unit is powered. To configure the flash unit as the receiver unit, turn the power switch to “A,” “B,” or “C.”...
  • Page 16: Checking The Remaining Battery Power

    “OFF” and leave the flash unit unused for about 20 minutes to let it cool down. Continuous flash firing causes the batteries inside this flash unit to build up heat. Take sufficient care when you remove the batteries. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 17: Pairing With A Radio Wireless Commander/Receiver (For Radio Wireless Flash Photography)

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Pairing with a radio wireless commander/receiver (for radio wireless flash photography) To perform radio wireless flash photography with this flash unit, you need another flash unit that supports radio wireless communications or a radio wireless commander/receiver (not supplied) in addition to this flash unit and must pair them both together.
  • Page 18 For details, refer to the operating instructions supplied with your camera. Note To switch the roles of the commander and receiver units for radio wireless flash photography, repeat the pairing procedure all over again. Related Topic Configuring the flash unit for wireless flash photography 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 19 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA TTL flash photography (TTL) TTL-flash mode measures the light from the subject that is reflected through the lens. TTL metering also has a P-TTL metering function, which adds a pre-flash to TTL metering, and an ADI metering function, which adds distance data to the P-TTL metering.
  • Page 20 When a wide-angle lens with the focal length of less than 24 mm is used, the periphery of the monitor screen on the camera may appear darker. When a physically long lens is used, the flash light may be obstructed by the lens end. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 21 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Manual flash photography (MANUAL) Manual flash firing mode keeps the flash power level consistent regardless of the brightness of the subject or the settings of the camera. Work with the menu of the camera attached with this flash unit to specify [Manual Flash Firing] for the flash control mode.
  • Page 22 When a wide-angle lens with the focal length of less than 24 mm is used, the periphery of the monitor screen on the camera may appear darker. When a physically long lens is used, the flash light may be obstructed by the lens end. Related Topic TTL flash photography (TTL) 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 23 When [On] is selected: 1/128 When [Off] is selected: 1/256* The minimum value is limited to 1/128 when [Off] is specified for [Wireless Flash] on the menu of the camera attached with this flash unit. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 24 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Multiple flash photography (MULTI) This flash unit is capable of firing multiple times while the camera shutter is open (multiple flash photography). Multiple flash photography allows you to capture a series of movements of the subject in a single photo.
  • Page 25 When a wide-angle lens with the focal length of less than 24 mm is used, the periphery of the monitor screen on the camera may appear darker. When a physically long lens is used, the flash light may be obstructed by the lens end. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 26 When this flash unit is configured as the commander unit for radio wireless photography, the TEST button lights in orange as soon as all the flash units, including the receiver units, become ready to fire. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 27 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Configuring the flash unit for wireless flash photography This flash unit supports radio wireless communications for flash photography. Configure the flash unit that you attach to a camera as the commander unit; and the flash unit of which flash operation is wirelessly triggered as the receiver unit (off-camera flash unit).
  • Page 28 Related Topic Pairing with a radio wireless commander/receiver (for radio wireless flash photography) 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 29 Attach another flash unit of the same model (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA) that is configured as the commander unit, or a radio wireless commander to the camera. When using another flash unit of the same model (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA), make sure that its power switch is turned to “ON.”...
  • Page 30 During manual flash photography, you can adjust the flash power level of the receiver unit by pressing the LEVEL -/+ button on the commander unit. Related Topic Pairing with a radio wireless commander/receiver (for radio wireless flash photography) Attaching/removing the mini-stand 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 31 Commander unit: this flash unit (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA) or a radio wireless commander Receiver unit (off-camera flash unit): this flash unit (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA) or a radio wireless receiver : Commander unit...
  • Page 32 Commander unit: this flash unit (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA) or a radio wireless commander Receiver unit (off-camera flash unit): this flash unit (HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA) or a radio wireless receiver Work with the menu of the camera attached with the commander unit to specify the flash control mode, the flash compensation, and the flash power level for each wireless group.
  • Page 33 When the value specified for the zoom setting on the commander unit is larger or smaller than the zoom setting values available on the receiver unit, its maximum or minimum value is specified for the zoom setting on the receiver unit. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 34 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Notes on wireless flash photography During photography with off-camera flash units, P-TTL flash metering is automatically used instead of ADI metering. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 35: Bounce Flash Photography

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Bounce flash photography Using the flash unit with a wall directly behind the subject produces strong shadows on the wall. By directing the flash unit at the ceiling, you can illuminate the subject with reflected light, reducing the intensity of the shadows and producing a softer light on the screen.
  • Page 36 Note Use a white ceiling or wall to bounce the flash light. A colored surface may tint the bounced light. High ceilings or glass are not recommended for the bounce surface. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 37 The bounce sheet is pulled out along with the wide panel from this flash unit. Push the wide panel back into the flash unit. Hint When you use the bounce sheet for flash photography, tilt up the flashlamp by 80°. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 38 [External Flash Set.] - [Ext. Flash Cust. Set.] - [Memory] from the menu of the camera attached with this flash unit. When you do not intend to use the registered preferences, select [Off] in the procedure for calling up the registered preferences. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 39 When a receiver unit is selected, the contents of the displayed information vary depending on the radio conditions. When no receiver units are paired, no receiver units are available for selection. For details on the external flash settings of the camera, refer to the operating instructions supplied with your camera. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 40 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA List of flash settings While this flash unit is attached to a camera with external flash setting capabilities, you can change the following flash settings: External flash firing settings Setting items Descriptions Setting options Flash Control...
  • Page 41 Power-saving timer setting 30 Sec/3 Min (*)/30 Min/Off WL Power Save Power-saving timer setting during wireless flash photography 60 Min (*)/240 Min/Off Displays the version information about this flash unit and the receiver Version unit(s). Factory default 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 42 Configuring the flash unit for wireless flash photography Pairing with a radio wireless commander/receiver (for radio wireless flash photography) Resetting the flash firing settings to the factory defaults Restoring the factory default state of the flash unit 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 43 The TEST button and the LINK lamp light in red, and then the flash firing settings are reset to the factory defaults. Note While the reset process is in progress, do not turn off the power to the flash unit or remove its batteries. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 44 The TEST button and the LINK lamp light in red, and then the flash unit restarts. Note While the initialize process is in progress, do not turn off the power to the flash unit or remove its batteries. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 45: Notes On Use

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Notes on use In addition to this Help Guide, please read “Notes on use” in the Startup Guide (supplied). While photographing This flash unit generates strong light, so it should not be used directly in front of the eyes.
  • Page 46: Maintenance

    If fingerprints or particles are stuck to the flashlamp, we recommend that you wipe it clean with a soft cloth. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 47: Specifications

    HVL-F28RM: 65.1 mm × 83.5 mm × 91.4 mm (2 5/8 in. × 3 3/8 in. × 3 5/8 in.) (Approx.) HVL-F28RMA: 65.1 mm × 83.5 mm × 94.4 mm (2 5/8 in. × 3 3/8 in. × 3 3/4 in.) HVL-F28RM: 219 g (7.8 oz) (excluding the batteries) Mass (Approx.)
  • Page 48: Guide Number

    Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Guide number Normal flash/STD flash distribution (ISO 100) Manual flash/35mm-format Flash coverage setting (mm) Flash power level 24 (*) 14.1 19.8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128 When the wide panel is attached. APS-C format Flash coverage setting (mm)
  • Page 49 1/1000 1/2000 1/4000 1/8000 1/16000 When the wide panel is attached. APS-C format Flash coverage setting (mm) Shutter speed 24 (*) 1/250 10.8 1/500 1/1000 1/2000 1/4000 1/8000 1/16000 When the wide panel is attached. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 50 The distance given above applies under conditions where there are no obstacles, shielding, or Communication radio wave interferences. distance The communication distance may be shorter depending on the positioning of the products, the ambient environment, and weather conditions. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 51 Help Guide Flash HVL-F28RM/HVL-F28RMA Trademarks “Multi Interface Shoe” is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation. 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 52 This product comes with software that is used based on licensing agreements with the owners of that software. Based on requests by the owners of copyright of these software applications, we have an obligation to inform you of contents of the agreement. For the software used on this product, visit the website at: https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/flash_oss1/v1/en/index.html 5-023-112-14(1) Copyright 2020 Sony Corporation...

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