Sony DSLR-A100K - alpha; Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera Selection Manual page 16

Flashes
Advanced flash functions for
superior control of lighting.
ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) flash metering
A high-precision TTL flash metering method that works in conjunction
with the built-in distance encoder of the lens. Flash output is based
on accurate measurement of distance-to-subject, and therefore is
HVL-F56AM
not affected by the reflectance of subjects or backgrounds.
External flash
High-speed sync operation
• Includes case, mini-stand
Compact and high-performance flash unit with
Flash operation can be synchronized to all shutter speeds, which
high flash output (guide number: 6* ). Its wide-
1
offers a distinct advantage over conventional daylight sync
angle adapter expands flash coverage to the
operation in which the shutter speed must be equal to or slower than
angle of view of a lens at 17 mm focal length* 2 .
the speed of the flash. With high-speed sync, you can work at faster
In conjunction with the lens' built-in distance
shutter speeds and thus open up the aperture to obtain defocused
encoder, it performs ADI flash metering and
backgrounds for more pleasing portraits. High-speed is compatible
avoids the influence of background or subject
with wireless flash operation.
reflectance. Also offers wireless operation and
high-speed sync. Flash head can be angled or
• HSS is not compatible with ADI metering and bounce flash (in upward direction).
swiveled for bounce flash or close-up shooting.
Defocused background made possible
HVL-F36AM
by high-speed synch (1/2000 sec., F2)
External flash
TTL (through-the-lens) wireless flash
• Includes case, mini-stand, diffuser
Compact flash unit with guide number 36* 1 .
Wireless functionality lets you set the position and direction of
Includes a wide-angle adapter to expand flash
off-camera lighting in any way you like. By lighting from different
coverage to the angle of view of a lens at 17
angles, you can create soft shadows to add depth to your images,
mm focal length* 2 . In conjunction with the lens'
and avoid the strong shadows and hot spots that occur with front
built-in distance encoder, it performs ADI flash
lighting. Compatible with high-speed sync.
metering and avoids the influence of subject or
background reflectance. Compatible with high-
speed sync and wireless flash. Flash head tilts up
to 90° for bounce flash applications.
*1: 85mm focal length at 100 ISO, m
*2: Focal length for 35 mm format SLRs
External flash at camera
right produces side lighting
Excellent operability
for added depth.
Easy-to-see large panel Rotates left 180°, right 90° Tiltable up 90°, down 10°
LCD (HVL-F56AM only) (HVL-F56AM only) (down-tilting HVL-F56AM only)
30
Conventional daylight sync
(1/12 sec., F8)
100
HVL-F56AM
Built-in flash produces well-lit
images with limited sense
of depth.
AF illuminator Handy mini-stand for
wireless flash photography
Professional-quality lighting is within reach. External flash advanced features let
you meter more precisely, use faster shutter speeds, set-up off-camera lighting
and more.
Main specifications of HVL-F56AM
Wide focus area-compatible
AF illuminator
(HVL-F56AM ONLY)
The AF illuminator complements the camera's wide
focus area, and enables fast and accurate focusing in
dim conditions.
Modeling flash function
(HVL-F56AM ONLY)
Two types of modeling flash help you refine your lighting
setups. One type fires 3 short bursts in 1. seconds, so
that you can check the size and direction of shadows
on the subject. Ideal for wireless flash photography. The
other type produces 160 bursts in  seconds (0 Hz),
which mimics the effect of ambient lighting and allows
for even finer checking of shadows.
Comparison with the built-in flash
The 100's built-in flash has a guide number of 12*, which
can reach subjects at about 10 ft (3 m) (F, ISO 100). This
is highly practical in most situations, but but in longer
shooting distances an external flash can provide great
flexibility. The HVL-F6AM features guide number 6, and can
reach 6 ft (1 m) at the same camera settings. In addition,
this unit's high flash output can be used to bounce light off
the ceiling or walls, which adds diffuse light to the scene
to create pleasing, very natural illumination without harsh
shadows.
* 85mm focal length at 100 ISO, m. • Focal lengths in lenses for 35mm-format SLRs
Comparison of illumination ranges
(85mm at ISO 100, m)
Approx. 10 ft
Approx. 30 ft
Approx. 6 ft.
Custom Settings
• Wireless channel settings (channels 1 to 4)*
• Choice of feet or meters to indicate distance*
• Auto power-off (selectable: 4, 15, 60 minutes or OFF)
• A uto power-off during wireless operation (60 min.
or OFF)
• A llows manual flash setting with camera in either M
mode or any exposure mode*
* HVL-F56AM only
* To confirm which lenses include a distance decoder, please see
the Lens specifications chart on p. 24-25.
•
Off-Camera Cable FA-CC1AM (optional) are required. Focal lengths in lenses for 35mm-format SLRs
Auto electronic flash (clip-on type) with direct through-the-lens (TTL) flash
Type metering; auto-lock foot system, auto-zoom, high-speed sync (HSS), power level
switching, wireless flash, bounce flash, modelling flash, multi-burst functions
Focal length of the lens 17mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 70mm 85mm
Normal flash
Guide number at 1/1
18 30 32 38 44 50 56
power level
Focal length of the lens 17mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 70mm 85mm
Wireless flash
Guide number at 1/1
14 25 26 30 35 41 42
power level
Focal length of
the lens
17mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 70mm 85mm
Guide number
Shutter speed
(at ISO 100 in meters)
High-speed 1/250
6.7 12 13 15 17 19 22
sync
1/500
4.5 8.6 9.5 10 12 13 16
(HSS) 1/1000
3.5 6 6.7 7.5 9 9.5 11
1/2000
2.4 4.3 4.5 5 6 6.7 8
1/4000
1.7 3 3.5 3.7 4.5 4.7 5.6
Automatically switched between 24 mm - 85 mm focal lengths. Angle of view of at
17mm focal length is also covered when a wide-angle adapter is attached.
Power level switching 6 levels (1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32)
Alkaline batt. Ni-MH batt. Lithium batt.
Flashes / Recycle time
(sec.)
90 - 3200 / 0.2 - 11 s 80 - 2800 / 0.2 - 8 s 250 - 8000 / 0.2 - 13 s
(Appx. based on Sony std.)
Covers the angle of view at focal lengths between 24 mm and 85 mm. Automatically changed by
Flash coverage adjustments in lens focal length. Manual selection possible with 24 / 28 / 35 / 50 / 85 mm. Covers the
angle of view of at 17 mm focal length with a wide-angle adapter attached.
Available (Click position: up 45˚/60˚/75˚/90˚, down 10˚, right 30˚/45˚/60˚/75˚/90˚,
Bounce flash
left 30˚/45˚/60˚/75˚/90˚/120˚/150˚/180˚)
Continuous flash
5 flashes / second, total 40 flashes (1/32 power level, with Ni-MH batt.)
AF illuminator range Approx. 0.5 -10 m (based on SONY measurement)
Flash control
Direct through-the-lens (TTL) flash metering, pre-flash control, manual flash control selectable
For use w/Manual Exposure. 15-step selectable flash frequency (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/20/30/40/50/100Hz);
Multiple Flash
15-step selectable flash number (2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/15/20/25/30/35/40/--).
When "--" selected, flash fires for duration of exposure.
Wireless flash
Available when used with the digital SLR
High-speed sync.
Available in all shutter speeds when used with the digital SLR
Modeling flash Available with the Test button (two types; 2 Hz / 3 second, 40 Hz / 4 second)
Four AA-size batteries (Alkaline / Ni-MH / Lithium) / Optional external Battery Adapter FA-EB1AM
Power source
(six AA-size batteries)
Dimensions
(WxHxD) / weight Approx. 3 x 5-3/16 x 3-3/4" (77.5 x 132 x 95.5 mm) / 13.1 oz (370 g) without batteries
Automatic electronic flash (clip-on type) with direct through-the-lens (TTL) flash
Type metering; auto-lock foot system, auto-zoom, high-speed sync, wireless flash,
bounce flash functions.
17mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 85mm
Focal length of the lens
Normal flash Guide number at 1/1
11 20 22 25 29 36
power level
17mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 85mm
Focal length of the lens
Wireless flash
Guide number at 1/1
8.5 14 15 19 22 28
power level
Focal length of
the lens 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 85mm
Guide number
Shutter speed
(at ISO 100 in meters)
10 11 13 15 18
1/250
High-speed
sync
1/500 7 8 9 11 13
(HSS)
1/1000 5 5.6 6.5 7.5 9
1/2000 3.5 4 4.6 5.3 6.4
1/4000 2.5 2.8 3.2 3.8 4.5
Automatically switched between 24 mm - 85 mm focal lengths. Angle of view of at 17 mm focal length
is also covered when a wide-angle adapter is attached.
Alkaline batt. Ni-MH batt. Lithium batt.
Flashes / Recycle time
(sec.)
200 - 4,000 / 0.2 - 6 s 150 - 3,000 / 0.2 - 5 s 500 - 10,000 / 0.2 - 6 s
(Appx. based on Sony std.)
Covers the angle of view at focal lengths between 24 mm and 85 mm. Automatically changed by
Flash coverage adjustments in lens focal length. Manual selection possible with 24 / 28 / 35 / 50 / 85 mm. Covers the
angle of view of at 17 mm focal length with a wide-angle adapter attached.
Bounce flash Available (Click position: up 45˚/60˚/75˚/90˚)
Continuous flash
5 flashes / second, total 40 flashes (GN: 6, at 85 mm focal lengths, with Ni-MH batt.)
AF illuminator range
Approx. 0.5 - 6 m (based on SONY measurement)
Flash control Direct through-the-lens (TTL) flash metering, pre-flash control
Wireless flash Available when used with the digital SLR
High-speed sync.
Available in all shutter speeds when used with the digital SLR
Power source Four AA-size batteries (Alkaline / Ni-MH / Lithium)
Dimensions Approx. 2-11/16 x 4-13/16 x 3-1/2" (68 x 122 x 89 mm) / 9.2 oz (260 g) (without batteries)
(WxHxD) / weight
For wired (not wireless) off-camera operation using the digital SLR, Off-Camera Shoe FA-CS1AM (optional) and
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