Features
Overview: The Sony
HVL-F58AM is equipped with an advanced accessory shoe, which allows
communication with your compatible Sony alpha-series digital SLR still camera
without a cable. The HVL-F58AM flash unit delivers flexible lighting control for
α (alpha) DSLR photographers. The innovative new Quick Shift Bounce system
allows the flash to pivot 90 degrees left and right to maintain a proper
lighting position, even when shooting vertically. The HVL-F58AM can also
wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, and Wireless Ratio Control
allows you to specify luminosity ratios for each group. Additionally, the
HVL-F58AM features an effective range of more than 45 feet (14.5m) and a fast,
five-second recharge time. A built-in wide panel and bounce sheet provide an
even greater degree of creative control.
Compatibility: The Sony HVL-F58AM
electronic flash is exclusively for use with the following Sony alpha-series
digital SLR still cameras equipped with an advanced accessory shoe.
- DSLR-A100, DSLR-A100H, DSLR-A100K
- DSLR-A200K, DSR-A200W
- DSLR-A300K, DSLR-A300X
- DLR-A350, DSLR-A350K, DSLR-A350X
- DSLR-A700, DSLR-A700K, DSLR-A700P, DSLRA-700H
Mounting: The unit fits into the
Intelligent Accessory Shoe found on compatible Sony alpha-series digital SLR
still cameras. It has a push-mounting-foot to secure it in the shoe and prevent
it from sliding out. The 4 connection points on the base of the flash provides
operation from a Sony DSLR camera that is equipped with the advance accessory
shoe.
High Illumination Output: The
HVL-F58AM incorporates High illumination output in a small lightweight body,
with effective range greater than 45 feet (14.5m) and guide number 58. (Guide
number measures the illumination capability of the flash; the higher the number,
the more light the unit can provide. Tested at ISO100, 105mm).
Flash Modes: The Sony
HVL-F58AM features the following Flash modes - Fill Flash, Auto Flash, Wireless
Flash, and No Flash.
Wide-Angle Coverage: The HVL-F58AM
automatically adjusts flash for focal-length settings from 24mm to 105mm and a
built-in, slide-out wide-angle panel increases wide-angle coverage to 16mm.
Auto Zoom Control: The auto zoom
coverage of the HVL-F58AM is automatically optimized for the APS-C size or 35mm
full-frame size of the image sensor found in Sony alpha-series cameras (except
DSLR-A100).
High-Speed Sync: Conventional flash
only works well at shutter speeds from 1/125 to 1/250 of a second. The Sony
HVL-F58AM Flash Unit provides High-Speed Synchronization mode that enables flash
sync with shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1/4000 of a second to catch fast-moving
subjects. The High-Speed Sync feature eliminates the restrictions of flash sync
speed and enables the flash to be used through the entire shutter speed range of
the camera. The increased selectable aperture range allows flash photography
with a wide aperture, leaving the background out of focus and accenting the
front subject. The HVL-F58AM can fire 40 flashes at 5 flasher per second.
Quick Shift Bounce: The innovative "Quick Shift
Bounce" system allows the HVL-F58AM to orbit 90 degrees left and right, allowing
you to maintain horizontal light distribution even when shooting vertically. In
addition to pivoting side-to-side, the flash unit can also tilt down 10 degrees
or back 150 degrees, ensuring customers the lighting freedom they need to
capture that perfect shot. The HVL-F58AM even features a slide-out bounce sheet
built into the flash head, and can be used in portraits and other bounced light
shots to direct light at a subject's pupils to deliver more lively expression.
Modeling Light Capability: Modeling light capability allows the
HVL-F58AM to pulse, helping photographers determine where shadows will fall
before taking the picture, so they can alter lighting or subject positioning as
necessary.
AF Illuminator: In low-light or
when subject contrast is low, when the shutter button is pressed partway down
for Auto Focus, the red lamp on the front of the flash unit will light. This is
the AF illuminator used as an aid during Auto Focus. The AF Illuminator will
operate up to 300mm.
Auto WB Control:
Auto White Balance compensation allows for more accurate white balance in flash
photography sending color temperature information from the HVL-F58AM to the
camera, where it is incorporated into the camera's white balance settings
ADI Flash Metering: ADI (Advanced
Distance Integration) metering capability enables the HVL-F58AM to work more
effectively with lenses equipped with distance encoders, combining TTL
(through-the-lens) flash metering with guide number control calculated
automatically according to the distance to the subject, the ambient light and
the pre-flash reflectivity of the subject.
Multiple Flash: In this mode, the flash is triggered a number of times
while the shutter is open. Multiple Flash allows motion of the subject to be
captured in a photograph for later analysis.
LCD Display:
The large, easy-to-see LCD display and intuitive button layout make it
easy to configure the HVL-F58AM for a variety of shooting needs. The LCD display
features and illuminator which illuminates the data panel at low-light levels.
Wireless Operation: Wireless Ratio Control allows customers
to wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, as well as specify the
luminosity ratio for each group, so they can enjoy multiple-flash lighting
techniques without the need for special equipment or tedious exposure settings. The HVL-F58AM comes supplied
with a removable mini-stand to help position the flash when using it as a
wireless flash. The min-stand has a tripod socket on the bottom so you can
attach the flash assembly to a tri-pod.
Note: If another wireless flash
is being used nearby, such as a at a photo session, this flash may be set
off by the light signal from the built-in flash of another camera. To
prevent this from happening, you can change the infrared channel of the
HVL-58AM from Channel 1 to Channel 2.
Fast Recharging Time: The HVL-F58AM Flash Unit
recharges approximately 55% faster than the previous Sony high-end accessory
flash (HVL-F56AM), so you will be ready to catch the next great moment. And
because it features a quiet recycle charge, there's no whine to distract you
from your subject. The unit operates off of four Alkaline or Ni-MH "AA" batteries
(not supplied).
Power Save: When your camera or this flash unit is not used
for 3 minutes, the
power switches off and display panel indicators go out automatically to save
battery power. During wireless flash photography, the flash unit changes to
power save mode after 60 minutes.
Overheat Indicator: When the temperature of this unit rises at the
time of continuous flash use or use in a high temperature environment, the flash
suspends operation automatically. The Overheat Indicator blinks when overheating
is detected. The flash operation is suspended until the temperature of the unit
falls back to normal. You should stop use of the flash unit approximately 10
minutes to allow the temperature of the unit to cool down.
