Features
Compatibility: The Sony HVL-F43AM
electronic flash is designed for use with Sony alpha-series (α-series)
digital SLR still cameras equipped with an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe. Current
compatible models (as of July 2011) include:
- SLT-A33, SLT-A33L
- SLT-A35, SLT-A35L
- SLT-A55V, SLT-A55VL
- DSLR-A390L
- DSLR-A560, DSLR-A560L
- DSLR-A580, DSLR-A580L
- DSLR-A900
Mounting: The unit fits into the
Auto-lock Accessory Shoe found on compatible Sony α-series digital SLR still
cameras. The unit locks into place automatically. The flash cannot be used with
cameras without the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe.
High Illumination Output: The HVL-F43AM incorporates High
illumination output in a small lightweight body,
with effective range greater than 30 feet (10.5m). It has a guide number of 43 (meters, ISO100, 105mm).
Recycling Time: The HVL-F43AM has a fast recycling time of
2.9 seconds
Flash Modes: The Sony
HVL-F43AM features the following Flash modes - Fill Flash, Auto Flash, Wireless
Flash, and No Flash.
Zoom Flash: The HVL-F43AM
automatically adjusts flash for focal-length settings from 24mm to 105mm. You
can pull out the
built-in wide panel to extend wide-angle coverage from 15mm to less than 24mm.
The flash coverage can be manually set to 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, or
105mm, if desired.
Auto Zoom Control: The auto zoom
coverage of the HVL-F43AM 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: High-speed sync (HSS) allows you to use the
flash throughout the entire shutter speed range of the camera, instead of being
restricted to a narrow shutter speed range. You can turn the HSS feature on or
off in the Custom Settings menu.
Quick Shift Bounce: The innovative "Quick Shift
Bounce" system allows the HVL-F43AM 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 8°
or back 150°. The HVL-F43AM also 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-F43AM 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-F43AM to the
camera, where it is incorporated into the camera's white balance settings
(except the DSLR-A100).
ADI Flash Metering: ADI (Advanced
Distance Integration) metering capability enables the HVL-F43AM 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. The flash frequency can be set
between 1 and 100 per second, the number of flashes can be set between 2 and
100, and the power level from 1/8 to 1/128.
LCD Display:
The large, easy-to-see LCD display and intuitive button layout make it easy to
configure the HVL-F43AM for a variety of shooting needs. The LCD display is illuminated
for better visibility at low-light levels.
Wireless Operation: The HVL-F43AM can be used for wireless
flash photography, either as a controller (emitting the control light) or as an
off-camera flash (flash that is mounted separately from the camera). When used
off-camera, the flash can be mounted to the supplied mini-stand. There are three
wireless flash photography modes:
- Off-camera Flash: The camera's built-in flash is the controller
and the HVL-F43AM is the off-camera flash.
- Controller: The HVL-F43AM is the controller and another flash is
the off-camera flash.
- Multiple: Using the HVL-F43AM as the controller, a camera that
supports lighting ratio control can group a number of off-camera flashes and
control the lighting ratio.
Note: If another wireless flash is being used nearby,
you can change the infrared channel to prevent the flash from being set
off by the light signal from the flash of another camera.
Power Requirements: The HVL-F43AM is powered by four Alkaline or Ni-MH "AA"
rechargeable batteries
(not supplied). The LCD display has a battery power indicator to alert you when
the batteries are becoming weak.
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: The flash has an Overheat Indicator that
will warn you when overheating is detected. Flash operation is suspended until
the temperature of the unit falls back to normal. You can also manually turn off
the flash unit for approximately 10 minutes to allow the unit to cool down.
