Flash Compendium
1. Introduction
2. Flash Basics
a. Guide Number
b. Manual Flash
c. Correct Flash Exposure
3. Flash Metering Modes
a. TTL-OTF
b. Pre-Flash TTL
c. ADI
4. Flash Metering Patterns
a. Center-Weighted
b. 4 Segments, Spot
c. 14/40 Segments
5. Flash Setups
a. Built-in Flash
b. Dedicated Flash
c. Wired Flash
d. Wireless Flash
6. Flash Features
a. Slow Sync
b. Rear Sync
c. Fill Flash
d. HSS
e. Wireless HSS
7. Using Multiple Flashes
a. Wired
b. Wireless
8. Other Flash Systems
a. Studio Flashes
b. Slave Flashes
9. Flash Accessories
10. Digital Flash
11. Flash Timing Diagrams
a. Dynax/Maxxum 7
b. Dynax/Maxxum 7D
12. Technical References
a. ISO flash shoe
b. iISO flash shoe
c. Multi Interface flash shoe
d. Flash connector

A Minolta/Sony Alpha Flash compendium

What I try here is to explain how the Minolta flash system works in detail. This compendium assumes that you have some basic knowledge of photography, ie. you know that an aperture is and you know how a shutter works.

Sony has taken over further development of the Minolta A mount (now Sony Alpha mount) and has also kept the Minolta AF flash system with their new DSLRs. When this compedium says "Minolta", the same is true for "Sony Alpha", too, except when noted otherwise.

Flash Basics

The current Minolta AF/Sony Alpha flash system has grown quite complex, and it is not very well covered in the manuals. That's because this would involve to cover some very basic concepts, and there are many combinations of cameras and flash units with different capabilities that would have to be documented. What I try here is to explain how the Minolta flash system works in detail. This compendium assumes that you have some basic knowledge of photography, ie. you know that an aperture is and you know how a shutter works. Sony has taken over further development of the Minolta A mount (now Sony Alpha mount) and has also kept the Minolta AF flash system with their new DSLRs. When this compedium says "Minolta", the same is true for "Sony Alpha", too, except when noted otherwise.

Readers' comments

#1: Comment posted by Don on February 01, 2013 - 03:44:48 AM:
Hello Michael and thanks, I have been around for a lot of years and have accumulated a good number of Vivitar 283 and 285 strobes. I know that I cannot use them on the flash shoe of either of my a700 or a550 (I do have one 285HV), but can fire them from an off camera bracket using a regular synch cord to the PC on the a700? I keep hearing conflicting reports so I am turning to the expert. Thanks again.

#1: Comment posted by Don on February 01, 2013 - 03:44:48 AM:

Hello Michael and thanks,

I have been around for a lot of years and have accumulated a good number of Vivitar 283 and 285 strobes. I know that I cannot use them on the flash shoe of either of my a700 or a550 (I do have one 285HV), but can fire them from an off camera bracket using a regular synch cord to the PC on the a700? I keep hearing conflicting reports so I am turning to the expert. Thanks again.

Michael Hohner answers:
It should be possible to fire the flash via the PC sync connector. Of course, you get only manual flash control.