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

Using Multiple Flashes

Wired Flash

There are several ways to use multiple flashes connected by wire.

You can use a dedicated flash on the camera. The flash unit must have a flash cable socket. You can then connect a cable CD/FA-MC1AM to this flash and plug the other end into another flash unit with a flash cable socket. If the second flash doesn't have that socket, you can use a OS-1100/FA-CS1AM with that flash.

With such a flash system, both flashes fire and are controlled by the body. You can set a ratio between the two flashes.

Another possible setup is to connect the cable OC-1100/FA-CC1AM to the camera and plug the other end into a Triple Connector TC-1000/FA-TC1AM. This is a small box that distributes the signal to three flashes. You can then connect flashes to the TC-1000/FA-TC1AM using the cable EX/FA-EC1AM. The flashes must have either a built-in socket for the cable or you have to use a OS-1100/FA-CS1AM. Again, all flashes fire, controlled by the body. You can set a ratio between the flashes.

You can also daisy-chain flashes by using OS-1100's on flashes that also have a built-in socket. You use a OC-1100/FA-CC1AM to connect the camera with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the first flash, and then you use cables CD/FA-MC1AM to connect the flash with its built-in socket with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the next flash, and so on.

Wireless Flash

Minolta's wireless flash system also allows to use multiple flashes. You can use an unlimited number of remote flashes in wireless mode. They will all fire when triggered by the built-in flash, by the Wireless Flash Controller or by a suitable flash mounted on the camera (not all flash units can act as a wireless flash controller, see table, and digital cameras can not use an external flash as a controller at all).

By default the controlling flash contributes little to no light to the exposure. However, you can use ratio flash with some bodies. In this mode the controlling flash contributes 1/3 of the light, and all remote flashes together contribute 2/3 of the light.

When using the Wireless Flash Controller and multiple remote flashes, you can also set a 1:2 ratio between two remote flash groups. The flash group providing the 1/3 must consist of flashes 5400xi, 5400HS or 5600HS(D).

Sony has updated the system with the HVL-F58AM. It (and the HVL-F43AM) can be used as a controller on the α700 and α900 to control remote HVL-F58AM, HVL-F43AM and HVL-F42AM units. These flashes can be assigned to three groups (HVL-F42AM are always in the first remote group), and you can set a ratio between these groups and the controller, e. g. 1:4:16 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. There is also a backward-compatible controller mode. With that you can control also older units from a α900, with up to 2 groups and ratio control.

Using wireless flash is more flexible than the wire system. You can place the remote flashes almost anywhere without having to worry about cable length etc. You are, however, limited to a shutter speed of 1/60 or 1/45 with older cameras and flashes.

The camera body can emit a test flash that triggers another test flash from the remote flashes after some delay. This way you can test the connection between the controller and the remote flashes. The remote flashes must be able to “see” the control pulses of the controller either directly or indirectly.

Flash Features • Other Flash Systems

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.

Leserkommentare

#1: Kommentar von Arni am 31. Dezember 2008, 23:05:51 Uhr:
If one uses a F85AM flash onboard on a A900 as a controller, does that count a a "group"? In other words, does the F85AM merely function as an "onboard-like-flash-controller", flashing at its lowest power. Or is it possible to use the F85AM as a group on its own, meaning it can flash at "full power" (mounted on the camera) AND triggering other flashes? Have been looking for an answer, but never found one :-)

#1: Kommentar von Arni am 31. Dezember 2008, 23:05:51 Uhr:

If one uses a F85AM flash onboard on a A900 as a controller, does that count a a "group"? In other words, does the F85AM merely function as an "onboard-like-flash-controller", flashing at its lowest power. Or is it possible to use the F85AM as a group on its own, meaning it can flash at "full power" (mounted on the camera) AND triggering other flashes?
Have been looking for an answer, but never found one :-)

Michael Hohner antwortet:
In CTRL mode 1 the HVL-F58AM on the camera represents group 1, and remote flashes are either in group 2 or group 3. You can set the flash ratio between the three groups.

#2: Kommentar von Rene am 5. Dezember 2009, 09:35:19 Uhr:
I have an A700, which uses CTRL1 only correct? I have one HVL-F58AM which together with the A700 would work as the controller and group 1 (to bounce it off of the wall or ceiling). I have two HVL-F42AM flashes. Can I use them in group 2 and group 3 respectively and set the ratios between the three "speedlights"? According to your previous answer I can, but what about the (HVL-F42AM are always in the first remote group) note? Does that apply, meaning I can't put any HVL-F42AMs in grps two and three? thx for your great site! I learned more on here in 5 minutes than in the flash manual in 3 hours:) -Rene

#2: Kommentar von Rene am 5. Dezember 2009, 09:35:19 Uhr:

I have an A700, which uses CTRL1 only correct? I have one HVL-F58AM which together with the A700 would work as the controller and group 1 (to bounce it off of the wall or ceiling). I have two HVL-F42AM flashes. Can I use them in group 2 and group 3 respectively and set the ratios between the three "speedlights"? According to your previous answer I can, but what about the (HVL-F42AM are always in the first remote group) note? Does that apply, meaning I can't put any HVL-F42AMs in grps two and three?

thx for your great site! I learned more on here in 5 minutes than in the flash manual in 3 hours:)
-Rene

Michael Hohner antwortet:
A HVL-F42AM is always in the first remote group (RMT) in such a setup, i.e. you can have only two groups, the controller on the camera and the remote HVL-F42AMs. For a third group (second remote group) you'd have to use another HVL-F58AM.

#3: Kommentar von Rizal am 21. Januar 2010, 15:32:17 Uhr:
hai,im using a350 dslr n 5600hs external flash,i try using d wireless function it wont work,when i pop up d flash and press d ael button d flash fired.when i press d shutter it cant fired, Try to make as a controller,5600hs fix to d hot shoe using a 3500xi as a wireless,same problem...

Michael Hohner antwortet:
Is this really the 5600HS(D) and not the 5400HS? The latter is not compatible with DSLRs. The 5600HS(D) also can not be used as a controller on the camera. The built-in flash must be the controller. Both the camera and the flash must be set to wireless flash. Also note that the camera may decide not to fire the flash when in AUTO mode. Use P, A, S or M mode and pop up the flash manually.

#4: Kommentar von realgeek am 8. Februar 2010, 18:43:04 Uhr:
I think I understand how the wireless groups work, but I have three questions. First, is it true that in any given group you can have any number of flashes set to go off simultaneously? (I think the answer to this is yes.) Second, can you mix and match different models? E.g., in the old wireless protocol (with a sub-A700 model, for example), can you set an HVL-F56AM, an HVL-F42AM, and an HVL-F58AM to wireless and have them all fire simultaneously? Third, can you do this mixing and matching on an A850/A900 using the old protocol? (I understand that you have to use the HVL-F58AM as the control, and that the new protocol is pretty restricted, but can you set off different model flashes using the old protocol?) Thanks!

#4: Kommentar von realgeek am 8. Februar 2010, 18:43:04 Uhr:

I think I understand how the wireless groups work, but I have three questions.

First, is it true that in any given group you can have any number of flashes set to go off simultaneously? (I think the answer to this is yes.)

Second, can you mix and match different models? E.g., in the old wireless protocol (with a sub-A700 model, for example), can you set an HVL-F56AM, an HVL-F42AM, and an HVL-F58AM to wireless and have them all fire simultaneously?

Third, can you do this mixing and matching on an A850/A900 using the old protocol? (I understand that you have to use the HVL-F58AM as the control, and that the new protocol is pretty restricted, but can you set off different model flashes using the old protocol?)

Thanks!

Michael Hohner antwortet:
The answer to all three questions is “yes”. The older protocol is selected as CTRL2 on the HVL-F58AM (or by using the HVL-F20AM as the controller). Also see the table on the other page.

#5: Kommentar von Matt Fisher am 28. Mai 2010, 23:01:21 Uhr:
"In theory you can also daisy-chain flashes by using OS-1100's on flashes that also have a built-in socket. You use a OC-1100/FA-CC1AM to connect the camera with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the first flash, and then you use cables CD/FA-MC1AM to connect the flash with its socket with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the next flash, and so on. However, I'm not sure if such a setup works. I'd like to hear from people who have tried that." I'd like to try this - has anyone confirmed it will work? I have an A850, a Minolta 5600, and a Sony 42. The 5600 has the cable socket, but the 42 has only its shoe. I was hoping to connect my camera to the 5600 via a FA-CC1AM (which I have and which works fine) and then connect the 5600 to the 42 shoe to shoe (with what? two Sony FA-CS1AMs and a FA-EC1AM?) Any people who've tried this?

#5: Kommentar von Matt Fisher am 28. Mai 2010, 23:01:21 Uhr:

"In theory you can also daisy-chain flashes by using OS-1100's on flashes that also have a built-in socket. You use a OC-1100/FA-CC1AM to connect the camera with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the first flash, and then you use cables CD/FA-MC1AM to connect the flash with its socket with the OS-1100/FA-CS1AM of the next flash, and so on. However, I'm not sure if such a setup works. I'd like to hear from people who have tried that."

I'd like to try this - has anyone confirmed it will work? I have an A850, a Minolta 5600, and a Sony 42. The 5600 has the cable socket, but the 42 has only its shoe. I was hoping to connect my camera to the 5600 via a FA-CC1AM (which I have and which works fine) and then connect the 5600 to the 42 shoe to shoe (with what? two Sony FA-CS1AMs and a FA-EC1AM?)

Any people who've tried this?

#6: Kommentar von K Tjoelker am 31. Mai 2010, 20:15:50 Uhr:
Congratulations for maintaining these pages. As you write, it is difficult to find information about the flash capabilities of the Sony Alpha cameras. I have some complementary questions. 1. You write about A700 and A900. How about the more recent Sony A models? 2. How about using dedicated Metz flashes? Do they offer the same possibilities? E.g. Metz 48 AF-1 digital. 3. How about Sony's own HVL-F36AM? Thank you for answering. Regards, K Tjoelker

#6: Kommentar von K Tjoelker am 31. Mai 2010, 20:15:50 Uhr:

Congratulations for maintaining these pages. As you write, it is difficult to find information about the flash capabilities of the Sony Alpha cameras. I have some complementary questions.
1. You write about A700 and A900. How about the more recent Sony A models?
2. How about using dedicated Metz flashes? Do they offer the same possibilities? E.g. Metz 48 AF-1 digital.
3. How about Sony's own HVL-F36AM?
Thank you for answering.
Regards, K Tjoelker

Michael Hohner antwortet:
You can find more info about other Sony cameras and flashes on the other pages of the Flash Compendium, e. g. here. Regarding Metz I recommend going to their homepage to find out about their supported features.

#7: Kommentar von Matt Fisher am 24. Juni 2010, 16:39:05 Uhr:
Regarding my question #5, above: I tried a variant of this and it works perfectly. Here's a link to a demo I made to illustrate. I used ethernet cable and a couple of hotshoe adaptors. http://www.flickr.com/photos/11593221@N04/sets/72157624218518105/ (Sorry, I can never remember how to hotlink here.)

#8: Kommentar von Giuseppe Stama am 30. September 2010, 13:56:23 Uhr:
Dear Sir With a wired flash configuration, using two 5600HSD flash, can I set ratio between the two flash with a new digital camera (a850) with then automatic exposure advantages? Thanks Giuseppe

Michael Hohner antwortet:
This is not possible. You can only switch the flashes to manual mode and set a ratio by using different power levels (and possibly by using different flash distances).

#9: Kommentar von Giuseppe Stama am 2. Oktober 2010, 13:35:41 Uhr:
Thanks for the answer. Very very informative site. Another question if it is possible. Sony write on the TC-1000 triple connector Operating Instructions that "The exposure performance may be impaired if there are more than six Off-Camera Cables for Flash, Extention Cables for Flash and Multi Flash Cables connected. It 's a problem of the type of cable or signal strength? You can bypass the problem by using higher performance cables? For your experience waht is the maximum cable lenght that save TTL? Thanks Giuseppe

#9: Kommentar von Giuseppe Stama am 2. Oktober 2010, 13:35:41 Uhr:

Thanks for the answer. Very very informative site.
Another question if it is possible.
Sony write on the TC-1000 triple connector Operating Instructions that "The exposure performance may be impaired if there are more than six Off-Camera Cables for Flash, Extention Cables for Flash and Multi Flash Cables connected.
It 's a problem of the type of cable or signal strength?
You can bypass the problem by using higher performance cables?
For your experience waht is the maximum cable lenght that save TTL?
Thanks
Giuseppe

Michael Hohner antwortet:
With longer cables and multiple connectors in between, the signal quality deteriorates until the flash protocol no longer works. I have not tested the maximum cable length, but when Sony says that 6 cables are the maximum, then I'd trust that value.

#10: Kommentar von Remko am 3. März 2011, 00:19:16 Uhr:
Hi Michael, I read this page just today, and thought of the daisy-chain connection between some 5600's. As I also read you're looking for people who can test this for you... I recall I tested something alike before, just not in the way you described it. It didn't work in the other way, but with this daisy-chain setup (starting with an OC-1100) using OS-1100 for the input flash signal and the on-flash connector for the connection to the next flash it did work! I also put some EX-cables in between, it still worked. Also when a 3600HS was on the end of the daisy-chain, and with 5200i likewise. Of course 5200i only fires with full power, so perhaps usefull for background lighting? I just lack some CD-cables and some more OS-1100 shoes. But proof of principle is given now ;) Best regards, Remko (tested this using KM-5D, 2x 5600 in daisy-chain w/ OC-1100, OS-1100, Cable EX, Cable CD; replaced second 5600 by 3600 and later by 5200i)

#10: Kommentar von Remko am 3. März 2011, 00:19:16 Uhr:

Hi Michael,

I read this page just today, and thought of the daisy-chain connection between some 5600's. As I also read you're looking for people who can test this for you...

I recall I tested something alike before, just not in the way you described it. It didn't work in the other way, but with this daisy-chain setup (starting with an OC-1100) using OS-1100 for the input flash signal and the on-flash connector for the connection to the next flash it did work!

I also put some EX-cables in between, it still worked. Also when a 3600HS was on the end of the daisy-chain, and with 5200i likewise. Of course 5200i only fires with full power, so perhaps usefull for background lighting?

I just lack some CD-cables and some more OS-1100 shoes. But proof of principle is given now ;)

Best regards,
Remko

(tested this using KM-5D, 2x 5600 in daisy-chain w/ OC-1100, OS-1100, Cable EX, Cable CD; replaced second 5600 by 3600 and later by 5200i)

#11: Kommentar von David Pilling am 18. September 2012, 18:07:51 Uhr:
To me wireless equals radio. In this discussion does wireless equal infrared. I know it is all electromagnetic radiation but putting wireless (infrared) would make things so much clearer. I can imagine that a camera has maybe an infrared focus assist light which can be used for signalling to other devices. On attempting to connect more than one flash by wire, are there any electronics in the various devices like the triple connector or the FA-MC1AM multi flash cable. If not then connecting multiple flashes is a trivial matter of electrical connections.

#11: Kommentar von David Pilling am 18. September 2012, 18:07:51 Uhr:

To me wireless equals radio. In this discussion does wireless equal infrared. I know it is all electromagnetic radiation but putting wireless (infrared) would make things so much clearer.

I can imagine that a camera has maybe an infrared focus assist light which can be used for signalling to other devices.

On attempting to connect more than one flash by wire, are there any electronics in the various devices like the triple connector or the FA-MC1AM multi flash cable. If not then connecting multiple flashes is a trivial matter of electrical connections.

Michael Hohner antwortet:
See the previous page in this series: wireless, in that case, means optical. The camera uses coded flash pulses to control remote flashes. The (new) triple connectors do not contain electronics. They are really just boxes with matching connectors.

#12: Kommentar von Mark Houston am 6. März 2013, 22:42:26 Uhr:
Hello Mr. Hohner, Thank you very much for the site. A lot of information to look over for me. Question number 4 on this page is inline with my needs. I have A77 and I would like that to be the controller of my HVL-F56AM and HVL-F43AM. I'm still not sure how to set this up. Sincerely, Mark

Michael Hohner antwortet:
You just switch on the flashes and set them up in wireless off-camera mode, then you pop up the camera's flash and set up the camera for wireless mode, and then you shoot. The manuals describe in detail which buttons to press.