Sony HVL-F32M User manual

4-543-959-11(1)
Flash
HVL-F32M
© 2014 Sony Corporation
Printed in China
Operating Instructions GB
Mode d’emploi FR

GB2
Before operating the product, please read this manual thoroughly and
retain it for future reference.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,
1) do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.
2) do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the
apparatus.
Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental swallowing.
Do not expose the batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or
the like.
Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if...
• the product is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior
is exposed.
• the product emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit
inside the product is touched.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
When using your photographic equipment, basic
safety precautions should always be followed,
including the following:
Read and understand all instructions before using.
Close supervision is necessary when any appliance
is used by or near children. Do not leave appliance
unattended while in use.
English
WARNING

3GB
GB
Care must be taken as burns can occur from
touching hot parts.
Do not operate appliance with a damaged cord or if
the appliance has been dropped or damaged- until
it has been examined by a qualified serviceman.
Let appliance cool completely before putting away.
Loop cord loosely around appliance when storing.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse
this appliance in water or other liquids.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
disassemble this appliance, but take it to a qualified
serviceman when service or repair work is required.
Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when
the appliance is used subsequently.
The use of an accessory attachment not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause a
risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
Batteries may become hot or explode due to
improper use.
Use only the batteries specified in this instruction
manual.
Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/-)
reversed.
Do not subject batteries to fire or high
temperatures.
Do not attempt to recharge (except for
rechargeable batteries), short or disassemble.
Do not mix, batteries of different types, brands or
ages.

GB4
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION
Do not touch the flashtube during operation, it may become hot when
the flash fires.
For customers in Europe
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment
(Applicable in the European Union and other European
countries with separate collection systems)
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates
that this product shall not be treated as household waste.
Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection
point for the recycling of electrical and electronic
equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of
correctly, you will help prevent potential negative
consequences for the environment and human health,
which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste
handling of this product. The recycling of materials will
help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed
information about recycling of this product, please
contact your local Civic Office, your household waste
disposal service or the shop where you purchased the
product.
Notice for the customers in the countries applying EU
Directives
Manufacturer: Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-
0075 Japan For EU product compliance: Sony Deutschland GmbH,
Hedelfinger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany
For the customers in the U.S.A.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly
approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.

5GB
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located under the flashtube.
Record the serial number in the space provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this
product.
Model No. HVL-F32M Serial No.
NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of following measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

GB6
Table of Contents
What you can do with the HVL-F32M .........................................8
Name of parts ............................................................................ 12
Preparations
Inserting batteries (not supplied) .............................................. 14
Attachment of the flash unit ..................................................... 16
Turning on the power ................................................................ 18
Basics
Using flash .................................................................................20
Advanced Operations
Bounce flash ..............................................................................24
Manual flash .............................................................................. 27
High-speed sync (HSS) ..............................................................28
Wireless-flash mode (WL) .........................................................29
Additional Information
Notes on use ..............................................................................38
Specifications ............................................................................. 41

7GB
Before use
This flash unit can be used in combination with Sony Interchangeable
Lens Digital Cameras, Sony Interchangeable Lens Digital HD Video
Camera Recorders, and Sony Digital Still Cameras that have a
conventional Multi Interface Shoe.
Some functions may not work depending on the model of your camera
or video camera recorder.
For details on compatible camera models of this flash unit, visit the Sony
website in your area, or consult your Sony dealer or local authorized
Sony service facility.
See the operating instructions of this unit and refer to the operating
instructions of your camera.
Keep the flashtube clean. The stain or dust, etc., on the flashtube
may cause smoke or scorch by heat that is generated when you use
flash. To clean the flashtube, wipe with a soft cloth, etc.
Although this flash unit is designed with dustproofness and splash-
proofness in mind, it may not keep dust or splashes completely out.

GB8
What you can do with the HVL-F32M
With this compact flash unit, you will gain many advantages by
controlling light and shadows. You will enjoy your photography more
with this flash.
Taking a photo without a red-eye effect
You can reduce the red-eye phenomenon when using flash.
* The setting can be configured on your camera. For details, refer to the
operating instructions of your camera.
Taking a photo with soft light (bounce flash)
By directing the flash unit at the ceiling or wall, you can illuminate the
subject with reflected light, reducing the intensity of shadows and
producing a softer light.
Shooting without dropping shadows (bounce flash) (page 24)
In locations where lights are installed overhead, bounced flash can avoid
dropped shadows of the photographer or camera. With bounce flash,
you can take beautiful photos from above.
Without flash Bounce flash

9GB
Making the subject look more vibrant (using the bounce sheet)
(page 25)
The bounce sheet creates a highlight in the subject's eyes and makes
the subject look more vibrant.
Taking a photo for a sharp subject and blurred
background, even against the light (high-speed sync)
With high-speed sync, you can shoot with wide aperture even in
daylight or against the light. (page 28)
* Your camera needs to be compatible with high-speed sync. For details,
refer to the operating instructions of your camera.
Without the bounce sheet With the bounce sheet
Normal flash High-speed sync

GB10
Shooting a subject and a sharp background, even in
low light location (slow sync)
With slow sync, you can shoot a photo exposing both the subject and
background, even in low light conditions.
* The setting can be mode on your camera. For details, refer to the operating
instructions of your camera.
Taking a photo with motion blur (rear curtain sync)
When your camera is set to rear curtain sync, the flash fires just before
the shutter closes. Motion blur enables you to show that the subject,
such as a car, was in motion.
* The setting of the feature can be configured on your camera. For details,
refer to the operating instructions of your camera.
Normal flash Slow sync
Normal flash Rear curtain sync

11GB
Taking a photo with controlled shading (wireless flash,
off-camera flash)
Using multiple flash units (this flash unit, and the built-in flash of your
camera or another flash unit) and lighting from multiple angles, you can
control the intensity and placement of shadows. (page 29)
Shooting a subject that reflects light (manual flash)
By adjusting the flash intensity, you can shoot a subject that reflects
light, such a glass or metal. (page 27)
Shooting a very close subject
By rotating this flash unit downwards, you can shoot a subject between
0.7 m and 1.0 m from the camera to ensure accurate illumination. (page
25)
Normal flash Off-camera flash

GB12
Name of parts
The numbers in parentheses are the page numbers where a description can
be found.
Built-in wide panel (22)
Flashtube
Wireless control signal
receiver (33)
Flash-ready indicator (33)
Multi Interface foot (16)
Bounce sheet (25)
Bounce indicator (upper/lower
angle) (24)
LCD panel (13)
Control panel (13)
Lock lever (16)
Release button (16)
Battery chamber door (14)
Mini-stand (31)
* Tripod attachment hole

13GB
Control panel
Charge progress indicator (19)
+/CTRL button (27, 36)
-/RMT button (27, 33)
Power switch (18)
LCD illuminator button
Turns on or off the light of the
LCD panel.
MODE button (20, 36)
LCD panel
Manual-flash indicator (21, 27)
TTL-flash indicator (20, 21)
Power-level indicator (27)
Wireless controller/remote
indicator (33, 35)
Low-battery indicator (18)
Flash Off mode indicator (20)
Wireless-flash indicator (29)

GB14
P
reparat
i
ons
Inserting batteries (not supplied)
1Open the battery chamber door as shown in the
diagram.
2Insert the batteries in the battery chamber as shown
on the battery chamber door.
The HVL-F32M may be powered by :
• Two LR6 (AA-size) alkaline batteries
• Two AA-size rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries*
Always ensure that rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries
are charged in the specified charger unit.

Preparations
15GB
To close the battery chamber door, follow the reverse procedure for
opening.

GB16
Attachment of the flash unit
1Turn off the power of the flash unit.
If the built-in flash of the camera is protruding, lower it before
attaching the flash unit.
2Remove the protective cap from the terminal of the
Multi Interface foot of the flash unit and remove the
shoe cap from the camera.
3Rotate the lock lever towards [RELEASE] while
pressing the release button.
4Firmly insert the Multi Interface foot all the way into
the Multi Interface Shoe of the camera in the direction
of the arrow.

Preparations
17GB
5Firmly rotate the lock lever towards [LOCK] to secure
the flash unit.
• When attaching this unit to a camera that has an Auto-lock Accessory
Shoe, use the Shoe Adaptor (ADP-AMA) (not supplied).
Removing the flash unit from the camera
Rotate the lock lever towards [RELEASE] while pressing the
release button, then slide the flash unit forward.
• When not using the flash unit, reattach the protective cap to the
terminal of its Multi Interface foot.

GB18
Turning on the power
Set the POWER switch to ON.
When the power of the flash unit is turned on, the LCD panel lights up.
Power save mode
The flash unit will turn off if it is not operated for 3 minutes when used
by itself or connected to a camera that is in power save mode.
• During wireless flash photography (page 29), the flash unit changes to
power save mode after 60 minutes.
• The flash unit automatically changes to power save mode when the
power switch of the camera* is set to OFF.
* Except the DSLR-A100
Checking Batteries
The low-battery indicator appears on the LCD panel when the batteries
are low.
blinking
Recommended to change
batteries.
You can still use the flash unit
even in this situation.
Only blinking
Flash cannot be used.
Insert new batteries.

Preparations
19GB
Charge progress indicator
The color of the charge progress indicator shows the charging status for
the flash operation.
•GreenFullycharged
•YellowAbout75%charged
•OrangeAbout50%charged
•RedAbout25%charged
The photo will be under-exposed because of a lack of luminescence if
taken before charging is complete.
Note on continuous flash use
If you use the flash unit repeatedly over a short period, the built-in
safety circuit may limit firing flashes and increase the interval between
each flash.
If the internal temperature rises too high, the charge progress indicator
will blink in red and you will be unable to use the flash unit for a while. In
this case, turn the flash unit off for about 10 minutes to allow it to cool.
• Be careful when you take out the batteries, since they may be heated
after continuous flash use.

GB20
B
as
i
cs
Using flash
About the flash mode
The flash mode changes by
pressing the MODE button.
• TTL-flash mode
The flash unit measures the
light from the subject that is
reflected through the lens, then
adjust the flash intensity
automatically.
* TTL = through the lens
• Manual-flash mode (page 27)
You can adjust the flash
intensity to provide the fixed
flash intensity.
• Wireless-flash mode
Set to this mode for wireless
flash photography.
• FlashOffmode
The flash unit does not fire.
1Press the MODE button
to select the flash
mode.
As an example, TTL-flash
mode is selected.
2Press the shutter
button to take a photo.
When the green charge
progress indicator lights, the
flash is ready to fire.
After shooting, the charge
progress indicator blinks in
green when the proper
exposure is obtained
• Fill-flash mode or auto-flash
mode can be set on your
camera.
• When using the flash unit with
self-timer, press the shutter
button after the green charge
progress indicator lights.
Using flash