Sony HVL-F43AM User manual

SON~
4-278-307-11(2)
· Flash
Preparations
Basics
Operating Instructions Advanced Operations
Additional Information
a
Auto-lock Accessory Shoe

English
Before operating the product, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for
future reference.
IWARNING I
To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit
to
rain or moisture.
.Do not expose the batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.
Tape over lithium battery contacts to avoid short-circuit when disposing
of
batteries, and follow local regulations for battery disposal.
Keep batteries or things that could be swallowed away from young children.
Contact a doctor immediately
if
an object
is
swallowed.
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.
Care must
be
taken as
bums
can occur from touching hot
parts.
2

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
~ttachment
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 (
+1-)
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.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION
Do not touch the flashtube during operation, it may become hot when the flash
fires.
3

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
The manufacturer
of
this product
is
Sony Corporation,
1-7-1
Kanan Minato-ku
Tokyo, 108-0075 Japan. The Authorized Representative for EMC and product
safety
is
Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedelfinger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart,
Germany. For any service or guarantee matters please refer to the addresses given
in separate service or guarantee documents.
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.
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.
4

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur a particular
installation.
If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televisiot;l
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment offand 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 radioffV technician for help.
5

Table
of
Contents
Features .........................................................
.-
.......................................... 8
N
arne ofparts .......................................................................................... 9
Preparations
Inserting batteries ..................................................................................
13
Attachment and removal
of
the flash unit .............................................
14
Turning on the power .................................................
~
..........................
16
Changing the flash mode .......................................................................
19
Basics
Program auto flash (The basics) ............................................................
21
Using flash in each recording mode
of
the camera ...............................
25
Advanced Operations
Test-flash .........................................................................................
-......
27
Zoom flash coverage .............................................................................
28
Bounce flash ..........................................................................................
31
Close-up photography (downward bounce) .......................................... 36
Manual flash (M) ...................................................................................
37
High-speed sync (HSS) .........................................................................
41
Multiple flash (MULTI) ........................................................................ 42
Wireless flash mode (WL) ..................................................................... 47
AF illuminator .......................................................................................
61
Reset to the default settings .................................................................... 62
Custom settings ..................................................................................... 63
Additional Information
Notes on use .......................................................................................... 70
Maintenance .......................................................................................... 72
Specifications ........................................................................................ 73
6

Before
use
Use this unit in combination with a Sony Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera that
has an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe,
or
a Sony Interchangeable Lens Digital HD
Video Camera Recorder that has an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe. Some functions
cannot be used with some model cameras.
See the operating instructions
of
this unit and refer
to
the operating instructions
of
your camera.
Although this flash unit is designed with dustproofness and splash-
proofness in mind, it may not keep dust or splashes completely out.
Do not place this flash unit in the following locations
Regardless
of
whether this flash unit is in use
or
in storage, do not place it in any
of
the following locations. Doing so may lead to a malfunction.
• Placing this flash unit in locations subject to direct sunlight such as on
dashboards
or
near a heater may cause this unit to deform
or
malfunction.
• Locations with excessive vibration
• Locations with strong electromagnetism
• Locations with excessive sand
In locations such as the seashore and other sandy areas
or
where dust clouds
occur, protectthe unit from sand and dust.
This may lead to a malfunction.
7

Features
The HVL-F43AM is a compact flash with a guide number
of
*
(page
73
)
43 (meters,
105
mm position, ISO 100).
Can be used with compatible lenses to enable ADI (Advanced
~
(page
26 )
Distance Integration) flash metering, which is not affected by
the reflection rate
of
the background or subject.
(Enables
High-speed Sync. )
~
(page
41
)
Quick shift bounce function enables
~
(page
34 )
you to set the upper or side position
easily during bounce flash
photography.
Built-in bounce sheet enables you to create a highlight in the
~
(page
33 )
subject's eyes.
This flash unit supports flash coverage to a focal length
of
*
(page
30 )
15
mm by using a built-in wide panel when the flash is
triggered.
Corrects the white balance automatically using the color
~
(page
24 )
temperature information.*
Adjusts the optimum flash coverage according to the image
~
(page
28 )
sensor size
of
the camera.*
*Except the DSLR-A100
8

Name
of
parts
3
~'--*"'"
___
,_~~""*
4
~---------~
[]
Built-in wide panel (30)
[2]
Flashtube
[]]
Wireless control signal receiver
(48)
@]
AF illuminator (61)
Remove the protective sheet from the
front
of
the AF illuminator before use.
~
Mounting foot (14)
[§] Bounce sheet (33)
Figures in parentheses are the page
numbers where a description
of
each
LCD segment can be found.
9

[I]
Bounce indicator (upper/lower
angle) (32)
[ID
LCD panel (12)
[ID
Control panel (11)
[1Q]
Bounce indicator (side angle)
(32)
10
l
!
I
[j]
Release button (15)
·
[2J
Battery chamber door (13)
~
Mini-stand (49)
*Tripod
attachment hole
Figures in parentheses are the page
numbers where a description
of
each
LCD segment can be found.

Control
panel
[I]
TTUM
(MANUAUMUL
Tl)
button
(38,42,
53,57,62)
[2] MODE button (19)
~
TEST
button (27)
The status while the lamp is lit
Amber: Flash ready
Green: Proper exposure
LCD panel illuminator
@]
Fn (function)/direction buttons
(37,42,
53,54,57,
63)
[§] Power switch (16)
[§]
LCD illuminator button
[1]
ZOOM
button (29)
If
the LCD panel is too dark, you can illuminate it by pressing the LCD illuminator
button.
• The LCD panel remains illuminated for about 8 seconds when the flash unit is
used by itself or connected to a camera that is in power save mode. This time is
extended
if
the flash or camera is used.
• Press the LCD illuminator button again while the LCD panel is illuminated
to
extinguish the LCD panel illuminator.
Figures in parentheses are the page
numbers where a description
of
each LCD segment can be found.
11

[II
HSS (High-speed-sync)
indicator (41)
[2]
Ratio-flash indicator (57)
~
Flash mode indicator (19)
@]
Wireless channel indicator (60,
65)
[§]
Wireless controller indicator
(47)
[§]
Operating indicator (63)
11J
Power-level indicator (37, 42)
[ID
Zoom indicator (28)
[ID
TTUManual-flash/Multiple-flash
indicator (37, 42)
[1Q]
Zoom/Multiple-flash repetition
display (28, 42)
12
[1]
Wireless controller/remote ·
indicator (51, 54, 57)
[2]
Hz indicator (42)
M]
Flash-range/Flash-range-
warning (near side, far side)/
Multiple-flash frequency/flash-
ratio display (23, 42, 57)
[H]
Overheat indicator (18)
~Wide-panel
indicator (30)
[§]
Bounce indicator (31)
[j1J
Custom indicator (63)
[a]
Low-battery indicator (17)
Figures in parentheses are the page
numbers where a description
of
each
LCD segment can be found.

Inserting
batteries
The HVL-F43AM may be powered by :
• Four LR6 (AA-size) alkaline batteries* .
• Four AA-size rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries*
*Batteries are not supplied.
Always ensure that rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries are charged in
the specified charger unit.
1 Open the battery chamber door as shown.
2 Insert the batteries
in
the battery chamber as
in
the
diagram.
3 Close the battery chamber door.
• Follow the reverse procedure when opening the battery chamber door.
13
""C
...
CD
"'C
m
...
m
,..
-·

Attachment
and
removal
of
the
flash
unit
Attaching
the
flash
unit
·
to
the
camera
With the flash unit turned off, push the mounting foot
firmly and fully into the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe of the
camera.
• The flash unit is locked in place automatically.
•
If
the built-in flash in the camera is protruding, close it before attaching the flash
unit.
• This unit is only suitable for an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe.
You cannot use this unit with a camera that has no Auto-lock Accessory Shoe.
14

Removing
~he
flash
unit
from
the
camera
While pressing the release
button
CD,
remove the flash un_
it
in
the direction
of
arrow
®.
15
0
::I
tn

Turning
on
the
power
Set the power switch to ON.
The power of the flash unit turns on.
• When the power
of
the flash unit is turned on, the LCD panel lights up.
•
If
nothing appears on the LCD panel when the power switch is set to ON, check
the orientation of the batteries.
To
turn
the
power
off
Set the power switch to OFF.
16

Power
save
mode
If
the flash unit is not operated for 3 minutes when used by itselfor connected to a
camera that is in power save mode, it switches to power save mode to save the
batteries and the LCD display.goes out.
• During wireless flash photography (pages 51, 57), the flash unit changes to
power save mode after 60 minutes.
• You can change the time until power save, or disable power save. (page 67)
• The flash unit automatically changes to power save mode when the power
switch
of
the camera* is set to OFF.
*Except
the DSLR-AlOO
• When the camera is in power save mode; for example when the LCD monitor
automatically turns off, the camera does not communicate with the flash unit. In
this state, flash mode and TTL/M mode switching, automatic zoom, wide panel
display and flash range display are not linked with your camera.
Checking
Batteries
The 0 indicator on the data panel blinks when the batteries are low.
0 blinking
Changing the batteries is recommended.
The flash unit can still be used when the
TEST button lights up in amber.
Only 0 blinking
Flash cannot be used.
Insert new batteries.
17
'"C
"""l
(I)
"t:J
D)
"""l
D)
...
-·

[!~
indicator
When the temperature
of
this unit rises after continuous flash use or use in a high
temperature environment, its internal safety circuitautomatically suspends
operation (overheating).
• The
[!~
indicator blinks when overheating is detected.
• Flash operation is suspended until the temperature
of
the unit falls and the
[!~
indicator turns off.
• When overheating
is
detected, set the power switch to OFF and stop using the
flash unit for about
10
minutes to allow it to cool down.
18

Changing
the·
flash
mode
Press the MODE button.
• The indicator on the LCD panel changes as follows.
When the flash unit is not connected
to
your camera, or when the camera is
in
power save mode or the LCD monitor
of
the camera is being turned offwhen the
flash unit is connected to the camera:
~
(~
AUTO)---.
WL---.
® ---.
~
(~
AUTO)---. ,
..
When your camera is turned on and the flash·unit is connected to your camera
(WL is not set up):
~
(~
AUTO)___.®
___.
~
(~
AUTO)___.
...
•
[~]
lights up when the camera is set to Fill-flash.
[~
AUTO] lights up when the
camera
is
set
to
Autp flash.
19
'"'0
""''
CD
"'C
m
""''
m
,..
·-·
0
:::s
tn

About flash mode
•
~
(Fill-flash mode)
The flash unit always fires.
•
~
AUTO (Auto flash mode)
The flash unit is set
to
this mode when the camera is set to auto flash.
• WL (Wireless flash mode)
This mode is used during wireless flash photography.
•
~
(Un-fill-flash mode)
The flash unit does not fire.
20