Sony HVL-F32X User Manual

3-083-085-11 (1)

Flash

Operating Instructions					GB
Mode d’emploi					FR
Manual de instrucciones					ES

HVL-F32X

Sony Corporation 2003 Printed in Japan

English

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION

When using your electronic flash, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:

1Read and understand all instructions before using.

2Care must be taken as burns can occur from touching hot parts.

3Do not operate appliance if it has been dropped or damaged, until it has been examined by a qualified serviceman.

4To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse this appliance in water or other liquids.

5To 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.

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6The use of an accessory attachment not recommended by the manufacturer may cause a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.

SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS

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, these is no guarantee that interference will not occur in 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 the 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.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

For the customers in Germany

Directive: EMC directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC

This equipment complies with EMC regulations when used under the following circumstances:

•Residential area

•Business district

•Light-industry district

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Table of contents
Features ..................................................................................................................	5
Caution ...................................................................................................................	6
Cleaning .................................................................................................................	6
Parts identification ...............................................................................................	7
Names and functions of the parts ......................................................................	8
Display panel ........................................................................................................	9
Installing the batteries ........................................................................................	10
Mounting the flash .............................................................................................	11
Using the flash ....................................................................................................	14
Meaning of READY lamp states .......................................................................	19
Bounce flash photography ................................................................................	20
Mounting the wide panel ..................................................................................	22
Return the wide panel to its original position ................................................	23
If the wide panel is detached ............................................................................	23
Power save mode ................................................................................................	24
Test flash ..............................................................................................................	25
Modeling flash ....................................................................................................	26
Connection cord ..................................................................................................	27
Back light .............................................................................................................	27
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................	28
Specifications .......................................................................................................	29

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Features

•This unit is exclusively for use with digital still cameras with an advanced accessory shoe or ACC terminal made by SONY.

•Using its pre-flash function flash photographs with the correct exposure can be taken.*

•With it’s AF illuminator function the auto focus works even in dark locations.*

*There are some types of digital still cameras with which this flash cannot be used.

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Caution

•The flash cannot be used on camcorders.

•Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously.

•When the flash is used in low-temperature conditions, battery performance is reduced. For example, the number of flashes becomes lower than that in room temperature (about 20°C), and the charging time becomes longer. We recommend preparing new batteries. Note, however, that even batteries whose performance has dropped due to low temperatures are restored by returning them to room temperature.

•Do not leave or store the flash in temperatures that exceed 40°C. Doing so might adversely affect the internal structure of video flash.

(In particular, take care not to leave the flash in automobiles during summer.)

•The nameplate is located on the bottom exterior.

Cleaning

Remove this unit from the digital still camera. Clean the flash with a dry soft cloth. In case of stubborn stains, use a cloth lightly dampened with a mild detergent solution, then wipe the unit clean with a dry soft cloth.

Never use strong solvents, such as thinner or benzine, as these damage the surface finish.

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1

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Names and functions of the parts

AF illuminator change button p. 17

Button to set the AF illuminator quantity, each press of the button changes the indication in the following order.

t tNo display

READY lamp p. 19

This lights up when battery charging is completed.

Test flash button p. 25

The flash fires when pressed.

Back light button p. 27

The display panel lights up for about 10 seconds.

Modeling light button p. 26

When pressed the modeling light comes on.

POWER switch

The power (ON/ OFF) switch

Mode button p. 15

The 3 modes

may be selected.

Setting the light intensity

p. 16

For setting the light intensity in

mode.

Press + or – to select 1/32 , 1/16 ,

1/8 , 1/4 , 1/2 , or 1/1 .

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Display panel

AF illuminator display

AF illuminator

Communication confirmation display

Display when normal communication is established with the digital still camera.

Wide panel

Displayed when the wide panel is in use.

Battery power warning display

Displayed when the battery power has become low.

Mode display

Display for switching between

	Flash display	Power saving display	Light intensity display
	Displayed when
		Displayed during power	Displays the light intensity
	the flash has
		saving.	during
	fired.
			mode.

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Installing the batteries

Use four AA alkali dry batteries.

1 Slide the battery cover to open.

2 Insert the four batteries in the directions marked inside the battery case.

3 Slide back the battery cover to close.

2

1	3

PNotes

•Be sure to use four batteries of the same type.

•Be sure to confirm the 3 # poles of the batteries. Inserting the batteries with the poles in the wrong direction may cause leakage or ruptures.

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Mounting the flash

1 When using the digital still camera which is compatible with the advanced accessory shoe

1Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to loosen.

*Raise the lock pin fully.

2Insert this unit into the accessory shoe towards the front, with the flashing section facing forward.

*Be sure that the POWER switch is OFF when inserting.

3Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten.

*Lower the lock pin fully. If it is not fully lowered then this unit may fall down.

*When attaching or removing this unit from the digital still camera, loosen the rotating knob fully, and raise the lock pin fully.

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Mounting the flash (continued)

2 When using the digital still camera which is not compatible with the advanced accessory shoe

*Connect this unit to the digital still camera with the supplied connection cord.

Flashing section

2	1
		4
		3

5

1 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to loosen.

2Insert this unit into the accessory shoe towards the front, with the flashing section facing forward.

3 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten.

4 Attach the connection cord to the connection cord terminal of this unit.

5Connect the connection cord to the ACC terminal of the digital still camera.

*Depending upon the digital still camera being used, fix the connection cord by pressing it between the cord clamper.

PNote

Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously.

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3 When using the digital still camera without the accessory shoe

*Use the supplied connection cord.

*Use the supplied shoe adaptor.

•To use the supplied shoe adaptor, attach the shoe adaptor to the tripod screw hole of the digital still camera.

1 Turn in the direction of the arrow to tighten.

•Attach this unit to the shoe adaptor.

2 With the flashing section facing forward, securely attach it to the shoe adaptor.

The accessory shoe can rotate.

3 Attach the connection cord to the connection cord terminal of this unit.

4 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten.

PNote

Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously.

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Using the flash

This digital still camera with an advanced accessory shoe is used here for illustration purposes. Refer to the operating instructions of the digital still camera for each detailed operation.

1 Press the POWER switch on the digital still camera to turn “ON”.

2 Set the mode dial on the digital still camera to “ ”, “P”, “S”, “A”, “M”, or “SCN”.

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3 Press the control button on the digital still camera to choose “Flash mode”.

Each press of the button changes the indication in the following order. No display (AUTO) tForced flash () tSlow synchro () tNo flash ()

* Be sure that “Hot Shoe” is set to [OFF] in the “SET UP” settings.

4 Slide the POWER switch on this unit to “ON”.

•The flash starts to be charged, and the READY lamp and /CHG lamp on the digital still camera start to flash (orange).

•When the flash is ready to fire, the READY lamp on this unit lights

(orange).

When the charging is finished, the /CHG lamp on the digital still camera goes out.

•When the batteries are run down, it takes longer to charge this unit.

5 The flash mode of the digital still camera compatible with the advanced accessory shoe can be changed in the following order by the mode button on this unit.

//

mode photography

This unit performs a pre-flash, the disital still camera calculates the ideal light intensity, and make this unit flash.

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Using the flash (continued)

mode photography

This unit automatically adjusts the light intensity and fires with the ideal light intensity.

mode photography

The mode in which the user can set the light intensity.

The light intensity can be selected using the “light intensity change button” on this unit by the following procedure.

	1/1	1/2	1/4	1/8	1/16	1/32
	GN32 (22)	GN22 (16)	GN16 (11)	GN11 (8)	GN8 (6)	GN6 (4)
	* Values within brackets ( ) applies when using the wide panel
• To obtain the shooting distance
1 Press the mode button and select					.

2 Set the guide number by changing the light intensity.

3 The distance is obtained from the aperture (F-value) of the digital still camera (use in the manual mode).

Distance = Guide Number Aperture setting (F)

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• To obtain the guide number

1 Press the mode button and select .

2 Set the aperture on the digital still camera.

3From the formula for distance and aperture obtain the optimum guide number, and select it using the light intensity change button.

Guide Number = Aperture setting (F) × Distance

For Guide Numbers, refer to “Specifications”. (p. 29)

PNote

Do not close the light exposure meter or the ideal light intensity will not be obtained.

6 AF illuminator

PNote

Do not bring the AF illuminator close to person’s eyes, and flash.

To select the AF illuminator

If the digital still camera is compatible with an external AF illuminator then is displayed.

• The user can select “normal,” “strong” and “OFF”

normal

strong

OFF

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7 Lightly press the digital still camera shutter button to confirm the image.

Then press the shutter button further.

This unit fires in conjunction with the shutter button.

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Meaning of READY lamp states

When it light (orange)

Flash is ready for firing.

When it flashes (orange)

Flash is charging. Firing is not possible.

When it flashes (red)

The batteries are run down. Replace with new batteries.

(Charging takes longer if the flash has not been used for a long time.)

When the READY does not light

The flashing is prohibited.

(When the digital still camera excepts the shooting mode.)

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Bounce flash photography

Enable to shoot in all flash modes.

If there is a wall or similar object behind the subject, fire the flashing section pointed at a white ceiling or wall to light the subject using reflected light. As the reflected light spreads in and around the subject over a wide area to light the subject, you can create softer images with fewer shadows on the subject and wall.

Bounce flash on	Bounce flash off

1 Decide on the angle of the flashing section so that the angle of incidence and reflecting angle on the reflecting surface are equal.

The shooting distance means the total distance obtained by adding the distance from the flashing section to the reflecting surface to the distance from the reflecting surface to the subject.

Angle of incidence			Angle of reflection

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2 Press the shutter button on the digital still camera.

PNotes

•A small bounce flash angle causes the light to directly strike the subject together with the reflected light, resulting in uneven illumination.

•Choose a reflecting surface that is near white having high reflectance. Correct colouring cannot be obtained with reflecting surfaces other than white. Also, small reflectance shortens the shooting distance.

Rotating angle of flashing section

The flashing section rotates from 0° in the down direction up to 90° in the up direction. Use the flashing section at the fixed positions 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° in the up direction.

90˚ 75˚

60˚

45˚	Bounce flash angle
	display

0˚

Light exposure meter

PNotes

•During photography, do not cover the metering sensor on the flash with your fingers, for example. You cannot get the proper light intensity.

•When using , is flashing.

You may not be able to get enough light with . In that case, use or .

•Be careful not to pinch your finger when you change the angle of the flashing section.

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Mounting the wide panel

Use the wide panel when the wide conversion lens is used. The wide panel widens the illumination angle of the flash.

(The maximum light intensity drops when the wide panel is mounted.)

1 Gently draw out the wide panel.

2 Pull the wide panel down towards the flashing section side, then press the wide panel gently until it clicks.

3 Be sure that		indicator is shown on the display panel.

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Return the wide panel to its original position

1 Set up the wide panel, then push it straight into the end.

2 Be sure that		indicator is disappeared on the display
panel.

If the wide panel is detached

1 Insert one projection of the wide panel into the hole on the unit facing the uneven surface of the wide panel up.

2 Fit the other projection of the wide panel in the other hole on the unit.

Uneven surface

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Power save mode

When there is no communication with the digital still camera, this unit will automatically go into power save mode after 1 minute, even when the POWER on this unit is “ON”.

The panel display will show

.

At this time, no battery charging and no input by buttons can be made.

• When this unit is not used for a long time, set the POWER switch to OFF.

Restarting

Either press the POWER switch again (ON tOFF tON), or turn on the power of the digital still camera, and this unit will restart.

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Test flash

Manually operated flash

The procedure varies depending upon the flash mode on this unit.

The test flash can be used in all modes while the READY lamp is lighting.

• Fire the flash with a specific light intensity (Guide Number equivalent to 11), when using , or only this unit.

•When using

Operate the flash with a user-determined light intensity.

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Modeling flash

Before taking a photograph it is possible to carry out a pre-flash to confirm shadows of the subject.

After confirming that the READY lamp is on, press the modeling flash button and the flash will light up for about 2 seconds continuously.

PNote

Using the modeling flash will allow the direction and area of shadows to be confirmed, however the depth of the shadows will be different from the real photograph. In bright locations or outdoors shadows cannot be confirmed.

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Connection cord

When the digital still camera is not compatible with the advanced accessory shoe, connect the connection cord to the digital still camera.

1

2

3

Connection method

Connect 1 to the connection cord terminal of this unit. Connect 2 to the ACC terminal of the digital still camera. 3 may be connected to a remote control tripod.

PNote

Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously.

Back light

The back light of the LCD can be lit by the user determined operation. 1 It can be lit by the user’s back light button operation. (color : amber) 2 The back light turns off at about 10 seconds after it lights.

3If other button operations are made while lighting, it extends for 10 seconds.

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