Sony HVL-F32M Operating Instructions

4-543-959-11(1)

Flash

HVL-F32M

Operating Instructions

Mode d’emploi

English

Before operating the product, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

WARNING

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.

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.

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, 1080075 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.

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.

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

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 splashproofness in mind, it may not keep dust or splashes completely out.

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

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.

Without the bounce sheet With the bounce sheet

 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)

Normal flash High-speed sync

* Your camera needs to be compatible with high-speed sync. For details,

refer to the operating instructions of your camera.

 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.

Normal flash Slow sync

* 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.

Normal flash Rear curtain sync

* The setting of the feature can be configured on your camera. For details,

refer to the operating instructions of your camera.

 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)

Normal flash Off-camera flash

 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)

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

Control panel

 Charge progress indicator (19)  +/CTRL button (27, 36)  -/RMT button (27, 33)  Power switch (18)

LCD panel

 Manual-flash indicator (21, 27)  TTL-flash indicator (20, 21)  Power-level indicator (27)  Wireless controller/remote

indicator (33, 35)

 LCD illuminator button

Turns on or off the light of the LCD panel.

 MODE button (20, 36)

 Low-battery indicator (18)  Flash Off mode indicator (20)  Wireless-flash indicator (29)

reparations

Inserting batteries (not supplied)

1 Open the battery chamber door as shown in the

diagram.

2 Insert 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.

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

Preparations

Attachment of the flash unit

1 Turn off the power of the flash unit.

If the built-in flash of the camera is protruding, lower it before attaching the flash unit.

2 Remove the protective cap from the terminal of the

Multi Interface foot of the flash unit and remove the shoe cap from the camera.

3 Rotate the lock lever towards [RELEASE] while

pressing the release button.

4 Firmly insert the Multi Interface foot all the way into

the Multi Interface Shoe of the camera in the direction of the arrow.

5 Firmly 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.

Preparations

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.

Charge progress indicator

The color of the charge progress indicator shows the charging status for the flash operation.

•Green Fully charged

•Yellow About 75% charged

•Orange About 50% charged

•Red About 25% 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.

Preparations

Basi

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.

• Flash Off mode

The flash unit does not fire.

Using flash

1 Press the MODE button

to select the flash mode.

As an example, TTL-flash mode is selected.

2 Press 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.

Auto WB Adjustment

Manual-flash mode provides a fixed flash intensity irrespective of the brightness of the subject and the camera setting. TTL-flash mode measures the light from the subject that is reflected through the lens. TTL metering also has a P-TTL metering function, which adds a pre-flash to TTL metering, and an ADI metering function, which adds distance data to the P-TTL metering. This flash unit defines all P-TTL and ADI metering as TTL-flash mode and is displayed on the LCD panel.

*TTL = through the lens

• ADI metering is possible in combination with a lens with a built-in distance encoder. Before using the ADI metering function, check whether your lens has a built-in distance encoder by referring to the specifications in the operating instructions supplied with your lens.

TTL*-flash mode

with Color Temperature Info

White balance is automatically adjusted by your camera (except the DSLR-A100) based on color temperature information when the flash unit fires.

• Auto WB Adjustment functions when you attach the flash unit to your camera and use TTL flash mode on the flash unit.

• This function does not work during manual flash photography (page 27). Adjust white balance manually on your camera.

Basics

Auto flash-coverage

24 mm flash coverage

105 mm flash coverage

control (auto zoom)

This flash unit provides optimal flash coverage from 24 mm to 105 mm, according to the image sensor size (APS-C format/35mm format) of the camera and a focal length of the lens.

• When a lens having a focal

length of less than 24 mm is used with auto zoom, [TTL] and [MANUAL] blinks in the LCD panel. In such a case, use the built-in wide panel is recommended to prevent darkening at the periphery of the image.

Built-in wide panel (15 mm zoom angle)

Pulling out the built-in wide panel extends flash coverage to include focal lengths from 15 mm to less than 24 mm.

1 Pull out the wide panel

gently.

2 Push back the bounce

sheet only.

When you replace the wide panel,

The larger the focal length figure of the lens on a camera, the further away a subject can be photographed to take up the full screen; but the area that can be covered becomes smaller. Conversely, with a smaller focal length figure, subjects can be photographed with wider coverage. The flash coverage is the area that the light from the flash at a set intensity or greater can cover evenly, expressed as an angle. The flash coverage at which you can photograph is determined by the focal length. By having flash coverage determined in accordance with focal length, flash coverage can be expressed as the figure for focal length.

Flash coverage & focal length

push it firmly as far as it will go.

• Do not pull out or twist the wide panel forcibly. This may damage the wide panel.

• Push back the wide panel and the bounce sheet into the inside of the flash head when this flash unit is stored in the supplied case.

Basics

vanced Operations

Bounce flash

By directing the flash unit at the ceiling you can illuminate the subject with reflected light, reducing the intensity of the shadows and producing a softer light on the screen.

High-speed sync will be turned off when using bounce flash.

1 Rotate the flash unit

upwards or to the left and right.

Focal length of lens

70 mm minimum 30°, 45°

28 mm - 70 mm 60°

28 mm maximum 75°, 90°

Top view

Bounce

angle

2 Press the MODE button

to display [TTL] on the LCD panel.

3 Press the shutter

button to take a photo.

Using the bounce sheet

The bounce sheet creates a highlight in the subject's eyes and makes the subject look more vibrant.

1 Pull out the wide panel

gently.

The bounce sheet is also pulled out. Push back the wide panel only.

4 Press the shutter

button to take a photo.

Close-up photography

Tilt the flash slightly downwards when photographing objects between 0.7 m and 1.0 m from the camera to ensure accurate illumination.

Advanced Operations

2 Rotate the flash unit

90° upwards.

3 Press the MODE button

to display [TTL] on the LCD panel.

1 Rotate the flash unit 8°

downwards.

2 Press the MODE button

to display [TTL] on the LCD panel.

• When photographing at a

distance closer than 0.7 m, use an off-camera flash, Macro Twin Flash, or Ring Light.

• The lenses with long length

may obstruct the flash light.

Manual flash

Manual flash provides a fixed flash intensity irrespective of the brightness of the subject and the camera setting.

1 Set your camera to M

(Manual) mode.

2 Press the MODE button

to display [MANUAL] on the LCD screen.

3 Press the +/CTRL

button or -/RMT button to select the power level.

• The power level can be set from 1/1 (maximum) to 128 (minimum).

• The power level range (e.g. 1/1  1/2) corresponds to the aperture range (e.g. F4  5.6).

Advanced Operations

4 Press the shutter

button to take a photo.

+ 60 hidden pages