Customers often highlight the product's excellent overall performance, noting its ease of use and powerful capabilities. Many appreciate its compact size and light weight, making it a convenient option. Additionally, customers find it offers good value for the price.
This compact high-output GN461 flash unit delivers levels of sophistication and camera communication that only Sony can offer, offering reliable flash at high continuous shooting speeds and sync at shutter speeds up to 1/400 sec2. Outstanding durability, intuitive operation via the camera2, flexible bounce angle adjustment, and wireless radio communication add refined control and versatility.
The Alpha Lighting System has evolved in parallel with Alpha camera bodies to give creators optimum illumination in a wide range of applications. A level of integration that is only possible with original Sony products achieves detailed communication with compatible cameras2 for reliable and precise light control.
Because the HVL-F46RMA is designed by Sony, it can communicate with α camera bodies to deliver consistent GN461 light output that meets professional lighting needs. Focal lengths from 24mm (15mm with the wide panel) to 105mm2 are supported.
When used with a compatible camera2, high-speed control sequencing in the camera uses pre-flash to control each individual flash6 during continuous bursts, even when tracking fast-moving subjects in scenes where the light changes dramatically.
Used with a compatible camera body the HVL-F46RMA allows flash sync up to 1/80,000 sec2. This makes it possible to deemphasize the background while using flash to illuminate the main subject, illuminate moving subjects against a bright background, and more.
With a compatible camera,2 the HVL-F46RMA can continuously provide flash for up to 60 frames4 in high-speed bursts at up to 10 fps2. Missed frames due to flash sync failure are avoided, providing stable continuous shooting support.
With a compatible camera2, white balance is automatically adjusted so that the subject’s face is rendered with natural color. The HVL-F46RMA works with a compatible camera face detection to provide ideal lighting for the main subject, even in groups.
Thanks to in-house design, this advanced flash unit transfers color temperature data to the camera where that data is used to precisely adjust white balance so that colors are rendered naturally in any situation.
When using the HVL-F46RMA in combination with a compatible camera2, time lag between pressing the shutter button and flash output is significantly reducedso that fleeting moments can be captured with confidence.6
High-speed sync works at all shutter speeds10 and can be used with the aperture wide open to produce beautiful background bokeh for portraits. Slow sync and rear-curtain sync are also supported.
Three selectable flash distribution types are provided: Standard (STD), GN priority (CENTER), and wide-angle priority (EVEN).
The flash illumination angle is automatically adjusted to match the focal length of the lens used over a 24-105mm range. Light distribution is also adjusted for optimum illumination with full-frame or APS-C format.
Advanced electronics and construction contribute to fast recycle times and allow continuous flash shooting for extended periods of time. A set of four batteries can provide power for more than 320 flashes with up to 2.0 second recycle time3.
The use of heat resistant materials plus an optimized flash algorithm provides higher resistance to overheating that allows continuous shooting for longer periods of time.
A metal shoe foot with rugged side frame significantly increases the strength and durability of the Multi Interface Shoe and its electrical contacts.
This feature makes it possible to quickly angle the flash head 180 degrees to the left or right, 150 degrees up, or 8 degrees down, for easy bounce angle adjustment to match any subject and shooting environment.
Flash compensation, ratio, and other parameters can be controlled directly from the menu of a compatible camera2. A camera custom key can be used to call up the flash display for easy adjustment while looking through the viewfinder.
The same display tab format as the camera makes operation easy and intuitive. The Quick Navi display provides status info plus direct access to important parameters, with assignable arrow key, control wheel, and custom key input.
Pressing the Fn button causes the selected flash mode and other parameters to appear on the display for easy setup in a variety of shooting situations. While the previous HVL-F46RMA flash only displayed the Wireless OFF and Memory Recall OFF icons when the Fn button was pressed, these parameters are normally visible on the HVL-F46RMA display.
Stable wireless radio communication is ensured at distances up to 30 m/98.4 ft3. Reliable, error-free communication is achieved even around reflectors and obstacles. Slow sync, rear-curtain sync, and multi flash are supported2.
Control up to 15 flash and/or receiver units in 5 groups9. The HVL-F46RMA can communicate with flash units that do not feature wireless radio communication via the optional FA-WRC1M commander and/or FA-WRR1 receiver.
The HVL-F46RMA has a Multi/Micro USB terminal that allows connection to a computer for software upgrades.
Reviews coming soon