Minolta Program 5400HS not working with Sony Alpha a550?

[Phoenix]

Hi all i bought a Minolta Program 5400HS as a flash upgrade for my Sony Alpha a550 as i read that they were compatible due to having the same hotshoe. Well it seems not entirely though. It seems that messages on the web vary a lot. Some reviewers state that all works, some state it only works on manual mode. I've been unable to get it go in either mode.

 

Thanks for any assistance! 

[Linzdoctor]

Do not buy that flash for your Sony camera it will only fire at full power! You can get the Minolta 5600HS OR 3600HS or the Sony HVL-F56AM or HVL-F58AM  Flash they will work with your camera! They Have the Minolta Hotshoe Foot!

[Phoenix]

Ok, regrettably I already have it. Any tips on how to set it up? Thanks for the reply

[michelb]

A few questions to identify if it works before showing how to get properly exposed pictures

 

Does the camera give you a flash ready signal in the finder with the flash on and mounted in the hot shoe ? It should also get into X-synch speed like 1/60 sec

With the flash in Manual Mode, does the flash trigger when you release the shutter ?