Sony A7 off-camera flash help

[astaireathon]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm wondering if anyone here can answer this question for me, as I've been unable to find any specific discussion of it elsewhere. I have an A7, and I just got the new HVL F32M flash unit. It works wonderfully, etc. However, I also wanted to start using flash off-camera, so I got two Lumopro Universal hotshoe translators, the ones endorsed by the Strobist blog. I thought that with the A7's MI shoe, it could handle a manual center-pin firing, but the setup is not working. My question is: is it the camera or the flash? Do I need another hotshoe adapter, or do I need a different flash? Or is it something even simpler? I've linked to the equipment in question below, and thank you for any help you can offer!

 

(Yes, it does say not compatible with Sony/Minolta, but I assumed that meant the old hot shoe, not the new MI one)

 

http://mpex.com/lumopro-universal-hot-shoe-translator-kit.html

 

Chris

[Oyla]

Hi.

I'm a new Sony (a7) - user, converted from Pentax dslr just a few months ago.

Having the same wish as the one you describe, I have tried some different wireless triggers (e.g. Hähnel TF combi with universal hotshoe and one Phottix-model), but without having any luck with either of them. I use 2 x Metz 52AF-1 for Sony MIS. To trigger these flashes wireless, I finally bought the very tiny (and quite cheap) flash Sony HVL-F20M (MIS). This one can be used as a wireless trigger for my two flashes, and it functions very satisfying. 

 

Øyvind

[astaireathon]

Thanks for your reply!  I wonder if the problem is that we're both using flashes designed for TTL with the Sony system...that is, with a purely manual flash, the setup might allow the flash to fire? I was considering using the F20M as a wireless trigger, so I may try that as well!

[Oyla]

May be you're right;  I decided to give up digging deeper into the problem, so I chose to find a functional solution asap. Besides, the F20M is a nice little thing itself, I have used it several times already as a hot shoe flash for a7 (of course in smaller areas). It's very handy to bring along... :-)

[AnthonyD42]

I'm a Canon convert and have been using my Canon flashes off-camera with triggers but in manual only. No TTL. So I can get it to work that way.

I'm using FlashCubes, a Kickstarter product from China but it works!

[astaireathon]

Well, I just got a LumoPro LP180 manual flash, and...hooray! It works with the A7 both on board and remotely with the hotshoe translators. So clearly it's the Sony flash that will only work with the MI shoe. In fact, the LumoPro already has a 1/8th inch input, so all I need is one universal translator and an aux cable to fire it remotely. 

[michelb]

Maybe try this with HVL-F32M to make it work off camera with adapters/triggers/cables. Can't try it myself since i don't have this particular model

 

1) Install F32M on camera and power on both units

2) Select M Mode on flash and any power level and zooming coverage

3) Press on shutter to let the camera focus ( it also communicates with the flash )

4) Without powering off either units, remove flash from camera

5) Install flash on adapter/receiver/cable

6) intall cable/ transmitter or end of cable on camera

7) shoot

 

If it works, you will be able to change power levels or zoom coverage without re-installing flash on camera

If you put flash back in TTL or other mode while connected, contact may be lost

 

Worth a try since this would duplicate communications problems of previous Sony HVL-F42AM flash that is a pain to use with adapters/triggers.

[rantor49]

I have the A7 and HVL F32M also. It does work as off camera flash using my old canon type cowboy studio remote triggers. Must have Sony flash in manual mode for this to work. Will not work in TTL mode. Make sure the adapter is pushed all the way in for the contacts to connect. Works llke a charm for me. Only cost about $40 for trigger and two remotes.