Which flash for A99 II?

[WakkoWarner]

I just purchased an A99 II and I need a flash for it. I do have an old HVL-F58AM, but it requires an adapter to use with this camera, & I don't know if camera can fully control it. Plus, it is big and heavy, which is what I want to avoid.

I did purchase a Westcott FJ80SE, but the base literally broke the first time I used it. It felt cheap from the second that I pulled it out of the box. In talking with someone at B&H, they initially recommended the Sony HVL-F28RM, as I rarely need a flash beyond 10 feet. I was thinking of getting the Sony HVL-F46RM, however, in case I ever needed the extra power.

So, which one of those would work best? B&H said that the Godox would be even weaker at the base than the Westcott, so I would like to avoid them. Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1592781-REG/sony_hvl_f28rm_external_flash.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1668143-REG/sony_sony_hvl_f46rm_wireless_radio.html

[MikeInOr]

The one Sony flash I owned was a piece of junk (HSL-F20M).  I now only use Godox flashes.  For an on camera flash I use a Godox TT350S which takes 2 x AA batteries.  For off camera flashes I use Godox TT685S flashes that take 4 x AA batteries.  I don't use a flash often enough to keep track of and put up with proprietary batteries.  The TT350S is perfect for my fill flash needs.  I rarely need to light up an entire scene, I usually just need to add some extra light to a portion of the photo.  Usually just need a bit of fill for people / faces.

[WakkoWarner]

1 hour ago, MikeInOr said:

The one Sony flash I owned was a piece of junk (HSL-F20M).  I now only use Godox flashes.  For an on camera flash I use a Godox TT350S which takes 2 x AA batteries.  For off camera flashes I use Godox TT685S flashes that take 4 x AA batteries.  I don't use a flash often enough to keep track of and put up with proprietary batteries.  The TT350S is perfect for my fill flash needs.  I rarely need to light up an entire scene, I usually just need to add some extra light to a portion of the photo.  Usually just need a bit of fill for people / faces.

 

My Sony uses AA batteries.  I had a Godox, but it was extremely flimsy at the mounting point (it actually broke).  My Sony is a lot stronger in that area and seems to be working fine whenever I need to use it.

[MikeInOr]

The Godox TT685 and V860 flashes have a metal shoe available for them which is a lot stronger than the default plastic shoe.

I haven't had a problem with the plastic shoes on my Godox flashes and prefer to stay with the plastic.  If I have an accidental drop or fall I want my flash to break instead of my camera hot shoe.  It is really easy and cheap to replace the hot shoe on the TT685... the hotshoe on my A7RIV, not so much.