michelb

Come on, you can afford a 6500$ camera but can't afford a few 78$ batteries ? I had so many issues with generic accessories in the past that i avoid these so called bargains. I am sorry but i just can't stand some of these questions like people buying a used lens at what they think is a low price and then complaining of the high price for an original lens shade. It can be either the generic grip or the generic batteries or a combination of both.

Sony HVL-F20M flash (or HVL-F20AM with Sony ADP-MAA adapter) will let you use your HVL-F58AM as WL remote with TTL/HSS and most features working. Should you find the F20AM with adapter, the adapter will also let you use the F58AM flash on camera. The other trigger i use is the Phottix Odin system that is somewhat difficult to find with Sony compatibility. Its downside is that is does not work with adapted lenses that don't communicate with the body. If you only use native lenses that would not be a problem.

It used to be that the HVL-F20M (and AM version) could trigger WL flash but back then this would work for the optical WL system that appears (without notice from Sony) to have been phased out after they introduced the radio WL system. To summarize, and please pay attention to the full designation of each flash model since some may be attractive but may also have much lower features and compatibility. There are 3 different protocols to control WL flash on Sony bodies: - The original optical Minolta WL flash protocol that was introduced in 1991 that uses either a built-in flash or a control flash on the body to provide the WL commands of ready/trigger/stop. This same system was adopted with the initial Sony bodies after they bought out the Minolta camera division in 2006. Sony calls this protocol Ctrl in the options menus of some of its more recent flash units. Models from that era by Sony all end up with the letters AM. - Sony updated this WL protocol around 2008 that provide with the more advanced flash units as a controller, the possibility to control 3 groups of flash units specifying separate lighting ratios for each group (group 1 being the on body flash and the possibility of assigning the more recent flash units to either group 2 or group 3. This is called Ctrl+ in the options menu of these flash units. Here some models have their number end by AM and other with only M ( M is for the new MIS shoe that was developed to allow other accessories like microphones for video in the hot shoe - More recently, Sony developed its own Radio control flash system after seeing the Phottix Odin, Pixel Soldier and other brands of radio controlled WL triggers. So you know about the Transmitter and receivers but some flash units also have both the capacity to either control of be triggered by radio control. These flash units have their model name end with RM. the optical WL capable flash units are: -HVL-F20M (or 20AM with adapter for MIS shoe bodies) as basic wireless controller (all flashes will be fired with no provision to create groups with different ratio for each group) - HVL-F32M can also be used as a basic WL controller or WL receiver -HVL-F36AM ( or Minolta 3600HS(D) can be used only as a WL receiver and not intermixed with the Sony WL protocol (Ctrl+) -HVL-F42AM can be used only as a WL receiver and not intermixed with the Sony WL protocol (Ctrl+) - HVL-F43M (or 43AM with shoe adapter) can be used as an advanced WL controller (Ctrl+) letting you choose a different lighting ratio for up to 3 groups ( on body flash, group 1 of WL flashes, group2 of WL flashes) or as a WL receiver. - HVL-F56AM (or Minolta 5600 HS(D)has features similar to the HVL-F36AM plus Bounce AND Tilt head and Manual power level control - HVL-F58AM ( with shoe adapter for MIS shoe bodies) has same WL features as HVL-F43M or 43AM - HVL-F60M has same WL features as HVL-F43M or 43AM When they introduced the Radio remote system, they introduced new flash units that had both optical WL AND WL radio capabilities (only one can operate at any given time) The radio and Optical WL flash units are: - HVL-F45RM that has features similar to the HVL-F43M but adds the capability to be used as both a radio WL controller or and optical WL controller. When this was introduced, it broke the optical WL capability with the HVL-F36AM, F42AM and F56AM so your WL receiving flash units need to be HVL-F43M (or AM in Ctrl+ mode), HVL-F58AM (also in Ctrl+ mode) or HVL-F60M (also in Ctrl+ mode) - HVL-F60RM which has similar possibilities as the above HVL-F45RM and same limitations with the older flash units Later the flash line-up was updated (?) but all lost the capability of using the optical WL system in place since Minolta invented that in 1991. These radio only flash units are: -GVL-F28RM HVL-F46RM HVL-F60RM2 And these can control flashes whose model number ends with RM and should you go to the Sony WL receivers to install a Sony flacon them, the flashes that will offer full features with those are limited to the HVL-F43M (NO AM compatibility here) and HVL-F60M. Please also note that the Radio control WL system is not compatible with all Sony bodies. Some older bodies do not have the necessary firmware to operate those. I think the compatibility started with the A7M2 and A6500. Anything older than those models will just tell you you installed an incompatible accessory in the hot shoe. To read more on this i recommend this web page that can direct yo to 4 main topics relating to Minolta/Sony flash usage: https://mhohner.de/sony-minolta/flashcomp.php

Sony HVL-F28RM, HVL-F45RM or HVL-F60RM can be used as triggers too. So does your 46RM to control the before mentioned models. Finding a used one could make the $ pill easier to digest. Some people appear to have satisfaction with the Godox system but i am not familiar with it. There used to be more independent makers of remote systems like Phottix Odin but they are now difficult to find and since they were made in the era of the iISO hot shoe, they would require an adapter to fit the MIS shoe flash units, but it does work

Disable Live View Effect in the Custom menu (Effect Off)

The ring closest to the camera body (the narrower ring) is the focusing ring on this particular lens. If you turn this ring you are overriding the AF system and it activates the focusing magnifier which gives the impression the lens is zooming but it is only showing you the center of the frame to help you confirming sharpness of that section. When you press the shutter button again after that, it returns the image to what your picture will be like at whatever zooming position that is selected on the other ring which is the zooming ring. The real zoom ring is the one furthest from the body (and it is wider than the other ring) so that is the one you need to use for actual zooming. This lens and a few others that have the focusing ring closer to the body are actually a little confusing to use since the vast majority of AF lenses have or used to have the focusing ring at a position that is away from the body and the zooming ring closest to the camera bodies. You mention you have the instructions for this lens. I strongly suggest you read them and get to understand the different controls and settings available on this lens. The section on OSS is particularly important to help setting it up properly depending on picture taking situations and this will help incease the sharpness of your pictures. I also suggest you search and download the A7MII pdf help guide that is available on the Sony support site. https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m2/manuals It has more detailed info on operating the camera body and the section on Manual focusing describes the viewing/reframing that you are experiencing.

Only the (D) models will operate on Sony cameras so the choice is limited to 2500(D), 3600HS(D) and 5600HS(D). The last 2 models were actually cloned by Sony and are known as the HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM. They will also work on Sony bodies with the new MIS shoe as long as you use a Sony ADP-MAA adapter to fit between body and flash. The 3600 and 5600 can also be used as WL units provided your body has WL capability and a control flash either built-in or a separate unit that has WL control capability. (you don't mention which body you are using) Any model either by Minolta or another manufacturer designed prior to these models are only partially compatible as i describe below. Any model older than these can only operate in manual mode but for those that have a rear display, they should provide the distance at which exposure would be correct so they could be used by knowing the distance from flash to subject. This would be the case for the 5400HS, 5400xi and 5200i.

There is no stabilisation on that body so the lens needs to be marked as OSS for Optical stabiliser. If the lens does not have that feature, you're out of luck on that

Clean the contacts on both the lens and your body

I think OSS is switched on by a button on the lens itself. This bypasses and disables the OSS setting in the camera menu.

All Sony A Mount bodies have a motor to drive AF in lenses AND the capability to drive SAM and SSM lenses that have the AF motor in the lens. As i mentioned in my post above. This was introduced by Minolta in 2001 in their film bodies, along the introduction of the Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha 7. It has continued until the end of the A-Mount. There are a lot more lenses out there with non-motorized in-lens AF than there are SSM or SAM lenses.

In A-Mount, Minolta branded were mostly lenses that were screw-driven through a motor in camera. Motorised AF lenses were called SSM( Super Sonic Motor). And there were only 2 of those ( AF 70-200 F 2.8 APO(D) SSM and 300mm F 2.8 APO (D) SSM. Sony also had a line of motorized lenses called SAM but these were more of entry-level whereas higher end lenses also used the SSM designation. All A-Mount Minolta film cameras introduced after 2001 have the capability of using SSM and SAM lenses ( Maxxum 7, Maxxum 5 and a few others but most were entry level with little popularity among advanced amateurs). Maxxum 9 could get updated to add this possibility but they can not be updated anymore. Using a SAM or SSM lens on bodies made prior to 2001, AF will just not operate. All A-Mount Minolta and Sony digital bodies have the capability of using SSM and SAM lenses. All NEX and Alpha mirrorless can use the E-Mount lenses that all have internal focusing motors. To drive A-Mount with screw driven AF, they require the right adapter that includes a motor to allow AF (LA-EA2, LA-EA4 or LA-EA5 with this last model on select bodies only). If the lens designation does not mention either SSM or SAM, it is a screw-driven (body driven) lens.

You've got yourself a few bizarre behaviors. 1) Are you using Bracketing or flash bracketing since both will provide different adjustments sets 2) When using the HVL-F45RM, everything should be OK since this is one flash that can communicate properly with your body and offer seamless operation so your description of yellow cast using AWB is difficult to understand ( I never had any color cast issues when using this and other units unless i bounce off a colored surface) 3) In A-Mode, it is normal for the body to be using 1/60 sec by default. With flash bracketing with your Sony flash it should remain set like that but change the power of the flash from one BRK pic to the other. 4) When in M Mode, if you are using Auto ISO, it will change ISO from one BRK pic to the other. You really, really need to download the Help Guide from the Sony web site and read through the Drive mode and flash operation sections. Here is a link: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7rm3/manuals

Minolta did offer a Shift lens back in the days of MF. No tilt but it offered VFC which is variable field curvature My records show it sold less than 400 copies a year for the 9 years this was being offered for sale It was also selling for about 6 times more than a standard 50mm F 1.7 lens. I don't think Sony would consider any thing that will sell so little considering the investment in development/ carrying parts as opposed to the limited sales this would generate and very little customer wow effect. If they do, they would probably charge something like 3-4000$ which would put you and other buyers down. More so when on mirrorless, you can adapt almost any other brand that has ever been made at a price that is likely more affordable. They do offer crazily priced lenses like the 400mm APO and 600mm APO but these are needed to showcase the AF technology to sports photographers that they want to convince to use their A9/A1 bodies and make them switch from Canikon. Little excitement or brand switching would occur with Tilt/Shift lenses

A long time ago ( during the era of film cameras such as Minolta Maxxum/Alpha/Dynax 7 and 9 where auto flash was specified between ISO 25-1000 in the body owner's manuals), there was a limit to the ISO number where auto flash (TTL) could be used since there was few films that could be available with such high ISO and the fact that the electronics were probably incapable of cutting down the flash fast enough for these high ISO settings providing unreliable exposure. My guess is there is still a limit to the ISO number where a flash can be used in TTL but it is not published anymore and the liberal use of Auto ISO is probably showing these limitations. Did you try fixed ISO at 5000 and see if your results are still good ? ( or maybe the body will revert down to 2500 or not allow for fixed 5000 with a flash mounted and powered on the body) ?