Sony HVL-F60RM
Sony has also revealed a new flagship flash in the form of the HVL- F60RM. With high-power output and a maximum guide number of 60 (ISO 100), the HVL- F60RM provides wide-range zoom coverage from 20mm to 200mm, with continuous shooting for up to as many as 220 flashes.
Improvements over the existing HVL- F60M include superior heatresistant materials and the use of new algorithms, which Sony claims will increase the heat resistance by four times. The recycle time between flashes is a hasty 1.7sec, but this can be improved to just 0.6sec with the new external battery adapter (FA- EBA1). As expected, flash synchronisation is maintained during continuous shooting to minimise flash misfires.
The flashgun is equipped with Sony’s Quick Shift Bounce function that allows users to quickly shift from horizontal to vertical orientation; however unlike Canon’s ingenious Speedlite 470EX-AI, the head isn’t motorised. Functions can be freely assigned to the unit’s four-way controller, and it’s possible to memorise the TTL flash output and recall it in manual mode to save time. As well as being dust-and-moisture resistant, there’s a new optional rain guard (FA- RG1) to provide added protection between the flash and camera, while it can also be set up to be used as a transmitter to fire as many as 15 other off- camera units, assigned in up to five groups.
When it goes on sale in April, the Sony HVLF60RM will cost £620. The optional external battery adapter (FA- EBA1) and rain guard (FA- RG1) will cost £270 and £27, respectively.