Question about Sony A100K and brand compatibility

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Steve Koterski - 04 Jan 2007 16:45 GMT

I recently purchased my first dSLR, a Sony A100K. This is not my first
SLR, but it is my first digital SLR.

My question has to do with this camera and compatibility with
components manuafactured by other companies.

Is a flash unit cited as Minolta-compatible work with a Sony A100K?

I was looking at hardware ads in photography magazines. I was
especially looking at flash units, but the question is general. Vendor
citations of brand compatibility mention Canon, Nikon, Minolta, etc.
But seldom is Sony mentioned. I think I read somewhere that the A100K
is really a Minolta camera, sold by Sony (or something along those
lines).

Thanks.

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David Kilpatrick - 04 Jan 2007 18:21 GMT

> I recently purchased my first dSLR, a Sony A100K. This is not my first
> SLR, but it is my first digital SLR.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> is really a Minolta camera, sold by Sony (or something along those
> lines).

The Sony system is entirely - at the moment - identical to the final
version of the Minolta flash system. Any Minolta or Konica Minolta flash
units labelled (D) - as in 5600HS(D), 3600HS(D) - will work correctly
with the Sony A100. So will independent units but Sigma's latest model
is required (not the one before), Metz need an adaptor versio 7 not
version 6 of the Minolta shoe, etc. Anything current should be OK,
thousands of used and older guns with the same flash shoe are not OK and
can only be used on full power or manual settings.

Many cheapie flash units (Cobra etc) have not been updated for digital
compatibility and unless something says it is specifically compatible
with the Konica Minolta 7D, 5D and/or the Sony A100 it's not worth the risk.

With DSLRs in general, since TTL off the film metering is impossible,
flash is a bit hit and miss. Each maker has managed a nearly acceptable
solution but all involve pre-flash measurement. In many ways, you are
better off getting a hot shoe adaptor FS-1100 for the A100 - or the Hong
Kong sourced eBay item which has the bonus of a PC sync socket:

170065939163 (ebay item - buy it now under $15 - I have bought one of
these and it arrived in about five days, perfect for the job)

Find a good thyristor-auto gun, like a Vivitar 283 or a Metz 45 CT-1, or
indeed any decent flash with a sensor cell of its own, and you generally
get more accurate and predictable exposures plus no pre-flash, which
means fewer problems with blinkers and pets

David

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Steve Koterski - 04 Jan 2007 18:40 GMT

>> I recently purchased my first dSLR, a Sony A100K. This is not my first
>> SLR, but it is my first digital SLR.
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>
>David

Great info. Thanks.

I didn't even think about looking on eBay. Good suggestion. There was
a thyristor twin flash (tilt & swivel, second flash, fair guide
number) for $49. I might get one of those. The listing specifically
cited compatibility with A100 cameras.

It's ironic. I worked at eBay for four years and in that time never
bought or sold a single item. Now, almost three years after leaving, I
might buy my first item. <grin>

I will also look at the other recommendations you made.

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Fred McKenzie - 04 Jan 2007 18:58 GMT

> Is a flash unit cited as Minolta-compatible work with a Sony A100K?

Steve-

It depends. Some Minolta flashes such as the "xi" models use an older
Through-The-Lens (TTL) flash exposure system that is not compatible. My
old Minolta 5400xi flash produced grossly over-exposed pictures with the
Sony Alpha. Such an older flash can only be used in manual mode with
the Sony.

Recent Minolta SLRs, as well as the Konica-Minolta 7D and 5D DSLRs use a
newer a TTL system. I purchased a Minolta 5600HS (D) flash which seems
to work perfectly with the Sony. The Sony flash is apparently a
re-branded version of this flash.

Fred

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Steve Koterski - 04 Jan 2007 19:25 GMT

>> Is a flash unit cited as Minolta-compatible work with a Sony A100K?
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>Fred

Thanks.

When I look at advertisements for flash units, I will bear these
factors in mind.

That Minolta 5600HS goes for about $300. That's even more than the
flash on the Sony site. Unfortunately, I am doing this only as a
hobby, not as a professional. After spending around $1,000 on this
camera already (camera, second lens, memory card, tripod, etc.), I
don't have a whole lot of budget leeway left.

Perhaps I will get a cheaper one for now and a better one like you
recommend later.

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Alan Browne - 06 Jan 2007 22:15 GMT

>>Is a flash unit cited as Minolta-compatible work with a Sony A100K?
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Sony Alpha. Such an older flash can only be used in manual mode with
> the Sony.

Which is easy enough with some judgement. I have the 5600HS but I use
it manually with the 7D and set it's power manually. Given the instant
feedback (monitor and histo) I get better results than pre-flash TTL.

> Recent Minolta SLRs, as well as the Konica-Minolta 7D and 5D DSLRs use a
> newer a TTL system. I purchased a Minolta 5600HS (D) flash which seems
> to work perfectly with the Sony. The Sony flash is apparently a
> re-branded version of this flash.

Yep.

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Alan Browne - 06 Jan 2007 22:15 GMT

> Is a flash unit cited as Minolta-compatible work with a Sony A100K?

What David said.

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