Sony HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series
The Sony HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash is Sony's flagship flash unit, and provides Sony Alpha camera users with a host of powerful and professional features. It features an effective range of more than 45' (14.5 m) and a guide number of 190'/58 m (at 105mm), and a fast, five-second recharge time.
The HVL-F58AM can also wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, and Wireless Ratio Control allows you to assign ratios for each group separately. The Quick Shift Bounce system allows the flash to orbit 90° left and right, allowing you to maintain horizontal light distribution even when shooting vertically. Other useful features are: ADI metering, auto white balance, auto zoom and high-speed sync.
It is the perfect flash for formal portraits, weddings and special events, still-life photography, hobby shots and more.
- Auto WB Adjustment
- The Auto WB adjusts the white balance automatically, with color temperature information signaled to the Alpha camera before WB is adjusted.
- High-Speed Sync
- The HVL-F58AM flash unit provides High-Speed Synchronization (HSS) mode that enables flash sync with shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1/4000 of a second to catch fast-moving subjects.
- ADI Flash Metering
- ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) metering capability enables the HVL-F58AM to work more effectively with lenses equipped with distance encoders, combining TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering with guide number control calculated automatically according to the distance to the subject, the ambient light and the pre-flash reflectivity of the subject.
- Wireless Ratio Control
- Wireless Ratio Control allows the user to wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, and to specify the power ratio for each group, to allow for multiple-flash lighting techniques without the need for special equipment or tedious exposure settings.
- Fast Recharge
- This flash recharges approximately 55% faster than the previous Sony high-end accessory flash (HVL-F56AM). And because it features a quiet recycle charge, there's no whine to distract them from their subject.
| Type | Shoe Mount |
| Guide No. | 190' (58 m) at 105mm |
| Angle of Coverage | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Vari-Power | Yes |
| TTL Dedication | Yes (ADI in combination with D Lens) |
| Bounce Head | Yes (90° up, -10° down) |
| Swivel Head | Yes (180° left/right) |
| Zoom Head | Yes (24mm - 105mm coverage, 16mm with included wide panel) |
| Off Camera Terminal | Yes (located on the bottom of the flash under a cover, next to the hot shoe mount) |
| Recycle Time | 5 Seconds (flash at full power with fresh alkaline batteries) |
| Power Source | 4x AA Batteries (Alkaline, NiMH) |
| Dimensions | 3 x 5.8 x 4.2" (77 x 147 x 106mm) |
| Weight | 15.6 oz (440g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 35 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good power output (27)
- Easy to use (16)
- Consistent output (12)
- Even light source (12)
- Fast recycling (10)
Cons
- Heavy (7)
- Heavy / bulky (4)
Best Uses
- Outdoor events / games (12)
- General purpose (10)
- Weddings (10)
- Fill flash (9)
- Professional work (9)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (8), Film professional (6), Semi-pro photographer (6), Tech savvy (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (20)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 35 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Use it at events, very consistent and perfect for portrait photos
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I own an Alfa 700.Mostly I used Metz flashes.I admit Metz is very good but for Sony camera F58 is the best.After first shooting day I was stunned.Almost no shadow behind and perfect white balance. Camera and flash perfectly balance together.Is a bit on the heavy side.It doesn't take a lithium batteries I guess I will go with the rechargeable anyway.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Commander
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Awesome by its self and extremely good as a commander to remote Flash's like my 38. It's the only way to get above 1/200th of second to a Remote flash and so now I am complete.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I bought this to use in conjuntion with my HVL 42's for manual wireless off camera setup's. Which it does really well thanks to the Minolta/Sony wireless system using the onboard camera flash as a trigger. When used by itself on camera the TTL works beautifully. I especially like the way it will twist and swivel for portrait shots, which allows it to work well with the Sony verical grip.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Well worth the money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I've used many flashes in my career and since making my switch from Nikon equipment to Sony I continue to be shocked at the quality of Sony's pro line. This flash communicates with my a900 like nothing else out there. The swivel options blown any other brand out of the water. You will bouncing this thing off any place you like. I have purposely tried to trip it up and it just makes no mistakes. It's scary. Get the extension off camera cord too. Walk around with this in your hand and see what it will give you if you have a alpha camera. I am not a flash guy but sometimes I just need it. But this thing makes me want to use it when I normally would natural light it. Worth it, worth it, worth it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
Best Uses
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I am a beginner, and had absolutely no idea about what I was doing or why I was buying the flash. All I knew, that it was the best sony flash, so i bought it. I have learned many things along my everyday photography adventures and have discovered new ways of using the flash. The flash makes a huge difference in terms of the quality. I mean it really does make a HUGE DIFFERENCE. I would definitely recommend this flash for any type of user. its a bit pricey but hey its Sony. it was well worth it for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Very versatile, built in wireless.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Sony has made a very good flash and its features are very good. The best part is the different angles that the flash truns sideways as well as backward.
More important is also the experience of buying it from B&H.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
This is my second HVL-F58AM. My plan is to be mobile and light weight when photgraphing events. I love the ADI setting on these flash units; very difficult to take an overexposed photograph. Sony has produced a great product for the Alpha.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Group Photos
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
The way the head rotates allows me to use the bounce flash not only horizontally but vertically as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
The Quick Shift Bounce system is amazing it just makes it a pleasure to use.
The wireless communication between camera and flash has been great.
Add a Sto-Fen OM-HV58 Omni-Bounce and you will get beautiful soft lighting
Combined with the Sony A700 and the sigma 24-70 f/2.8 hsm it is a fantastic setup.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
As soon as I got it, put it on my a580 and started taking pictures, any ways, any orientation, everything was perfect.
Quite easy to use and configure. Powerfull and very "flexible"
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Closeups
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
An excellent product that has given me superior results every time . I particularly like the manner in which the head retates,which is unique to this model. No other flash does it this way. Furthermore, I don't have to push a button to change the head position. I have some questions about using the flash on camera to set off other wireless flashes. But no matter, all my Sony A700 bodies have a pop up flash which woks very well as a wireless flash controller. I have a Minolta 3600 flash and a Sony F42,which work flawlessly with this flash. I have used this flash for portraits, closeups, and fill flash with excellent results. I am glad I finally got it and expect many years of useful service.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
The camera flash appears to be perfect. Sure wish it fit my older Sony camera! It was a nice try but unfortunately the options for my DCS R1 are limited. [...]
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Flowers Animals
- Photos of tropical fish
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I have only used the flash so far to take holiday photos & photos of plants & animals at the zoo. I was extremely happy with the results. I was not getting the shadows I previously received with the built in flash.
The flash is heavy.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Even Light Source
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I use this flash on the NEX-VG10 for still photography. Very accurate TTL metering and very powerful. Highly recommend!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Even Light Source
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Special Events
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
ALL PHASES OF PHOTOS AS NEEDED
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Even Light Source
- Strong intelligent flash
Cons
- Heavy but manageable
Best Uses
- Fill Flash Outdoors
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I use this flash with the new Sony SLT-A55V camera. The rotating head allows bounce lighting whether camera is held vertical or horizontal.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Battery life pretty good
- Even Light Source
- Flexibility
- Long Lasting
- Powerful
- Swivel
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Birthdays
- Professional Work
- Special Events
- Weddings
Comments about HVL-F58AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
- The swivel is an amazing asset that no other flash can provide. i've used it more than i thought i would have already.
- The wireless is spot on and works nicely with the alpha system.
- The thing i like the most: the ability to decrease the sensitivity and exposure of the flash right on my camera, and the flash doing what i want it to!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.50
- Price: $13.99
Flash Diffusers
- Price: $9.95
Reflectors
- Price: $39.95
Brackets
- Price: $34.98
Sync Cords & Flash Remotes
- Price: $47.70
- Price: $16.95
Flash Pouch
- Price: $24.99
Flash Accessories
- Price: $24.95
What's in the Box
- Case
- Mini Stand
- 1-Year Sony U.S.A. Warranty
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