Sony HVLF32X External AutoProgrammable Flash for MVCCD500D, DSCV1/V3/R1 Cameras

I bought it for my Sony DSC-f828 and now use it with my DSC-R1. I love this flash. If you have a Sony DSC-F828 or DSC-R1 then this flash will work with your cameras through the lens metering system. The flash will also assist with low light auto focus by using the built in LED's beneath the main flash head.The flash mounts on hot shoe on the right side of the camera body providing a nice balance feel to the camera and more importantly; by the flash being offset from the center of the lens it eliminates that dreaded red eye you can get while using the built in flash.There is also an optional diffuser that pops down over the flash for wide angle shots. This lifts up and stores in a special slot above the flash head where it can't get lost but it's always there when you need it. The flash can be used in full "Auto" mode or you can manually adjust the settings. the features in this flash are usually found in units costing many $$$ more, and this Flash communicates with your camera to get that perfect shot every time.My only complaint with this flash is it does not use rechargeable batteries. I wish Sony had designed it to use the same battery as the camera (like they do with some models of video camera lights) This would be a great idea.This flash operates on four AA batteries. I have tried all brands I could find and my best results (ie: quickest recycle times) were with Energizer e2 series batteries. This is not meant to plug the batteries, just to save you time trying them all out yourself.Here's more from the Sony site:Get outstanding flash coverage of up to 32 feet with this Deluxe Sony High Grade Flash. Offers innovative built-in model light mode, manual lighting control for increased creativity and a bounce and tilt head with built-in diffuser for easy use. Advanced automatic TTL Pre-Flash exposure control is offered through the dedicated hot shoe connector.* Equipped with advanced ACC shoe allowing communication with camera without cable* Included cable allows compatibility with ACC terminal* Equipped with back light LCD for improved operation* Power: 4 AA sized alkaline batteries* 6 level manual flash selection* Pre-flash adjustment: detects appropriate exposure before firing flash* Allows detection when conversion lens attached* AF assist lamp allows AF photography even when subject is too dark* Test flash: sets the focal length of light adjustment sensor by DSC data, then fires the test flash* Red-eye reduction, bounce flash function, equipped with wide panel, modeling flash

Sony HVLF32X External AutoProgrammable Flash for MVCCD500D, DSCV1/V3/R1 Cameras this flash unit is very easy to set up and use. just make sure your camera is off when you attach the flash unit, otherwise it will not work right for a minute or two. read instructions. it comes with a built in diffuser stashed in the top of the flash body. the pictures i've taken with the HVLF32X blows the built in away, like night and day. the improvement is greater than i expected, with the diffuser and the pivoting flash head i can eliminate shadows and no more uneven light saturation on the subject or object you are shooting. this an easy way to improve your flash pictures especially if your an amature like myself. also comes with a side extension rig that mounts under the camera where the tripod goes, then the tripod mounts to the flash rig if you choose. very versetile unit. i am very happy with my purchase, the improvement in my photo's exceeds the cost of the HVLF32X. ps. it also adapts to the lenses you use in your camera.

The only thing that I consider poor design is the battery compartment lid which is constantly opening. Think a better design could have been incorporated so that this would not happen. Even a screw that locked the lid could have been much better, but then again you have the cost of a small screw that would affect the bottom line.Other than that, it was in the 4 star area.............

While I think the programmable aspects of this of this flash are great, I have real problems with the actual use. So far it's given me variable results in similar lighting situations, making me wonder about the metering. It is very powerful and lights up a great deal of area. The manual mode is handy, but I wish there were more values.I'm VERY disappointed by the cycle time. It takes a very long time for this to cycle up to a full charge. Compared to my old Speedlites, it takes easily 3-4 times as long to cycle. I can't tell you the times I've waited and waited, pressed the shutter button, then had to wait some more!Also, because of the low-profile feature, if you use larger flash-attached diffusers, such as a LumiQuest mini-soft box, it will block the sensors forcing you into manual mode. A STO-FEN diffuser works ok and won't block the sensors.The extender arm is great, but after only a short while of using it, the shoe became very loose and swivels too easily. Also, I wish the supplied cable were a bit longer so you can hand-hold the flash. An extender cable helps out in these situations.All-in-all, it's an ok flash, as long as you don't need to shoot two flash shots together quickly.

Nothng technical. This unit is designed for Sony cameras and works best with them. It eats batteries, but with rechargeable AA's that's not a big problem. I have found the results to be very uniform and close to Sony's specs. Reasonable recycle time.I wish that Sony had designed the unit to sit a little higher off the camera to eliminate more of the red eye effect.Have to wait and see about the long-term durability. Maybe it's the next Vivitar 283.

It’s a good item!

This flash is dead on arrival. I could not return it so I try to contact sony for support. But they are not very helpful. I have very little confidence in Sonny products nowaday.