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Review Summary
2024-09-08T20:00:00
I bought this to go with an A77ii to replace a older flash with the fragile AutoLock shoe that's I'd used with my A700. First time I came to use this in anger it was a good job that I took my old flashgun and a shoe adaptor too. This version suffers a serious overheating problem and cannot be used for a slow steady succession of portrait shots. For all it can do, it can't keep up with a couple of firing every couple of minutes. Very expensive for something that never worked as it should, seriously disappointing
bbstrikesagain

2024-01-05T19:00:00
Exposure is on point every single time. The integrated system even recognizes the diffuser and adjust accordingly. I shhot all my weddings and event with just one unit on each camera and get absolutely great results every time. Great buy and does what was promised
Winston A.

2021-03-14T20:00:00
The locking mechanism releases un-expectedly causing the speedlight to fall off the camera. Weak construction for the price point. Love Sony but the speedlights need some work.
BetterBatt

2021-03-14T20:00:00
The locking mechanism releases un-expectedly causing the speedlight to fall off the camera. Weak construction for the price point. Love Sony but the speedlights need some work.
DrDoom

2019-07-30T20:00:00
This has been great and really helped me when I have required on-camera flash. How the heck do I get it off camera with a TTL cord? It's like it's a secret or something! Is there not a simple cord that attached from the flash to the camera like virtually EVERY other flash in existence? I just want to get it on a bracket or something!
jborean

2019-06-22T20:00:00
The locking mechanism is a cheap and over time will fail ( a problem which happen to my other photographer friends ) and let’s the flash unlock from the camera and slip from the hot seat.
BJO 3.

2019-06-07T20:00:00
Bought two years ago for pro use. The mount lock has failed Not robust enough. Repair appears not be possible in the UK according to website. Therefore now an expensive piece of junk
RBT I.

2019-01-14T19:00:00
Overheating apparently is a problem, I see it everywhere. But I did not experience it yet and do use this flash for high-end weddings. Now I found out the crazy fact. For the first time I was using Energizer Ultimate Lithium, supposedly the best batteries in the market and unfortunately I bought 50 pieces. I was very surprised how often the unit was overheated. Never happened with cheap batteries!!! Might be good tip for others. Overal the flash is well build and I use pretty often that build-in LED light.
yanks

2019-01-06T19:00:00
I was delighted to use this product. Former Nikon user and switched to Sony about 6 months ago.As an experienced on-off camera flash unit user, I purchased thid for nighttime event. It was excellent. A ton of power, quick recycle and fantastically easy to use.
imac2139

2018-01-04T08:35:45
it has more than sufficient lighting ratio and works well ettl which eliminates a guess work to provide sufficient lighting but it gets heavy so it would be better for off camera lightings need
ALTAF M.
2017-06-06T20:00:00
It is a great flash but not very reliable it will over heat so fast and not in direct son. I love the power and menu. I would not take it on a paying job. It is like an old girl friend you lover her but she might cheat on you at any point and time. Should not be that way cause of the price
Chocolate T.

2017-04-22T20:00:00
I've only had this a week or so and just as with my other new Sony gear I'm very impressed. I'm on a steep learning curve at the moment but I've already had some impressive results....and a few not so, which were my fault not the equipment's !
Fredtuba

2017-04-22T20:00:00
I've only had this a week or so and just as with my other new Sony gear I'm very impressed. I'm on a steep learning curve at the moment but I've already had some impressive results....and a few not so, which were my fault not the equipment's !
Freddyboy

2017-04-20T20:00:00
This is the second of these that I have purchased and use it professionally in my work which means it could be in action 6 days a week when things are busy. It is a good, solid, usually reliable piece of kit. It does have a bit of weight to go with it, something to consider when you're carrying it around.
Phil p.

2017-03-08T15:10:45
This flash seems to be okay in the "Flash" department. However the mount is made of extremely light, brittle plastic. It didn't hold up to light usage and now we get to see how well Sony stands behind it at warranty. :(
PEACEFUL P.
2016-10-07T12:11:54
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !
DAVID M.
2016-08-25T20:00:00
Powerful, flexible flash that works seamlessly with A7R
A E.

2016-08-25T20:00:00
Powerful, flexible flash that works seamlessly with A7R
No o.

2016-07-03T20:00:00
Recent aquisition to go with a used Sony A99v - Brilliant on it's own but also enables all the previous functions of my older Minolta wireless flashes to be utilized. I'm a VERY happy bunny ;-)
minolta4me

2016-07-03T20:00:00
Recent aquisition to go with a used Sony A99v - Brilliant on it's own but also enables all the previous functions of my older Minolta wireless flashes to be utilized. I'm a VERY happy bunny ;-)
minolta4me k.

2015-09-10T20:00:00
I have been using the HVL-F60M flashgun for portraits, weddings and events and it has proved to be even better than my Nikon SB900. The electronic contacts in the foot are numerous and not readily visible and to keep them clean I advise ALWAYS replacing the foot cap when the gun is not in use. My first cap came off too easily and I had to order replacements
John B.

2015-09-09T20:00:00
This is a very good product the flash is bright and with the video light that helps me to use on ring shots.
ptphotoswales

2015-06-07T20:00:00
Been using in a pro capacity for a while now - however, the flash to camera locking mechanism stopped locking, making the flash virtually unusable in my line of work. Apart from that the product is outstanding.
livy

2015-06-02T20:00:00
I couldn't not say something. I am glad it isn't just me. This flash was a waste of money. Besides the overheating problem which is ridiculous all the proprietary attachments that don't couple well to remotes make this a bad investment. I love my Sony 99, love my Zeiss lens , but get a different flash system.
gregpphotog

2015-05-21T21:00:00
The flash has an awesome control of light, every easy to setup. After the Firmware update, is there no longer problems with overheating Sony did a free upgrade of my flash https://guldmann.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/heaps-of-light-the-much-criticised-hvl-f60m/
Guldmann
2014-12-29T19:00:00
Unfortunately this otherwise nice flash overheats constantly which makes it totally unreliable on jobs. Waiting 5-10 minutes during an hour long shoot for the flash to work again is a real job killer and embarrassing too. If it was more reliable I would highly recommend this flash but the overheating IS an issue.
Morgan589

2014-11-30T19:00:00
Sony has issued a firmware update to address the overheating issue with these flash units. Contact Sony service.
Ed C.
2014-11-16T19:00:00
This flash is well constructed, powerful, feels good and is easy to use even though it has many features. I also have the F56 and F20 and using the three together in a wireless setup is simple. There has been much written about overheating of this unit but unless you are a Pro-Photographer taking 50 flash shots in a short time frame, it just isn't a problem. I am a very keen amateur and highly recommend the F60M. Buy it!
Overlord555

2014-09-18T20:00:00
I read the reviews before purchasing the Flash 60, I found it very useful, in my courses, I'm studying Portrait and Wedding photography. This is my first external flash. I purchased another set of 4AA's for backup, from what I read it might get hot, swap the batteries and a work around. I enjoy sony products. I'm the only one in courses, possibly thew whole program using sony. A instructor picked it up and raved... The flash is complicated-and this is my first, but I printed the manual, 4 pages per sheet, zoomed, and duplexed. Read your manual...
acButler

2014-09-06T20:00:00
The HVLF60 its a great product. Really it is. As the old HVL43, but with the new hotshoe comes the problems for me: how can I use some remote in my HVL60 flash? Try some but doesn't work. The new connectors doesn't allow to transmit the shoot form the a99 to the flash through remote accessories. Can I use the wireless function between the camera and flash without accessories?
Lenrique

The Sony HVL-F60M is a superior lighting solution for working photographers and videographers alike. Special attention was paid to its subtle design and faster operation that now includes the Quick Navi interface found in Sony Alpha camera bodies so flash and lighting settings can be quickly and easily adjusted and optimized. The patented Quick Shift Bounce design found in this unit makes shifting between horizontal and vertical shooting a snap without compromising on light output. With the new built-in LED video light, the HVL-F60M can also be utilized under various movies shooting situations. Dust and moisture resistant design as well as ample flash attachments make this the perfect accessory in the camera bag.
High-illumination output
Delivers high-illumination output in a compact, lightweight body, with an effective range of more than 90 feet (28m) and guide number 60. (Guide number measures the illumination capability of the flash; the higher the number, the higher the light output. Tested at ISO100, 105mm).
New LED video light
With the new built-in LED video light it has never been easier to switch between stills and movie shooting even in low-light conditions. LED enables checking and setting the light and shadow conditions before shooting still image or movie with live view function of EVF equipped camera. Maximum luminance of 1200 lux/(0.5m), with illuminating distance of approximately 6-1/2 feet (2m) at ISO3200/ F5.6.
Quick Shift Bounce
Sony's patented "Quick Shift Bounce" system allows the HVL-F60M to quickly orbit 90 degrees left and right, allowing you to maintain horizontal light distribution even when shooting vertically. In addition to pivoting side-to-side, the flash unit can also tilt down10 degrees or back 150 degrees, ensuring customers the lighting freedom they need to capture that perfect shot.
Quick Navi and Large Dot Matrix LCD
Quick Navi control is the intuitive User Interface from Sony Alpha camera bodies that make it a snap to locate and change settings. A large dot matrix LCD display is easy-to see and intuitive button layout makes it easy to configure the HVL-F60M for a variety of shooting needs.
Wireless Ratio Control
Wireless Ratio Control allows customers to wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, as well as specify the luminosity ratio for each group, so they can enjoy multiple-flash lighting techniques without the need for special equipment or tedious exposure settings.
Auto White Balance compensation
Auto White Balance compensation allows for more accurate white balance in flash photography sending color temperature information from the HVL-F60M to the camera, where it is incorporated into the camera's white balance settings.
Modeling light capability
allows the HVL-F60M to pulse, helping photographers determine where shadows will fall before taking the picture, so they can alter lighting or subject positioning as necessary.
Stroboscopic lighting control
Stroboscopic lighting control lets the HVL-F60M fire multiple times during a single exposure, allowing customers to capture stroboscopic images where moving subjects are frozen several times in the frame.
Advanced Distance Integration (ADI)
ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) metering enables the HVL-F60M to work more effectively with lenses equipped with distance encoders -- combining TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering with guide number control are calculated automatically according to the distance to the subject, the ambient light and the pre-flash reflectivity of the subject.
High-Speed Synchronization
Other flashes only work well at shutter speeds synchronized from the camera (example: from 1/125 to 1/250 of a second). The Sony HVL-F60M Flash Unit provides a High Speed Synchronization mode (HSS) that enables the flash to sync with shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1/4000 of a second to catch fast-moving subjects.
Automatic focal-length adjustments
The HVL-F60M automatically adjusts flash for focal-length settings from 24mm to 105mm, and a built-in, slide-out wide-angle panel increases wide-angle coverage to 15mm.
Flash compensation operation
As a new feature, the flash compensation settings can be operated with flash in addition to the settings made with camera body (note: only with SLT-A99V camera body).
Color Conversion Filter for LED Light, Built-in Diffuser for LED Light
Using a built-in diffuser reduces glare and softens light. It can also lessen unnatural multiple shadows. Using a color conversion filter lets you change the color temperature to about 3,200K (at maximum brightness).
Slide-out bounce sheet
The HVL-F60M features a slide-out bounce sheet built into the flash head, and can be used in portraits and other bounced light shots to direct light at a subject's pupils to deliver more lively expression.
Large Dot Matrix LCD
The large, easy-to-see LCD display and intuitive button layout make it easy to configure the HVL-F60M for a variety of shooting needs.
Mini-stand
The HVL-F60M comes with a mini-stand that can stand on its own or be mounted to a tripod or lighting stand for increased wireless freedom. Folds up for easy storage.
Dust and moisture resistant design
Sealing materials are set at joints of outer materials (body, LCD panel, Mounting Foot etc.) and around movement/ operating parts thereby increasing the life of the flash unit.