3-083-085-11 (1)

Operating Instructions Mode demploi Manual de instrucciones

GB FR ES

HVL-F32X
Sony Corporation 2003 Printed in Japan

English

WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION
When using your electronic flash, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: 1 Read and understand all instructions before using. 2 Care must be taken as burns can occur from touching hot parts. 3 Do not operate appliance if it has been dropped or damaged, until it has been examined by a qualified serviceman. 4 To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse this appliance in water or other liquids. 5 To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this appliance, but take it to a qualified serviceman when service or repair work is required. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when the appliance is used subsequently.
6 The use of an accessory attachment not recommended by the manufacturer may cause a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, these is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
For the customers in Germany
Directive: EMC directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC This equipment complies with EMC regulations when used under the following circumstances: Residential area Business district Light-industry district

Table of contents

Features.... 5 Caution.... 6 Cleaning..... 6 Parts identification.... 7 Names and functions of the parts... 8 Display panel.... 9 Installing the batteries... 10 Mounting the flash... 11 Using the flash.... 14 Meaning of READY lamp states... 19 Bounce flash photography... 20 Mounting the wide panel.... 22 Return the wide panel to its original position.. 23 If the wide panel is detached... 23 Power save mode... 24 Test flash.... 25 Modeling flash.... 26 Connection cord... 27 Back light.... 27 Troubleshooting... 28 Specifications... 29

Features

This unit is exclusively for use with digital still cameras with an advanced accessory shoe or ACC terminal made by SONY. Using its pre-flash function flash photographs with the correct exposure can be taken.* With its AF illuminator function the auto focus works even in dark locations.* * There are some types of digital still cameras with which this flash cannot be used.

Caution

The flash cannot be used on camcorders. Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously. When the flash is used in low-temperature conditions, battery performance is reduced. For example, the number of flashes becomes lower than that in room temperature (about 20C), and the charging time becomes longer. We recommend preparing new batteries. Note, however, that even batteries whose performance has dropped due to low temperatures are restored by returning them to room temperature. Do not leave or store the flash in temperatures that exceed 40C. Doing so might adversely affect the internal structure of video flash. (In particular, take care not to leave the flash in automobiles during summer.) The nameplate is located on the bottom exterior.

Cleaning

Remove this unit from the digital still camera. Clean the flash with a dry soft cloth. In case of stubborn stains, use a cloth lightly dampened with a mild detergent solution, then wipe the unit clean with a dry soft cloth. Never use strong solvents, such as thinner or benzine, as these damage the surface finish.

Parts identification

7 qh qg qf qd qs qj q; qa qk ql 9 q; Flashing section Wide panel Light exposure meter AF illuminator Advanced accessory shoe Bounce flash angle display Battery cover Rotating knob POWER switch Mode button qa qs qd qf qg qh qj qk ql Light intensity change button Modeling light button Back light button Test flash button READY lamp AF illuminator change button Display panel Connection cord terminal Cord clamper 9
Names and functions of the parts
AF illuminator change button p. 17 Button to set the AF illuminator quantity, each press of the button changes the indication in the following order. t t No display POWER switch READY lamp p. 19 This lights up when battery charging is completed. The power (ON/ OFF) switch Mode button p. 15 The 3 modes
Test flash button p. 25 The flash fires when pressed. Back light button p. 27 The display panel lights up for about 10 seconds. Modeling light button p. 26 When pressed the modeling light comes on.
may be selected. Setting the light intensity p. 16 For setting the light intensity in mode. Press + or to select 1/32 , 1/16 , 1/8 , 1/4 , 1/2 , or 1/1.

Display panel

AF illuminator display AF illuminator Communication confirmation display Display when normal communication is established with the digital still camera. Wide panel Displayed when the wide panel is in use. Flash display Displayed when the flash has fired. Battery power warning display Displayed when the battery power has become low.
Mode display Display for switching between
Power saving display Displayed during power saving.
Light intensity display Displays the light intensity during mode.

Installing the batteries

Use four AA alkali dry batteries.
Slide the battery cover to open. Insert the four batteries in the directions marked inside the battery case. Slide back the battery cover to close.

PNotes

Be sure to use four batteries of the same type. Be sure to confirm the 3 # poles of the batteries. Inserting the batteries with the poles in the wrong direction may cause leakage or ruptures.

Mounting the flash

When using the digital still camera which is compatible with the advanced accessory shoe

Flashing section 3

The lock pin moves up and down by turning the rotating knob. Pin Name Lock pin
1 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to loosen. * Raise the lock pin fully. 2 Insert this unit into the accessory shoe towards the front, with the flashing section facing forward. * Be sure that the POWER switch is OFF when inserting. 3 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten. * Lower the lock pin fully. If it is not fully lowered then this unit may fall down. * When attaching or removing this unit from the digital still camera, loosen the rotating knob fully, and raise the lock pin fully.
Mounting the flash (continued)
When using the digital still camera which is not compatible with the advanced accessory shoe
* Connect this unit to the digital still camera with the supplied connection cord.

Flashing section 4

1 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to loosen. 2 Insert this unit into the accessory shoe towards the front, with the flashing section facing forward. 3 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten. 4 Attach the connection cord to the connection cord terminal of this unit. 5 Connect the connection cord to the ACC terminal of the digital still camera. * Depending upon the digital still camera being used, fix the connection cord by pressing it between the cord clamper. PNote
Removing or attaching this unit to a digital still camera while the power is ON, or disconnecting the connection cord while the power is ON can cause the flash to fire erroneously.
When using the digital still camera without the accessory shoe
* Use the supplied connection cord. * Use the supplied shoe adaptor.
To use the supplied shoe adaptor, attach the shoe adaptor to the tripod screw hole of the digital still camera. 1 Turn in the direction of the arrow to tighten. Attach this unit to the shoe adaptor. 2 With the flashing section facing forward, securely attach it to the shoe adaptor. The accessory shoe can rotate. 3 Attach the connection cord to the connection cord terminal of this unit. 4 Turn the rotating knob in the direction of the arrow to tighten. PNote

Using the flash

This digital still camera with an advanced accessory shoe is used here for illustration purposes. Refer to the operating instructions of the digital still camera for each detailed operation.
Press the POWER switch on the digital still camera to turn ON.

Set the mode dial on the digital still camera to A, M, or SCN.

, P, S,

Press the control button on the digital still camera to choose Flash mode.
Each press of the button changes the indication in the following order. No display (AUTO) t Forced flash ( ) t Slow synchro ( ) t No flash ( ) * Be sure that Hot Shoe is set to [OFF] in the SET UP settings.
Slide the POWER switch on this unit to ON.
The flash starts to be charged, and the READY lamp and /CHG lamp on the digital still camera start to flash (orange). When the flash is ready to fire, the READY lamp on this unit lights (orange). When the charging is finished, the /CHG lamp on the digital still camera goes out. When the batteries are run down, it takes longer to charge this unit.
The flash mode of the digital still camera compatible with the advanced accessory shoe can be changed in the following order by the mode button on this unit. / / mode photography
This unit performs a pre-flash, the disital still camera calculates the ideal light intensity, and make this unit flash.
Using the flash (continued)

mode photography

This unit automatically adjusts the light intensity and fires with the ideal light intensity.
The mode in which the user can set the light intensity. The light intensity can be selected using the light intensity change button on this unit by the following procedure.

1/16 GN8 (6)

1/32 GN6 (4)
GN32 (22) GN22 (16) GN16 (11) GN11 (8)
* Values within brackets ( ) applies when using the wide panel To obtain the shooting distance 1 Press the mode button and select. 2 Set the guide number by changing the light intensity. 3 The distance is obtained from the aperture (F-value) of the digital still camera (use in the manual mode). Distance = Guide Number Aperture setting (F)
To obtain the guide number 1 Press the mode button and select. 2 Set the aperture on the digital still camera. 3 From the formula for distance and aperture obtain the optimum guide number, and select it using the light intensity change button. Guide Number = Aperture setting (F) Distance For Guide Numbers, refer to Specifications. (p. 29) PNote
Do not close the light exposure meter or the ideal light intensity will not be obtained.

AF illuminator

Do not bring the AF illuminator close to persons eyes, and flash.

To select the AF illuminator If the digital still camera is compatible with an external AF illuminator then is displayed. The user can select normal, strong and OFF

normal

strong
The disital still camera is compatible with the AF illuminator, and allow of using it. t t No display The disital still camera is compatible with the AF illuminator, but prohibit using it. No display t t Slow flashing Slow flashing The digital still camera is not compatible with the AF illuminator. It turns off after about No display t 2 minutes. Fast flashing
Lightly press the digital still camera shutter button to confirm the image. Then press the shutter button further.
This unit fires in conjunction with the shutter button.
Meaning of READY lamp states
When it light (orange) Flash is ready for firing. When it flashes (orange) Flash is charging. Firing is not possible. When it flashes (red) The batteries are run down. Replace with new batteries. (Charging takes longer if the flash has not been used for a long time.) When the READY does not light The flashing is prohibited. (When the digital still camera excepts the shooting mode.)

Bounce flash photography

Enable to shoot in all flash modes. If there is a wall or similar object behind the subject, fire the flashing section pointed at a white ceiling or wall to light the subject using reflected light. As the reflected light spreads in and around the subject over a wide area to light the subject, you can create softer images with fewer shadows on the subject and wall.

Bounce flash on

Bounce flash off
Decide on the angle of the flashing section so that the angle of incidence and reflecting angle on the reflecting surface are equal.
The shooting distance means the total distance obtained by adding the distance from the flashing section to the reflecting surface to the distance from the reflecting surface to the subject.

Angle of incidence

Angle of reflection
Press the shutter button on the digital still camera.
A small bounce flash angle causes the light to directly strike the subject together with the reflected light, resulting in uneven illumination. Choose a reflecting surface that is near white having high reflectance. Correct colouring cannot be obtained with reflecting surfaces other than white. Also, small reflectance shortens the shooting distance.

Rotating angle of flashing section
The flashing section rotates from 0 in the down direction up to 90 in the up direction. Use the flashing section at the fixed positions 45, 60, 75 and 90 in the up direction.
Bounce flash angle display

Light exposure meter

During photography, do not cover the metering sensor on the flash with your fingers, for example. You cannot get the proper light intensity. When using , is flashing. In that case, use You may not be able to get enough light with or. Be careful not to pinch your finger when you change the angle of the flashing section.

Mounting the wide panel

Use the wide panel when the wide conversion lens is used. The wide panel widens the illumination angle of the flash. (The maximum light intensity drops when the wide panel is mounted.)
Gently draw out the wide panel.
Pull the wide panel down towards the flashing section side, then press the wide panel gently until it clicks.

Be sure that

indicator is shown on the display panel.
Return the wide panel to its original position
Set up the wide panel, then push it straight into the end. Be sure that panel. indicator is disappeared on the display
If the wide panel is detached
Insert one projection of the wide panel into the hole on the unit facing the uneven surface of the wide panel up. Fit the other projection of the wide panel in the other hole on the unit.

Uneven surface

Power save mode
When there is no communication with the digital still camera, this unit will automatically go into power save mode after 1 minute, even when the POWER on this unit is ON. The panel display will show.
At this time, no battery charging and no input by buttons can be made. When this unit is not used for a long time, set the POWER switch to OFF. Restarting Either press the POWER switch again (ON t OFF t ON), or turn on the power of the digital still camera, and this unit will restart.

Test flash

Manually operated flash The procedure varies depending upon the flash mode on this unit. The test flash can be used in all modes while the READY lamp is lighting. Fire the flash with a specific light intensity (Guide Number equivalent to 11), when using , or only this unit. When using Operate the flash with a user-determined light intensity.

Modeling flash

Before taking a photograph it is possible to carry out a pre-flash to confirm shadows of the subject. After confirming that the READY lamp is on, press the modeling flash button and the flash will light up for about 2 seconds continuously.
Using the modeling flash will allow the direction and area of shadows to be confirmed, however the depth of the shadows will be different from the real photograph. In bright locations or outdoors shadows cannot be confirmed.

Connection cord

When the digital still camera is not compatible with the advanced accessory shoe, connect the connection cord to the digital still camera.
Connection method Connect 1 to the connection cord terminal of this unit. Connect 2 to the ACC terminal of the digital still camera. 3 may be connected to a remote control tripod. PNote

Back light

The back light of the LCD can be lit by the user determined operation. 1 It can be lit by the users back light button operation. (color : amber) 2 The back light turns off at about 10 seconds after it lights. 3 If other button operations are made while lighting, it extends for 10 seconds.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Remedy The flash does not work Make sure that this unit is properly inserted into the advanced accessory shoe, or the connection cord is properly attached to this unit when using the connection cord. Make sure that the POWER switch on this unit is ON. If the READY lamp is not lit (orange), check the READY lamp again in this instruction manual. The flash does not fire if the subject is bright with the digital still camera in the AUTO mode (no display). To forcibly fire the flash when the subject is bright, press the flash button on the digital still camera. Make sure that the Hot Shoe on the digital still camera is not set to [OFF]. Depending upon the mode position on the digital still camera, flash is not fired. For details, refer to the operating instructions of your digital still camera again.

Specifications

Guide Number equivalent to 32 *ISO. 100. m Light intensity 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/mm camera 28 mm camera conversion conversion (using the wide panel) 6 4

FIND THE LIGHTSPHERE THAT FITS YOUR FLASH
This chart is based on the best information available to us and is provided for your convenience. If your flash is not listed below, we strongly recommend you choose the Lightsphere-Universal (Clear - GG5080; Cloud - GG5081). For a chart of compatible dimensions please see the chart on the bottom of page 2. ACHIEVER Achiever 260 BOWER Bower 724AFC CANON Canon 299 Canon 380EX Canon 420EX Canon 420EZ Canon 430EX Canon 430EZ Canon 540EZ Canon 550EX Canon 580EX Canon 580EX II CONTAX Contax TLA 2/3 DIGISLAVE DigiSlave DFS-1 METZ Metz 36AF Metz 40MZ2 Metz 44MZ2 Metz 54AF-1C Metz 54MZ-4 MINOLTA Minolta 3500XI Minolta 5200 Minolta 5600 NIKON Nikon SB-24 Nikon SB-25 Nikon SB-26 Nikon SB-28 Nikon SB-28DX Nikon SB-50DX Nikon SB-600 Nikon SB-80DX Continued on next page. P3/C3 P4/C4 P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3 P1/C1 P1/C1 P1/C1 Vivitar 273 Vivitar 2800 P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3 Sunpack 2000-DZ Sunpack 266-D Sunpack 355-AF Sunpack 4000-AF Sunpack Auto 383 Sunpack Auto 411 Sunpack MZ-440AF Sunpack PZ-5000 VIVITAR P1/C1 P1/C1 P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3 P4/C4 Sony HVL-F32X Sony HVL-56AM SUNPACK P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3 P1/C1 P3/C3 P1/C1 P3/C3 P2/C2 Soligor MZ-240AF SONY P4/C4 P3/C3 Sigma 420 Sigma 430 SOLIGOR P3/C3 P1/C1 Sakar 77-TFZ SIGMA P1/C1 P1/C1 P3/C3 P2/C2 P3/C3 P1/C1 P3/C3 P3/C3 P4/C4 P2/C2 P2/C2 P4/C4 P2/C2 Quantaray 6500A Quantaray PZ1-DSZ Quantaray ODC-900 Quantaray ODC-900W Quantaray OTB-7500A Quantaray OTB-9500A SAKAR P2/C2 P2/C2 P1/C1 Promaster 5900 Promaster FT-1700 Promaster FTD-5200 Promaster FTD-5400 Promaster FTD-5500 Promaster FTD-5600 Promaster FTD-6500M Promaster FTD-7500 QUANTARAY P1/C1 P2/C2 P2/C2 P2/C2 P2/C2 P2/C2 PROMASTER Promaster 5750-DX P4/C4 P3/C3 P1/C1 P3/C3 P1/C1 P1/C1 P4/C4 LS-U P2/C2
Continued from previous page. Nikon SB-800 OLYMPUS Olympus FL-36 Olympus FL-40 Olympus FL-50 Olympus G-40 PENTAX Pentax 330FTZ Pentax AF-500 FTZ Pentax AF-540 FGZ P1/C1 P2/C2 P2/C2 Flash Not Listed? If your flash is not listed below, we strongly recommend you choose the Lightsphere-Universal (Clear GG5080; Cloud - GG5081). The super strong, patent pending mount means "one size fits all." Fits P1/C1 P2/C2 P3/C3 P4/C4 Width 2-3/8 to 2-5/8 in

(60 to 67 mm)

P1/C1 P1/C1 P3/C3 P3/C3 P3/C3
Vivitar 3500 Vivitar 5200 Vivitar 550 Vivitar 560D Vivitar 600N Vivitar 728-AF Vivitar 730-AF-PK Vivitar 840-AF
P3/C3 P2/C2 P1/C1 P1/C1 P2/C2 P3/C3 P4/C4 P3/C3

Height 1-1/4 to 1-3/8 in

(32 to 35 mm)

2-3/4 to 3-1/8 in

(70 to 79 mm)

1-1/2 to 1-5/8 in

(38 to 41 mm)

2-1/2 to 2-5/8 in

(63 to 67 mm)

2-3/4 to 2-7/8 in

(70 to 73 mm)