I own a Sony Alpha 850 camera and need actually relatively rare lightning. Since the 850s, no built-in flash has, I have so far resorted to my old analog flashes from Minolta i and xi-series, making at local and macro shooting a Minolta Macro Flash (also manually) and a LED ring light good services. As a rule, handed at the flashes power 1/16 to 1/32 as pure whitening for dark areas completely out, but that was not for snapshots. So had an ADI-compatible Speedlight ago when, just right, so the top model. Fortunately, prices have slipped in at least somewhat bearable areas. After I now have a few days testing, now my mind: ++ Performance Very good flash range, good illumination right into the corners. As long as one is flashing within the normal range, there is no Overheat problem, I could at least not yet ausreizen to this point, but I'm also not incredibly long series flash series. ++ Accessories Bag for the flash, stand away from the camera, built-in diffuser, diffuser in a separate container, Contact protection and hot shoe adapter (similar to Minolta FS-1100), diffusing screen for color temperature change for the video light. ++ Features / functions The tilt reflector is vertically in 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 ° intervals, also at local (not macro) shots you thought the flash head is to fold around 10 ° downwards, comes with larger lenses it then but to shadowing. He is not horizontal swivel, but laterally folded away by Quick Shift Bounce in 30, 45, 60 and 90 °. In edgewise recordings obtained as a much better weight distribution in terms of the illumination of the image, so far I could find in the pictures no difference, whether folded or in "normal position". All other functions are now standard: Ratio distribution, remote sensor, multi-lightning (strobe flashes), 24-105mm zoom, manual settings, HSS flashes to 1/8000 sec ... It is also essential, the video light, a small 3-piece LED array that can be seen if you by 90 ° pivots the flash head upwards. They range from a minimum illumination of near video recordings, a non-removable, sliding diffuser spreads the light beam, an orange flash adapter for color temperature change is. As my 850s no video can replace it with the flashlight at the camera settings in the dark -) --The Multi-interface hotshoe The is the biggest shortcoming of this flash for me. Here, there is indeed well thought - a flash for DSLR, NEX, Cybershot compact cameras and Handycam - but in my eyes badly done. At the flash itself a kind of standard hot shoe is attached, which fits on the NEX and other "small" Sony, so far so good. Once you want to dock it to the DSLR's with the proprietary Sony-contact, one needs (similar to Minolta FS-1100) (supplied) adapter. In this way, although the distance from the optical axis, which can be very helpful in individual cases, however, the matter is a bit shaky and fragile lengthened. Along with the overall good (and initially also very solid) processing, I now always afraid that if I want to fold up the flash head vertically, the snatches of hotshoe. Either one would have to assemble the same DSLR hot shoe and etc. interpret the adapter on NEX as an adapter, or better, to make the entire bottom of the flash interchangeable (similar Metz adapters). This shortcoming tarnishes the otherwise very good impression of the flash.
Conclusion: The flash offers pure performance. Unless one torments the Bitz with continuous shooting, you do not have Overheat problem. The equipment and accessories is top notch, the workmanship is very good, the vertical reflector pan a little too tight. The hot shoe adapter leaves a "Geschmäkle". For one thing interesting if you work with several model series of Sony cameras, on the other hand very unprofessional and highly susceptible to breakage when rapid deployment, if it is to be mounted on a DSLR. The video light is a nice gadget, but no longer.
