Having a hard time resisting the pull that I am feeling from the A9!
Quick question. What is the current state of on-camera flash options?
I have read that the traditional AF assist beam is a no-go for mirorrless sensors.
I've been searching the web and found the following:
Godox X1t-s - AF assist beam actually emits. ()
Godox V860II S does not emit anything
The latest Sony flagship offering has LED assist lights on the flash
Is this about right?
I currently use Canon branded flash and the AF assist beam of course is fine. Never gave it a second thought b/c it just works.
I also have some investment in the Godox eco-system. My understanding is that the 360 TTL strobes would be sony compatible when used with the X1T-S, so that sounds good.
I also read various posts describing how there's a delay when pressing the shutter release?
The lack of any assist beam/light would be a show stopper for me.
Assist beams that work with slr's don't do anything for mirrorless. The xt1 trigger works great with sony ...I have one controlling my ad360ttl and even the ttl works great...use it lots outdoors in hss mode. There is no delay with flash. If you are shooting receptions that are really dark, you may want to keep one of your Canons just for that...I still bring along a canon 6d for this purpose. I medium lit interiors, the a9 works jsut fine
Traditional assist beams are InfraRed and digital sensors (where AF happens with Sony) are unaffected by IR light. That's why traditional assist beams are useless, even if the flash utilizes them and why Sony has opted for LED assist lights.
I've always wondered how those AF assist lights can be considered infrared. Even the DSLR ones have a visible light, we wouldn't be able to see the light if it was infrared. Does the camera have a red-colored LED running next to the infrared just to let the person know where the infrared is hitting?
And if it's infrared, then what is the red assist lamp that comes on in very low light situations on Sony bodies?
Jonathan Brady wrote:
Traditional assist beams are InfraRed and digital sensors (where AF happens with Sony) are unaffected by IR light. That's why traditional assist beams are useless, even if the flash utilizes them and why Sony has opted for LED assist lights.
At least, this is my understanding :-)
Traditional assist beams are white light projected through red plastic, not infrared. It’s the striped pattern that gives the camera some contrast to focus on. I don’t know why mirrorless don’t use them, but the XT1-S focus beam works well with the firmware update
Having a hard time resisting the pull that I am feeling from the A9!
Quick question. What is the current state of on-camera flash options?
I have read that the traditional AF assist beam is a no-go for mirorrless sensors.
I've been searching the web and found the following:
Godox X1t-s - AF assist beam actually emits. ()
Godox V860II S does not emit anything
The latest Sony flagship offering has LED assist lights on the flash
Is this about right?
I currently use Canon branded flash and the AF assist beam of course is fine. Never gave it a second thought b/c it just works.
I also have some investment in the Godox eco-system. My understanding is that the 360 TTL strobes would be sony compatible when used with the X1T-S, so that sounds good.
I also read various posts describing how there's a delay when pressing the shutter release?
The lack of any assist beam/light would be a show stopper for me. ...Show more →
Your analysis is spot on. I struggled without the assist beam at the first wedding reception I (second) shot with the Sony, but switching to continuous AF with Flexible Spot or Zone focus works great for me.
Buy the A9. I use Godox/Flashpoint Xpro-1 transmitter. You can always move to the newest Sony flash, but a bright white LED might not make for happy subjects. I only turn on the mechanical shutter for flash and for me, this and no blackout have my Canon gear collecting dust..well actually sits in a safe.
I buy all Flaspoint products from Adorama because I’m buying here in the US. Adorama will take returns and supports there products. Plus they usually have everything in stock. I’m thinking of adding the Explor 600 right now. I just learned I maybe doing high end interiors of homes so I may need another unit. Right now for portables 860 unit and the 350 I think it’s called. Than I have 3 AD200 units and the new Pro transmitter. Like to get one unit that has a modeling light, I may have to get a AC unit there though. Going to see now
Nice thing is Adorama lists everything so makes it easy
Jonathan Brady wrote:
The XPLOR 600 has a modeling light, as do the eVOLV 200 (aka AD200).
Yes they do. Looking for maybe brighter. Interesting idea . Sorry slightly off topic. Having 3 AD 200 units. If I added 2 more units put them in the doubler I would get 400 watts out of one head. Which really is enough than have 3 other units to stick around doing interiors plus the 860 . Cost on that is let’s say 600 dollars. Or go and I like this idea also as I can buy a AC adapter but get the Explor 600 as my main without TTL for 549. Now that’s 4 heads basically to do interiors which is a good amount plus I still have a 860 to use although a PITA off the trigger. Or I could have 5 AD 200s plus 860. The AD200 would all fit in a guru backpack plus all same battery but I lose AC which is not the biggest deal. I do have a off brand cheap 300 watt moonlight that I have to trigger with optical slave with a 250 watt modeling lamp that I could certainly use as well and use that as the main. What’s prompting all of this is I’m getting million plus homes to shoot for a very high end realty company. I love doing interiors but I do tend to use a lot of light. I’m not so worried about power as I’m doing time exposures too say like 5 seconds or so which I could always do a double flash and gain a extra stop in light. I know how to cheat. Lol
kenthomson wrote:
Traditional assist beams are white light projected through red plastic, not infrared. It’s the striped pattern that gives the camera some contrast to focus on. I don’t know why mirrorless don’t use them, but the XT1-S focus beam works well with the firmware update
I wish someone would do a definitive study on the effectiveness of the beams on mirrorless...if it does work, why has sony not sought to implement it on their flashes.
In sticking with the topic of on-camera flashes, has anyone tried Godox’s tiny little tt350s? It seems like it would be perfect for small family get-togethers indoors.
I have moved from Nikon to Sony and have two Sony bodies. I use the Sony's for available light shots, and my Nikon for Events in doors with a Quantum Qflash Trio. So my question is, Is there a bowl flash that works on the Sony? I know the hot shoe on the Sony has those small electronic connectors on it so putting a metal hot shoe sounds all bad. is there an adapter to insert into the hot shoe? Does Godox have a Bowl flash that will shoot TTL and high speed sync with the Sony A9?
I know I have a lot of questions. Thanks in advance.
Having a hard time resisting the pull that I am feeling from the A9!
Quick question. What is the current state of on-camera flash options?
I have read that the traditional AF assist beam is a no-go for mirorrless sensors.
I've been searching the web and found the following:
Godox X1t-s - AF assist beam actually emits. ()
Godox V860II S does not emit anything
The latest Sony flagship offering has LED assist lights on the flash
Is this about right?
I currently use Canon branded flash and the AF assist beam of course is fine. Never gave it a second thought b/c it just works.
I also have some investment in the Godox eco-system. My understanding is that the 360 TTL strobes would be sony compatible when used with the X1T-S, so that sounds good.
I also read various posts describing how there's a delay when pressing the shutter release?
The lack of any assist beam/light would be a show stopper for me. ...Show more →
I don't know, why no AF assist light would be a show stopper, unless you are using slower lenses at dark locations. I didn't use it on the Nikon, Canons and now Sony cameras, too. Never really required it and it worked in AFS only anyway, wheres I prefer AFC all the time. It was never that dark at weddings, that I needed it as soon as the cameras where sensitive to -3ev (e.g. with the D750.
The D810 for example had focus problems from time to time). All newer Sonys are sensitive to -3ev and, provided using a faster lens, focus without problems.
For flashes I use Godox and Phottix right now. I think Sony's flashes are too expensive when wanting to use off camera flashes, too. With DSLRs the flash mount is robust enough to sustain a trigger + flash mounted on top easily. This doesn't work that well with Sony and the tiny plastic mount supported by Sony was a bad decision, imo.
With Canon I had Phottix Strato II triggers and receivers, which worked flawlessly for off camera flash (_no_ misfire over all the weddings we shot). So with Mitros+ on camera (Phottix Odin integrated) I can trigger all those and use all the SB910s, 600ex, Godox (Canon or Nikon) mount flashes on Strato ii receivers. My wife uses the v860ii to trigger the Godox flashes only. The Mitros+ is very well made, better than the Godox flash, in my opinion.
However, the V860ii are nice, too. No batteries needed, works all night. I have the x1t-s, too, just in case.
Surfnsun wrote:
In sticking with the topic of on-camera flashes, has anyone tried Godox’s tiny little tt350s? It seems like it would be perfect for small family get-togethers indoors.
I use the tt350 and the 685, one on each camera...always bounce with a card...also trigger my OCF with the on camera flashes. The smaller unit works perfect fine as long as you are less than 15 feet away. In larger ballrooms with extremely high ceilings, the larger unit is better., but it is nice to have that light weight of the little flash...combined with the the 28mm on the a7rIII, makes a really nice , lightweight dance floor setup.
kenthomson wrote:
Your analysis is spot on. I struggled without the assist beam at the first wedding reception I (second) shot with the Sony, but switching to continuous AF with Flexible Spot or Zone focus works great for me.
just shot a wedding with a very dark reception....the a7rIII struggled with afc, med spot...I switched to afs and got the assist light and things were much better....using 28mm f2 lens.
)
Thanks in advance. 
