ChatGPT once again. Not sure if one should quote from there since you never know where they take their information from: “With firmware update 2.00, the HVL-F46RM offers virtually the same features as the newer HVL-F46RMA. However, the HVL-F46RMA includes additional physical improvements, such as a more robust metal shoe base, improved overheat protection (improved algorithm), and optimized sealing against dust and moisture.
If you already own an HVL-F46RM, you can take advantage of many of the new features by updating to version 2.00. However, if you frequently shoot in challenging environments or value maximum ruggedness, the HVL-F46RMA might be a better choice.“
However, so far I haven‘t come across information about better sealing against dust and moisture. This might be wrong information.
Anyway, I suppose for most people either one will do because they are practically identical.
I have the HVL-F45RM and HVL-F60RM, nice flashes both. I am sure the newer versions are even better.
I also use 4 x Godox AD200Pro flashes for more power.
And I just bought a Godox iT30pro small mini flash, which also has radio receiver/transmitter functionality and to my surprise it works in flash mode (but not in radio control mode) from the internal menu on my Sony cameras. One can guess that more Godox flashes will do this in the future.
aCuria wrote:
At this point I have used both but I don’t personally own either
I’m hoping for a refresh to the 60, Sony seems to update it every 4-5y and it’s about time
I’ve been using the F28RMA, F46RM, and F60RM2, and honestly, I find them a joy to work with. What specifically don’t you like about them? For me, the operation feels very intuitive, both on the flash itself and directly from the camera. The real game-changer, though, is pairing them with global shutter. I can now capture shots at distances where even the AD200 with a fresnel head falls short.
As someone who manually operate strobes for years, having incredibly accurate TTL combined with automatic, natural-looking skin tone white balance has been a revelation. It’s a similar leap to when I first switched to the Sony A9 and immediately let go of all my manual-focus lenses; it just made everything faster, cleaner, and more consistent.
I’ve already sold my AD100 and AD200, keeping only the larger Godox units for big reflectors and softboxes. For compact, high-speed shooting, I really like the new iT30Pro and V480 as a featherweight kit; they even push up to 60fps, which outpaces my Sony.
I don't have my own studio. So either I "build" a studio environment at some indoor location.
Or I shot outdoors and then I use two AD200 that are max what I can carry together with my cameras and some lenses.
So I like the flexibility and portability of the AD200 series flashes.
The AD200's can be connected in a twin adapter head so one gets a 400 Ws light with Bowens mount. But I more often have the two AD200's on one light stand one at the top with the cable so the base unit is also placed low the other one at the bottom. Both with smaller reflectors so the rig doesn't catch too much wind.
The iT30pro also works to control from the Sony menus (as a flash, not in controller mode unfortunately).
I use my flashes with my A7RV, A7CII and A9mkI so no need for global shutter compatibility for me.
I have Godox flashes, but I'm thinking of switching to Sony flashes despite the AA batteries and the higher cost. For me, the new Godox touchscreens are a significant downgrade in useability. There is no simple FAST on-off switch, and the touch screens often produce accidental settings. Yikes! There is no reliable way to lock the settings, because even when locked, the settings automatically UNLOCK once you turn the flash off and back on again. So, unless you use flash constantly (never turning it off), you have to remember to keep locking the settings ... or else. And locking/unlocking always involves a 2-second delay. That is nuts. Reviewers on YouTube all seem to love the touchscreens. I have yet to see a reviewer comment on how bad this design is for event photography where flashes have to go on and off quickly, and where the settings have to be locked to prevent ridiculous mis-settings.
hiepphotog wrote:
I’ve been using the F28RMA, F46RM, and F60RM2, and honestly, I find them a joy to work with. What specifically don’t you like about them? For me, the operation feels very intuitive, both on the flash itself and directly from the camera. The real game-changer, though, is pairing them with global shutter. I can now capture shots at distances where even the AD200 with a fresnel head falls short.
As someone who manually operate strobes for years, having incredibly accurate TTL combined with automatic, natural-looking skin tone white balance has been a revelation. It’s a similar leap to when I first switched to the Sony A9 and immediately let go of all my manual-focus lenses; it just made everything faster, cleaner, and more consistent.
I’ve already sold my AD100 and AD200, keeping only the larger Godox units for big reflectors and softboxes. For compact, high-speed shooting, I really like the new iT30Pro and V480 as a featherweight kit; they even push up to 60fps, which outpaces my Sony....Show more →
The F60RM2 is good but there is probably a lot of potential that can be unearthed.
Make the T0.1 even faster, this can be done by using multiple flash tubes in parallel
Lithium battery option, maybe use the NP-FZ100
build the remote trigger into the cameras
more filters, there is only green / orange / white and the design is bulky, not easy to pack. Preferably several strengths of CTO
aCuria wrote:
The F60RM2 is good but there is probably a lot of potential that can be unearthed.
Make the T0.1 even faster, this can be done by using multiple flash tubes in parallel
Lithium battery option, maybe use the NP-FZ100
build the remote trigger into the cameras
more filters, there is only green / orange / white and the design is bulky, not easy to pack. Preferably several strengths of CTO
remote trigger should not be so expensive.
I agree on those points.
In the meantime:
Godox has a filter holder for square heads which comes with different filters, including CTO. It uses Velcro for the attachment.
They also have a clamp on with a screw round head adapter for the AD200 that they just released, it fits on the HVL-F60RM mkI at least, but I think the mkII has the same head size. And for the round head Godox has several accessories including filters, including CTO.
Has anyone found a good quick way to add CTO gel + diffusion to Sony flashes, like the 28RMA, 46RM and 60RM2? Perhaps something like the now ancient orange Stofen Omni-Bounce that I used on Canon flashes. That one little gadget could quickly add CTO + diffusion, with very little weight. It seems those are no longer made. Cutting and taping actual gel is messy and slow to add or remove. There's a Rogue magnetic kit that can add a gel plus a dome diffuser quickly, but it's very top-heavy and overpriced.
aCuria wrote:
The F60RM2 is good but there is probably a lot of potential that can be unearthed.
Make the T0.1 even faster, this can be done by using multiple flash tubes in parallel
Lithium battery option, maybe use the NP-FZ100
build the remote trigger into the cameras
more filters, there is only green / orange / white and the design is bulky, not easy to pack. Preferably several strengths of CTO
remote trigger should not be so expensive.
Not sure which flash you’re using now, but at this size and weight, none on the market offer more output and flexibility than these two Sony units—especially under global shutter. Since they run on AA batteries, their HSS performance is quite weak. However, in single-burst mode with global shutter, they can easily match the output of the AD200 for distance shots, where most photographers would otherwise use something like a Better Beamer or MagBeam. At similar zoom settings, they also deliver a more even light pattern compared to the AD100/V100.
Switching to Li-ion would definitely improve their capability. As for the other points mentioned, those aren’t directly related to the flash itself; admittedly, a trigger like the Godox X3 would be nice for the system. I am not sure there is any mirrorless body with a built-in flash trigger.
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Jazzgear296 wrote:
I use the MagMod system with the 46RM and 60RM2 Flashes seamlessly
NJPhotographer wrote:
Has anyone found a good quick way to add CTO gel + diffusion to Sony flashes, like the 28RMA, 46RM and 60RM2? Perhaps something like the now ancient orange Stofen Omni-Bounce that I used on Canon flashes. That one little gadget could quickly add CTO + diffusion, with very little weight. It seems those are no longer made. Cutting and taping actual gel is messy and slow to add or remove. There's a Rogue magnetic kit that can add a gel plus a dome diffuser quickly, but it's very top-heavy and overpriced.
I actually bought a whole kit that uses velco strap around the flash head to attach different modifiers. Not sure who made it, I bought it from Amazon.
Also the new Godox S-R2 round head adapter fits my HVL-F60RM (so I guess it should also fit the RM2 version).
It does not fit my HVL-F45RM (which I think has the same size as the 46 unit), since the flash head is to thin (could maybe be remedied with an inbetween piece of something for the clamp to work).
Anyway, what the SR2 allows is to attach all Godox round head modifiers (they have nice kit) and also the round head color filters. I guess also Profoto round head stuff fits but that is untested by me.
