Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - HVLF60M - Hot-Shoe Clip-On Flash
Average customer rating
2.7
(33 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 33 reviews
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
5
1 Star
10
42%of customers recommend this product.
(
10 out of
24)
Customer Reviews for Sony - HVLF60M - Hot-Shoe Clip-On Flash
Customer Rating
1
Overheating is huge issue
on February 23, 2014
Posted by: silencisnotawkwarddotcom
There is no way to use this. In even common situations you are overheated before you can get the job done. I have used other flashes all day without even one incident. 200 shots in a row. This one even at lower power overheats in just 40 shots. This is of course of known by Sony. Before they even tell you how to use the mode, they tell you what the overheat symbol is. The cost on this is stunning. It is not radio wireless, just normal flash wireless. 60 dollar flashes do the same thing this does without overheating. Standard hotshoe? uh no. This only works in an adapter, or on the A99. Nothing standard about the very odd, weak and flimsy copper pins on the front of the show. This will not be a flash to last. This is simply not something that is going to cut it. Again, Sony. Just hang in there. Your innovations are great. Just take a breath. 1. Build quality, 2. Usability 3. Features. keep that in that order and you can own this industry. Your cameras have doubled in usability each build. Just apply that to more than theory.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
2
Good Flash With A Significant Design Flaw
on July 26, 2013
Posted by: EventShooter
The F60 flash is the successor to the F58, using Sony's new version of the "standard" ISO flash shoe (a questionable change that I won't go into other than to note that the shoe seems a bit delicate in design). It carries over the very flexible and unique flash head movements from the F58, and improves on the previous flash's menu system with a new system that is easier to access and understand. It adds a video light that is useless for me.
The big problem with the flash is that it overheats far too quickly. This problem did not exist with the F58 flash. It does not take much to overheat the flash, which can occur in normal shooting situations that would not tax the F58. The flash isn't even warm when the overheat symbol gives the bad news. You can sometimes clear the thermal warning by turning the flash off and on. If that fails, try opening the door to the battery compartment, let the batteries slide partway out, then put them back in and close the door. This usually works, but it does interrupt your photo shoot. Also, the thermal protection circuit may re-engage fairly quickly depending on your situation.
I saw Katie's June 14, 2013 reply, from Sony Electronics, to an earlier criticism of the overheating problem, and it is laughable. As another reviewer noted, there is no information about this on Sony's support website. It's a problem that should not exist in the first place. Whatever workaround may be possible means you have to take time away from photographing. This is not acceptable if you are shooting a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, portrait session or other event.
The problem is a clear design flaw in the flash and Sony should be far more responsive to what is a frequent and common complaint. Just read all the reviews.
What's great about it: High power, fast recycle, very flexible head movement, easier to use menus
What's not so great: Overheats far too easily; questionable build quality of the new flash shoe
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
1
Expect more than 20 shots over 5 minutes? Don't!
on June 14, 2013
Posted by: Lucidx
Despite all the good aspects and features, it is all moot due to the significant thermal design flaw. Either this flash was not designed to disperse any amount of heat or the heat sensor is much too sensitive (perhaps both).
I own two of these flashes and they both exhibit the same problem. After a low number of shots (approx 20), this flash shuts down and will not operate for another 5 to 10 minutes. When I say 20 shots, I don't mean 20 fires in under a minute, I've experienced this when the shots were spread out over 5 minutes of shooting!
I've never experienced this with any flash from Canon. Unless Sony issues a fix (highly unlikely) or at least admits there is a problem worth looking into, stay away from this junk (unless you only need to take a couple of shots an hour).
What's great about it: Swivel, extra low power at 1/256th, supplied bounce diffuser communicates with camera, built-in LED video light
What's not so great: Unusable due to overheating fault
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Katie, Sony Electronics, June 14, 2013
Thanks for your feedback! Have you checked out our support site (www.esupport.sony.com)? If you enter model # HVL-F60M and review the online manual, you'll find some useful tips for using the flash that may prevent some of the issues you're experiencing. You may also want to contact our support group via phone (239) 768-7547. Have a great weekend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
1
Terrible product - Shame
on September 6, 2014
Posted by: ultranewbie
I was one of the first adopter of the Sony A99 and the Flash HVLF60M back in 2012. Both products have potential, but both products were defective on the first day I received them. My Sony A99 produced blurry images and I had to sent it in for repair. The HVLF60M is no better, perhaps the worst flash I have ever used.
On the first day, the flash had problems with overheating with about 20 shots on 1/4 to 1 power ratio. As a photographer, I cannot have down times like this in a shoot. Second, at a corporate event, the flash over heated outdoors with only 5 shots because the weather was hot that day and affected the flash.
Last year, the flash malfunctioned while I was In New York in Time Square during New Years Eve. The weather was freezing cold and the flash simply "quit" on me without being used much while my Nikon and Canon peers kept on shooting.
This year, I was at a wedding reception, the flash begin to randomly fire without being used while on manual mode. On manual mode, the flash would fire while I was zooming with my lens and flash would go off multiple times. As a result, my flash overheated and I missed numerous shots and I had to take out the battery for the flash to cool off.
The process to cool the flash is unique in itself because you have to take out the batteries, leave the unit off for about 3 minutes, dismount the unit off the camera, and leave the battery door open for heat ventilation. The flash requires multiple resets before I get one good reset for me to resume shooting. By the time the flash came back online, I have missed many shots and, sometimes, the event was simple "over." I felt embarrassed many times and I had to explain to my "other" peers.
I just don't understand why a such a great product has such faults and unreliability. I take care all of my equipment and this flash is simply the worse ever.
Just recently, the flash got worse, the unit became less responsive on manual mode and the flash would fire randomly and overheat as a result. I have tried the flash on my RX100II, Sony A99, and Sony A77. The results were the same. The flash just would not function at all. Furthermore, the flash would fire randomly by itself on manual mode.
The flash is only usable on auto mode, which is unacceptable because there are many situations the AI would not be able to judge correctly and being on "Auto" mode would limit the latitude of my shots.
The flash has been notorious with overheating since its release and numerous photography forums have documented the problem. Over time, the defects of this flash will get worse and render you unit unbearable.
The bottom line, DO NOT PURCHASE this flash if you shoot a lot and depend on it for indoor work. I have upgraded and used Sony equipments for years (Sony A100, Sony A700, Sony A99, CZ24-70, HVLF40, and VGC99AM) The HVLF60M is simply the worst flash and Sony product I have ever used.
I am very upset from the whole experience because I am forced to "buy" another unit due to defects of this flash. I am not fault at all; instead, I am being punished for buying the Flagship flash along with the Flagship camera and the Flagship lens.
If you are to buy the unit, buy the 4 year warranty as well and exchange for a new one every year because you are going to need it.
The HVLF60M is a shame.
Response from sony.comBy Sony Support, September 24, 2014
Hi ultranewbie,
Our sincere apologies for this. Please talk to us at SocialSupport@am.sony.com for further assistance.
Please make sure to include the following:
1. Detailed description of the issue.
2. Serial number.
3. Exact date of purchase
4. Do you have a copy of the purchase receipt?
5. Was the flash unit dropped, banged, or exposed to liquid?
6. Full name
6. Good contact number
7. Email address
Thanks,
Vincent
Our sincere apologies for this. Please talk to us at SocialSupport@am.sony.com for further assistance.
Please make sure to include the following:
1. Detailed description of the issue.
2. Serial number.
3. Exact date of purchase
4. Do you have a copy of the purchase receipt?
5. Was the flash unit dropped, banged, or exposed to liquid?
6. Full name
6. Good contact number
7. Email address
Thanks,
Vincent
Response from sony.comBy Sony Listens, September 9, 2014
Hi ultranewbie,
We're sorry to hear about the experience and appreciate the feedback. We have already forwarded your concern to the proper channel.
For the meantime, we recommend to reduce the power level, or not using the full power, to avoid overheating.
Vincent
We're sorry to hear about the experience and appreciate the feedback. We have already forwarded your concern to the proper channel.
For the meantime, we recommend to reduce the power level, or not using the full power, to avoid overheating.
Vincent
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
2
Over Heats
on April 23, 2013
Posted by: RTMBOSSG
I am not to happy about this flash it has a major defect an over heats even when on 1/2 power shooting with higher ISO it can not keep up with my older HVL-43am flash Sony needs to do something quick about this problem! So frustrated with Sony...
What's great about it: Has new led light for video
What's not so great: Over heats quickly
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
1
Waste of Money & Regretting the Switch
on August 2, 2014
Posted by: mboyd856
The HVL-F60M won't even stand up to occasional firing let alone any rapid fire use. Each time I have used this flash it has failed me after about twenty shots in both direct and bounce modes. I definitely should have read the reviews before I fell for this one. The camera used is a A7R and I have used alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Both failures occurred in temperature controlled rooms 75 degrees in both. I miss my Canon gear badly right now.
Response from sony.comBy Amanda, Sony Support, August 7, 2014
Oh no! Please email us at sonysupportusa@am.sony.com we would be more than happy to help setup an evaluation for you.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: MNPNW
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have two of the HVL-F60RM flashes which I use in combination with a HVL-45RM. They work well; however take a bit longer to setup than the Canon radio units I used with that system. You need to make changes on the camera and flash for remote use and if you decide to use a different unit as the commander, it requires a re-pairing.
The swivel head is quite useful, just a bit weak in holding the flash head position.
TTL works quite well, better than third party units I've used (Godox). Switches and controls superior to third party units.
Wish OEM's would start making LiOn units, perhaps using the same battery as the camera.
Overall, a good OEM quality radio flash unit.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
2
Overheats All The Time
on December 30, 2014
Posted by: Morgan589
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.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from sony.comBy Mitch, Sony Support, January 3, 2015
Hey Morgan589,
Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We will forward this to the right people.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We will forward this to the right people.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com