topic Flash guide number units in Alpha & NEX interchangeable lens cameras

Flash guide number units

topmason — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:31:28 GMT

Is the guide number on a Sony flashgun (eg F43AM) given in feet or metres?

Flash guide number units

Mick2011 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:28:58 GMT

Hi topmason, welcome to the Sony Forums

Like all Sony flash units, the F43AM's Giude Number is expressed in metres, unless you have a US-bought one...

I'm pretty sure the only place in the world that still express GN in feet is North America; you'd be safe to assume all flash units manufactured outside of the US these days are rated in metres, but many non-US manufacturers do still produce "feet-rated" models for that market.

Cheers

Mick

ps just to avoid any confusion: the F43AM is GN=43 (metres) as the name suggests

Message was edited by: Mick2011

Flash guide number units

topmason — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:25:57 GMT

Thanks Mick. That's what I thought, but when I asked the same question of a Warehouse Express online "expert" he at first said metres then came back, corrected himself and categorically assured me it was in feet!

Torn between the F43AM and the F58AM though the latter is quite a bit more expensive. However I think a 43m guide number should be strong enough for most of my needs.

Flash guide number units

Mick2011 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:44:56 GMT

Nope, definitely metres

I'd say the smaller unit would be fine for most users; it's a powerful little flash and shares a lot in common with its big brother.

I have an even smaller flash I use as a 'carry-round' and the only times I've reached for something bigger, I've been bounce-flashing in large rooms or using a long telephoto lens.

If you do a lot of that sort of thing you might appreciate the increased output (which equates to around one stop exposure, or the difference between shooting ISO100 and ISO200 for a given situation) over the smaller unit.

Of course the F58AM is also quite a bit more versatile in advanced flash configurations, but the 43 is identical in many other respects.

Mick