Which Minolta HSS flash, 3600HS (D) or 5400HS?

No question - 5400HS. More power, more flexibility, bounce and swivel.

I have a 7, and use the 5400HS flashes. I've never missed D.

Mike

"James Cloud" wrote in message
om...
I am buying a HSS flash for my Maxxum 70. Currently the 3600HS (D)
and the 5400HS are about the same in price. Since I don't own many D
series lenses (one to be exact), I am wondering if the 5400HS is
actually a better buy. What do you think? Does anyone actually find
the new D functions on the flash very useful?

Thanks,
James

James Cloud wrote:

I am buying a HSS flash for my Maxxum 70. Currently the 3600HS (D)
and the 5400HS are about the same in price. Since I don't own many D
series lenses (one to be exact), I am wondering if the 5400HS is
actually a better buy. What do you think? Does anyone actually find
the new D functions on the flash very useful?

Since I don't have a (D) compatible body, not too sure. (I have
both the 5400HS and the 5600HS (D)). Which D lens do you have
and what do you use it for?

Since your Maxxum 70 is "D" compatible, then with those lenses
and a D flash, you will get the benefit of integrated focus
distance and appropriate flash for that distance. Having said
that, I don't think not having this has hurt any images.

The swivel (5400HS) is very useful for ceiling bounce in portrait
orientation as well as bouncing light off of a wall for side
illumination.

The 5400HS is more powerful. (GN of 54 metres v. GN of 36
meters). This alone, for the same price, says: get the 5400HS.


Drifting a bit...
Compared to the updated 5600HS (D), I prefer the 5400HS (I use
both regularly and the 5400HS is just less hassle).

The 5400HS is even, in many respects, better than the _56_00HS (D).

5400HS
--zooms to 105mm (v. 85 for the 5600HS)
--does not have an irritating swivel lock (PITA).
--has sensible, logical menus (the 5600HS is misleading)
--has as much power (at same zoom setting) as the 5600HS

The 5600HS does have a few nice to haves such as a flip down
difuser to go as wide as 17mm flash coverage, and a battery
compartment door that remains captive when open.

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

(James Cloud) wrote in
om:

I am buying a HSS flash for my Maxxum 70. Currently the 3600HS (D)
and the 5400HS are about the same in price. Since I don't own many D
series lenses (one to be exact), I am wondering if the 5400HS is
actually a better buy.

The 5400HS is the better flash, but the 3600HS is pretty much guaranteed to
work with the upcoming Minolta DSLRs. That is the choice I would call the
toughest, D or non D is of no interest to me as I don't own D lenses.

Magnus W wrote:

(James Cloud) wrote in
om:


I am buying a HSS flash for my Maxxum 70. Currently the 3600HS (D)
and the 5400HS are about the same in price. Since I don't own many D
series lenses (one to be exact), I am wondering if the 5400HS is
actually a better buy.


The 5400HS is the better flash, but the 3600HS is pretty much guaranteed to
work with the upcoming Minolta DSLRs. That is the choice I would call the
toughest, D or non D is of no interest to me as I don't own D lenses.

Hi Magnus,

Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Alan Browne wrote in
:

Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?

As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175 and RD-
3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

Magnus W wrote:

Alan Browne wrote in
:


Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?


As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175 and RD-
3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

Why shouldn't it?

The DSLR is based on the Maxxum/Dynax 7. 5400HS works fine there
(with the exception of the D integration).

The 5400HS can pre-flash (essential to DSLR flash operation as
OTF (or OTS (off the sensor)) does not work on CMOS CCD sensors).

So, no integration reason that I can see, although I'm not sure
why, for instance, the 5400HS does not work with the 7Hi/A1/A2.

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Alan Browne wrote in
:

Magnus W wrote:

Alan Browne wrote in
:


Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?


As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175 and
RD- 3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

Why shouldn't it?

Because every DSLR made needs a new flash system due to the different
reflectance from the sensor.

You don't think that Minolta dropping compatibility from the Dimage 7 and
forward on prosumer models is a pretty telling signal?

The 5400HS can pre-flash (essential to DSLR flash operation as
OTF (or OTS (off the sensor)) does not work on CMOS CCD sensors).

It probably pre-flashes in the wrong way or something. Can't set a
custom delay between pre-flash and full flash? Who knows.

So, no integration reason that I can see, although I'm not sure
why, for instance, the 5400HS does not work with the 7Hi/A1/A2.

I don't know if there are technical reasons /only/ or rather a case of
"let's drop compatibility at this convenient time where we can blame
digital" but the fact is that the combination you mention does not work,
and that every manufacturer have had problems with flash on their digicams.

Alan Browne wrote in
:

Magnus W wrote:

Alan Browne wrote in
:


Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?


As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175 and
RD- 3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

Why shouldn't it?

Because every DSLR made needs a new flash system due to the different
reflectance from the sensor.

You don't think that Minolta dropping compatibility from the Dimage 7 and
forward on prosumer models is a pretty telling signal?

The 5400HS can pre-flash (essential to DSLR flash operation as
OTF (or OTS (off the sensor)) does not work on CMOS CCD sensors).

It probably pre-flashes in the wrong way or something. Can't set a
custom delay between pre-flash and full flash? Who knows.

So, no integration reason that I can see, although I'm not sure
why, for instance, the 5400HS does not work with the 7Hi/A1/A2.

I don't know if there are technical reasons /only/ or rather a case of
"let's drop compatibility at this convenient time where we can blame
digital" but the fact is that the combination you mention does not work,
and that every manufacturer have had problems with flash on their digicams.

(Magnus W) wrote in
:

Alan Browne wrote in
t:

Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?

As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175
and RD- 3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

I think, they still should work. Why? Because, most of the lenses don't
have the Distance "Chip". Or we're ending up only flash photography
with D-Lenses.

-Leonhard

(Magnus W) wrote in
:

Alan Browne wrote in
t:

Have you seen any indication that non-D flashes may be
problematic witht he DSLR?

As they don't work with the other Minolta digicams (except RD-175
and RD- 3000), why should it work with the DSLR?

I think, they still should work. Why? Because, most of the lenses don't
have the Distance "Chip". Or we're ending up only flash photography
with D-Lenses.

-Leonhard