May I shoot in HSS mode with my Sony a6000 camera?

itessier

Hello,

I bought the RF60x flash model, wich is supposed to support the HSS mode, and I also bought the V6 IIs to put on my camera hot shoe.  Unfortunately, after hours of testings, I am still unable to fire in HSS mode.  The highest speed I can get with the off-camera flash is 1/250s.

I was wondering if the problem is because of compatibility or if this is juste my camera body that can't synchronize higher.  

Thank you so much.  I start to feel discourage.

Antonio

Hi there @itessier

Are you using the Cactus V6 IIs on your Sony A6000?

What firmware version are you running on the V6 IIs?

And also what firmware is installed on the RF60X?

Thank you.

itessier

VIIs version 1.1.002

RF60X version 103, AU HSS set to ON

lansa301

I have used mine with a DSC-HX50V, ILCA-77M2 and DSC-RX1 and it works.

Check the points mentioned by @Antonio.

There is no reason you could not use the V6IIS + the RF-60X with your camera.

Some people had reported before some issues with the Sony black hot shoes, but is not very common.

Both the HX50V and the RX1 have black hot shoes and I never had any communication issue.

itessier

I meant V6IIs version 1.1.002

itessier

So, the a6000 can fire in HSS mode.  That's an important point!   Now the probleme looks to be related to the communication between my camera and the Cactus system.

For information, I also tried to fire in HSS mode with the newest up-date for Sony a6000 on my camera.

It still doesn't work with the 3.20 version that I have installed on my a6000. 

I tried to shoot in all flash modes that where possible on my camera (forced flash, slow flash, rear curtain), I tried the L mode with the camera and the V6 IIs both on my camera, I also tried the off-camera with slave mode....  Thw synchro can't go as higher as expected for the HSS mode.

Maybe there is a setting to do that I didn't know?  Or my camera model is not compatible with the Cactus HSS?

Antonio

I meant V6IIs version 1.1.002

Thanks for the clarification.  

Have you tried the X-TTL firmware for Sony?  >>  SON.1.001

lansa301

I have read old posts about the HSS on the A6000.

Most where about the impossibility to use HSS with the integrated pop-up flash.

But on the official Sony forums someone had used the Sony HVL-F60M flash without any issues. I have one of those flashes.

Please be sure that the HSS option was not accidentally turned off on your RF-60X flash.

Attach the V6IIS to your camera. turn on the camera first and later the V6IIS. Be sure that is properly recognized: The camera will show you the Flash icon, just like a flash was attached to the hot shoe. Then turn on the RF-60X

Set the camera so S (speed) mode. Set your Flash mode to Fill Flash.

Take a shot at 1/160 sec. Everything must be work properly. Now is time to increase your shutter speed up to 1/4000 (the max. available on that camera).

If your tests were successful, you can try to use M (manual) or A (aperture) modes. Unfortunately I can not found any info about people using HSS on those other modes. I do not know if is a hardware or software limitation.

itessier

@Antonio   I didn't find anything on the web about SON.1.001.

I went back to my local dealer and an employee tried to shoot in HSS mode with an other a6000 and an other Cactus V6 IIs without success.  We also tried another RF60x flash and it still does not work. However, he tried the HSS mode on Sony a6300 (combined to V6 IIs and RF60x) and there was no problem to fire with a high speed. So the problem doesn't seem to be the equipment, but probably the settings or simply the compatibility ? 

Note * All the equipment was up-dated to the most recent firmware available.  (The employee did it by him-self at the store.)   This same employee told me that the upgrade for X-TTL compatible with Sony cameras was not available.  Is he OK, because what you're telling me is that there is a possibility to fire in TTL mode with my Sony camera combined to V6IIs and RF60x if I understood?

For information, when I turn on the camera with the V6 IIs on the hot-shoe, this message appears : « This accessory is not supported by the device and cannot be used.  Please verify the compatibility with the device. »  

Thank you so much for your answers and moral support!

itessier

I have read old posts about the HSS on the A6000.

Most where about the impossibility to use HSS with the integrated pop-up flash.

But on the official Sony forums someone had used the Sony HVL-F60M flash without any issues. I have one of those flashes.

Please be sure that the HSS option was not accidentally turned off on your RF-60X flash.

Attach the V6IIS to your camera. turn on the camera first and later the V6IIS. Be sure that is properly recognized: The camera will show you the Flash icon, just like a flash was attached to the hot shoe. Then turn on the RF-60X

Set the camera so S (speed) mode. Set your Flash mode to Fill Flash.

Take a shot at 1/160 sec. Everything must be work properly. Now is time to increase your shutter speed up to 1/4000 (the max. available on that camera).

If your tests were successful, you can try to use M (manual) or A (aperture) modes. Unfortunately I can not found any info about people using HSS on those other modes. I do not know if is a hardware or software limitation.

@lansa301

Thanks for your help.  I followed step by step your instructions in S mode, turning on the camera first, tried it in Auto HSS on, then off.  I did all the steps three times to be sure, and this is still impossible to fire Higher than 1/250s.  I also tried to modify the delay and at only 1ms, everything turns black where there was only a black curtain without delay.

itessier

Thanks for the clarification.  

Have you tried the X-TTL firmware for Sony?  >>  SON.1.001

@Antonio    

I found what you were talking about.  So I downloaded the SON.1.001 firmaware on my V6 IIs  thanks to the Cactus Firmware updater V3.01.  It unfortunately still does not work.

lansa301

Do you have any SONY flash? better if is one with the new Mi (Multi-Interface) hot shoe.

itessier

Do you have any SONY flash? better if is one with the new Mi (Multi-Interface) hot shoe.

No, unfortunately, those do not fit in my budget.

lansa301

Any third party flash, HSS capable, with Mi hot shoe?

Hmm, the only limitation for us, SONY shooters, is that we cannot use flashes without the Mi hot shoe stacked with a V6IIS to our cameras.

It is very strange, even with my old SLT-A37, released two years before the a6000, I was capable to use HSS, with on- and off- camera flashes.

Antonio

Thanks for the clarification.  

Have you tried the X-TTL firmware for Sony?  >>  SON.1.001

@Antonio    

I found what you were talking about.  So I downloaded the SON.1.001 firmaware on my V6 IIs  thanks to the Cactus Firmware updater V3.01.  It unfortunately still does not work.

Thanks for trying the X-TTL firmware for Sony.

We will try and get hold of a A6000 and find a solution as soon as we can.

Your patience during this time is much appreciated.

itessier

Thanks for the clarification.  

Have you tried the X-TTL firmware for Sony?  >>  SON.1.001

@Antonio    

I found what you were talking about.  So I downloaded the SON.1.001 firmaware on my V6 IIs  thanks to the Cactus Firmware updater V3.01.  It unfortunately still does not work.

Thanks for trying the X-TTL firmware for Sony.

We will try and get hold of a A6000 and find a solution as soon as we can.

Your patience during this time is much appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help!  Be sure I will be as patient as needed.