Congratulations Alex Vincent, March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen". Alex Vincent - #906 Yvonne Raaijmakers - #909 Peter Wingfield - #902 Here's what Alex has to say: Thank you for the award of Photographer of th ...
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Despite its ability to produce quality images, the Sony A7 can work better in various lighting conditions when paired with a powerful external flash. Real estate photographers need broader flash coverage when shooting vast interiors and exteriors. Take advantage of my best flash for Sony A7 reviews to pair this camera with superb alternatives.
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Considering the wide flash coverage, fast recycling time, and tilting functions, the Godox V860II-S tops my list as the best flash for the Sony A7. These features can help you illuminate spaces better, ensuring even exposure.
Taking substantial time to scrutinize numerous flashes for the Sony A7 was worth it. Below is an in-depth analysis with a comparison to make your pick.
Enticing with its attractive guide number of 60m at ISO 100, the Godox V860II-S makes it to the top of my list. Thanks to having the highest guide number on my list, the unit ensures adequate exposure irrespective of lens aperture settings and quick recycle times.
It may not be the fastest flash for recycling that you can attach to your Sony A7. Delivering a 1.5-second performance at full power, this is a highly desirable operation for lighting rooms without windows.
Tilting through -7 to 90 degrees upwards and all directions sideways also leads my top picks in the range of flexibility. This range of movement allows you to reposition it quickly when you need to bounce light or use a flash diffuser when illuminating your subject.
It is one of the first flashes to incorporate a rechargeable, removable lithium-ion battery. As a result, you get fast recycling times and a higher capacity.
Extended battery life ensures you can use it for lengthy shooting sessions of properties, something event photographers appreciate. Even on a 12-hour shooting session, it’s almost impossible to empty the battery unless running on TTL in a dark setting the entire time.
Added to its outstanding battery resilience, the unit comes with overheating protection. You get a consistent performance the whole time without worrying about something frying in the process. With the ability to support both TTL for automatic intensity calculation and manual mode, the flash allows you to pick a suitable performance in any situation.
Sony flashes take things a notch higher in build quality by incorporating more metal in the hot shoes. While the Godox V860II-S may not have this level of sturdiness, it still has a fantastic design. My main issue with it is the slightly high price.
What I appreciate most about the Godox TT865II-S is how affordable it is compared to the Godox V860II-S and still has many resembling features like TTL mode.
Like my top choice for the Sony A7, it has the same guide number of 60m at ISO 100. That means you can achieve the same amount of exposure, which is highly convenient when shooting far-off subjects.
Recycle times are a little slower than the Godox V860II-S. At peak performance, it takes the flash 2.6 seconds to be ready to flare. Though not the fastest, the level is still more suitable for hasty situations than the MEIKE 320S, which almost doubles the rate.
The range of flexibility is also similar to the Godox V860II-S. It can rotate 360 degrees sideways and -7 to 90 degrees upwards, making it ideal for fast bounce illumination when shooting interiors.
What the Godox TT685II-S beats the Godox V860II-S in besides the pricing is the weight. While appreciable, the slight difference in weight won’t give you a noticeable difference in the quickness of your hand’s exertion.
The build quality is similar to the Godox V860II-S, with only a slight difference in the battery compartments. Like the former Godox flash, it comes with multiple camera accessories to enhance your lighting conditions. You get numerous color correction gels with velcro straps for attachment and a diffuser to help you deal with mixed color temperatures.
It has a multi-interface shoe that doesn’t automatically lock down when you attach it to the hot shoe. It is, however, much more powerful than the others. It has even become the industry standard for most flashes.
The Neewer NW635 comes at a similar price as the MEIKE 320S. Though both are the most affordable options I included, the Neewer NW635 offers better value for you.
As expected, it won’t offer you the same level of performance as my top two picks. Some features, like recycle times, pale compared to the top options. It takes 3.5 seconds to recharge, a feature that may not favor quick action capture. Architecture, real estate, or portrait photographers may not have a big issue, though.
Like all my top flashes for Sony A7 cameras, the unit has a -7 to 90-degree horizontal tilting capacity. Its sideways adjustability is a tad less than my Godox options, though 270 degrees is still commendable.
While not as powerful as my first two flashes, its 58-meter guide distance at ISO 100 is quite mind-blowing. Considering the price, illuminating subjects far away is a crucial addition to the unit. It has a high guide number (GN60), giving it a bright, long-range exposure.
The construction is excellent and similar to the Godox Thinklite TT685S in terms of the battery compartment. The plus side is that it comes with fewer buttons, which may make usage simpler.
Its inclusion of an external diffuser to smooth the light is commendable at this price point. You also get a sturdy carrying case in mildly decorated packaging for minimal pricing.
My biggest complaint about the Neewer NW635 is how heavy the unit is, which can drag you down when shooting at vast spaces. At 1.41 pounds, it is the heaviest flash on my list, so you may consider using your Sony A7 on a budget tripod with it attached or off-camera as a slave flash.
The MEIKE 320S is another excellent flash for your Sony A7 if you like affordable accessories.
Its most noticeable advantage besides affordability is how small it is than the rest of the options. If you need something that takes as little space as possible in your bag, this might be your best option.
Another of its benefits is how light the unit weighs. At only 0.71 pounds, it is over four times as light as the similar-priced Neewer NW635. If you have many busy shooting days, this compact and light mass flash is a convenient asset to pair with your Sony A7.
While delivering a good performance, much of its operation is a ton down from the rest of my best options. The degree of movement, for instance, is noticeably lower. You get the same range of vertical adjustability.
Sideways tilting at 150 degrees has the least horizontal flexibility on the list. While not much of an issue, it limits the level of position you can achieve with it. Still, it should be enough for photographing small rooms.
I appreciate the inclusion of TTL mode even at this operation. Gurus may not be too fond of automation, yet for newbies or when shooting something like gymnastics, the function is most welcome.
Its guide distance of 32m at ISO 100 is the least on my list. The flash may not illuminate objects very far, though illuminating house interiors or portrait
What I least admired, though, was the extra-long recycle time. Waiting for five seconds before the flash is ready to fire is an extended period. While this may be a dealbreaker for live events, it's not much of a hassle in shooting interiors, especially when you have a tripod.
For a relatively affordable flash for the Sony A7 that can overcome some of the challenges of the MEIKE 320S, consider the Yongnuo YN560 IV.
Infused with powerful components to enable the proper exposure of subjects 90 feet away, the flash performs impeccably when you need a lot of lighting.
Its guide distance isn’t the only similarity with the more affordable Neewer NW635. You also get a similar range of movement both vertically and horizontally. Bouncing its lighting from the numerous positions you have access to allows you to tweak your conditions for the perfect illumination, especially when you set up softbox lighting.
I especially liked the faster recycle duration. Though not the fastest on my list, its 3.0 recharge time at full power is much better than other options. The wait for the following exposure is, therefore, a bit bearable in average-paced situations.
Onto the dislikes: the Yongnuo YN560 IV is quite a tedious load to carry around. With its weight of 530g, it’s the second-heaviest on the list. Despite that, I can easily solve this problem since I use a tripod when shooting real estate photos most of the time.
It also lacks TTL support, making it challenging to adjust your camera settings to get razor-sharp photos during event
It may not be the first option for newbies using a DSLR starter camera. Seasoned real estate photographers may, however, appreciate the affordability, flexibility of the manual controls, and the ability to switch from multiple strobes to an ordinary flash.
One of the standout features of the Godox TT350S is its compact size. The physical dimensions are small enough to fit in a small camera bag for travel yet powerful enough to provide bright, even lighting for your photos.
The zoom range is 24-105mm, so you can adjust it to suit most interior
You can also use it with Sony's wireless multi-flash system, so you can have multiple flashes working together seamlessly. Its backlit display provides a user-friendly interface, making it simple even for novice photographers to navigate through the different settings and modes.
The unit comes with a handy bounce card and diffuser, so you can get creative with your lighting to capture softer photos without hard shadows from elements like ceiling fans. One of the most significant disadvantages of the Godox TT350S flash is its limited power. With a guide number of 36, it can struggle in certain lighting situations.
When using the Sony A7 to take exterior photos in bright sunshine or trying to light up the interior of a large building, this flash might not be powerful enough to get the job done. You may find yourself pushing the ISO higher and ending up with image noise.
Additionally, the TT350S flash does not have a built-in optical slave mode, which means it cannot be triggered by other flashes without the use of additional equipment.
To get the most from your Sony A7, you should not only look out for the guide number of the flash, but also consider whether you’re choosing TTL or Manual, the weight on your hands, and the degree of rotation, among other features. Learning how to buy the right flash for your Sony A7 is based on understanding these features.
| Flash | Vertical Tilt | TTL? | Recycle Time (Seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godox V860II-S | 0 to 360 degrees | Yes | 1.5 |
| Godox TT685II-S | 0 to 360 degrees | Yes | 2.6 |
| Neewer NW635 | 270 degrees | Yes | 3.5 |
| MEIKE 320S | 150 degrees | Yes | 5.0 |
| Yongnuo YN560 IV | 270 degrees | No | 3.0 |
| Godox TT350S | 270 degrees | Yes | 2.2 |
Typically, flashes are rated with guide numbers at ISO 100. The guide number indicates how far the flash can expose a subject. Picking an external flash with a higher guide number means that you can capture images with your Sony A7 from a vast distance.
Consider striking a balance between how much power you use and how far you place your subjects. Shooting at full power drains your battery faster.
At ISO 100, here is how my top picks compare in terms of guide numbers:
My top picks, apart from the Yongnuo YN560 IV, have TTL support. Photographers who shoot still subjects, such as real estate, may not need TTL as much as event photographers. TTL mode automatically calculates the ideal lighting conditions for your flash to perform, so you won't need to use an independent light meter when shooting interiors.
That makes them essential for quick action and beginners. TTL may, however, have a bias regarding bright colors, lowering intensity. This is necessary for your Sony A7 to picture the subject in well-balanced exposure and control white balance when shooting HDR.
Manual mode allows you to set the conditions more accurately once you know your way around. Note that TTL flashes come in manual mode, making you more flexible.
The recycle speed dictates how frequently your flash can fire. Recycle times are especially crucial if you photograph quick-adjusting subjects, say sports, wildlife, or event
A notable aspect is that recycling speeds change depending on your power settings. Let’s say you use your flash at its lowest power; most units will be ready to fire again in 0.1 seconds. The most crucial performance to look for, though, is how long it takes at maximum power. If you were using the MEIKE 320S on your Sony A7 to capture quickly unfolding events, you may be at a disadvantage.
Depending on the flexibility of your work, you can pick an option that best suits you, though the Godox V860II-S is perfect for almost all situations. It is vital to pick manufacturer-recommended batteries to achieve the expected recycling speed.
How heavy a flash is may not make much difference during short sessions or when using a tripod. For event photographers, though they move about often to get the juiciest details, the weight of their flash is something worth considering.
Let’s assume you paired the Neewer NW635 with your Sony A7. Combined, the total weight of the camera and the flash is three pounds. Add a Sony lens on top at, say, 1.1 pounds, and the total weight goes beyond four pounds. That’s excess weight to carry around in a 12-hour event shoot.
You can also use a lighter flash on your Sony A7 and have the heavier flashes serve you off-camera. Here is a recap of what weight you’ll be adding to your Sony A7 with my top selections:
Hot shoe flashes are excellent because of the ease of bouncing them. Not every hot shoe flash comes with bounce abilities, though. As you pick an external flash to attach to your Sony A7, looking at the tilt range is crucial before purchasing.
The rotational extent of a flash head determines the diversity of your options for bouncing. Ensure the flash you pick can point upwards and adjust and face both left and right, given that these are the directions you’ll likely often use.
Color temperature refers to the hue of light emitted from a light source, measured in Kelvin (K), like the 5600±200k of the Godox V860II-S. The color temperature of a light source can range from warm to cool.
When the camera flash emits a quick burst of light to illuminate a subject, the color temperature of the external flash might not match the ambient lighting of the building. Usually, this can make it more challenging to adjust the color temperature in a photo editing software like Lightroom, as it won’t be consistent.
A flash with an adjustable color temperature allows you to change the color temperature of the flash output to match the ambient light. As a result, you can make global color temperature adjustments during the post-processing phase.
Since the flash is for illuminating the object, you want it to concentrate more light on your point of focus, especially when using shallow depth of field. An autofocus beam helps the camera autofocus system to focus more accurately in low light conditions by emitting a small pattern of light that lights up the main subject.
Once illuminated, the autofocus mechanism locks the focus onto the main subject. This beam is typically a red or green light that can be seen when the flash is fired, and is usually activated when using the autofocus mode.
This feature is especially useful when the ambient light is low and the system is hunting. Advanced flashes may have multiple autofocus beams that cover a wider area, enhancing the autofocus performance even when the subject is off-center or moving.
No, the Sony A7 is not equipped with a built-in flash. However, you can attach an external flash to this unit when you need extra illumination, and with Sony's TTL technology, you can still get good exposure.
Generally, photographers recommend setting your ISO between 100 and 400 when using an external flash. This range usually produces the best results and gives you enough flexibility to adjust your other camera settings without sacrificing photo quality.
An external flash can indeed drain your camera battery. However, how much it drains depends on a few factors, such as the type of external flash you're using and the range of the supported wireless connectivity.
Is there any more you need to find out about my top flashes for the Sony A7? Spanning different prices and a diverse range of features, I believe my inclusive list has something that meets your expectations. With the right external flash, you can better illuminate your shots, making it much easier to post-process and deliver real estate photos faster.
