Using External Flash with the Sony DSC-RX100 III Camera

This video shows how to use an external flash unit with built-in optical slave capability to provide off-camera flash with the Sony DSC-RX100 III camera.

[@Eeeick]

Thanks for the video. I purchased a double set of the 560 III's and was starting to believe I'd have to buy a timer. Clicked S2 and I'm getting the pictures I need for my light box again.

[@alexswhite]

Erick Aguirre Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad that worked out for you!

[@Backtoflying]

Thank you for this video! It really helped me out!

[@alexswhite]

Glad to hear it. Thanks!

[@creemeeontop]

Bought your book for rx100v. Loved it!

[@alexswhite]

Thanks!

[@alexswhite]

In response to the question about using the Sony a5000 camera with external flash, I have not used that camera, but you should be able to trigger a good optical slave flash with the camera's built-in flash unit. A good choice would be the Yongnuo YN560 III or the LumoPro LP180 flash. Just make sure the slave unit is set to the proper mode to ignore the pre-flash fired by the camera's flash.

[@ronaldwolf2599]

Well done. Is there a photographers guide to the RX10 II? Amazing camera.

[@alexswhite]

Yes, there is a guide to the RX10 II. Here is a link to the page at my site: whiteknightpress.com/photographers-guide-to-the-sony-dsc-rx10-ii/. The book is available through Amazon and other sites, in paperback and ebook versions.

[@PaulDharmaratne]

Alex, my RX100 Mk IV's flash works fine at triggering the Yongnuo YN560-II but I can't seem to do the same with my Canon 580EXII. Is there some setting that I am missing. I followed the settings in your video and tried different channels but haven't been successful. Appreciate your help.

[@Zvejybinisalmanachas]

Hi Alex, my rx100mkvii trigers both flashes that i have (godox,yongnuo) with no problems but pictures that im getting are dark all the time. What setting are important to get properly exposed pictures when shooting like this?

[@alexswhite]

I would find it hard to respond without more information, such as what environment you're shooting in (indoor, outdoor, day, night, etc.), whether the flashes are automatic or manual, and what camera settings you are already using. When I took flash shots with that camera, I often resorted to trial and error, in order to ensure good results.

[@Zvejybinisalmanachas]

@@alexswhite ok thanks a lot. I’ll check these things after I’ll be back home from my bussines trip later.

[@qkhan786]

Hi can v use external flashlight with sony a5000, and if v can which one and how can v set it up with soft box without wire?

[@riofernandes7850]

Hi, will any speedlite with S2 option work as an external flash with the Sony rx100 m7? I was looking at Osaka Camera TTL Flash Speedlite Speedlight DF860 Mark III Can you let me know if this is compatible and whether if mounted on a camera cage (UU rig for Sony rx100 m7} will trigger when thr camera inbuilt flash is fired?

[@alexswhite]

I think it probably would work, but I can't say for certain without testing it, which I haven't done.

[@captainwealthy]

I have an RX100 mk 4 and the pop-up flash has failed 😞 It would seem something wrong with the ribbon connection. A lot of money for a camera that has lasted barely 3 years.

[@justsuperjl]

Thanks for this great video. Since the on camera flash fired, does it affect the subject? What if you didn't want the on camera flash to light up the model's face?

[@alexswhite]

+JL Yes, the on-camera flash will have some effect. You can use a diffuser or blocking screen to cut down on its effect. Also, if the external flash is considerably more powerful than the on-camera flash, the effect of the on-camera flash will be minimal by comparison and should not be too noticeable.

[@Louiskklam]

Can the camera trigger flashlight in exterior area under strong sunlight ?

[@alexswhite]

I have not experimented with that situation myself, but my understanding is that the optical trigger system will not work very well in bright sunlight.

[@DavideTela]

*Fantastic !*

[@ponciodupont5069]

How do you sync the RX100 II to fire studio flashes using the infra red unit attached to the hot shoe? What are the settings, dear Alex? I've tried, and tried... (I consulted your on line index from your book Guide To The DSC-RX100 II, but found no reference on this particular subject) Great series!!

[@alexswhite]

Hello -- I haven't tried using an infrared unit. I have used a radio trigger, such as the CowboyStudio NPT-04. With that unit, you make sure the transmitter and receiver are tuned to the same channel. If you are using studio flash units that have optical slave capability, make sure their optical slave function is turned on. If you are using some other system, I would need to have more details to see if I could help. You can contact me at my website, whiteknightpress.com, if you have more questions. Thanks.

[@ponciodupont5069]

Alex White It's a very basic system: One transmitter attached to the hot shoe and one receiver plugged to the power flash box unit (the one where the flash heads are connected to) It's the basic way to avoid the infamous pc cord, remember? I need to know how to configure, set, the in camera flash settings to avoid the camera flash popping out, but just activate the hot shoe to make the transmitter send the signal to the receiver plugged to the power flash box. It doesn't matter if it was infra red or radio. I can always use the camera flash to activate the studio flashes via the slave receiver, but the camera flash will alter the lights setting ratios, especially if I'm working with a dark balanced lighting.

[@alexswhite]

poncio dupont When I used a setup like that with a radio trigger system, I set the camera's flash mode to Flash Off, and it still sent the trigger signal to the other unit.

[@ponciodupont5069]

Alex White Tried too. It gave me rear courtain flash. Thanks a lot for your kind and fast intervention, Alex. It may also have to do with the hot shoe contact points. Sony is very jealous about details like that. Or maybe my transmitter set is kind of old. I'll have to go to my photo supplier, camera in hand to buy a new unit. That may do it. I hope. Keep on sharing, Alex. I'll buy your guide, since it's the most clear & ample illustrated manual on this camera. Have a great day!!

[@alexswhite]

poncio dupont I hope you can get it working okay; if you have other questions, let me know. Good luck!

[@bambanx]

Have you tried using optic fiber wire? Thanks for the vid

[@alexswhite]

No, that is not something that had occurred to me. I have only used the optical slave flash method for triggering the external flash.

[@g-dd-were5763]

Thank you very very much!!!

[@30mehra]

would you know if yn560i and yn560ii work with the rx100 mark 3 as well?

[@alexswhite]

+Edward maximo I can't recall if I ever tested those models with this camera, and I don't have either of those flash units at present, so I can't be sure. But, if the flash has optical slave capability with settings similar to those of the later flash model, it should work. I can't be sure, but I would think so.

[@30mehra]

+Alex White thanks for the reply. I'll look up that feature!

[@oscarhalder]

Sir, is there any compact solutions to use off camera flash for this camera? Also what would you buy, the Sony RX100III or the Fuji X100T? I know they are different cameras, but if I spend $800 on a point and shoot(?) wouldn't it be better to save a bit more and go for the APSC size camera like the Fuji X100T? Thanks for the Videos.

[@bambanx]

I do it a lot since my rx100 iv id my fav camera :), i put my stufio light on slave and i MASK with blsck paper outside and blank paper outside the pop up flash on direction of the slave flash so i dont have light contamination of the pop up flash

[@bambanx]

I read you can use old film used as infrared filter covering the pop up flash

[@angelisone]

If you want to shoot like this, wireless manual IR flash, then just buy a cheap ATG's Nissin or Yougnuo flashes that has S1 & S2. Only high end models have the following. Gathered from ATG's Specs on wireless flashes: 1. ATG Auto2 radio (better than TTL) 2. Wireless radio Master TTL 3. Wireless radio Slave TTL 4. Wireless IR Master TTL 5. Wireless IR Slave TTL 6. Wireless radio manual with power adjustment 7. Wireless radio manual 8. Wireless IR S1 9. Wireless IR S2 In simple terms, it will not work on Canon 600EX-RT down to 430EX as well as Nikon SB-910 down to SB-25. This is because ATG didn't put in circuit for S1 and S2. Alexander White is shown how to shoot wireless IR flashes. Where you have no control on flash power adjustment, unless you walk up to the flash & adjust.

[@Danielevans2]

this is brilliant, thank you!!!

[@haryobintoro1]

Wow 👍👍👍

[@NuuVidea]

thanks

[@trei2unu]

Since the YN460 also has a S2 (preflash ignore) setting, do you think it would work the same way as the 560?

[@historicalvideo8851]

+Alexandru Simonescu I would be inclined to think so, though of course it's always possible it would work differently.

[@trei2unu]

+Historical Video Right. thanks