Alpha 200 & Flash guns

[pabryan2853]

I have an Alpha 200 and have just bought a Jessops 360AFD flash gun which works well on board the camera. It is also working via the wi-fi remote system of the a200.  However my only proble is that to actuate the remote flash the onboard flash gun also has to trigger.  This is causing over exposure to some images where I was trying to achieve a nice lighting effect via the remote flash facility.  Is there anyway of operating the remote flash facility [without bying a radio controlled remote] via the onboard flash, but without the onboard flash actually activating.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[gimp69]

The camera uses the on-board flash to transmit distance information etc., to the remote flash using the method you describe.

If the distance is short you can use a cable instead.  The official parts are FA-CS1AM and FA-CC1AM.  However get third-party ones off eBay instead.

I have read that if you put a strip off exposed film in front of the on-flash it will block the visible light but still transmit the information.

[pabryan2853]

Hi Gimp69,

Many thanks for the response, I do like the sound of using some expose film over the on board flash and I will give it a try when I get the opportunity