Large, VERY powerful, "test" button, backlit LCD display, ft. and m., fairly easy to use and well thought-out controls, HSS (of course), swivel/bounce head, 24mm lens coverage... plus many other features (wireless, etc.) I havent used a lot, but will grow into.

Not cheap, but good things cost money. Price may come down since the introduction of the new 5600HS(D). HSS has a maximum range of 62ft. Lithium 'AA' batteries not recommended for use with this flash?...refer to operating manual, or contact Minolta directly.

I bought this flash for two reasons: -HSS (High-Speed Sync): flash will sync at ANY speed on my Maxxum 7. Nice for using shallow depth-of-field on bright sunny days with fast film, and freezing really fast action. -Power: has a maximum range of 177ft. @ 105mm.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

3500xi Flash (the "little brother" to my 5400HS, which I still love and use).

Well made tight feel, easy to understand, good coverage, powerfull, quick recycle time with nicads.

Too expensive new. Hard to find accessories, eats batteries on full power. No flashgrip fits the MAXXUM foot. Need to purchase adapter>$$$$.

I like this flash. Fairly simple to use (even with all the options)thanks to the L.C.D. screen. Ratio, model, strobe, wireless, bounce, swivel, varible power levels, etc. etc. etc; has all the features I want. Illuminates like a searchlight. Hasn't failed me yet so I've been very pleased with the flash.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

For the MAXXUM...Achiever and Tintron

Power, wireless TTL, easy to use, quiet autozoom from 24-105mm.

No diffuser for wider than 24mm. Not a huge issue. I''d also like to see a good grip/power bracket to get it higher off the camera and have a self-contained high capacity power pack.

Wonderful, powerful, reliable flash unit. I first got into the Maxxum system because of its wireless off-camera TTL flash capabilities. This flash has never disappointed me. On camera or off, it works great with both my 600si and my HTsi Plus. It is absolutely worth every penny and I would buy one again in a heartbeat. It''s quite power hungry, but so are all flashes with this much power. Lithium AA''s are a great choice, lightweight, long-lasting and fast recycling.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Maxxum 3500xi, my nice little flash!

Quite strong output, HS mode up to 1/12000 with Maxxum 9, modelling flash feature (so you know where the shadows are), simple and easy to use wireless feature, complete modes available (ratio, wireless ratio, manual/auto zoom, multi-burst). It also has that little "foot" for wireless placement around the room.

Although the output from this flash is strong, it's barely adequate for a group shots (20-35 people). The flash also has the tendency to overexpose if the subject is pretty close (1-1.5 meters). However, you can always adjust the flash output by dialing flash compensation and use faster films to get the background "visible". One other thing, the recycling time is not as fast as 3500xi.

This is the best flash for Minolta AF system. The LCD panel is also illuminated, making it easier to be read in dim lightning. More power, especially in HS mode, would be nice, but I can't complain. The price is in US250-350 range, both for used and new, including shipping.

Customer Service

None needed. Yet.

Similar Products Used:

3500xi, Nikon SB-22

I don't know of any other flash that has all the features!

So many features, so little time to learn how to use them all.

If you own a Minolta 700 or 800si there is nothing better on the market.

Customer Service

Excellent!

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 283.

THE WIDE VARITEY FEATURES THE BUILT IN SLAVE.THE PRODUCT IS VERY SOLID.

NONE

IF THIS FLASH FITS YOUR BUDGET THE 5400 HS IS THE WAY TO GO.

Customer Service

VERY GOOD

Similar Products Used:

NONE USED THIS REVIEW PAGE TO FIT MY BUDGET AND OTHER REVIEWS TO MAKE MY DECISION.

High quality and well built, wireless remote flash, modeling flash, multi frequency flash, selectable power output, HSS(high sync speed 1/12000sec), fine color temp. are just some of its great features plus a lot more.

none

A fine flash with quality electronics. As good as the newest 5600HSD. Reasonable price for its great features and built.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon SB28
Canon 540EZ
Canon 550EX
Contax TLA 360
Minolta 5600HSD
Minolta 5200

Power, wireless, model light, some other gizmos and dodads

Very unreliable

Owning this flash and the Maxxum system with a 9xi body was much of the reason of why I switched to Canon. I had a problem with an intermitent power shut down. It allways seemed to happen when I got it back from Minolta USA repair shop in NJ. I got fed up with it as well as the dedicated shoe mount crap that I wouldn't accept a 4i radio slave transmitter to be mounted on the hot shoe that I eventually threw my hand up and surrendered to Canon. I make a living with my equipment and I can't have an essential part of it not work in the middle of a job. When it worked, it was fine but, near the end, I rarely had a job where it didn't go into a snafu mode. I nearly spiked this piece of crap on the ground after it made me look bad ....(like some amateur photographer futsing and fooling around with his fancy equipment that he doesn't know how to use) in front of clients. They never rehired me again. Things would have different if the darn thing acutally worked when it was suppose to. The 9xi body or for that matter all of my other Maxxum bodies were just as unreliable as well and spent so much time in NJ. that they knew me by voice when I called about a new or old problem that needed fixing. I concluded that the guy who spoke to me the last time I sent in my equipment......is a jerk!

Customer Service

3 times in New Jersey....they never found problem and insisted I was "imagining" things.

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 283, 285, Canon 540EZ, Quantum Q flash.

endless power, wireless control,
very well programmed, quite universally usable, easy to use monting

no hard-to-die construction for that price,i have to slow it down hard under two meters distance not to overflash every picture

at distances more than two meters and wireless it works incredibly well with my dynax 800 si. i had so much to learn to use this flash properly but if you´ve eaten it once you`ll hardly find a situation you can`t handle with this flash!

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

none

Powerful, wireless, high speed sync

Not reliable. Slow recycle time. It turns off by itself without any reason. To turn on back again, I have to remove and insert the battery.

Not a bad product. It overexpose with 9xi especially at 2 meter of distance. Spot on exposure with Dynax 9. Too bad there is not compensation button on this flash so I have to cover the lamp with tissue paper to reduce the flash power.

Customer Service

There is no repair service in Malaysia. I have to send it to Singapore. But the customer service is nice.

Similar Products Used:

None