> I read reviews saying Godox V1 has sync issues with new Sony bodies Honestly, I have to politely disagree about those sync issues being a dealbreaker nowadays! I just finished a massive gig in downtown Chicago—man, those lakefront winds are no joke—and I used the Godox V1Pro-S TTL Studio Flash for Sony the entire time with my a7R V. It was incredible! The Pro version is such a huge step up because it has a revamped thermal system to stop that annoying overheating people hated on the older model. I was firing away during a high-energy reception and it kept up perfectly. Most of those sync bugs were ironed out with firmware updates, so just make sure you're on the latest version. For way under your 400 dollar limit, you get that round head which gives such a soft, natural falloff compared to the blocky flashes. It's basically a life-saver for weddings when you dont have time to mess with modifiers... you're gonna love it!

Regarding what #2 said about "> I read reviews saying Godox V1 has..." - grab the Godox TT685II-S TTL Flash for Sony!

• Amazing budget beast tho.
• Zero sync issues.
• Buy two and stay under budget!

I've been using the a7R V for a while now and honestly, the flash situation can be a bit tricky if youre on a budget. You're right to be cautious about the sync issues with third-party gear. I would suggest looking at the Godox V860III-S TTL Li-Ion Flash for Sony as a solid alternative to the more expensive Sony gear. I've used it at a few long events and the overheating is much less of an issue than it was on the older models because the battery efficiency is way better now. Just make sure to update the firmware immediately when you get it, as Godox released fixes specifically for the newer Sony shoe timings. Be careful with the mounting though. The a7R V has that multi-interface shoe that is super fragile. I've seen people bend pins by forcing non-native flashes on. If you want to play it safe for the Chicago wedding, you might want to consider the Sony HVL-F46RM Wireless Radio Flash. It is usually right around $400 and since it is native, you wont have to worry about the sync dropping out mid-ceremony. It doesn't have the raw power of the F60RM2, but the thermal management is excellent. I've found that native Sony flashes tend to play nicer with the cameras Face Detection too... sometimes third-party ones can cause a slight delay in the shutter response. Just keep an eye on your recycle times if you are shooting bursts. Lemme know if you need more help with the setup!

> my budget is under $400 since the camera wiped me out... I totally feel you on the camera gear debt lol! Quick reply while I have a sec. For my a7R V, I eventually went with the Sony HVL-F46RM Wireless Radio Flash and its been an absolute lifesaver. Honestly, I love this thing! I used to run the Godox V1-S Flash for Sony but had those weird sync drops during a high-stakes shoot once... never again. Reliability is everything when youre doing a wedding. The Sony 46RM is basically the 60s smaller sibling but fits your budget much better than the big flagship. Comparing them:

• Sony 46RM: Amazing integration with face detection, super reliable sync, never overheats on me.
• Godox V1: Fantastic light quality and round head, but can be finicky on the newer Sony MI shoes. Seriously, the way the Sony flash works with the cameras tracking is magic! It makes life so much easier when things are moving fast. Youre gonna do great in Chicago!