Digital Photography Tips and Techniques - Latest Comments in Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Sitha P. — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:04:01 -0000

Does the Nikon d90 support high sync speed? I wanna give it a shot...and what flash unit does i need? SB-600 okay? or do I need SB-800

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

picmax — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:35:32 -0000

It is the longest flash pulse time. If the flash pulse is longer than that, the shutter starts to close before the flash pulse is complete.

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Wageslave — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:24:27 -0000

Hi Max,

Great explanation. Just one question though, when you wrote "This duration is the upper limit of the flash pulse duration," is the upper limit the longest flash duration or the shortest? My understanding is max sync speed = 1st shutter travel time + X, where X is the flash burst time, but which one? the longest or the shortest?

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Harry — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:36:23 -0000

Another really great article. Mike Hagen puts out a recommended setting sheet for some of the Nikon Camers (D-300 in particular) and advocates keeping the sync on Auto FP. However, unless I am incorrect, it would only really be needed in outdoor shootings mainly for portraits and fill-flash to prevent over-exposure. Do you concur?

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

picmax — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:48:27 -0000

I am glad this post is helpful. Thank you for your kind words.

Max

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

rehan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:45:47 -0000

Ive read so much about this topic and non of which ever made sense or elaborated the practicle uses. This article was brilliant, it has really helped me to understand this topic. Both technically and practically the uses of it.

thank you !

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

picmax — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:55:05 -0000

Looks like you got your question answered on the web.

http://www.thephotoforum.co...

Max

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

picmax — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:49:20 -0000

Neil,

Can you tell us more about your setup? How did you setup Nikon D300s to wirelessly sync with the Elinchrome light? Did you use PocketWizard or anything similar or did you try to sync using the flash on Nikon D300s?

I doubt the Elinchrome is compatible with Nikon CLS so if you attempted to sync optically the light might be syncing with the pre-flash emitted from the D300s.

Max

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Neil Harsant — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:31:59 -0000

Can anyone help?? I have just purchased a Elinchrome D-Lite 4 system and I'm shooting with a Nikon D300s. I just can't seem to sync the flashes with the camera - the flashes fire wirelesley OK but dont sync with the shutter? (fairly new to studio photography - sorry if this seems a dumb question)

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Pro — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:25:53 -0000

Great article about flash sync speed

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

Dave — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:12:53 -0000

Thanks for the great description!

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

picmax — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:46:23 -0000

David,

I really appreciate your kind words. Thanks!

Max

Re: Understanding the Flash Sync Speed

David Chin — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:02:50 -0000

This is absolutely the best article on flash sync speed that I've ever come across! I've read other articles, but you've explained and illustrated it extremely well. I now can say that I fully understand what this term means. Thanks!