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Photography Question 

doug Nelson
 

Adjust Flash Output for Higher Camera Synch Speed?


My cameras have always had a flash synchronization of 1/60 sec, like my Canon F-1 (early). The Canon T90 syncs at 1/250 sec. If I'm cutting the light input to my film two stops by using a faster shutter, do I adjust the aperture recommendation on the flash's scale by two more stops (open up two) to compensate? Or is the flash scale recommendation based on camera-to-subject distance valid regardless of the camera's synch speed?

Sorry if it's a dumb question; synch speeds of cameras vary. I've never read instructions on a flash that said the scale was valid only for 1/60 synch speeds.


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November 07, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  No. As long as your shutter speed is at or below the sync speed it is irrelevent to exposure. This is because the duration of the flash is much shorter than 1/250th of a second. It doesn't matter what your shutter speed is because the duration of your flash, in essence, becomes your shutter speed.


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November 07, 2002

 

Jon Close
  Ditto what Jeff K. stated. At the same aperture, the faster shutter speed will affect ambient light only (make the background darker) compared to a slower shutter speed. The flash exposure of the near subject is unaffected.


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November 07, 2002

 

Jon Close
  PS. The advantage of the higher sync speed is in outdoor or bright light fill-flash situations. You have more control over depth of field with the higher sync speed. If you are using fill-flash outdoors, you might have an exposure of 1/60 and f/16. With the higher sync speed you can choose 1/125 & f/11, or 1/250 & f/8.


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November 07, 2002

 

doug Nelson
  Thanks, guys, for a very clear and thorough explanation.


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November 07, 2002

 
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