Question about indoor sports, External Flash and Shutter Speed

[csolana]

Here is the scenario and the question:

If I have my 430EX (which is on its way from B&H) on my Rebel 400D in a gym with a high ceiling (while shooting Breakdancing) - the 400D x-sync max is 1/200 - does that apply only to the built-in flash or also to the 430EX?

To freeze breakdance action I need to be at at least 1/500

If the 1/200 does apply to the 430EX - what else can I do freeze action?

NOTE: I know IDEALLY I should use the 50mm 1.8 and not have issues, but breakdancers move back and forth and side to side and sometimes the 50mm just doesn't cut it unless I run back and forth because sometimes there is a wall in my way.

[csolana]

A big thanks goes to the 20+ people who stopped by this post and did not offer any help. As a new user, I feel very welcome. :(

Thanks again!

[RangerRick]

Here is the scenario and the question:

If I have my 430EX (which is on its way from B&H) on my Rebel 400D in a gym with a high ceiling (while shooting Breakdancing) - the 400D x-sync max is 1/200 - does that apply only to the built-in flash or also to the 430EX?

To freeze breakdance action I need to be at at least 1/500

If the 1/200 does apply to the 430EX - what else can I do freeze action?

NOTE: I know IDEALLY I should use the 50mm 1.8 and not have issues, but breakdancers move back and forth and side to side and sometimes the 50mm just doesn't cut it unless I run back and forth because sometimes there is a wall in my way.

If you want to go above 1/200th of a sec... then you need to punch (and turn on) the High Speed sync on the 430EX. This will fire the flash for the entire time the shutter is open. Get your 430EX manual out and read how to on page 16. Try it at 1/500th with a high ISO and low f stop. You'll probably only get what the flash can reach out and illuminate.

In this mode... if you drop down to 20Oth/sec or below the flash converts back to a normal flash which is about 10,000th of a second burst... but, you'll be able to get some ambiant light... and thus "see" more of the background of your image.

Think of it this way. Set the camera to get the background... and set the flash to get the forground. Thus maybe 100th/sec, ISO 800 or 1600, F1.8 on the 50mm to get the background. Use the FEC on the 430EX to adjust the foreground exposure.

[dmwierz]

A big thanks goes to the 20+ people who stopped by this post and did not offer any help. As a new user, I feel very welcome. :(

Thanks again!

C-

You're gonna get more responses with a little less sarcasm...;)

There are a few things at play here - shutter speed, length of flash and intensity of flash relative to ambient light. Depending on the amount of ambient light, and how many stops your flash is over/under ambient will determine whether your flash will stop the action or the shutter will. I don't know what the high speed sync speed on the 400D is, but believe it's something like 1/250th, correct?

In other words, if the flash is the primary light source for your scene and its duration is shorter than your shutter is open, THIS will freeze the action. However, if the ambient light is the primary lighting source, the shutter will probably determine how the action will be stopped, and you can choose either standard X-zync of 1/60 or HSS at 1/250.

The sync speed should apply to built in and hot shoe flash.

I'm in unfamiliar territory here since I have a 420 and a 580 and USED to have a 350D but not a 400D.

Now, let's ask NICELY if anyone is konwledgeable with this hardware can help?

Where you at in Miami, BTW?

Dennis
http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots

[dmwierz]

If you want to go above 1/200th of a sec... then you need to punch (and turn on) the High Speed sync on the 430EX. This will fire the flash for the entire time the shutter is open. Get your 430EX manual out and read how to on page 16. Try it at 1/500th with a high ISO and low f stop. You'll probably only get what the flash can reach out and illuminate.

In this mode... if you drop down to 20Oth/sec or below the flash converts back to a normal flash which is about 10,000th of a second burst... but, you'll be able to get some ambiant light... and thus "see" more of the background of your image.

Think of it this way. Set the camera to get the background... and set the flash to get the forground. Thus maybe 100th/sec, ISO 800 or 1600, F1.8 on the 50mm to get the background. Use the FEC on the 430EX to adjust the foreground exposure.

Rick nailed it, but be advised that by saying: " This will fire the flash for the entire time the shutter is open", if I'm not mistaken, you are probably greatly reducing the power of the flash. Think of it this way: there is only so much energy in a flash burst. You can either blow it all in one short burst, which will be very bright, or spread it over a longer amount of time, and reduce the brightness of the flash at any given instant during the burst.

Dennis
http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots

[csolana]

Thanks Rick, I will try it out as soon as I get the Flash in on Friday. I am used to taking outdoor Paintball photos - rarely even using the built-in flash. Indoors is so different and so much harder specially since Breakdancers are constantly moving unlike Paintball players.

Thanks for your input Dennis,

I figured with the sarcasm I might piss some people off but get some responses. It definitely was not aimed at you (or Rick) since you responded. Yes I am from Miami - did you guess because of my sarcasm? LOL!

Thanks a bunch though guys, I will be ready to try out the flash as soon as it gets here thanks to your responses! :D

[csolana]

Oh Whoops Dennis, I am near Miami Intl Airport. About 10 minutes from...