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View Full Version : Dumb question re: sync speed

Mum2J&M
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:13
Ok, ok. I should know this. What's the sync speed on the 30D? Is it 1/200? I've got a 430EX and have yet to figure this one out. Duh... :o I know on my 35mm it was 1/60, lol.
Rumjungle
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:26
It's 1/250th.
Mum2J&M
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:28
Thank you!
Rumjungle
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:30
Sure thing.:)
SkipD
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:31
Bear in mind that is not THE sync speed, but the maximum sync speed. It's the fastest shutter speed which has the trailing shutter curtain starting its travel after the leading curtain has fully opened the space in front of the film/sensor.

If you use any faster shutter speed with a conventional flash, the trailing shutter curtain will start its travel before the leading curtain has uncovered the film/sensor, and you will definitely get a black bar on one side (or top/bottom, depending on the design of the camera's shutter) of the image.

You can always use a shutter speed that is slower than the maximum sync speed with flash. This is a way to get more effect from ambient light in your image.
Mum2J&M
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:33
Yes, thank you. I can not shoot higher than 250, but can use the flash at a slower speed if need be to get more of the background in, etc., right? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Mum2J&M
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:33
Wait - let me re-phrase that - I meant more of the "ambient light" in.
Rumjungle
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:40
That's exactly right. Actually, you can shoot higher than 1/250 when you use high speed sync.
I found this pic of a 550ex with the High Speed Sync labeled:
http://photo.net/bboard-uploads/0080aS-17612784.jpg
Mum2J&M
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:41
Wow, I actually knew something. That's a switch! LOL.
bieber
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 19:45
If you really want, you can shoot faster than the max X-sync using a non-dedicated flash, but there'll be a bar along the bottom of the image that doesn't receive any light from the flash. Depending on your composition and just how high you push the shutter speed, you may be able to pull off an image with a higher-than-max shutter speed this way.
shooterman
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 20:41
If you really want, you can shoot faster than the max X-sync using a non-dedicated flash, but there'll be a bar along the bottom of the image that doesn't receive any light from the flash. Depending on your composition and just how high you push the shutter speed, you may be able to pull off an image with a higher-than-max shutter speed this way.I have done this a few times and actually liked the shots after cropping. Does this hurt the camera in any way?
PacAce
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 20:45
I have done this a few times and actually liked the shots after cropping. Does this hurt the camera in any way?

No more than if you were to shoot at that shutter speed without the flash.
shooterman
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 21:11
No more than if you were to shoot at that shutter speed without the flash.Thanks!
poloman
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 21:29
High speed sync works well with your 30D and 430ex and is really nice to have when shooting outdoors during the day. It's nice to have fill flash for those dark faces.