Overclocking a 580EX II

So I read this from Strobist
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …with-ultra-high-sync.html

It talked about how using a camera with electronic shutter to achieve ultra high speed sync without, well actually using high speed sync mode. I did it with my Powershot S5 and it worked! I basically taped over the pin closest to me on the left on the hot shoe(when I was holding the camera as to take a picture). Pop the 580EX II to manual, the camera to Tv or M and voila, they sync right up to 1/1600 (maximum speed on S5 without the aperture changing).

I only tried this at 1/16 power though. I am sure, at some point the flash duration will be actually longer than 1/1600 as I pump up the power, thus making the flash power limited to shutter speed used. I am guess 1/2 full power at 1/1600 shutter speed. This will be surely better than actually using high speed sync mode.

However, when I do this on my 30D, I couldn't even get the flash to fire... Now only if I can get it to work on my 30D. Even though it uses a mechanical shutter, I should still be able to sync a bit higher than 1/250.

Why can't you just put your 580ex in HSS mode?

I got mini/flex and even then I can't go past 1/640 on my 1dmk2. What are you trying to do that you need faster ss?

bobbyz wrote in post #12025785
Why can't you just put your 580ex in HSS mode?

I got mini/flex and even then I can't go past 1/640 on my 1dmk2. What are you trying to do that you need faster ss?

Really just for shiz and giggles and the prospect of extending full power flash beyond the nominal sync speed.

A good reason to pick up a 1D classic...

Dekun wrote in post #12025879
Really just for shiz and giggles and the prospect of extending full power flash beyond the nominal sync speed.

30d can easily do 1/320 without any tricks. Add mini/flex and you can get 1/500 but there is some drop in flash power.

The 30D doesn't have an electronic shutter. Don't really grasp if that's what you think.

It should work tapping over the contacts, but if you use a PC sync cord from flash to camera PC port or even radio triggers it allows you to set any shutter speed on the camera. The Pixel Soldiers give close to sync cord speeds -

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/15168416@N00/4​885002992/

I'm a little curious as to why you think you cheated the HSS on your S5. When I shoot my 580 EXIIs in manual, the flash output doesn't change at all. High Speed Sync only means the 580 EXII is firing continuous small bursts of flash as the first curtain begins to close and the 2nd curtain begins to open at the same time (making sure to 'paint' the light throughout the entire exposure). This is different from a regular sync flash (usually anywhere from Bulb through 1/200th of a second on the 5D series), where the 580 EX II will emit a single flash at the precise moment the first curtain has opened all the way and the 2nd curtain hasn't begun to close yet. For more on how to get the most out of your HSS, and how to actually increase the sync speed from your camera(s), see this video:
http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …wizard_controlt​l_optimiz/

PhotoMatte wrote in post #12027254
I'm a little curious as to why you think you cheated the HSS on your S5. When I shoot my 580 EXIIs in manual, the flash output doesn't change at all. High Speed Sync only means the 580 EXII is firing continuous small bursts of flash as the first curtain begins to close and the 2nd curtain begins to open at the same time (making sure to 'paint' the light throughout the entire exposure). This is different from a regular sync flash (usually anywhere from Bulb through 1/200th of a second on the 5D series), where the 580 EX II will emit a single flash at the precise moment the first curtain has opened all the way and the 2nd curtain hasn't begun to close yet. For more on how to get the most out of your HSS, and how to actually increase the sync speed from your camera(s), see this video:
http://www.pocketwizar​d.com …wizard_controlt​l_optimiz/

I can now use full power flash up to 1/800 on a... well... S5. With the way HSS works, it inherently does not allow full power flash. It's basically stroboscopic flash. I think the figure is about 1/2 power with HSS at 1/320, it only goes down from there on. If you cheat it with something with a electronic shutter, you can probably use up to 1/800(approximate full power flash duration?) shutter speed on full power.

Dekun wrote in post #12027530
I can now use full power flash up to 1/800 on a... well... S5. With the way HSS works, it inherently does not allow full power flash. It's basically stroboscopic flash. I think the figure is about 1/2 power with HSS at 1/320, it only goes down from there on. If you cheat it with something with a electronic shutter, you can probably use up to 1/800(approximate full power flash duration?) shutter speed on full power.

I agree.. With the modifiers I use on camera and off camera losing a stop or more of light with HSS is not worth it.. I almost bought a D40 or a D70 and a 50mm for the electronic shutter even though I shoot canon. I have never seen david hobby or Zack Arias use hss. They may be but I never have seen them do it on normal shoots.

[QUOTE=bhursey;1202770​1]I agree.. With the modifiers I use on camera and off camera losing a stop or more of light with HSS is not worth it.. I almost bought a D40 or a D70 and a 50mm for the electronic shutter even though I shoot canon. I have never seen david hobby or Zack Arias use hss. They may be but I never have seen them do it on normal shoots.[/quote]

What do these guys have to do with this? Oh, I forgot, If Dave or Zack didn't endorse it, you can't do it... in public at least!

My point was just that some pros do not use HSS.

G series Powershots also can be used at high sync speeds as long as the G does not recognize the flash as being a Canon flash. On occasion, this is a very useful technique. When I need/want the high speed sync, I usually use a Nikon flash on my G9 or G12.

GordonSBuck wrote in post #12030257
G series Powershots also can be used at high sync speeds as long as the G does not recognize the flash as being a Canon flash. On occasion, this is a very useful technique. When I need/want the high speed sync, I usually use a Nikon flash on my G9 or G12.

I'm seriously considering picking up a used G11 for exactly this reason, though I'd use it with a Pocketwizard. I'd love to be able to get 1/1600 at f/8 (two stops below "sunny 16th"), which apparently is acheivable at 1/8 power. Pop a couple of extra speedlites on a TriFlash, and you should be able to get the equivalent of more than 1/4 power at a useable 1/1600; more than enough to light a one- or two-person portrait with an umbrella or an Apollo.

GordonSBuck wrote in post #12030257
G series Powershots also can be used at high sync speeds as long as the G does not recognize the flash as being a Canon flash. On occasion, this is a very useful technique. When I need/want the high speed sync, I usually use a Nikon flash on my G9 or G12.

Please enlighten me on how to use Nikon flash with HSS on your G9 or G12, I am rather curious.