flash synchronisation speed

morgan20morgan20 Registered Users Posts: 76 Big grins
edited March 4, 2010 in Technique
I am trying to setup new studio lights (recently bought) and I am suppose to set know the flash synchronisation speed of my camera. I have an olympus e3. Can anyone tell me what it is? Thanks.

Comments

  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 4, 2010
    Here http://tinyurl.com/y8bagxf




    Looks like 1/250
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • morgan20morgan20 Registered Users Posts: 76 Big grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    ah ha
    ah ha - that's why when I am use shutter priority with my flash unit on the camera the speed won't exceed 1/250. Thanks
  • chrisdgchrisdg Registered Users Posts: 366 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    ah but that camera has an optional FP High Speed Sync of up to 1/8000 sec that you might be able to take advantage of.

    http://www.olympus.com.au/component/option,com_product/id,276/task,detail/Itemid,69/

    I don't know where to enable it on your camera, but you should check into it.
    -Chris D.
    http://www.facebook.com/cdgImagery (concert photography)
    http://www.cdgimagery.com (concert photography)
     http://chrisdg.smugmug.com (everything else)
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,159 moderator
    edited March 4, 2010
    chrisdg wrote:
    ah but that camera has an optional FP High Speed Sync of up to 1/8000 sec that you might be able to take advantage of.

    http://www.olympus.com.au/component/option,com_product/id,276/task,detail/Itemid,69/

    I don't know where to enable it on your camera, but you should check into it.

    That's only for a connected, dedicated flash, not studio lights or either "auto" or "manual" compact hot shoe flashes.

    For studio lights it will be the normal flash sync or slower. I commonly use 1/125th for the most consistent results with studio strobes.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Mr. 2H2OMr. 2H2O Registered Users Posts: 427 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    I use an E-510 and my flashes are all manual. I can get up to 1/320. After that, the shutter blocks out part of the frame. When I use flash, I don't need to go faster than 1/250 even in sports.

    - Mike
    Olympus E-30
    IR Modified Sony F717
    http://2H2OPhoto.smugmug.com
  • EOS_JDEOS_JD Registered Users Posts: 68 Big grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    morgan20 wrote:
    ah ha - that's why when I am use shutter priority with my flash unit on the camera the speed won't exceed 1/250. Thanks

    When using strobes your camera will not detect the lights when using SS mode. You MUST shoot in manual mode - you have no choice.

    Shutter speed has no effect on the flash exposure. SS controls ambient lightso you want a fast enough SS just to block out any ambient light.

    Set your aperture to f8, ISO 100 and SS at 1/125 and move the power of your main light up/down until you get a correct exposure.

    A light meter is a big help when using two or more lights.
  • chrisdgchrisdg Registered Users Posts: 366 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    ziggy53 wrote:
    That's only for a connected, dedicated flash, not studio lights or either "auto" or "manual" compact hot shoe flashes.

    Well, I have the new PocketWizard ControlTL triggers (MiniTT1 and FlexTT5) which are capable of wireless high-speed-sync for either my remote 430EX IIs or AlienBees.

    Outdoors, it's nice to be able to use high-speed shutter to kill some or all of the ambient light (particularly harsh mid-day sun) and then illuminate the subject via the strobe(s) for some dramatic effect.

    I have Buff's Vagabond portable battery system, so I can take my AlienBee unit outside for environmental portraiture (beach, forest, etc).
    -Chris D.
    http://www.facebook.com/cdgImagery (concert photography)
    http://www.cdgimagery.com (concert photography)
     http://chrisdg.smugmug.com (everything else)
  • EOS_JDEOS_JD Registered Users Posts: 68 Big grins
    edited March 4, 2010
    chrisdg wrote:
    Well, I have the new PocketWizard ControlTL triggers (MiniTT1 and FlexTT5) which are capable of wireless high-speed-sync for either my remote 430EX IIs or AlienBees.

    Outdoors, it's nice to be able to use high-speed shutter to kill some or all of the ambient light (particularly harsh mid-day sun) and then illuminate the subject via the strobe(s) for some dramatic effect.

    I have Buff's Vagabond portable battery system, so I can take my AlienBee unit outside for environmental portraiture (beach, forest, etc).

    Very true the HSS on the ABs is a great addition - but the OP wasn't mentioning that :)
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