Flashing at higer speed than 1/125s ???

[Tribal69]

Is it possible to flash with the internal flash at a higher shutterspeed than 1/125s?

What with an external flash? Will that be possible?

[Tom V]

It is very easy to test for your highest flash-sync speed on the digital camera.

I am sure Fuji said to use 1/125 because it is a safe, fool-proof sync speed. If you do a test with your camera and flash, you probably will find you can get a faster speed.

Shoot a picture using the flash as the main light at different speeds. If your shutter speed is too high for the flash, you will get a partial exposure because a shutter curtain will be obscuring the sensor during the flash. Review the pictures on your LCD and look for any curtain shadow. The shutter is a vertical travel, so look for the shadow along the long edge of the frame. (the sample image shown here has been rotated).

Just the other day I tested my S2 and found that I can shoot up to a 1/180th of a second using my studio stobes. I had the flash unit power turned down, which gives a shorter flash duration - so when I use the flash at full power, which has a flash duration of about 1/300th of a second, I will retest for my maximum flash-sync speed.

I suspect that the S2's built-in flash's short flash tube (physical size) gives it a very short flash duration, so there would probably be no meaningful difference in flash duration changes due to TTL or Auto Flash Exposure. - The flash does not change brightness, to create a proper exposure - it changes the flash duration (time). To be safe, test the max flash-sync speed so that it uses a full duration flash (shoot at a distance, not a close-up).

The larger your aperture opening, the softer the edge of the curtain shadow will be. So if you shoot at ƒ1.4, and the curtain shadow is very close to the edge, you may not notice it. Do the test at a moderate aperture like ƒ8.

There is a good chance that not every S2 has the same maximum flash-sync shutter speed, so what works for me, might not work for you. Studio strobes, or bigger shoe-mount or handle-mount flashes might have a different flash duration or time lag before flashing. Sync cord length or if you use a radio synchronization system probably could have an effect.

The image attached shows my test between 1/180th and 1/250th. I did these tests during a test-shoot - how convenient!

[laue]

Hi Everyone,

I am a new owner of a S2 Pro, so of and a new user of this Forum. So, nice to see you all here!

I have a few questions

1> About the possibility of running the S2 Pro @ a higher Sync then 1/125!? I didn't know it can be done, doesn't the camera automatically keep the shutter at the fastest speed being 1/125s no matter what shutter speed setting you have!?

2> I have been using my SB-28 @ TTL Mode with my F100, and I hardly have any problem. However, I notice the S2 Pro doesn't have consistant result with the SB-28 with TTL setting under same light conditoin. It has been giving me the Over & Under with the same subject @ 2 or 3 shots. Also, F stop setting have a big impact to flash quality with the same subject base. (The Flash is in effective range)

Any Comments?

Eddy

[Tom V]

You can cheat the sync speed up on Manual Exposure Mode when you use "dumb" flashes like "studio strobes" or flashes that don't communicate with the camera. Using a Nikon Speedlight, or other smart flash unit when connected to the camera through the hot shoe terminal will cause the camera to set itself to the default sync speed of 1/125. I was using "studio strobes" and a 20 foot sync cord between the camera and flash power pack.

By the way, my camera's PC terminal stopped functioning. I have resorted to using a Nikon AS-15 Hot Shoe - to - PC adapter.

[laue]

Thanks!