Highest flash sync DSLR

I am looking to use a DSLR and flash outdoors. Most sync speeds appear to be around 1/200/250th.

I had a quick look through some of the specs in the Camera reviews but none appear to offer higher, IIRC the Nikon D70 used to sync higher, are there any current models that offer higher sync speeds within a reasonable price range?

Thanks

This probably isn't too helpful, but I've had a great deal of success with the SB-800's high-speed sync option. Obviously YMMV, but even at 1/2000th I've found it to have ample power for most situations, up to and including some indoor soccer work if you shoot smart and bump the ISO up a touch. Hope that's somewhat helpful!

sony systems sync up to 1/4000 with external flash units from oem...

Nikon D40 has flash synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/500 sec.

Great little camera.

I have not used a Sony DSLR, but I "suspect" you are confusing standard flash sync with available FP flash units.

It appears the standard flash sync of the current 350 Sony is 1/160. This is the speed at which you can use a flash at full power. Many systems have FP sync, which can be used at higher speeds. The rather significant "trade-off" is that you only get a small fraction of the flash power in FP.
--
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com

Nikon D40, D50 and D70's sync at 1/500th but can sync up to 1/1000th with an external flash.

hmmm why Canon is so low at 1/200th ????

does it mean if we use external flash, the highest speed would be just that as well ????

what is the use if that is the case ???

--
Be a torch bearer ...
S3 IS

New Nikons are also 1/200 or 1/250. It's a function of CMOS sensors. Basically CCD sensors can work at much higher synch speeds (the original 1D was 1/500th of a second, and it was a CCD sensor). CMOS sensors needs a slower synch speed for a proper exposure. Someone with better understanding of electronics might be able to explain it.

jack

peacewarrior said:

hmmm why Canon is so low at 1/200th ????

does it mean if we use external flash, the highest speed would be
just that as well ????

what is the use if that is the case ???

--
Be a torch bearer ...
S3 IS

Click to expand...

--
A few of my photos:
http://web.mac.com/kurtzjack/ or
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=4177

Tom Ferguson said:

I have not used a Sony DSLR, but I "suspect" you are confusing
standard flash sync with available FP flash units.

It appears the standard flash sync of the current 350 Sony is 1/160.
This is the speed at which you can use a flash at full power. Many
systems have FP sync, which can be used at higher speeds. The rather
significant "trade-off" is that you only get a small fraction of the
flash power in FP.
--
Tom Ferguson

Click to expand...

I may have misunbderstood OP's question, but unless he's using studio strobes, then the hss in the sony system, as well as other brands with thier higher output flashes (hvl 56 or 58, sb800, etc) should work fine for most needs.. I havent found anything mine wasnt acceptable for in general use. If he needs to use studio strobes then he will be stuck around 1/500 at best, but many dslr's will have him even lower at 1/160-1/250.. I also wouldnt recommend the a350, the a700 or 200 are much better cameras despoite the lower megapixel rating..

High speed sync with external flashes / strobes enables sync up to the maximum shutter speed - with a trade off of illumination / distance.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=28358172

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

thanks Doug

it means it is worth getting Flash like 580 to get faster speed ... cool ....

thanks again

Doug J said:

High speed sync with external flashes / strobes enables sync up to
the maximum shutter speed - with a trade off of illumination /
distance.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=28358172

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

Click to expand...

--
Be a torch bearer ...
S3 IS

There are other flashes capable of operating in high speed sync mode, this will be mentioned in the product specifications.

--
Best regards,
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj

Up to the camera's maximum shutter speed, in many cases. High speed sync is available within many brands of kit. For an example and some discussion, see
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index.html#fp

--
geek
--
A 'must watch' for forum participants everywhere!
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

it has a newer sensor than the d70 with less noise
and you can get a used body for really cheap
It seems the only DSLR with 1/500 are all 6mp or lesss
not sure why that is

NOTE the D40x which is 10mp can only sync to 1/250 or 200
or roughly half what the D40 sync is

kennett said:

I am looking to use a DSLR and flash outdoors. Most sync speeds
appear to be around 1/200/250th.

I had a quick look through some of the specs in the Camera reviews
but none appear to offer higher, IIRC the Nikon D70 used to sync
higher, are there any current models that offer higher sync speeds
within a reasonable price range?

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
Mac OS X: Because making UNIX user friendly was easier than fixing Windows.

In order to clear up the confusion I see in this thread, here are some facts about flash synchronisation with focal plane shutters in SLR cameras.

-- Unfortunately, it is most unlikely that we will ever see focal plane shutters offering anything faster in 'X' sync than 1/250th (or 1/200th full frame). This is because the physical limits of just how fast the shutter curtains can be driven, without applying so much force they are destroyed by their own inertia, have already been reached. Unless a new material appears which is even stronger and lighter than the current titanium metal, or carbon composite materials already employed, this is not going to change.

-- The High Speed Sync modes provided by each marque's dedicated flash units are an effective work-around, but only for subjects which are close to the flash. This is because the light is delivered in "stutter" mode, which is weaker but long enough lasting for the slit of the shutter to traverse the sensor, which process actually takes 1/250th sec (see above) regardless of actual exposure time. Sadly, at the highest speeds most of this weaker light is wasted completely because it falls on the shutter curtains instead of the sensor, so the usefulness is even further reduced.

-- The higher 'X' sync of cameras like the Nikon D70 is achieved without recourse to the mechanical focal plane shutter. Instead it is done by rapid on-sensor switching and is therefore completely electronic, not just electronically timed as in mechanical shutter.

As always, there is a problem! The sort sensor that can be shutter-switched in this way is rather prone to 'blooming' artifacts around bright highlights, and this is the main reason we don't see more pro cameras using them.

Note: Electronic switching is the shutter principle used in compacts, digicams and prosumers like the KM A2. If you can live with their small sensor size, (not so bad in bright light, of course) these are ideal for use in daylight fill-flash situations, where they provide a full power flash at ANY speed (1/2000th, say)......

....... or up to the point where the shutter can actually CLIP the flash, if it is a long duration one like some studio units.

I hope this background information is useful.
Thanks for reading.
--
Regards,
Baz

peacewarrior said:

it means it is worth getting Flash like 580 to get faster speed ...
cool ....

Click to expand...

But I've found that when using HSS for fill in daylight, even with the
580, your flash-to-subject distance is quite limited.
Head-to-toe shots were giving me black faces.

Thanks for all your feedback much appreciated

d1x is a cool camera, use mine every day still