EM1 Flash Sync Question

[Albert Valentino]

My EM1 is set to sync flash at 1/320 sec (Menu F X-sync and Slow Sync). This works with the included flash, FL-LM2, but not when I mount my Godox TT350o. When the speedlight is mounted I can only do 1/250 sec. I would like to go faster, mostly to shoot macro and things like flowers to controlthe background light relative to the subject.

Anyway, is my 1/250 sec limitation due to the type of flash, or am I doing something wrong?

 

[Airmel]

The limitation is due to the focal plane shutter in your camera. It's a camera body limit.

Slightly OT:

What I don't get is why the tiny flashes like the FL-LM2 or the pop-up on the E-M10 will synch at higher speeds than internal units.

Think in terms of how much power must be delivered to the flash tube.

Small flashes don't produce much power to begin with, so the flash duration is very short.

A larger flash delivers much more power, so the flash duration will be longer (an exception to this is studio strobes which operate in a different manner).

The E-M10 manual states that the fastest spped is 1/250 with the internal flash, 1/200 with most external flashes and 1/180 with the FL-50R!!!! What is so special about these tiny strobes and what is wrong with the FL-50R?

Nothing wrong with the FL-50R. It's a very nice design.

I've never seen an explanation for this. Is this common with other camera systems?

Yes, it's one of those "Devil is in the details" kind of things.

 

[enossified]

It's all to do with the flash tube and how fast it responds to power supplied and how long the maximum power flash pop lasts.

Thx for the reply, Guy. That does make perfect sense.