Flash sync speed NOT 1/250 sec?

[Chrnes]

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In the manual it says that the SL will sync with flash at 1/250. When I use the camera with Bron Visatec strobes I can only sync with 1/160 sec or slower. Using faster shutter speeds will result in a image that is dark in the bottom due to the shutter blocking the sensor when the flash goes off.

Am I wrong?

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[ramarren]

It is most likely the strobe response time at fault. Not all strobes respond quickly enough, and some can respond too quickly too. 

 

I tested the SL with my Nikon SB-30 flash unit. I get perfect flash synchronization (and excellent auto exposure too) up to 1/320 second shutter setting when directly connected via the hot shoe, and I've used it at 1/250 second with an RC trigger (Cactus V2)—haven't tried at 1/320 with the RC trigger. 

Edited August 12, 2016 by ramarren

[ynp]

I'd try a sync cord wired to the monoblock first.

I use very similar cheaper Broncolor Minicom units and the IR triggering is unreliable and slow on my non-rfs Minicom.

 

 

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

I can synct to 1/250 with both my Godox 360's and Elinchrm Quadras. So the camera can sync to 1/250. Both with wireless triggers. There's something going on in your system.

 

For a reference my Sonys (A7R2, A72, A7) sync to 1/160 with the same strobes. It's one of the main reasons I prefer the Leica when shooting with lights.

 

Gordon

[orc999]

there seem to be tolerances in quality control for cameras regarding flash sync. I had Canon and Sony as well, which were meant to be 1/250 and only went to 1/160 in most cases.

My SL did fine so fare at 1/250 with profoto D1 and B1.

[Peter Bailer]

With my flash SF24D in TTL mode and camera mode A, speed is fixed to 1/125, however if I go to Mode T, I can change to 1/250 and it works fine.

Peter

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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With my flash SF24D in TTL mode and camera mode A, speed is fixed to 1/125, however if I go to Mode T, I can change to 1/250 and it works fine.

Peter

 

That's because of the way you've set your camera up. In A mode (camera) you can set a minimum shutter speed and your camera is set to 1/125th for slow speed sync. Change it to a lower speed in the slow sync options and you'll be able to get lower speeds if you want.

 

Gordon

[Chuck Albertson]

(I searched the SL forum for an answer to my question, and this thread seems to be the most relevant.)

The manual for my SL (purchased at the beginning of 2018) says the flash sync speed is 1/180, a shutter speed not found in nature, or at least not in the SL's menus - any idea where that comes from? Using Pocket Wizards and even a humble PC cord, I get a clean sync at 1/160. At 1/200 and 1/250, I get a shadow on the bottom of the frame, but usually only for the first frame I shoot after changing shutter speeds. Not interested in HSS.

[hoppyman]

16 hours ago, Chuck Albertson said:

(I searched the SL forum for an answer to my question, and this thread seems to be the most relevant.)

The manual for my SL (purchased at the beginning of 2018) says the flash sync speed is 1/180, a shutter speed not found in nature, or at least not in the SL's menus - any idea where that comes from? Using Pocket Wizards and even a humble PC cord, I get a clean sync at 1/160. At 1/200 and 1/250, I get a shadow on the bottom of the frame, but usually only for the first frame I shoot after changing shutter speeds. Not interested in HSS.

 1/180 is available when you set 1/2 EV increments instead of 1/3

that is what I have used since getting the camera and syncs correctly via Skyport with the Elinchrom ELC studio flashes I use. I haven’t ever experimented with any higher sync speed since that just works.

for the Original poster, you may like to look at flash settings in the menu. With my flashes Start of Exp has always worked. Your flashes may have menu options too.  It’s not just the length of the sync speed, it’s also when within that time you get the peak output. I recall once with an M that it did not give the same exposure with a borrowed trigger in a Broncolor system I think

 

Edited January 10, 2019 by hoppyman
Additional comment

[Chuck Albertson]

46 minutes ago, hoppyman said:

 1/180 is available when you set 1/2 EV increments instead of 1/3

that is what I have used since getting the camera and syncs correctly via Skyport with the Elinchrom ELC studio flashes I use. I haven’t ever experimented with any higher sync speed since that just works.

 

Duh! (smacks forehead) Thanks, Geoff! I've added that to my "man flash" profile.

[EdwardWestin]

When you use a flash - you have two exposures. The first exposure is the camera's shutter (this exposes the ambient light. So depending on your shutter speed you will either see whatever the ambient light is properly exposing or lack of). The second exposure is your flash. Just like the cameras shutter the flash has a "shutter" speed too. This is known as Flash Duration. It changes depending on brand, flash unit model, power setting of the flash, etc). Most companies will publish a "flash duration" graph or table that shows for XXX model the duration in 1/sec at 1/1 power 1/2 power 1/4 power, etc. Kind of like flash recycle times. Typically the lower the power of the flash setting the "shorter" the flash duration is, aka the FASTER the flash shutter speed is. 

Typically more expensive flash units will have higher sync speeds due to shorter flash durations times at higher power settings. 

[jaapv]

2016?