x1 - optional flash mode = studio

[kent whiting]

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does anyone know what this means ??? if it is high shutter speed or what? I have both studio power pack and strobist type equipment and this a very interesting mode of flash on the X1. This spec is listed on DP Review of the X1 specs. Any ideas what this mode refers to??

 

kman

[ho_co]

Kent--Good question.

 

Looking at the tech specs and the brochure, in some cases, "Studio" is followed by a comma, and in others, it's listed without as "Studio First/Second Curtain."

 

One of those must be a typo, but either way, I've got no idea what it refers to.

 

Thanks for noticing!

 

Just in case it's a common German term, I raised the same question in the German X1 forum (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-x1/98438-blitzmodus-studio.html#post1035243). I'm sure we'll get an answer in one of these places!

Edited September 13, 2009 by ho_co

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[ho_co]

Kent--

There's a thread on the X1's flash synchronization on the German side of the forum, where I raised the question once more. Holger Verheyen responded about as well as one can without having the camera in hand, though it's probably not news to you:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-x1/101406-blitzsynchronisierung-bekannt.html#post1074837, my own translation:

 

A large studio flash setup has both a much longer flash duration and a different output curve.

 

The highest synchronization speed of current (d)SLRs is determined by the very short and steep output of compact flash units. If one uses a studio flash with such cameras, one should at least double the length of time the shutter is open, because one can't be sure otherwise that the shutter opens and remains open during the entire output of the flash....

 

Holger draws the conclusion that since the X1 advertises itself as compatible with studio flash installations, it likely has an in-lens instead of a focal plane shutter.

 

I'm sure he's correct about that, but we're still left with the question: How will the camera trigger the studio flash? Via external connection, and if so, via PC socket (not in evidence in the photos or preliminary reviews) or via a hot-shoe connector? Or possibly via a slave connected to the studio flash and fired either by the built-in or by an accessory flash in the hot shoe? Or possibly (not likely since they didn't mention it specifically) by a wireless transmitter?

 

Holger at least gives a good description of the difference between studio flash units (high power, long flash duration) and compact, portable units (very short flash with lower power), but we still don't have any practical understanding.

 

It's interesting that Leica has specified early on that the X1 has a "studio flash mode" (none of their other compacts do, nor does the M camera, though it can of course be used with studio flash). But until we have cameras to play with, we still don't know much.

 

I hope that does some good!

Edited October 13, 2009 by ho_co

[ho_co]

Kent--

Just occurred to me. A guess:

 

"Studio mode" probably means 'without pre-flash.'

 

Many if not all of the Leica digicams use a very brief pre-flash to determine proper flash exposure.

 

A couple years back there was a thread where someone asked why he couldn't synch his studio strobes with his Digilux 2, using a slave to trigger them from its built-in flash.

 

It turns out that the studio units were triggering with the pre-flash (the existence of which many of us weren't aware of), so by the time the shutter opened, the studio flashes were already dark.

 

As I said, just a guess.

[khanosu]

Kent--

"Studio mode" probably means 'without pre-flash.'

 

I bet you are right. Makes a lot of sense.

 

Take care!

 

Furrukh

[kent whiting]

Kent--

Just occurred to me. A guess:

 

"Studio mode" probably means 'without pre-flash.'

 

Many if not all of the Leica digicams use a very brief pre-flash to determine proper flash exposure.

 

A couple years back there was a thread where someone asked why he couldn't synch his studio strobes with his Digilux 2, using a slave to trigger them from its built-in flash.

 

It turns out that the studio units were triggering with the pre-flash (the existence of which many of us weren't aware of), so by the time the shutter opened, the studio flashes were already dark.

 

As I said, just a guess.

 

actually this sounds like a very good guess.

now for the BIG question - I wonder what the top sync speed is of the X1?

 

Kent

aka kman

[murfman]

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Maybe this exif coould shed some light on the problem, from Glazer Camera test shots:

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[khanosu]

 

I wonder what the top sync speed is of the X1?

 

Kent

aka kman

 

If your studio strobe has a flash duration such that it emits most of its power in less than 1/2000 sec. then it should be able to sync at all shutter speeds since the X1 shutter is most likely a leaf shutter.

 

Take care!

 

Furrukh

[ho_co]

Kent--

Apparently a verification that "Studio Mode" means 'without pre-flash.'

 

Built-in flash settings. "Studio" will reduce the emission mode pre

 

source: Google Translate