Flashes

Well over the past weekend I have decided that I need to research the use of off camera flash photography, and how to use it to its full potential. What I am currently struggling with is HSS or Auto FP. Off camera I cannot sync faster than 1/320sec and even then I see a mirror line, but if I place the flash on camera I can go up to 1/8000sec easily. Is this due to the direct nature of the connection? I will do some research with this but really want to use flash and wide aperture for some portraiture shots (See Chrystal). This is all a learning thing and I am always open for advice, flashes and especially off camera is new to me but I am keen to learn all that it has to offer. Ok time for some sleep then some reading

Scott Murray said:

Well over the past weekend I have decided that I need to research the use of off camera flash photography, and how to use it to its full potential. What I am currently struggling with is HSS or Auto FP. Off camera I cannot sync faster than 1/320sec and even then I see a mirror line, but if I place the flash on camera I can go up to 1/8000sec easily. Is this due to the direct nature of the connection? I will do some research with this but really want to use flash and wide aperture for some portraiture shots (See Chrystal). This is all a learning thing and I am always open for advice, flashes and especially off camera is new to me but I am keen to learn all that it has to offer. Ok time for some sleep then some reading

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HSS FP mode requires CLS communication with the camera to implement it. Both camera and flash have a job to do.

Hot shoe works (communication exists).

Commander remote flashes work (communication exists). (however, camera internal flash cannot do HSS, and must be disabled).

But radio triggers, optical slaves, PC sync cords, etc, etc, cannot communicate to do HSS mode.

More HSS at Four Flash Photography Basics we must know - Auto FP and HSS

WayneF said:

HSS FP mode requires CLS communication with the camera to implement it. Both camera and flash have a job to do.

Hot shoe works (communication exists).

Commander remote flashes work (communication exists). (however, camera internal flash cannot do HSS, and must be disabled).

But radio triggers, optical slaves, PC sync cords, etc, etc, cannot communicate to do HSS mode.

More HSS at Four Flash Photography Basics we must know - Auto FP and HSS

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Wayne I thought you would respond and it is your site that I am reading through. But I am still confused it cant be that hard but I guess when I get it I will get it

PS looking at getting radio poppers that sync at 1/8000 sec nikon and canon.

Scott Murray said:

PS looking at getting radio poppers that sync at 1/8000 sec nikon and canon.

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That is not your average radio trigger (more like a Commander function), and I am not familiar, but if they say they can do it, they should do it.

WayneF said:

That is not your average radio trigger (more like a Commander function), and I am not familiar, but if they say they can do it, they should do it.

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Thoughts on this? RadioPopper

It says "High Speed Sync up to 1/8000th", so they think they can do it.

I am not familiar with them, sorry. And PocketWizard has a similar model (implemented differently) that relays the Nikon Commander communications.

But rank and file general radio triggers cannot implement HSS.

WayneF said:

It says "High Speed Sync up to 1/8000th", so they think they can do it.

I am not familiar with them, sorry. And PocketWizard has a similar model (implemented differently) that relays the Nikon Commander communications.

But rank and file general radio triggers cannot implement HSS.

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Ok thanks, I am reluctant to outlay $500 aud and for it not to work..

Ok question @WayneF if I have my SB910 on camera with diffuser and a SB600 off camera will that be enough to allow fill flash with out the ugly mirror line? Assuming I will be shooting at f/2.4 ISO 100 S/S around 1/5000 to cut out ambient (outside shooting).?

The manual at your link (page 5, How It Works) says

The RadioPopper PX Transmitter “listens” to the light signal being
created inside the master flash unit or remote commander on your
camera’s hot shoe. The PX Transmitter sends this signal by radio
where it is read by the RadioPopper PX Receiver.

Should work same as commander, which does work. If Commander says "FP flash, do this and that", popper should simply relay that command to the flash.

Note I have never seen a Popper, and am otherwise clueless about them. Just reading their words.

if I have my SB910 on camera with diffuser and a SB600 off camera will that be enough to allow fill flash with out the ugly mirror line? Assuming I will be shooting at f/2.4 ISO 100 S/S around 1/5000 to cut out ambient (outside shooting).?

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I don't know why you see a line at 1/320, I never have with D300 or D800. I suspect some radio trigger is being used, which adds its own delay. Try it direct on hot shoe, no radio, and I bet you see no line. Many radio triggers barely do 1/200.

But FP mode is different anyway.. no sync, no lines.

The FP flash is triggered on before the shutter is opened, and remains on until after it closes.
No sync, no lines.
But.... only about 20% power, and shutter is only motion stopping capability.

The Pocket Wizards will work on high speed sync but remember as you go above the sync speed of the camera the power of the flash goes down. At 1/8000 you are not going to have much power left on your flash output.

If you use the Pocket Wizards the camera thinks that the flash is still on the camera and will work just like it is on the cameras hot shoe. If you shoot in manual and use off camera flash with the Pocket Wizards, adjusting the shutter speed will adjust the ambient light and adjusting the Fstop will adjust the amount of flash on the subject.

grandpaw said:

but remember as you go above the sync speed of the camera the power of the flash goes down. At 1/8000 you are not going to have much power left on you flash output.

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That is exactly how sunshine and incandescent light works too - 1/8000 second is mighty rough on continuous light.

We get used to it, because now equivalent exposure works again (HSS flash too), so we can simply open aperture in step, to keep exposure the same. The idea is to not notice any exposure difference at all.