slow shutter speeds?

jovialjester

jovialjester

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Chris
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Hi, a friend of mine has lent me a couple of 500w flash heads, but when I use them, I need to keep my shutter speed at about 1/80th, above this and I get half an image or total black. The camera is a 550d.

Am I missing anything or is 1/80th ok to shoot at?
 
I don't know your camera so don't know why this is happening - but 1/80th seems low for a max sync speed. As long as the ambient light is low then the shutter speed will have no/little effect anyway. Flash power and aperture are what control the exposure.
 
Michael Sewell said:
Also, what are you using to trigger the lights? Try a direct cable link and see if it's faster. If it is, start looking round for a faster radio trigger etc
Click to expand...

^^^ this. Or duff batteries.
 
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HoppyUK said:
^^^ this. Or duff batteries.
Click to expand...
Very true, been caught out with this one myself. Brand new batteries inserted, to find out one was completely flat/duff and causing no end of headaches. The last thing I expected from a sealed pack of alkalines! :bang:
 
Settings are ISO100 at f8 to f11.

It may be the trigger, batteries are new but it looks like an unbranded ebay one.

I was borrowing this kit with a view to buy it off him, I'm very happy with it in general, but just this shutter speed thing to figure out, I don't want to buy a decent one if its not that, so will try a cable (I think there's one with it).

I don't have the camera manual with me but I think it sync's at up to somewhere about 1/180th

Would a slower shutter speed have a big impact on quality if I shot with a 50mm prime?
 
awp said:
I don't know your camera so don't know why this is happening - but 1/80th seems low for a max sync speed. As long as the ambient light is low then the shutter speed will have no/little effect anyway. Flash power and aperture are what control the exposure.
Click to expand...

That answers my last question :-)
 
X-sync on a 550D is 1/200sec, and you'll get that with a cable, but I think you'll need a hot-shoe adapter with that camera. £10 Jessops.

It sounds like the triggers. Some of the older ebay cheapies are well known for it. Just replace them with a set of Yongnuo RF-602 (Amazon £35) and you'll get very close to 1/200sec with those out of the hot shoe.
 
HoppyUK said:
X-sync on a 550D is 1/200sec, and you'll get that with a cable, but I think you'll need a hot-shoe adapter with that camera. £10 Jessops.

It sounds like the triggers. Some of the older ebay cheapies are well known for it. Just replace them with a set of Yongnuo RF-602 (Amazon £35) and you'll get very close to 1/200sec with those out of the hot shoe.
Click to expand...

Thanks, in practical terms, what difference will it make to my photography?
 
In the studio environment take the shot with the same camera settings but flashes turned off, if the resulting image is just black then the shutter speed of 1/80th will make no difference to the result as long as the flash duration isn't stupidly long. Your shutter speed will only be effecting the ambient (as long as you are at say f/8-f/11 and base iso there shouldnt be any noticeable ambient getting to the sensor)
 
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