Which flash for high speed?

[wippers]

Hi All - Having done a bit of high speed photography with Brian from TP up in Preston, I'm planning on setting a similar rig up in the garage as it was great fun. I have found the remote triggers and sound trigger system etc but am not sure what flashes to buy.
I currently have a Canon 430exII and have no idea if this will be good enough as one of the two I need? :shrug:
I have had a look on a few websites, and the best images seem to be from getting the power output right down to 1/128th which I assume is to keep the actual flash speed as quick as possible?

Does anyone have any recommendations? Any help is appreciated.

This is one I've seen so far:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160626196391?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


Thanks for looking
Gareth

 

[specialman]

I think 1/128th is the lowest any flash will go down to - have never seen a lower power setting - and you're right, you get short flash durations at lower power settings.

Technical specs of flashguns are obviously going to highlight the flash durations - check the manufacturer spec pages. I know Nikon has flash durations at every power setting in the tech specs section of their flashgun web pages - http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Flashes/index.page. Maybe Canon (and other manufacturers) have this info available. Are you wanting to stick with canon or do you not mind mixing brands?

This has got me thinking; because we're talking about power amounts (i.e a fraction of a flashgun's full power) do flashes with lower power settings provide shorter flash durations? If flash X has a power output that is larger than Flash Z's at 1/1 settings, then surely fractions of that power (1/64th, 1/128th etc) must be less so it will take less time to emit that power?

I may be well off with that theory but it's something I'd like to know

 

[onform]

Yes, the canon flashguns emit a shorter pulse of light the lower you go. Studio flash heads as a general rule are opposite. BTW the 430EXII won't go to 1/128th but the 580EXII will. Not sure about other makes?

 

[specialman]

SB-800/900/700 all go to 1/128th; the SB600 goes to 1/64th.

Not sure about the older Speedlights (SB24/25/26/28/80) - never paid any attention really, although I'd hazard a guess at them being 1/64th.

 

[wippers]

Yes, the canon flashguns emit a shorter pulse of light the lower you go. Studio flash heads as a general rule are opposite. BTW the 430EXII won't go to 1/128th but the 580EXII will. Not sure about other makes?

Cheers Matt - You're right, I've just had a play and the 430 will only go down to 1/64th.

Anyone had any experience of the flash I've found on ebay? :shrug:

Gareth