1/200 Flash Sync speed

[poker]

My Canon EOS A2 is capable of a 1/200 flash sync speed. I'm not really sure when to use it. When I use automatic settings, I don't think I've even seen my camera set to that speed.

When should it be considered?

[Clemmie]

You would use it when you need to 'freeze' a moving subject, of course.

In the automatic modes, the camera is likely defaulting to a slower sync speed, like 1/60 or 1/125. Depending on what you're shooting and at what distance, it may need more light than the pop-up flash can provide to reach 1/200.

[another view]

It also helps when using fill flash outside in bright sunlight so you can use a wider aperture to keep the background out of focus. If you only had 1/60 then you'd have to use a smaller aperture (more depth of field, shorter working distance with flash, longer flash recycle time, more possibility of subject movement or camera movement especially with a longer lens) to make sure you didn't overexpose the ambient light.

[Chunk]

My Canon EOS A2 is capable of a 1/200 flash sync speed. I'm not really sure when to use it. When I use automatic settings, I don't think I've even seen my camera set to that speed.

When should it be considered?

If you want the backround darker relative to the flashlit subject you can use faster shutter, smaller aperture and more flash than usual. It can give you more seperation in what would otherwise be a busy composition.

[poker]

Awesome. Finally some real information. Thanks to all!

[Lemming51]

You would use it when you need to 'freeze' a moving subject, of course.
... Depending on what you're shooting and at what distance, it may need more light than the pop-up flash can provide to reach 1/200.

The flash has the same "reach" at all shutter speeds from B to 1/200. Maximum aperture (and ISO setting) determine the maximum usable distance of the flash.

[another view]

Flash does have the same working distance regardless of shutter speed, but when you throw ambient light for outdoor fill flash into the exposure calculation it complicates things. You'll have to stop down even at 1/200 on a bright day with ISO100 film - so much that you'll get very little distance from a pop-up flash. The faster the shutter speed the wider the aperture you can use - for more flash distance. Actually, 1/200 (or better yet, even faster) would help any flash - especially a popup. The guide number for a popup is probably closer to 40.