Sync Speed vs Flash Shutter Speed

[SenorNikonMan]

I'm confused. From what I read, my D200 has a flash sync speed of up to 1/250 sec. but it's flash shutter speed only goes up to 1/60 sec. Can somebody please explain what the difference between sync speed and flash shutter speed is. Thanks!

[Photo-John]

I'm confused, too. I've never heard of "flash shutter speed." I would assume it's just another name for flash sync, if the numbers weren't different. And 1/60th of a second for flash sync - especially on a camera like the D200 - would be unacceptable.

[SenorNikonMan]

Here is where I got this information from:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d200-review/

Scroll down to the Bracketing/Flash section. That's where it says that the D200 sync speed is (1/60 - 1/250) while it's flash shutter speed is (1/60 - 30 sec.)

Just this weekend I wanted to set my camera's sync speed faster than 1/60 but when I went into the Flash Shutter Speed menu it showed the fastest as 1/60. Was I in the wrong menu?

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

I noticed the same thing with my D300 - From what it seems - In aperture mode - it sets the shutter speed to 1/60 with the onboard flash or external flash attached. If you want a faster shutter speed then go to shutter priority and it will max out at 1/250. The menus are seperate for the 2 as Senior Nikon Man said

[SenorNikonMan]

I noticed the same thing with my D300 - From what it seems - In aperture mode - it sets the shutter speed to 1/60 with the onboard flash or external flash attached. If you want a faster shutter speed then go to shutter priority and it will max out at 1/250. The menus are seperate for the 2 as Senior Nikon Man said

That's good to know. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'll try that next time I want a faster sync speed.

All these advanced features on the new digital SLRs are great but I've had my D200 a year now and I still don't know how to program it to do most of these things.

BTW, it's Senor and not Senior NikonMan.

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

BTW, it's Senor and not Senior NikonMan.

Tomato - Tamato

[deckcadet]

One more thing... if you're shooting in Aperture Priority mode, the flash shutter speed is simply the *slowest* shutter speed it will go for. If it would cause overexposure, it will still raise the shutter speed up to the sync speed (and higher if you turn on Auto FP sync with a compatible flash unit). I generally lower mine to 1/40 or 1/50s as that lets in a bit more ambient light in some of my typical shooting situations.

You might also want to experiment some with using Manual mode with flash, perhaps even in combination with Auto ISO with the max ISO set to 400 or 800.

[fx101]

One more thing... if you're shooting in Aperture Priority mode, the flash shutter speed is simply the *slowest* shutter speed it will go for. If it would cause overexposure, it will still raise the shutter speed up to the sync speed (and higher if you turn on Auto FP sync with a compatible flash unit). I generally lower mine to 1/40 or 1/50s as that lets in a bit more ambient light in some of my typical shooting situations.

You might also want to experiment some with using Manual mode with flash, perhaps even in combination with Auto ISO with the max ISO set to 400 or 800.

Deckadet is right on. You only get to set the minimum flash shutter speed in apperture priority mode. The camera's smart enough to pick the right speed for the job. Only in shutter priority can you feed the camera an exact flash sync speed.