Strobe Flash Duration how important

[Peter_AUS]

Hi everyone,

Some of you would know from my past posts that I have been trying to get a good handle on Stobe Flash systems prior to spending on a setup, due to lack of funds.

I have gotten to the point of choices between Elinchrom, Bowen and Hensel due to cost factor and also availability here in Australia for warranty purposes.

I am leaning towards the Bowen but want to know, using a Canon 10D (have purchased a Wein Safe Sync PC Connector for the voltage problem) which has a flash sync speed of 1/200 which would be better for flash duration.

The Elinchrom Style 300S is 1/2850s Style 600S is 1/2050s where the Bowen Esprit 500 is 1/700s.

I assume that the Elinchrom would be better ?

As for flash power comparison, would the Bowen 500 be similar to the Style 600S ?

For a home studio setup would I be better off with just the Elinchrom 300S or would the 600S be better to go for, difference in price for the Studio to Go packages is about $500Aus (read $3,300 to $3,800 Aus).

The Bowen 2 x 500 kit is $2,200 Aus.

Can also get an Elinchrom 2 x 500 Studio to Go for $1,999 Aus.

Looking for opinions please.

[JCPhoto1]

Hi Peter
I can't help you with your choice of lights. I use White Lightnings and your choices are in a different economic bracket than me. I did find a site that had listings of the trigger voltages of different lights that might help in your choosing a set.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

[Peter_AUS]

Thanks Jim but the trigger voltage isn't what I'm concerned about, I bought a Wein Safe Sync PC connector so that should take care of that issue anyway.

My main thoughts are the flash sync speed, is faster better to have or is slower OK generally, is basically what I am after answer wise.

[JCPhoto1]

My main thoughts are the flash sync speed, is faster better to have or is slower OK generally, is basically what I am after answer wise.

My D2h sync's at 250 and I use 200. I have read that a good rule of thumb is to set it at one speed below max. I don't know why. It was mentioned in an article I read. My logic tells me that setting it somewhere above 125 would assure sharp shots with any kind of subject movement. The only other consideration is people who drag the shutter to lighten up the background in situations like shooting a wedding in a church. I hope this helps. I think this is what you were asking about.

[Peter_AUS]

No Jim, not the answer I am seeking. I am talking about the flash duration of the strobes, which is better to have, one that is 1/700s or one that is 1/2850s.

[JCPhoto1]

Sorry Peter. I wasn't sure if I had the question right. I will venture a guess. I don't think any difference in a flash at thousands of a second would have any effect that would make a difference. I've never heard of anyone having an issue with that but it might depending on the type of photography or if it's specialized. It's out of my realm of knowledge.

[Asylum Steve]

Why are you concerned with the flash duration?

In all my years of shooting with studio flashes, not only have I not known the flash durartion of my equipment, but I can't think of any situation where it would have been important to me.

I would think flash duration would be a factor only when you are trying to shoot something moving much faster than your camera shutter speed, and of course also assuming you want it to be frozen (you know, hummingbird wings, that sort of thing).

For "normal" shooting, as long as the flash duration is shorter than the sync shutter speed, I can't imagine any problems...

No Jim, not the answer I am seeking. I am talking about the flash duration of the strobes, which is better to have, one that is 1/700s or one that is 1/2850s.

[Peter_AUS]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for replying. I'm just trying to ensure I get the right equipment and don't make the mistake of not getting the correct flash heads for the future as well.

Differnece in price is around $1,200 and that is a lot of money as we all know.

So what you are saying is that unless I am wanting to take images that are super fast like water drops, etc then the duration of the flash is irrelevant.

Difference also with the Elinchroms are they are fan cooled, the others aren't, Elinchroms are 300W and 600W Bowens are 500W but both are 1/1 - 1/32 f-stops adjustable, with 250W modelling lights in them.

Hence why I asked opinions.