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N If your camera’s maximum sync speed is slower than the number listed then you
must use the slower sync speed. Camera equalization does not give a camera faster
sync speeds than the camera is designed to handle.
For all shutters it can be assumed that a camera with faster external flash sync speeds
(X sync) will have faster shutter travel than cameras with slower X sync speeds.
Faster shutter travel times increase the allowable variance. The table above is based
on the following shutter travel times:
• Focal Plane (35mm) – 1/1000 (0.0010) to open, 1/1000 to close
• Leaf shutter at f: 8.0 – 1/2000 (0.0005) to open, 1/2000 to close
If a flash is generating light while the shutter is moving then you will see the shutter in
the exposure for focal plane shutters. You will see a loss in F stop exposure using a
leaf shutter if the flash is generating light as the shutter aperture opens or closes.
A variable flash duration will also affect these calculations. A slow flash is visible for
longer and more likely to affect exposure while the shutter is in motion. A short flash
duration reduces the likelihood of timing variances affecting the exposure.
It is difficult to measure a shutter’s travel time or a flash units duration and it usually
requires extremely expensive test equipment. Some electronic flash manufacturers
print their flash durations in their manual. The best method for understanding your
equipment’s equalization capabilities is to shoot many test exposures over a range of
settings.
Recommend Equipment for the best results
• Consistent lag time cameras
• Cameras with ast sync speeds
• Electronic flash equipment with short flash duration