StarFlash Sync Speed

<p>Ok. here is the gear list.<br>

*Photoflex StarFlash 650<br>

*D300s<br>

*Photoflex wireless triggers</p>

<p>I just bought these last weekend and I thought they would sync with my D300 at 1/250. But the fastest I can get the strobes to sync are at 1/160. I have only used them once and I got everything out to play with it again and see if I had a setting messed up and the wireless transmitter no longer works, (piece of cheap @$&*). So anyway I don't have a way to test any play with the strobes right now until I can get some new triggers.</p>

<p>Is anyone familiar with these strobes and do you know if they will sync at 1/250. I was going to test and see if there was a delay with the remotes causing a slow sync, and a few other things. But will I can't. If anyone knows that would be great otherwise I will do some testing once I can get some triggers.</p>

<p>That's not surprising. If you can use a hard-wired sync cord, you may find that you can sync faster -- it may be the wireless triggers that are contributing some of the delay.</p>

<p>But unless you're pushing that one monolight to light a huge outdoor venue in daylight from a long distance away, that 650 Watt-second light should easily overpower ambient light such that the difference between 1/250 sync and 1/100 sync doesn't really matter.<br>

If the flash duration on that light is a bit long, you may find that, while you can get a reasonable picture at 1/160, the lighting will be uneven unless you slow the shutter down still more. Do some experimentation with an evenly lit background at various shutter speeds to be sure.</p>

<p>Many remotes do have a bit of a delay in them, but I have also found that my sync with a dsmkIII is not what it is rated at--also about 1/160 with studio strobes even when wired. So, you just have to test under different conditions--wired and with your wireless system--and figure out where and when you have an issue. With mine, the indication of an issue at 1/160 is very subtle and could be missed if I wasn't experienced, so compare exposures, against a white wall, carefully.</p>

<p>I was planning on using the strobes anywhere from simple portraits to using them to light sporting events, which is what I mainly shoot. For portraits that 1/160 isn't a problem. its the sports side that I'm worried about. I found someone that is going to let me borrow some pocketwizards tomorrow so I should soon have my answer soon. If there is anyone that know about these strobes specifically please still respond.</p>

<p>Even for sporting events, the sync speed isn't what stops motion. The flash duration is what matters for motion-stopping ability. As long as the sync speed is fast enough that no significant ambient light is captured, it doesn't much matter.</p>

<p>On other thought, check your curtain sync setting. If you have it set to back curtain, change it or vice verse to see if it makes a difference.</p>

<p>I also don't think pocket wizards have a delay, or as much a delay, as some of the other wireless systems--at least that was my experience.</p>

<p>On other thought, check your curtain sync setting. If you have it set to back curtain, change it or vice verse to see if it makes a difference.</p>

<p>Generally, it is not the lights that are the sync issue, it is when the camera sends the signal to fire them. At least I never found a sync difference with my studio lights--have 3 types and have used more. There might be a difference between that and an on camera flash.</p>

<p>I also don't think pocket wizards have a delay, or as much a delay, as some of the other wireless systems--at least that was my experience.</p>

<p>To all those who may search for this same answer in the future. Problem solved. The radio triggers that come with the Photoflex Starlight kits do not sync to the specs that they claim which is 1/250. the max sync speed they will work to is 1/160. I left all my setting as they were before but set the shutter to 1/250 on my camera and with Pocketwizards now attached as the transmitter and receiver and they worked perfect.</p>

<p>Also food for thought. The Photoflex transmitter died after one use. The strobes seem to be great but the weak link is the transmitters and recievers they sell. If you buy a set of Photoflex strobes invest in Pocketwizards. they are well worth the money.</p>