FP High Speed Sync - F5 + SB26

My intent is to use SB-26 on my F5 to provide fill-flash for bright

outdoor shoot.

1) Is the use of built-in Custom Function setting '20' at 1/300s on

the F5 the only/better way toward achieving this objective?

2) Alternatively, SB-26 seems to allow a high sync speed within the

range of 1/250s and 1/8000s for F5. Is the GN for either FP1 or FP2

[in M mode] high speed sync setting on SB-26 not sufficient for the job?

1.) well if you think the difference between 1/250th and 1/300th of a second is

gonna make a difference than try it.<P>

2.) It will depend on the distance to the subject and f-stop you choose. It does

work but you have to pay attention to the indicateddistance forthat power

setting -- which of course is going to be dependent on film sensitivity (ISO or

your rating for a particular film) and distance from flash to subject. Now if you

are clever you can figure out how much the fill effect will be if the distance is

greater or less than the indicated distance. Once again: it does work for me.

You could put a neutral density filter on your lens. This will 'fool' the camera exposure system, allowing you to use faster film in bright sunlight (with the fill-flash working as designed.) Or use a slower speed film and a spot in the shade.

If you can get a SB-28, it would allow you to control the light a bit (compared to the SB-26) more.

Using "High Speed" Sync will cause the flash to shut off slightly earlier so that it will be extinguished before the second curtain begins its traverse. I don't know how much light you will lose, as the normal flash depends on the time that the camera selects. I would suggest getting a copy of Thom Hogan's book on Nikon Flashes.

Alex