Slow Flash Duration on ELB 400 HS?

[felipe_b]

<p>I'm interested in the Elinchrom ELB 400 but am having a really hard time understanding the difference between the Pro Head and the HS Head. I read this article https://fstoppers.com/originals/fstoppers-reviews-elinchrom-skyport-hs-96769 and http://www.elinchrom.com/learn/hss-hs.html?key=768dz8dad123edcah7w463 which were pretty helpful but am hoping that you guy can help me understand the downside of the slow flash duration of the HS Head.<br /><br />I definitely want to shoot outdoors in bright sunlight with a wide aperture and still be able to balance the sun with a fast shutter speed. Also looking to shoot portraits as well as editorial and some light sports like a runner or cyclist. Thanks so much!</p>

[studio460]

<p>The new Elinchrom HS head is a long-duration flash head for use with Ranger Quadra RX/Hybrid/ELB-series pack systems. It's designed to deliver HyperSync-like capabilities when used in conjunction with Elinchrom's new EL-Skyport Plus HS transmitter. This allows you to use the "sync-timing hack" to shoot at shutter speeds above your camera's native x-sync (i.e., above 1/250th).<br /> <br /> Previous to the announcement of the HS head, those seeking similar results bought the Pro 'S' head, rather than the Action 'A' head, which has the shortest flash duration of the three RQ heads (HyperSync/Hi-Sync works best with long-duration strobe heads). My Elinchrom ECO ringflash, using PocketWizard TT1/TT5 transmitters in HyperSync mode, was only capable of up to 1/640th-sync on a Nikon D3s, but according to Elinchrom, the ECO will also benefit from higher sync speeds using the new Elinchrom transmitter:<br /> <br /> <img src="http://studio460.com/images/ringflashex-2C.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /><br /> Nikon D3s + AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G + Elinchrom ECO Ranger Quadra ringflash..<br /> ISO: 100; f/2.8 @ 1/640th.</p>

<p>If you want to shoot daylight exteriors at higher than x-sync shutter speeds, you want the new HS head, not the Pro 'S' head, but you'll also need to the purchase the new EL-Skyport Plus HS transmitter ($250).</p>

[studio460]

<p>Felipe said:</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>. . . but am hoping that you guy can help me understand the downside of the slow flash duration of the HS Head.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sorry, I never answered your question. The downside is the inability to freeze motion (but for most subjects it should be fine).</p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>BTW. You don't need a "Hypersync" or "Hi-sync" trigger to use shutter speeds faster than X-synch. All that's needed is to fit an "Auto-FP" or "HSS" enabled speedlight(lite) into the hotshoe of the camera. Then connect your monolight flash to the P-C socket of the camera. The camera automatically switches to Focal Plane synch when the shutter speed is set above "X" with the same effect as using Hi-Sync or Hypersync. Job done!</p>