Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-27 Thread Herb Chong
small bird photography is one of the times where it's almost the only way 
you can shoot. shutter speed has to stay faster than 1/500th to minimize 
vibration, and with really long lenses, that means wide open at high ISO 
ratings.


Herb
- Original Message - 
From: Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: flash sync speed


Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are desirable in 
sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.





Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-27 Thread Paul Stenquist

Exactly.
On Jun 27, 2005, at 8:00 PM, Herb Chong wrote:

small bird photography is one of the times where it's almost the only 
way you can shoot. shutter speed has to stay faster than 1/500th to 
minimize vibration, and with really long lenses, that means wide open 
at high ISO ratings.


Herb
- Original Message - From: Paul Stenquist 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2005 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: flash sync speed


Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are desirable 
in sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.







Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-26 Thread Godfrey DiGiorgi
Modern flash units are worlds more powerful than what I had back when  
I used flash a lot, and cover a lot of the need for this kind of stuff.


Godfrey

On Jun 25, 2005, at 2:07 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote:

But the ND filter effectively reduces the stop in terms of how much  
flash you can lay in the shot. In daylight and with no walls or  
ceiling to reflect some of the spill light back, it's hard enough  
to get a useful amount of fill. High speed synch is important for  
anyone who shoots outdoor portraits, birds, insect macro, etc.

Paul
On Jun 25, 2005, at 4:50 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:



On Jun 25, 2005, at 1:36 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote:


Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are  
desirable in sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.




Or an ND filter...  :-)

Seriously, I do understand about fill flash etc, but 1/180 sec  
seems quite fast enough for my needs. I remember when no SLR did  
better than 1/60 second max, and high speed sync didn't exist.


Godfrey









Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread Godfrey DiGiorgi


On Jun 25, 2005, at 5:33 AM, Tim Øsleby wrote:

I'm new here, and I wonder- What thread are you referring to? I've  
just
realized how frustrating the slow sync at my Ds is, and want to  
read more

about this.


Ok. What do you find frustrating about it? I normally don't use flash  
much, but when I do I'm usually setting the shutter speed to  
1/60-1/125 sec for a reasonable amount of ambient fill.


Godfrey



Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread Paul Stenquist
Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are desirable in 
sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.

Paul
On Jun 25, 2005, at 12:45 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:



On Jun 25, 2005, at 5:33 AM, Tim Øsleby wrote:

I'm new here, and I wonder- What thread are you referring to? I've 
just
realized how frustrating the slow sync at my Ds is, and want to read 
more

about this.


Ok. What do you find frustrating about it? I normally don't use flash 
much, but when I do I'm usually setting the shutter speed to 
1/60-1/125 sec for a reasonable amount of ambient fill.


Godfrey






Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread Godfrey DiGiorgi

On Jun 25, 2005, at 1:36 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote:

Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are  
desirable in sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.


Or an ND filter...  :-)

Seriously, I do understand about fill flash etc, but 1/180 sec seems  
quite fast enough for my needs. I remember when no SLR did better  
than 1/60 second max, and high speed sync didn't exist.


Godfrey



Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread Paul Stenquist
But the ND filter effectively reduces the stop in terms of how much 
flash you can lay in the shot. In daylight and with no walls or ceiling 
to reflect some of the spill light back, it's hard enough to get a 
useful amount of fill. High speed synch is important for anyone who 
shoots outdoor portraits, birds, insect macro, etc.

Paul
On Jun 25, 2005, at 4:50 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:


On Jun 25, 2005, at 1:36 PM, Paul Stenquist wrote:

Quite frequently, both fill flash and a large aperture are desirable 
in sunlight. For that, you need high-speed synch.


Or an ND filter...  :-)

Seriously, I do understand about fill flash etc, but 1/180 sec seems 
quite fast enough for my needs. I remember when no SLR did better than 
1/60 second max, and high speed sync didn't exist.


Godfrey





RE: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread Tim Øsleby
What I find frustrating with slow flash sync? 
Sometimes I want to shot more or less towards the sun, and still need a
large aperture. I'm talking very high speed. 
A few days ago, I had to let a near perfect shot go, with some very nice
rocks and a beautiful sky, because of this. It was a real downer. It near
ruined a nice photo walk. 

Tim
Another Norwegian.


-Original Message-
From: Godfrey DiGiorgi [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: 25. juni 2005 18:46
To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
Subject: Re: flash sync speed


On Jun 25, 2005, at 5:33 AM, Tim Øsleby wrote:

 I'm new here, and I wonder- What thread are you referring to? I've  
 just
 realized how frustrating the slow sync at my Ds is, and want to  
 read more
 about this.

Ok. What do you find frustrating about it? I normally don't use flash  
much, but when I do I'm usually setting the shutter speed to  
1/60-1/125 sec for a reasonable amount of ambient fill.

Godfrey







Re: flash sync speed

2005-06-25 Thread William Robb


- Original Message - 
From: Tim Øsleby

Subject: RE: flash sync speed



What I find frustrating with slow flash sync?
Sometimes I want to shot more or less towards the sun, and still need a
large aperture. I'm talking very high speed.
A few days ago, I had to let a near perfect shot go, with some very nice
rocks and a beautiful sky, because of this. It was a real downer. It near
ruined a nice photo walk.


Fer Gawds sake, it's just a friggin picture.
It's not that big a deal.

BTW, back in the 70s, we used to turn our brides back to the sun to get a 
nice glow around the veil and shoot at f/5.6 @ 1/60 with fill flash.

It worked very well.

Of course, this is out of the question with digital, which is kind of 
persnickety about exposure.


William Robb 





RE: flash sync speed (plus a story about my uncle)

2005-06-25 Thread Tim Øsleby
At 26. June 2005 01:10 William Robb wrote:
just a friggin picture

You are absolutely right, just a picture. No big deal. 
But it is like fishing. You are convinced that the fishes you loose are the
biggest. You know this isn't correct, but you can't stop thinking about it. 
Perhaps I'm a compulsive person :-)

Never the less, it bugs me. And I do want high speed sync. Sorry if it bugs
you. 

I have shot glowing portraits the way you describe. My uncle taught me this
technique 30 years ago. 

BTW, this uncle of mine loved red elements in his colour shots. He made us
wear red clothes (anoraks) in the middle of the summer, in case he needed a
red sweet spot in one of his frames :-)
He was not a mad tyrant, he was just a very dedicated (slightly compulsive)
photographer, who did some wonderful shoots. 

Tim
Another Norwegian.


-Original Message-
From: William Robb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: 26. juni 2005 01:10
To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
Subject: Re: flash sync speed


- Original Message - 
From: Tim Øsleby
Subject: RE: flash sync speed


 What I find frustrating with slow flash sync?
 Sometimes I want to shot more or less towards the sun, and still need a
 large aperture. I'm talking very high speed.
 A few days ago, I had to let a near perfect shot go, with some very nice
 rocks and a beautiful sky, because of this. It was a real downer. It near
 ruined a nice photo walk.

Fer Gawds sake, it's just a friggin picture.
It's not that big a deal.

BTW, back in the 70s, we used to turn our brides back to the sun to get a 
nice glow around the veil and shoot at f/5.6 @ 1/60 with fill flash.
It worked very well.

Of course, this is out of the question with digital, which is kind of 
persnickety about exposure.

William Robb 








Re: flash sync speed (plus a story about my uncle)

2005-06-25 Thread Paul Stenquist



Bill wrote:
BTW, back in the 70s, we used to turn our brides back to the sun to 
get a

nice glow around the veil and shoot at f/5.6 @ 1/60 with fill flash.
It worked very well.

Of course, this is out of the question with digital, which is kind of
persnickety about exposure.



Backlit works quite nicely when you shoot RAW . It's pretty easy to 
control the highlights.

Paul



Re: Flash Sync. Speed

2002-03-24 Thread David Brooks

Hi Jim.I cannot answer you quiry,but i remember 
this was talked about late last year.You might 
want to check the archives to see if they are 
still on the server.That might help

Dave
 Begin Original Message 

From: Jim Fellows [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 08:10:04 -0500
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Flash Sync. Speed


I am having troble with flash sync. speed on my 
Z-5.  The Z-5 is a
dirivitive of the Z-1 (or PZ-1) sold only in 
Japan.  It is basicly the same
as a Z-1 with fewer Pentax Functions and the 
functions can only be adjusetd
by an autherized dealer.

THe problem I am having is when I mount my AF-
280t flash, the highedt sync.
speed I can get is 1/60 of a second.  If I only 
use the built in pop up
flash I can go all the way to 1/250 of a 
second.  I do not have any Pentax
digital flash unit t o try.

THeaks in advace for your input.

Jim Fellows
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 End Original Message 




Pentax User
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Re: Flash Sync. Speed,

2002-03-24 Thread Prasanta Chakraborty

I think I am the only other Z-5 user. I use a 330-FTZ flash unit 
and the camera always shows 250 as flash sync speed with either 
the built-in or 330-FTZ. I will go home today and find the user 
manual if it says anything about the analog flashes.

Regards,
Prasanta.
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HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-07 Thread Richard Seaman

Bill,

Yes, the MZ-5 has a setting for 1/100, but even when I had it on that 
setting the camera told me it was going to use 1/60.  No matter what manual 
shutter speed you've set on the camera, if it sees a charged flash then it 
sets the shutter speed to the flash sync speed, which used to be 1/100 but 
now seems to be 1/60!

Richard.
home page:  www.richard-seaman.com

 original message 

From: Bill Owens [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

Doesn't the MZ-5 have a setting on the shutter speed dial for 1/100?

Bill, KG4LOV
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-03 Thread Kent Gittings

Camera doesn't know the focal length of the lens only the amount of light
getting through which is very low at that end. The lens only sends aperture
into or in A mode the camera sets the aperture to the lens.
Kent Gittings

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Richard Seaman
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:46 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!


Todd,

Thanks for this idea, but actually, I was using a Tokina 150-500mm A
lens, at the 500mm end!  Perhaps the contacts on the lens or body were
fouled, and the camera thought it was a short focal length F or FA lens.
BTW, what does auto flash mode mean?

I've been using this lens for some years without seeing anything like
this.  I replaced the batteries with a new set, but with no effect.

Richard.

home page:  www.richard-seaman.com

 original message 

From: Todd Stanley [EMAIL PROTECTED]

What lens were you using?  The MZ cameras, in auto flash mode with a F or
FA lens attached, choose a shutter speed of 1/focal length as long as the
focal length is =100mm, in order to let more ambient light into the
picture.  I would guess you were using a 50mm lens or a zoom at about 50mm?

Todd



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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-03 Thread Chris Brogden

On Mon, 3 Dec 2001, Kent Gittings wrote:

 Camera doesn't know the focal length of the lens only the amount of light
 getting through which is very low at that end. The lens only sends aperture
 into or in A mode the camera sets the aperture to the lens.
 Kent Gittings

This is probably true of the MZ-5, but just as a FYI, I've heard that the
MZ-7 and newer Pentaxes do communicate focal length information to the
body.  That's why, on portrait mode, they'll select a large aperture
when the lens is zoomed in (to blur the background behind a person) and a
much smaller one when the lens is set to a wider angle (it assumes you're
doing a group shot and tries to maximize your DOF).  Note that I've never
actually tested this myself to see if it's true; that's just what I've
heard from my Pentax rep.

chris
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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-03 Thread Kent Gittings

I'm not saying it's not possible. but in a Pentax it might require another
contact point on both body and lens I think. Still I think when Minolta
added the ADI function on the Maxxum 7 it did it over the so-called data
contact where the lens and camera body exchange info. So it didn't require
anything new as long as both lens and body had the function.
Still in a Pentax it would require that the new and older lenses had that
function built in and I don't remember any Pentax zooms having a contact on
the zoom ring except for the old FA lenses with the power zoom features.
Maybe all their zooms have the contact and it has been unused till
currently. and they wanted to use it for something since the power zoom
feature has been removed from the bodies.
Kent Gittings

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Chris Brogden
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 11:11 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!


On Mon, 3 Dec 2001, Kent Gittings wrote:

 Camera doesn't know the focal length of the lens only the amount of light
 getting through which is very low at that end. The lens only sends
aperture
 into or in A mode the camera sets the aperture to the lens.
 Kent Gittings

This is probably true of the MZ-5, but just as a FYI, I've heard that the
MZ-7 and newer Pentaxes do communicate focal length information to the
body.  That's why, on portrait mode, they'll select a large aperture
when the lens is zoomed in (to blur the background behind a person) and a
much smaller one when the lens is set to a wider angle (it assumes you're
doing a group shot and tries to maximize your DOF).  Note that I've never
actually tested this myself to see if it's true; that's just what I've
heard from my Pentax rep.

chris
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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-03 Thread dave o'brien

On Mon, 3 Dec 2001, Kent Gittings wrote:

 Camera doesn't know the focal length of the lens only the amount of light
 getting through which is very low at that end. The lens only sends aperture
 into or in A mode the camera sets the aperture to the lens.
 Kent Gittings

When using the ftz500 with a Z-1p or MZ-5, the flash adjusts to the length 
of the lens and tells you which focal length it is using.  It must be 
getting transmitted somehow.

dave
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-03 Thread John Mustarde

On Sun, 2 Dec 2001 19:51:05 -0500, you wrote:

Wow, that must be one fast baby and some real fast adults too!  Looks
more like 1/6 second to me than 1/60.  Actually, I kind of like the
effect, and I'm note sure I'd like the photo any better if it were
static.  But, I'll admit I'm weird that way.

You're not the only one. The mother and grandmother just love that
photo. And yes, the baby suddenly moved very fast, and the adults
matched suit. But after thinking about your comment, I tend to agree
the shutter must have been much slower than 1/60.

I took the photo with a digital camera with one nagging problem -
every time I rotate the command dial to review a photo, it reverts
back to some auto Tv-Av setting (rather than my manual settings) when
I switch back to photo mode. I had been shooting at 1/125 flash sync.
In this case I think the camera reverted to 1/30 or slower unbeknownst
to me. It only meters for ambient when an external flash is attached,
so a very slow shutter speed is likely.

--
John Mustarde
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread Frantisek Vlcek

Sunday, December 02, 2001, 2:03:22 AM, Richard wrote:
RS Artur,

RS I think it is a problem if the camera shoots at, say, 1/30th, because at 
RS that speed the ambient light will affect the final photo, almost regardless 
RS of what aperture I set.  It's quite possible to have a situation where there 
[...]
RS Richard.

Hah, Richard, If only I had your problems... I am always complaining
of inability to do well-balanced flash+ambient shots. But I hate
full-flash shots, I think they are just ugly, always.

That's a nice example of YMMV... I would consider a 1/30 flash synch
speed TOO FAST... I synch usually at 1/15 - 1/8 with 28mm or 20mm lenses, to
get as much ambient as possible in background while freezing the
foreground. Otherwise, background would be too dark.

Good light,
   Frantisek Vlcek
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread John Mustarde

On Sat, 01 Dec 2001 09:55:25 -0600, you wrote:

Of course, 1/60th sucks as a flash sync speed - 1/100th is bad enough.  

Flash sync at 1/60 is inadequate for people in motion. Here's an
example of why I try to avoid slow sync speeds:

http://www.photolin.com/C-Image014.jpg

This shot used flash sync of 1/60. Note the static objects are fine,
but the moving prople are blurred. And they just happened to move a
bit as I tripped the shutter. The flash was bounced off the cathedral
ceiling.

My other shots at higher sync speed were fine.

However, there is one advantage of slow sync speeds. Check this out.
You'll be amazed. Try to find the two areas of digital alteration -
it's pretty obvious. And, no, there was no digital alteration of the
baby. It's just got a transparent head, and I've got the photos to
prove it!

http://www.photolin.com/trans.jpg

Happy Friday, a couple of days late.

--
John Mustarde
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread SudaMafud

In a message dated 12/2/01 9:52:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:


 This shot used flash sync of 1/60. Note the static objects are fine,
 but the moving prople are blurred. And they just happened to move a
 bit as I tripped the shutter. The flash was bounced off the cathedral
 ceiling.
 
Slow flash sync ~always~ calls for panning with the moving object, releasing 
the shutter in the process, meanwhile blurring the background.

Mafud
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread John Mustarde

On Sun, 2 Dec 2001 10:49:46 EST, mafud wrote:
 
Slow flash sync ~always~ calls for panning with the moving object, releasing 
the shutter in the process, meanwhile blurring the background.

Panning helps with slow flash sync, if one judges the speed and
direction correctly, just as you say above,  but only if the subject
is moving in a known direction, and only if you know in advance that
the subject is moving, and only if one pans the lens closely in line
with the subject movement.

Panning using slow flash sync is not much help if multiple subjects
are moving in different directions, or, if one does not know in
advance that the subject(s) are going to move, or, heaven forbid, if
one does not want to blur the background.

Slow flash sync is best for static or very slowly moving objects.
Panning could help keep a portion of the frame in focus under certain
circumstances.  

A more reliable and permanent solution to image blur caused by slow
flash sync is a faster flash sync rate.

--
John Mustarde
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread SudaMafud

In a message dated 12/2/01 11:46:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
 
 On Sun, 2 Dec 2001 10:49:46 EST, mafud wrote:
 
 Slow flash sync ~always~ calls for panning with the moving object, 
 releasing 
 the shutter in the process, meanwhile blurring the background.
 
 Panning helps with slow flash sync, if one judges the speed and
 direction correctly, just as you say above,  but only if the subject
 is moving in a known direction, and only if you know in advance that
 the subject is moving, and only if one pans the lens closely in line
 with the subject movement.

John, ~any~ serious photographer, and I'd include the entire PDML list, knows 
you're correct. That being something we might agree on, the human brain and a 
little experience calculates all your given parameters in milliseconds and 
makes the decisions you (we) need to make the photo. Shotgunners, bowlers and 
other endeavors which demand hand-eye coordination and instinctive targeting 
call it follow through. 

 Panning using slow flash sync is not much help if multiple subjects
 are moving in different directions, or, if one does not know in
 advance that the subject(s) are going to move, or, heaven forbid, if
 one does not want to blur the background.

Again you're correct, given your conditions. But I say the experienced 
shooter, knowing who and what s/he wants to be or ~is~ the main subject, will 
~not~ be confused by all the extemporaneous movement. 

 Slow flash sync is best for static or very slowly moving objects.
 Panning could help keep a portion of the frame in focus under certain
 circumstances.  
 
 A more reliable and permanent solution to image blur caused by slow
 flash sync is a faster flash sync rate.

But... but slow sync is most often ~only~ used on static subjects, the main 
reason for using the technique being to allow for ambient exposures. But 
panning is a learned technique which every competent shooter should practice.
***We know that (most) PENTAX cameras, with the exception of the PZ class, 
all four of whom have 1/250th flash sync, have flash syncs of 1/125th or 
slower. 
As I remember, high speed flash sync was instituted by and for the pro 
camera genre even before the advent of ISO 400, 640 and 800 speed films, the 
combination of which, with fast, f/2.8 or better pro lenses, did not easily 
accommodate outdoor slow sync. Fast lenses and fast film forces the shooter 
to close down their apertures, sometimes to f/22 or smaller, meaning getting 
bokeh in a shot impossible, especially for wildlife. 
LX owners often decry their atrociously slow LX flash sync, but for 
different reasons.
 --
 Mafud
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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread Ed Mathews

Wow, that must be one fast baby and some real fast adults too!  Looks
more like 1/6 second to me than 1/60.  Actually, I kind of like the
effect, and I'm note sure I'd like the photo any better if it were
static.  But, I'll admit I'm weird that way.

Thanks,
Ed
http://lightandsilver.com 

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of John Mustarde
 Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2001 9:45 AM
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!
 
 
 On Sat, 01 Dec 2001 09:55:25 -0600, you wrote:
 
 Of course, 1/60th sucks as a flash sync speed - 1/100th is bad 
  enough.
 
 Flash sync at 1/60 is inadequate for people in motion. Here's 
 an example of why I try to avoid slow sync speeds:
 
http://www.photolin.com/C-Image014.jpg

snip
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-02 Thread Bill Owens

Doesn't the MZ-5 have a setting on the shutter speed dial for 1/100?

Bill, KG4LOV
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Original Message -
From: Tom Rittenhouse [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!


 I think that your camera is actually using 1/100 sec. but the dislay does
 not have that speed so it shows the next lower speed.

 --graywolf
 


 - Original Message -
 From: Richard Seaman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Friday, November 30, 2001 10:54 PM
 Subject: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!


  folks,
 
  I went on a four day trip over Thanksgiving, and my MZ-5 started
 telling
  me that it had set the shutter speed to 1/60th of a second when I was
 using
  the flash.  Since it's normally set to 1/100th for flash, this naturally
  bothered me a bit.  I wasn't sure if it really was using 1/60th, so I
got
 a
  roll of film developed and it looked fine, so I continued shooting in
the
  hope that all would be well.  Sure enough, when I got the other rolls
  developed, everything was OK.
 
  Has anyone seen this behavior in a Pentax camera?  Do people think
it
  really is setting the shutter speed to 1/60th, or just telling me that
it
  is?
 
  thanks,
 
  Richard.
 
  home page:  www.richard-seaman.com
 
 
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Odp: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Artur Ledóchowski

- Original Message -
From: Chris Brogden [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!


 No, the display shows that speed.  I noticed this with the MZ-7 a few days
 ago... it seems to set a sync speed of 1/15 to 1/45 when used on the fully
 automatic mode indoors, which is ludicrous... few casual shooters can
 handhold at that speed, even when the flash provides some of the exposure.

AFAIK, the flash freezes movement, no matter what the shutter speed is set.
As long, as the shutter speed is set to a medium value (1/30 - 1/60) and the
photographer uses a standard lens or standard zoom ( like 35-80 or so),
there is no problem getting sharp pics...

 Pentax's explanation was that a slow speed provides a better balance
 between flash and ambient light, which is true, but it can also result in
 subject blur.  Canons use a faster sync speed, which makes for more
 flash-heavy picutres, but which results in sharper exposures sometimes.

Slower shutter speed allows the camera to gather more ambient light,
preventing the night background effects... I definitely prefer it to the
faster sync speed, especially because I don't use films faster than ISO400
very often...
Greetz
Artur
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RE: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Ed Mathews

Yeah, what Chris said.   To sum up, it depends on the ambient light
level.  The camera sets a faster sync speed in brighter light and a
slower on in dim light in order to (attempt to) balance the flash and
ambient light better.

Thanks,
Ed
http://lightandsilver.com 

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Chris Brogden
 Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 1:38 AM
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!
 
 
 On Fri, 30 Nov 2001, Tom Rittenhouse wrote:
 
  I think that your camera is actually using 1/100 sec. but 
 the dislay 
  does not have that speed so it shows the next lower speed.
 
 No, the display shows that speed.  I noticed this with the 
 MZ-7 a few days ago... it seems to set a sync speed of 1/15 
 to 1/45 when used on the fully automatic mode indoors, which 
snip 
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Richard Seaman

Todd,

Thanks for this idea, but actually, I was using a Tokina 150-500mm A 
lens, at the 500mm end!  Perhaps the contacts on the lens or body were 
fouled, and the camera thought it was a short focal length F or FA lens.  
BTW, what does auto flash mode mean?

I've been using this lens for some years without seeing anything like 
this.  I replaced the batteries with a new set, but with no effect.

Richard.

home page:  www.richard-seaman.com

 original message 

From: Todd Stanley [EMAIL PROTECTED]

What lens were you using?  The MZ cameras, in auto flash mode with a F or
FA lens attached, choose a shutter speed of 1/focal length as long as the
focal length is =100mm, in order to let more ambient light into the
picture.  I would guess you were using a 50mm lens or a zoom at about 50mm?

Todd



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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Richard Seaman

Tom,

The MZ-5 can display 100, in fact it can display all the valid speeds 
up to and including 2000.

I'm hoping that the camera WAS using 1/100th but displaying 1/60th.  I'm 
wondering if the film would have been properly exposed (ie, flash output 
over the whole film area) if the camera was operating at 1/60th.  Would both 
shutter curtains be open simultaneously at 1/60th?  I suppose they would.

Of course, 1/60th sucks as a flash sync speed - 1/100th is bad enough.  
I'm surprised the MZ-S has a top speed of only 1/180, compared to the Z-1's 
1/250.  The MZ-S's high-speed sync with the new flash unit doesn't count for 
me, because of the type of photography I do - my subject is often 20, 30 or 
more feet away from me.  When using high-speed sync, the guide number falls 
to virtually nothing!

Richard.

home page:  www.richard-seaman.com

--- original message ---

From: Tom Rittenhouse [EMAIL PROTECTED]

I think that your camera is actually using 1/100 sec. but the dislay does
not have that speed so it shows the next lower speed.

- --graywolf



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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Richard Seaman

Artur,

I think it is a problem if the camera shoots at, say, 1/30th, because at 
that speed the ambient light will affect the final photo, almost regardless 
of what aperture I set.  It's quite possible to have a situation where there 
isn't enough light to shoot at 1/500th, which means I have to use flash, but 
there's too much ambient light to shoot at 1/30th, because I would have 
severe camera shake.  I have this problem even when the flash sync is 
correctly set to 1/100th.

I do usually drag a tripod with me, but my subject matter is usually too 
dynamic to allow me to make much use of it, which is why I do most of my 
shooting handheld.

Richard.

home page:  www.richard-seaman.com

- - Original Message -


 Thanks for this idea, but actually, I was using a Tokina 150-500mm A
lens, at the 500mm end

Come on:) With the focal length of 500 mm it actually doesn't matter if the 
camera chooses to shoot at 1/100, 1/60 or 1/30 - in terms of sharpness of 
one's pics, of course. You should use a tripod/monopod anyway... But it DOES 
affect balance between the flash light and the ambient light, especially in 
case of slower films...

Greetz
Artur



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Re: Odp: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread Chris Brogden

On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Artur Ledóchowski wrote:

 AFAIK, the flash freezes movement, no matter what the shutter speed is
 set. As long, as the shutter speed is set to a medium value (1/30 -
 1/60) and the photographer uses a standard lens or standard zoom (
 like 35-80 or so), there is no problem getting sharp pics...

Ah, but there is.  Subject blur can show up even when the flash is
used; it depends on the ratio between ambient light and flash.  A touch of
fill flash is not necessarily enough to freeze all movement if the shutter
speed is in the 1/15-1/60 range.  It's not bad if you can hold the camera
steady, but not everyone can.  I've seen some bad shots taken with the
MZ-7 lately because the user didn't have steady hands, and the ambient
exposure at 1/30 or 1/45 resulted in some fuzzy pics, even with the
built-in flash used.

chris
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-12-01 Thread wendy beard

At 19:36 1-12-2001 -0500, you wrote:
From: Richard Seaman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

 Of course, 1/60th sucks as a flash sync speed

Me and my MX have never been particularly bothered by it.
Then again, I don't use flash that often anyway. The thing uses 4xAA 
batteries and somebody's usually nicked them for their gameboy or whatever.

Wendy

---
Wendy  Paul Beard
Ottawa, Canada
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Re: HELP: my MZ-5 thinks 1/60th is a great flash sync speed!

2001-11-30 Thread Chris Brogden

On Fri, 30 Nov 2001, Tom Rittenhouse wrote:

 I think that your camera is actually using 1/100 sec. but the dislay does
 not have that speed so it shows the next lower speed.

No, the display shows that speed.  I noticed this with the MZ-7 a few days
ago... it seems to set a sync speed of 1/15 to 1/45 when used on the fully
automatic mode indoors, which is ludicrous... few casual shooters can
handhold at that speed, even when the flash provides some of the exposure.  
Pentax's explanation was that a slow speed provides a better balance
between flash and ambient light, which is true, but it can also result in
subject blur.  Canons use a faster sync speed, which makes for more
flash-heavy picutres, but which results in sharper exposures sometimes.

chris
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