What’s Your Preference?

jamiedennis · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 10:33 PM

I am shooting with a Sony A700 and a strobe I got off of ebay...

Everything works great! until I get down to the REALLY fast shutter speeds. The camera seems to cut off half the image.

Its like the camera is not able to work fast enough to take the shot I want.

Ive included a photo of the issue Im having, and included the settings... Maybe some one on here can explain why its not working out right for me...

I was trying to achieve an all black image silhouette with a `rim`light around the outer edge of the `model`.... I think I was getting close - but due to this issue I had to stop and change gears and direction on the fly... was very frustrating!!!!

Heres the image details from the exif file:
Image
Image description SONY DSC
Exposure time 1/500 s
F-number f/5.6
Exposure program Manual
ISO speed ratings ISO 200
Date/time original 22/10/2011 1:13:56 PM
Date/time digitized 22/10/2011 1:13:56 PM
Component config YCbCr
Compressed BPP 8
Brightness value -2.38
Exposure bias value 0.00 eV
Max. aperture value f/4
Metering mode Spot
Light source unknown
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal length 55 mm
User comment
Exposure mode Manual exposure
White balance Manual white balance
Digital zoom ratio 0
Focal length in 35mm film 82 mm
Scene capture type Standard
Contrast Soft
Saturation High saturation
Sharpness Hard

scootermcq · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedennis

Exposure time 1/500 s

Sure... you exceeded max sync speed for the camera. I don't know for that unit specifically, but it is probably limited to 1/200 or 1/250

Basically, the black line is the shutter closing cutting off the light from the strobe.

jamiedennis · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Sure... you exceeded max sync speed for the camera. I don't know for that unit specifically, but it is probably limited to 1/200 or 1/250

Basically, the black line is the shutter closing cutting off the light from the strobe.

I know when I use my on-board flash the fastest I can drop down to is 1/200th of a sec...

Sooo how do I acheive the image I was looking to create? The whole room was blacked out aside from the strobe... No other light was on in the entire apartment.

Thanks for the quick reply, its greatly appreciated.

Skoropada · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Sure... you exceeded max sync speed for the camera. I don't know for that unit specifically, but it is probably limited to 1/200 or 1/250

Basically, the black line is the shutter closing cutting off the light from the strobe.

+1

The flash sync speed for the A700 is 1/250s with Super Steady Shot off and 1/200s with SSS on.

Skoropada · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedennis

I know when I use my on-board flash the fastest I can drop down to is 1/200th of a sec...

Sooo how do I acheive the image I was looking to create? The whole room was blacked out aside from the strobe... No other light was on in the entire apartment.

Thanks for the quick reply, its greatly appreciated.

What strobe are you using?

Sony strobes usually allow for high speed sync.
Besides, why do you need such a high shutter speed?

jamiedennis · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoropada

What strobe are you using?

Sony strobes usually allow for high speed sync.
Besides, why do you need such a high shutter speed?

Its a cheap strobe - Neewer 250W, with 75W modeling light. used with PC Sync cord...

Im trying to create an all black image with a bright white, or very little detailed line of light along the 'models' face. The image I attached shows that I was getting close, I just needed to cut down on more of the light and/or increase my shutter speed... not really sure what yet... hahaha

The great thing about learning is trial and error!!!

Skoropada · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedennis

Its a cheap strobe - Neewer 250W, with 75W modeling light. used with PC Sync cord...

Im trying to create an all black image with a bright white, or very little detailed line of light along the 'models' face. The image I attached shows that I was getting close, I just needed to cut down on more of the light and/or increase my shutter speed... not really sure what yet... hahaha

The great thing about learning is trial and error!!!

Maybe you could use a smaller aperture and some light modifier to control spill, like a grid or a snoot.

I can get black backgrounds with a speed of 1/160s and standard ambient light (i.e. 100 w bulb)

jamiedennis · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 11:18 PM

Some one commented on here and left a link... Ive been reading the link, and when I jumped back to here, there comment is gone... Not sure what happened, I didnt click on anything within DPS since their post...

Sooo confusing!