SB-600 & D60 Shutter Speed

[rouxster]

I have a question and the answer may be obvious, but I want to verify my suspicions. I just got an SB-600 and I noticed that the highest shutter speed I can use with the flash turned on is 1/200. Is this because any faster and the shutter would not allow the light from the flash in? Are there any ways around this? Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

That's pretty much it. It's called the Flash Sync Speed. The way the shutter system is designed, it can only go to 1/200 before part of the frame isnt exposed to the flashes light.

The D40 goes to 1/250, I think. Im pretty sure the D70 went to 1/500 too.

[milosh]

The D40 also goes to 1/500, it's only the D60 that has 1/200.
One question btw, when can this be too slow? I mean, in what circumstances can that shutter speed be too slow? I've never owned a flash, but I keep puzzling myself over this one.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by milosh

The D40 also goes to 1/500, it's only the D60 that has 1/200.

Actually, almost all Nikon dSLRs have a FSS of 1/200. The D70 and D40 are special in that regard: not the rule.

1/200 is slow when you're trying to shoot portraits outdoors at f/2 and need flash for fill. I often bump into the 1/2000 range at f/2 on a bright sunny day, and thats at 100iso. There have been many times when it just isnt fast enough.

[rouxster]

Originally Posted by milosh

The D40 also goes to 1/500, it's only the D60 that has 1/200.
One question btw, when can this be too slow? I mean, in what circumstances can that shutter speed be too slow? I've never owned a flash, but I keep puzzling myself over this one.

I had an issue photographing a softball game the other night. I have a D60, so I can't go too high with the ISO and I was usisng a Tamron 18-270 lens that only goes down to 3.5.