Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Einstein and a shutter speed of 1/2000 or faster in bright sunlight for fill; the 580 EX 11s would be in HSS mode. Will the Einstein fire correctly in this scenario? I assume I would be using the Einstein in action mode but how long would the recycle time be? High shutter speed in necessary to control DOF.

Second Scenario:
In action mode on the Einstein what is the fastest flash duration time I can set? What are the recycle times. Most action also requires me to shoot at fast FPS so how many flashes per second can this flash generate in action mode considering the recycle times?

Would a different product be better in either of the above 2 scenarios?

How are you planning to trigger the Einstein?

First, regardless of how fast your shutter speed is, you flash duration needs to be relatively long (if you plan to exceede sync speed). You will need a duration long enough that the shutter treats the flash like continuous lighting. On Einstein, this means full power. Which, in turn, means one shot every 1.7 seconds or so.

So really I should just add more 580 EX 11s for use when HSS when needed. I don't really see the advantage on the Einstein over say a AB800 because for action photograhy in low light you can not use FPS to get the shot, only lucky timing with a single shot. For fill in bright light the einstein might work but so would a AB800 I would just have to use ND filters. I am trying to figure out under what situation you could use the action stopping speed of the Einstein that would work since FPS is completely useless due to the slow recycle time. That is if I am understanding this all correctly.

Radio popper JR and radio popper PX on the Canon flashes. ST-E2 on camera hot shoe.

Bright ambient/shallow DoF fill and low light action stopping are two different animals. In the latter, you would keep your shutter speed below X-sync. At given settings, your ambient should yeild a black or almost black frame. Once you add flash, the flash will determine the action freezing of the subject. Low power flash can be used here, which will up your recycle time (I have seen 10fps @ 40Ws) and lower the flash duration.

Where the flash has to be at full power is in high ambient light situations, where your shutter speed will exceede your sync speed.

One hockey rink with overhead fluorescent lights.
Three Einsteins in the stands at 1/4 power.
Easily overpowered the rink light and made crisp action shots.