Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

D800 / Einstein / MC2 (or FlexTT5) / MiniTT

What is the fastest sync speed ? Pure and simple. With the new PW firmware for the D800- who has played with the utility to find the fastest exposed shutter speed?

I am awaiting my MC2 (they are backorderd) and I find it odd that I am the only one asking or posting on this question?

With the short flash duration, who has tested? Are people getting results anywhere near what the Rangers are getting?

Cheers

There is not a pure nor simple answer. It will vary based on power output and color/action mode.


This question has been raised quite a bit, perhaps not for the D800. I would expect similar results to the D700 or D3.

Since the functionality is based on the timing of the triggering device, we cannot answer this as we are not intimately familiar with them. However, LPA (the manufacturer of PocketWizards) has tested with most, if not all, Canon and Nikon cameras. They can be reached at 802-658-0038 x572
Also, anyone that has experience is welcome to chime in.

Thank you TS- appreciate the response.

I will post my results next week when all of my items arrive. I am surprised that there aren't a ton of others publishing on this? Am I that odd?

I am a high-speed / FPsync junkie that is looking to see what the new FlexTT firmware has to offer for the D800. I am hoping that tweaking the PWs with the (although wickedly short) full power t5 duration of my soon to be delivered Einsteins will offer better results than my cluster of speedlights that are approaching the temperature of the sun.

Is there any specific protocol for testing that I should use to see the best results? Will there be a difference between using a FlexTT5 on the strobe vs. the MC2?

I am assuming full power in color mode is my best chance?

Thanks again!

The PW's support any shutter speed on my D800 when using Nikon speedlights, and I simply use the default settings on all Mini and Flex devices. FV Lock is NOT officially supported, although it (sort of) works at some shutter speeds.

In case you're not aware, keep in mind that there's an inverse relationship between shutter speed and effective speedlight power when using HSS.

I believe the OP is asking about using them with Einsteins specifically.

thanks BigIronCruiser-

no need to get crazy detailed on the technical differences of HyperSync and High Speed Sync (AutoFP in Nikon speak) and the semantics that seem to confuse most of the photo-people of this world...

I have been catching Nikon speedlights on fire (literally) for years using Auto FP sync. If you haven't had a fresnal lens melt- its a nice sight.

I am wondering what people have found using the new firmware and PW Utility using HyperSync trying to catch light tails with the Einstein.

(see D800 / f1.4 @ 1/4000 with heavy flash exposure... http://tombolphoto.com/blog/ - this is truly revolutionary and exciting to us photogeeks)

I am aware that the term "HyperSync" and all its relatives are from our friends over at PW... I was just curious if the Einstein crew had yet tried to catch such a short tail (t1).

... I'll let you know my results...

... is it pure irony that the E640 with a PowerMC2 syncs with the D800 at exactly 1/640th before clipping. Straight out of the box, 1/640th... clever Luap... clever. This is using the MiniTT1 with an AC3 as the trigger.

At full power in Color Mode, I get clipping beginning at 1/800th. Easily usable with that resolution into the 1/1250th range. I suspect that I will be able to improve upon that if I use a FlexxTT5 to trigger and experiment with the settings.

wow.

syncing with power at those speeds (and these resolutions)... it is wow. - this is fun.

i will still forever love my D70...

Manny,

Just wondering if you test your combo? I have the almost exact combo, D800/AB800/Flex/Mini and could not get past 1/500 without getting the black bar. I have been searching around and it looks like the AB1600 will get you to around 1/2500th. Apparently it requires a longer flash duration unit such as AB1600 to achieve that.