What Is Flash Sync Speed? Photography Basics Explained

Last Updated on Mar 13 2024

Photography is one of the best art forms to get into because you can get started immediately with any camera — most of us have one built into our smartphones! However, there is also much to learn if you want to take professional-grade photographs. Flash-sync speed is one feature that isn’t talked about much, but it is important to learn to improve your skill, so keep reading as we explain exactly what it is and how you can use it so you can start taking better pictures. 

What Is Flash Sync Speed?

Flash sync speed indicates the fastest shutter speed that you can use along with your flash. If the flash and shutter speed are not in sync, your image won’t get the proper illumination. You might even have a dark line across the photo. Most cameras have a max flash sync speed of 1/200 seconds up to 1/350 seconds.

Why Does Flash Sync Speed Matter?

Your flash sync speed matters because you need fast shutter times to catch fast-moving objects. A camera with a slow flash sync speed will not be able to take pictures of quick-moving objects.

How Does the Flash Sync Speed Work?

Most modern DSLR cameras use a focal plane shutter that uses two horizontal shutters when you take a picture, similar to curtains that control incoming light. The top shutter moves first and allows the light in before the bottom one moves to block it out. Your current shutter speed will determine how fast these two shutters move. Very fast speeds can cause the bottom shutter to begin closing before the top one finishes, so the lens is never completely open. When the flash goes off, it can only illuminate the open part of the lens. The rest will remain dark. The flash sync speed is the fastest shutter speed that you can choose before this problem occurs.

High-Speed Sync

If your camera has high-speed sync (HSS), you have a way to use a fast shutter speed with your flash. The HSS uses a special system that moves both shutters simultaneously while maintaining a small space between them. This design helps the camera shutters work more like a copy machine, and the light gets even distribution across the image. The downside of this method is that it requires your camera to fire the flash several times at high speed, which can drain your battery.

Other Tips

Summary

Flash sync speed is the fastest shutter speed that you can set while using a flash, usually 1/200–1/250, but in some cameras, it can go as high as 1/350 of a second. Attempting to set your shutter speed any faster than this will likely leave parts of your image without light. Increasing the ambient lighting can reduce your need for a flash, as can increasing the ISO and aperture size, enabling you to set higher shutter speeds. You can also look for a camera equipped with high-speed sync to get the fastest shutter speeds while using a flash.

Featured Image Credit: fewdavid, Shutterstock