Strobe *too* powerful?

[RonFrank]

This strobe is capable of 12 stops of manual control (this is based on the specs I've read, not experience). The ONLY way you are blowing out photo's when using the lowest setting on the strobe at f8 is because you are NOT controlling the strobe, or you are not shooting at f8.

My bet is the strobe is firing full regardless of what you are attempting to adjust, OR the camera is NOT getting set to F8.

So, are you/wife familiar with the stobe and photography in general? Can the place you purchased this from help?

The easiest way to diagonose if this is a problem with the stobe or the user is to measure the flash with a flash meter. Your local camera dealer can help. If that is not an option, than maybe post some images, and give us the EXACT settings, both on camera, and on strobe.

My bet this is user error, but there is a possibility of a defective strobe.

 

[MarkH]

Film cameras have mechanical shutters and P&S digital cameras have electronic shutters...this allows them to be able to sync at any speed....there will be a point where the shutter is faster than the flashes full dump and the images will start to be dark

Digital SLR cameras are mostly all mechanical and most are limited to a max. of 1/250....some like the D70 have a combination of both and can sync at 1/500

Karl

Thanks. That clears it up.

 

[RonFrank]

Film cameras have mechanical shutters and P&S digital cameras have electronic shutters...this allows them to be able to sync at any speed....there will be a point where the shutter is faster than the flashes full dump and the images will start to be dark

Digital SLR cameras are mostly all mechanical and most are limited to a max. of 1/250....some like the D70 have a combination of both and can sync at 1/500

Karl

To expand on this, digital SLR's use a mechanical shutter to a point, and they use the electronic method as well. To expand on the electroic method, it's not a shutter at all. The sensor turns on and then back off for the duration of whatever shutter speed is selected. With a DSLR the mechanical shutter opens for the minimum duration, and then if you have selected a shutter speed faster than the minimum mechanical duration, it is controlled by the sensor. So for example if you select 1/500 of a second the mechanical shutter opens it's max duration (say 1/250 sec) and then the sensor turns on/off for 1/500 sec while the mechanical shutter is open.

As Karl indicates. if the flash duration is longer than the shutter speed cliping will occur. Smaller flashers tend to have a shorter duration, and this also depends upon t he flash setting. Full power flash will have a longer duration vs. setting the flash to 1/8 power for example.