Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

I have a Canon 580EX flash and a 5D MkIV. I am taking hummingbird and other bird photos and using high speed sync at 1/3200 to 1/8000. I'm only using the flash for fill. I'm shooting in manual mode. I have used reflectors to get the result I want but in the wild that is difficult. To capture flight from perch action, I'd like to use burst mode or at least slow burst mode but the flash won't cycle that fast from about 1/2500 up. I've ordered an external battery pack to see if that will help. I've looked at the literature from Canon and on the net to see if the flash output can be reduced for faster cycling time but I have found no answer. I understand how high speed synch works, that the flash stays on for the duration of the shutter curtain opening instead of just a pulse, but I want to know if anyone knows how I can reduce the POWER of the flash output so that the flash can recycle faster. Any help or valid suggestions would be appreciated. I have time... my next, in the wild, opportunity won't be until August 29th. I can test at my hummingbird feeder and surrounding perches before then.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you put the flash into Manual setting and shoot at a percentage (ratio) less than 100%, the flash will recycle faster. You don't mention your shooting mode on the camera, but you'd be manual on the camera and independently manual on the flash. Not a promise that things will improve, but an idea that has worked for me. The flash can be adjusted at 1/3 stops, so you can get pretty discrete in adjusting the light output to your needs after setting the exposure on the camera. I also have a Quantum battery pack I bought used from KEH at a great discount for virtually unlimited and instantaneous power to the flash, but manually adjusting the flash is my more typical approach.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, you will have to go to a larger/more expensive/ specially designed flash to do what you want - I cannot give you a specific one - but Google is your friend.

..

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

I have never heard of a flash syncing at that high of a shutter speed. Check your manual as to what the highest sync speed that the flash can go to. Sounds like your flash is going off but the shutter has already closed. I use Nikon D7200 and the highest it's shutter speed goes is 1/250 second as has been the case for many years for standard cameras including digital as far as I know. Read both manuals, Flash manual and Camera manual. Usually using flash at a 60th second with as dark background will freeze almost all motion.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can download and read the entire manual for yourself from the Canon website ....

rcarol

High-speed sync is a feature that allows the cameras to use shutter speeds faster than the normal sync speed. It does this by firing a series of flashes at a much reduced output.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

CHG - thanks, I forgot to mention that I have already set the flash to -3 output.
DRKLRD- you should google "Canon high speed synch" your answer reflects that you don't understand. I have been a pro for 48 years but some of this is new to me, too.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Is that flash exposure compensation on the flash or manual? My suggestion was manual on the flash.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

Imagemeister- Don't want to spend more money (read retired) if possible, just wanted to know if any UHHs had an answer I hadn't tried yet.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

CHG- I think I tried to change the output in HighSpeedSync (HHS) but the camera wouldn't let me. I'll go see, it would let me change exposure compensation. back in a bit.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

CHG- Wasn't pushing the right buttons. Seems like it worked. I'm going to find some hummingbirds and see. Thanks for making me pay attention.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

I have used high-speed sync and powered down the flash using flash exposure compensation. This is using a Canon 600EX II RT without an external battery pack on a 5D4. Using high-speed burst mode, I typically get about three shots before the flash is to a point of needing more time to recycle. I see this when reviewing my photos in Lightroom. The fourth shot is considerably darker. I have not tried it with a slower burst mode but I suspect I may be able to get more shots off. You can also power down the flash manually but the downside is that you lose the TTL metering and control which helps to reduce the time the flash is on thus increasing your cycle time. I recommend trying the flash exposure compensation and maintain TTL metering.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

To all- It worked for full high speed burst to buffer being full at 1/32 power and below. At 1/16 power the flash stopped after 6 high speed burst shots. I'll let you know if a battery pack affects that.

Thanks again- now, I have to go take some pictures.

Rickhstudio Loc: San Antonio, TX

Just a thought: I have the possibilities of taking pictures of all sorts of moving animals at night as well as owls and other night birds. This opens up new realms. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

High Speed Sync (HSS or Auto FP in Nikon-speak) has been around for a while.
I find it amazingly useful when balancing bright ambient light and flash when I want more shallow depth of field.
Your D7200 can do it with the appropriate flash.
You lose a lot of flash power at the shorter shutter settings, but it works.
More here:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-74372-1.html

1/1600 sec at f/3.5 with Nikon D810 and an SB 910 flash