how do you take the shutter past 250 when using flash?

[joescrivens]

I was going to take some pics outside at a wide aperture but using fill flash. It was pretty bright and as a result to get the right exposure on the background I wanted a much faster shutter speed than my 7d was allowing. It wouldn't let me go past 250.

Is my only option to use an ND filter?

is there a setting where I can still use off camera flash but get a shutter of 500 or something - or would such a fast shutter mean the flash wasn't effective?

 

[ShawWellPete]

You need to enable high speed sync on the camera, it may be called something else on Canon, this will allow much faster shutter speed but sacrifice some power.

 

[joescrivens]

ok, i'll look in the manual and see what it says

 

[User Name]

High speed sync mode on your flash.
Both the 430 and 580 flashes have three modes,
1) first curtain
2) second curtain
3) high speed sync.
Press the mode button until the letter H appears with a bolt of lightning beside it.

 

[joescrivens]

hmm, found it but looks like it only works when the flash is on the camera, wireless it doesn't allow it using the pop up flash. Guess I would need a trigger or the 530 ex attached instead.

thats poo

 

[tdodd]

You could always use a hard wired ETTL synch lead. If you need something good and long then look here - http://www.flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml. Alternatively, you could get a shorter lead and make an extension with some CAT5 network cable. I've seen instructions lurking around the interweb. e.g. - http://www.diyphotography.net/the-strobist-corner-extending-your-ttl-flash-cord.

 

[OutLore]

Flash In The Pan has TTL off camera flash cords available.

You'd need to check whether they'll do what you want though - he has them in different lengths too....

 

[tdodd]

Flash In The Pan has TTL off camera flash cords available.

Oops. That seems a much more sensible option.

 

[OutLore]

Oops. That seems a much more sensible option.

I don't know - I love getting all "Mythbusters" and making stuff myself. Trouble is, I normally end up buying the proper thing as well!!