Help required: Problem with studio light

[TonyH]

The above image with the dark band happened a few times when I last used my studio light set up.

D200 PC cord to 1 light the other working as a slave. Manual exposure and F Stop. SLS4000 strobes. Worked into silver umbrellas. Shot onto a a muslin backdrop. People approx 2 feet away from the backdrop. Strobes to the left and right of the camera.

I think a mode on the camera might be incorrect but can't work out which one.

I have another shoot tomorrow night and would like some input as to the possible problem.

The lights were fully charged ect.....

All input appreciated.

[wendellt]

check max sync speed of studio strobe

if the strobe cant sync to 1/250 and your shooting at a shutterspeed faster than 1/250 you get that black band from the shutter

use lower shutter speed

[big pix]

agree....... slower shutter speed........ if this does not work, then off to the doctor

[TonyH]

Thanks guys you may have hit the hammer on the nail there....

The shot was 1/400th f4.5.

[Oz_Beachside]

I get the same over 1/200th s with D200, bowens radio slave, to bowens 500ws heads, think my limitation is my radio triggers, as can go to 1/500th s with a quantum radio trigger...

[gstark]

The shot was 1/400th f4.5.

User error.

At that shutter speed this is an expected outcome.

I would also move the subjects further from the background, to increase separation, and darken the background. Obviously, your shooting area needs to have the depth to enable you to do that.


As a side comment ....

if the strobe cant sync to 1/250

Sync speed has nothing to do with the flash unit itself. The flash duration will be based upon the output power of the flash at any given time, and might be perhaps 1/20000 of a second, or less.

Or more.

The issue is one of when is the flash triggered by the camera, and using your camera's sync speed (or slower) guarantees that the shutter will be fully open at the precise moment that it triggers the flash.

If the shutter is not fully open at that time - using a shutter speed faster than the sync speed - this sort of image is exactly what ensues, the shadow being caused by that part of the shutter that is not open.

[gstark]

I get the same over 1/200th s with D200, bowens radio slave, to bowens 500ws heads, think my limitation is my radio triggers, as can go to 1/500th s with a quantum radio trigger...

I doubt it.

The D200 syncs, I think, at either 1/200 or 1/250. That's your limiting factor.

I need to check the specs for the actual number, but it's certainly no faster than 1/250.

[Reschsmooth]

I doubt it.

The D200 syncs, I think, at either 1/200 or 1/250. That's your limiting factor.

I need to check the specs for the actual number, but it's certainly no faster than 1/250.

onetwofiddy

See, if everyone attended the portraiture workshop, you could have heard Gary explain this succinctly! Failing that, get a camera with a leaf shutter that syncs at all speeds (albeit with a potential max shutter speed of 1/500)

[dviv]

See, if everyone attended the portraiture workshop, you could have heard Gary explain this succinctly!

Exactly! - It's all to do with aboriginal art and two bits of cardboard!

[TonyH]

1/250th is the sync speed of the d200....

Thanks for all of the input guys......

I'd used the cameras around the room and then kept coming back to the studio light setup.

This time I'll mount the sb800 on the D70 and keep the settings consistent on the D200. I was just working too fast and not thinking obviously!

[Oz_Beachside]

I get the same over 1/200th s with D200, bowens radio slave, to bowens 500ws heads, think my limitation is my radio triggers, as can go to 1/500th s with a quantum radio trigger...

I doubt it.

The D200 syncs, I think, at either 1/200 or 1/250. That's your limiting factor.

I need to check the specs for the actual number, but it's certainly no faster than 1/250.

correctly corrected. yes, I had the 5 in my head, it was 250th vs 200th. 200th in the D200 (that might be why its called a D200???)

[gstark]

Bruce,

D200th?

Or thould that be Bruthe?

[TonyH]

Shot last night a 1/125th to be sure and from first looks seems to have worked a charm.

Cramped conditions for the backdrop and lights.... but we make it work.

Thanks for all of the help guys.... I think it was one of those couldn't see the wood for the trees situations