Flash Sync Speed

Flash Sync Speed refers to the fastest speed at which the shutter can be set to ensure that the film receives enough light from the camera’s flash. While the flash sync speed can be set slower, setting if faster means that the shutter will close before the film has received enough light.

In simple terms, the flash sync (short for synchronized) speed coordinates the snap of the flash with the opening and closing of the camera’s shutter.

Consequently, faster flash sync speeds will produce pictures that are underexposed, making them darker and less defined than pictures produced when the appropriate flash sync speed is used.

The proper flash sync speed depends on the amount of flash needed to take a particular picture. As a result, scenes that need more flash will require slower flash sync speeds to ensure that enough light enters through the camera’s lens.

Conversely, scenes that are better lit demand less flash and, therefore, can be adequately photographed at a faster flash sync speed. Be sure to know what the upper limit for the speed should be before taking your picture: if the speed is set faster than the scene demands, you will end up with dark, blurry pictures.