Problems And Solutions For Cameras With Slower Synch Speeds For Underwater Shooting

[@DiveBC]

Diving in the Pacific North west (Vancouver Island BC) with a Sony a7iii I find that the max sync rate of 1/200th is ok most of the time. I do run into times that it would be nice to be a bit higher. Typically when I am trying to only light a subject and have a black background on a sunny day or with lots of light colored sand in the area.

[@janinacooper4199]

Great video, that you Matt and Alex!

[@chrisrichardson4899]

the synch speed higher with electronic shutter does however have another cost, namely slightly reduced dynamic range in your images. While a higher synch speed is super useful, so is every bit (pun intended) of dynamic range if like common these days much of the work is done in post

[@sergiollag1]

I used to have the nikon d7100 and it was able to sync with ikelite strobe up to 1/500 of a sec

[@Mark-zp3fg]

I am happy to find that I can set the Nikon Z8 to 1/250 second flash synch. In Custom Setting Menu > e Bracketing/flash > e*1Flash sync speed select 1/250 s (Auto FP). My Sea & Sea YSD3 II and YS110a sync at 1/250 second. I don't see any black banding. Am I missing something?

[@Alex_Mustard]

Interesting. This worked on some Nikon SLRs, but not others. I tried this with the Z8, no joy with the flash trigger I was using - it limited me to 1/200th when shooting. Are you using a flash trigger (if so which one) or are you using electronic synch cables.

[@Mark-zp3fg]

Hi Alex. I'm using fiber optics (no synch cables) in a Nauticam NA-Z8 housing. Using the LED Flash Trigger that came with the housing. Strobe is in manual mode. I have the flash mode in rear synch, maybe that has something to do with it. Mark Krag @@Alex_Mustard

[@Mark-zp3fg]

I mean it is the TTL Converter LED Flash Trigger part #26308 that allows 1/250 synch.

[@Alex_Mustard]

Really interesting, and thanks for sharing, I will test next time I have a Z8 housing available@@Mark-zp3fg

[@mickglover1714]

Thanks for the heads up Alex, i’m headed to R A in July and my camera has a 1/160 max sync speed. N D filter sounds like a must

[@elipehu694]

Diving in the Mediterranean, 1/250 max sync speed and 160 base ISO, has never been a problem for me, although I mainly shoot macro at f16... Perhaps in a very clear water situation at very shallow depth, the base ISO 160 could be a problem, especially if I wanted to use larger apertures. For that situation I would consider carrying an ND filter... Do you guys know of any ND filter that screws on my flat port (m67) and that can withstand the rigors of salt water well? A very interesting episode, thanks again.

[@matthewsullivan4026]

thanks for watching! Ill let alex chime in with regards to an external ND filter. I've always used one inside the port

[@elipehu694]

The lens fits realy tihgtly inside the port, so I think I'd better go for a external one. Moreover I prefer the flexibility of screwing it in and out regarding the situation...

[@shortie8512]

So I have a Z8, but only use it topside but considering taking it underwater in place of my old EM-1... I have Inon Z330 Type 2's at the moment, are they considered as being powerful enough strobes?