Why You Should Reconsider Using High Speed Sync (HSS)

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I've been meaning to let you guys know of the biggest reason to avoid using High Speed Sync for a while now so please share this info to everyone! The power loss is pretty crazy! Feel free to let me know if this info helped you.😊

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[fjhphoto]

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[RS-mmog]

Okay, so I had to sit down and think about this one, and do a little math, then I took some controlled photos to confirm: I agree that you can get a proper exposure with ND filters and the same affect as hss. However, I disagree that by adding an ND filter that you don't need additional flash light for the same photo.

I think an important part of this video, is that you can get similar results to hss by using ND filters, and sharing that hss lowers light output. However, by using an ND filter vs not using an ND filter it is incorrect that the flash lighting is not affected. Most of the time hss is used to lower the exposure of the background in comparison to the exposure of the subject, right? (or increase subject exposure vs background) In most of these situations, the idea is that the subject is affected by the flash, the background is not really affected by the flash. A big thing to keep in mind is that the subject that is lit by the flash will not be affected by the shutter speed the same way the background will.

Let's use an example: so if I get my shot how I want it with hss, say I am at f1.8, iso 100, and shutter 1/2000. My subject is exposed as desired, my background is say two stops darker, I am happy with the shot. Now to get the same shot without hss, I have to use a slower shutter. Let's think about exposing the background and subject separately to illustrate the problem. So I put on a 4 stop filter, now I am at 1/125 with the ND filter and my background is the same exposure as before. My shutter speed compensated for the lost ambient light in the background. Perfect, my two photos have the same exposure for the background. Now let's look at the foreground. It is darker, wait what happened? My ND filter lowered the light by 4 stops, but I decreased my shutter at a reciprocal amount. THE PROBLEM: When using a flash, you are getting light from the flash that is not affected by the shutter speed, plus you get a small amount of ambient light that is affected by the shutter speed. So even though my ambient light on my subject just went up 4x, my flash did not increase and my exposure is now much lower on the subject (especially if most my light was from the flash).

I am sure many will say this is incorrect, but it isn't. You can test it with any camera and flash if you have an nd filter. I did. It was also a closely controlled test and I am confident in this. Even if you don't have hss you can test this. Take a photo with the flash at your limit 1/200 etc. Do this in a way that your flash doesn't affect the background just the subject (aka not in a tiny closet) Get your subject and background exposed as you like. To be apples to apples, you are looking to recreate the exact same type of shot. Same DOF, same exposure on subject, same on background. Now put on the nd, but don't change the flash settings! Keep in mind you would not be changing the aperture as that would change the photo. ISO, shutter, nd, could all theoretically be changed and get the same photo though. You will find you can get the exposure on the background OR the subject the exact same as before. However without changing the flash power or position you will not be able to get the same separation in exposure that you could beforehand.

I appreciate your videos on this subject, and it is great to know that HSS reduces lighting output, (perhaps even more than a change needed in light with an ND) however, to take the same picture (with same aperture) you would need a change in flash lighting. I hope this is helpful and makes sense. :)
Also, as a side note, for those that want to take the same type of shot as HSS but don't have it, using ND's could be a great option!

[Dego]

It’s pretty awesome that you educate the community the way you do. I definitely notice that high speed sync changed the output and have stumbled upon variable nd filters. I think I know where your next vid is gonna go lol

[TheStatler]

Can you do a video with side by side comparisons? I understand the strobe might lose 3 stops of power, but if you have to use a 3 stop ND to not lose the power, you now have to overcome those three stops.
I'd like to see a side by side that shows the HSS light loss is worse than the light loss from the ND.

[SpyrosPerdiou]

There are two cases:
a) using HSS, raising your shutter speed, and reducing the output power of the strobe and
b) using an ND filter (while keeping the 1/250 speed) and reducing the amount of light that enters the camera.
In both cases, if we cut the same amount of flash power (with HSS) or light (with NDs), the perceived power of the flash would be the same!
If you use HSS, you say that you use 200 out of 600 watts. If you have used a two stop ND filter the amount of power of the strobe that would make it to your sensor would be 600 : 2 = 300, 300 : 2 = 150 watts. And I doubt it if it could "darken" the scene enough, or as much as by using let's say a way faster shutter speed.
For example, to achieve the same change in exposure as using 1/4000 speed (over 1/250), you should use a 4 stop ND filter (while maintaining 1/250 speed), thus reducing the active maximum power of the strobe by 4 stops (making it 40 watts!!!).
Is anything logically wrong with this thought?

[Nishimachi_Photography]

Yeah. The reason for using HSS is to be able to use a wide aperture to get correct exposure in a bright scene. If the ambient light is low enough to use a shutter speed in the normal range there's obviously no need for HSS.

[jasonmays]

That tennis image is one of the best images I’ve ever seen

[papisjungle]

Luckily i saw this Video right before that happened to me this is why Im using an variable k&f nd Filter now instead of HSS and all These Problems are gone.
very good video especially for Off camera flash beginners.

[sixteen]

Good to know! I've been wondering what the downside is for a while, but couldn't find anything. Sticking to ND's for stills and HSS for action in motion shots!

[toddstrong]

I remember talking to you about this a long time back and using High Sync instead where you do not use HSS and hence no power loss. No need for a ND filter and no problem with focusing. The Flashpoint/ Godox lights (some not all) have the ability to shoot High Sync or Hyper Sync (depending on who's talking about it). Rob Hall has a video on this. Elinchrom has the ability with certain triggers, Speedotron has that feature using Pocketwizard triggers (not the most reliable) and I believe Broncolor just added this to their Siros L series of battery powered lights. Either way works ND or Hyper Sync and you get all of your power and a wide open aperture etc. Better? I wouldn't comment one way or the other. I think it's a matter of preference. However, you do need a fairly powerful strobe but with a long flash duration for Hyper Sync. Not an issue if your camera has 1/8000 shutter. Not recommended though if you're trying to freeze water droplets, a short flash duration is needed for that.

[eldrdelasalsa]

Probably is because nowadays we have the luxury of a variable ND filters and we don't have to change filters on location every time the natural light change. I discover this myself very recently too and, as you perfectly explained, this is a game changer. Now I can carry my 2 godoxs AD200 and one V860ii and is all that I need for any situation. The Variable ND filters are superbs and is a one time investment all serious photographers should have, thx!

[jlopez]

I generally dislike using filters because many times I can see degradation in sharpness. Is there a particular brand or filter you recommend that is high quality and won't add any optical distortions?

[tcvaldez]

Great explanation. Very helpful. Keep up the great work. Thank you.

[markboucher]

Nd Filters are a good idea. Personnaly i use a lumix lx100 who has a leaf shutter. I can go to 1/2000s for the sync speed at 1.7 or 1/4000 at F4.

[paigecfrancis]

Just did this with two ad200s and an adb2. It’s amazing the power loss just crazy.

[seanconcannon]

Great info as always...it would be cool to see you working with ND filters that everyone can easily purchase.

[balloonyvideos]

Cool video!! I feel you still need HSS though if photographing fast motion outside in low light though.

[vishal]

I was having this question in my mind from a long time but you just answered why we use ND filter vs HSS .

[edwardekman]

All depends on what you are trying to achieve? Are you per say trying to overpower the sun or just using fill flash?
Yes in bright sun using ND filters for large aperture makes sense, but in good light like shade, HSS is fine.
When I’m in this situation I am usually dialing down flash compensation while using HSS. I only want a kiss of light to remove racc oon eyes.

[MR.EDDSON]

Thank you man for taking time to make this video. I’m going to get an nd filter