High Speed Sync vs Neutral Density Filter | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Stacey C. is, “I know that I can use high-speed sync on my flash to get a shallow depth of field, but I’ve also read that a neutral density filter can accomplish the same thing. Why would I use one or the other?”

SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:

__________________________________
✘ PRODUCTS USED:

Neutral Density Filters

Step-Up Rings

Syrp 82mm Variable Neutral Density ND Filter Kit

Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT Shoe Mount Flash

Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR Camera Body with CFexpress Card & Reader Bundle Kit

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens

Lastolite 25x25" Ezybox Hot Shoe Softbox Kit

Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 3 Sections Carbon Fiber Tripod with MHXPRO-BHQ2 Ball Head

Manfrotto 244 Variable Friction Magic Arm with Camera Platform

Manfrotto 035 Super Clamp

✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body

Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head

CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

Zoom H4n Pro Audio Recorder, Black

#hss #ndfilter #adorama

__________________________________
00:00 Intro
00:59 What is shallow depth of field?
02:30 Getting shallow depth of field outdoors with flash
06:09 Using high-speed sync (HSS) to get shallow depth of field with flash
07:57 Using a neutral density filter to get shallow depth of field with flash
10:05 Why choose high-speed sync or a neutral density filter?

__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏

❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏

__________________________________

One-on-One consultations with David:

Follow David on Instagram:

__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[aredt]

High Speed Sync causes your flash to lose power/output strength the more you raise your shutter speed as well so that's another reason to consider an nd filter.

[mverick]

Shooting in HSS also tends to Overheat the flash faster. Many flashed only allow a certain amount of flashes in HSS before the go into thermal protection.

And a Heavy ND filter can cause you to lose good auto focus on some cameras.

[felixrodriguez]

Other clear lesson in how solve that issue and what you should have in your bag. Incase one might needed best to covered then lacking it on the spot. Adding a battery pack for the flash is handing as well with rechargable batteries is a plus if one care to add it to your camera kit. Well done David

[natestain]

An ND filter does dim sunlight but does not correct harsh lighting conditions. Always bring a large diffuser to even out shadows etc

[barryduff]

The there is hypersync or powersync that will work with older studio strobes that have a light output longer then 1/8000 of a second. Cactus triggers allow this as well as other brands. I can use my manual 1500w/s battery operated Speedotron 1500 Explorer. Or 1200 and 2400w/s studio packs at 1/8000 sec with my Pentax K1mii.
Keep up the great work Dave.

[ramonmalaya]

I think the HSS gets more photographers into the flash photography for outdoor portraits. Once a photographer gets used to balancing ambient light with the flash it doesn't take much to take it to the next level with ND filters for shallow DOF. HSS eats power like there is not tomorrow which could impact on location photoshoots.

[LadyFairChildVideo]

with a 300+ w strobe, and 3 to 5 stop neutral density filter, you can cut the ambient light, without using HSS thus maintaining your strobe power, and still lighting the subject with enough power. i will add, that please purchase a ND filter of quality, FREEWELL or other high rated brand. don't use the "free" ones that come in packages when you purchase a lens. you will get crisper cleaner image with high quality ND glass versus the "softer" image of the lesser filters. yes, it does make a difference.

[foilpainterfantasyartist]

Well, that clears that up. Thanks for the insight.

[balamina]

Thank you so much Adorama and David for another great tutorial! Good luck!

[sutv]

Excellent lesson David. Thank you. That is gold the way you explain things. I get it.

[alexugljesic]

As usual, great explanation David! I love your approach to explaining topic. Great work!

[SniperPhotography]

Another fantastic presentation.
Thank you David

[terjebrattelid]

Amazing tutorials. Thank you! (On behalf of many)

[CanadianArchivist]

As you said, there are a lot of speedlites with hss capability. Some by camera manufacturers and some by third party.

The entry level cameras such as Nikon’s 3000 series are incapable of hss even if you have a flash that does. Nothing in the canera’s menu and nothing on the manufacturer’s website.

This is where the ND filters come in, and is an alternative for those systems that don’t.

[ivoreis]

Apenas olhando só as informações que colocou em cada foto, já foi o suficiente para entender a diferença e o porque usar "neutral density filter". Muito obrigado!

[laranitasantana]

No more HSS issues. I Just got from B&H my ND, 3-Stop B+W 77mm MRC 103M Filter for my Nikon Z6II and Z 24-120mm F/4 S lens and Godox V860II flash. Now my outdoor portrait photos are coming out well exposed at F4, 1/200s, ISO 100 with the flash at full power attached to the camera's hot shoe. At the same time this ND filter reduces the extreme backlight behind the subject

[brianknight]

I use the ND filter. The power output and color of my Godox flashes take a dump in HSS. Other flash brands may fair better.

[Lauren_C]

Been kind of deciding between getting a flash with HSS, or an ND filter. As I’m doing a lot of video lately as well, will probably get the ND filter, as it will be extremely useful for that as well.

[superbowl]

Thanks for the information. As an amateur photographer in the Chicago area, I believe you were spot on to blur the background that featured Craig Krenzel. :)

[magiccardman]

I have spent my budget getting better lens'.
"I own a Nikon D 5300. This camera does not have High-speed sync. I add the ND to the lens to get the 2.8 aperture I need depending on the light outside. This of course lets me use the flash or flashes I see fit.