What is the maximum flash sync speed on a Polaroid 195 with studio strobes?
Asked 3/23/2018
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I want to connect a Polaroid 195 to a studio strobe using the PC sync terminal. I found a manual for the related 180 model that mentions 1/30 second, and I’m not sure whether that is the actual flash sync limit. What shutter/sync setting should be used, and does the Polaroid 195 sync at all shutter speeds with electronic flash?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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Your question seems to be based upon an assumption that your camera has a focal plane shutter.
The Polaroid 195 does not have a focal plane shutter. It has a leaf shutter in the lens. The considerations for sync speed when using a camera with a leaf shutter are different than when using a camera with a focal plane shutter.
Generally leaf shutters can sync with flashes at much higher speeds than focal plane shutters can. Even at the Polaroid 195's minimum shutter time of 1/500 second you should be able to sync with electronic flashes that have a duration of less than 2 milliseconds (1/500 sec).
The main issue with using larger studio flashes with cameras that have leaf shutters is the reverse of that when using speedlights with cameras that have focal plane shutters. Some studio strobes require longer times for full power output than the faster shutter sync speed of a camera with a leaf shutter. In such cases, the 'tail' of the flash at full power will happen after the shutter has already closed.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The Polaroid 195 uses a leaf shutter, not a focal-plane shutter. That means it can synchronize electronic flash at all shutter speeds, including up to its fastest shutter speed.
The 1/30 second figure you saw is not the maximum X-sync in the way it would be on many focal-plane cameras.
Use the flash selector on X, not M:
- X = electronic flash sync with no delay
- M = delayed timing for old flash bulbs
If you use M with a studio strobe or other electronic flash, the flash will fire too early, before the shutter is fully open.
So for a studio strobe connected by PC cord, set the camera to X sync, and you should be able to use flash at any shutter speed the camera offers. The practical caveat is that some studio strobes have a relatively long flash duration, which can affect exposure timing at very fast shutter speeds, but the camera itself is not limited to 1/30 second for electronic flash sync.
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