gen-briefly-explain-flash-sync-speed-and-one-common-misconceptio-d83b

Briefly explain flash sync speed and one common misconception about it.

# Flash Sync Speed **Flash sync speed** is the fastest shutter speed at which your camera's sensor is fully exposed at one moment in time, allowing the entire frame to be evenly illuminated by a flash. For most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, this is typically between 1/200s and 1/250s. At slower speeds, the shutter opens completely before closing. At faster speeds, the shutter uses a traveling slit (the second curtain starts closing before the first curtain fully opens), which would create a dark band across your image if flash fired. ## Common Misconception **Misconception:** "Flash sync speed is the slowest shutter speed you can use with flash." **Reality:** Flash sync speed is actually the *fastest* shutter speed you can use with normal flash. You can use *slower* shutter speeds without any problem—you're just not limited to only that one speed. Many people get confused by the terminology and think they must shoot at exactly 1/250s or whatever their sync speed is, when in fact they can use any speed from that point down to several seconds or more. *Note: High-Speed Sync (HSS) is a special flash mode that allows faster shutter speeds, but with reduced flash power.*