Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/26

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Subject: Re: [Leica] What makes M6 fash sync speed only 1/50?
From: John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 23:50:23 -0600

The highest flash sync speed is decided in a focal plane shutter equipped
camera by the width of the film gate and the speed of the shutter curtains.
In the Leica M the shutter is a large, very low stressed mechanism which
will out last most amateur photographers and their heirs; but, purrs along
at a leisurely rate by modern standards. Any speeds higher than 1/50 require
the second curtain to be released before the first curtain is fully open and
thus not allowing the very brief duration of electronic flash to expose the
full width of the film. You could use flash bulbs of which certain types
allow a sync speed of up to 1/500 as their burn duration is quite long by
electronic standards. Another technique is to place the subject in a part of
image that will be exposed by the flash at higher speeds. Almost half of the
negative is uncovered at 1/125. Naturally this technique would only lend
itself to certain types of fill flash use.

John Collier

> From: "Jerry S. Justianto" <jsjm6@cbn.net.id>

> 
> From a non technical person point of view, range finder camera should have
> faster flash sync speed since it has less mechanical and no mirror between
> the lense and the film.
> 
> But why M6 only has 1/50 flash sync speed?
> 
> JSJ
>