Cannot adjust shutter speed past 200 w/ f/22 and R1C1 flash

traveler582

Doing macro photography with D5100 and 105mm f/2.8G ED IF AF-S and Nikon R1C1 flash.
I'm not able to set a faster shutter speed than 200 w/ f/22 and flash mounted, is it the flash that stops the shutter speed from going faster? The flash can't fire faster than that?
This is what I'm thinking, any comments?
Thanks!

Ironheart

If you look at the spec for the D5100 you will indeed find that the maximum sync speed for the flash is 1/200
Also at f/22 you are starting to become very diffraction limited in terms of resolution/sharpness, you should consider opening up a bit.
Page 76 in the manual:
Flash sync speed X=1/200 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower

The reason for this is that is the fastest speed that the shutter is actually fully open across the entire sensor. You can put the flash in manual mode and probably get it to fire at a faster shutter speed, but what will happen is that a segment of the photo will be black because at anything faster than 1/200 the opening of the shutter "rolls" across the sensor. The way around this, and what the Auto FP high-speed sync modes on the higher-end cameras and flashes (yes, your R1C1 can do this) do, is to fire the flash repeatedly (and therefore at lower power) to "cover" the rolling window as it moves across the sensor. This effectively turns your speedlight/flash into a more continuos light source.
(heh, just saw PB's post...)

What are you trying to do that requires such high-speed sync?

traveler582

Thank you gentlemen!

1. I didn't realize the D7100 was such a better camera, and almost twice the price for the body.
2. I also just realized the info you quoted was in the D5100 manual not the R1C1's.

I mostly shoot insects and was figuring a higher shutter speed might aid in catching them in flight.
I do love the D5100, lens and R1C1, I've gotten some really good photos with the combination.

No real complaints, was just wondering if upping the shutter speed would have helped catch those fast moving bugs.

Thanks again!

WestEndBoy

The best way to catch a fast moving bug is with Raid.