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Using SyncView

SyncView is a feature that allows you to use a faster shutter speed than your camera’s X-Sync speed by using the strobe's normal flash pulse. It does not force the strobe into FP/HSS mode when above X-Sync and using multiple flash pulses. Thus, SyncView saves battery power on battery-operated strobes and offers sync speeds higher than normal for AC-powered strobes that don’t have HSS. The fastest achievable shutter speed is subject to shutter blade travel time and more importantly the strobe’s flash duration. Both of which will vary by the manufacturer and model of the camera body and strobes used. For best results, all strobe heads, or packs, used for the picture will need to have a similar flash duration. 

Every time the Raven is used to trigger a strobe unit, the Raven records the strobe pulse by using the light meter built into the nose cone of the Raven and displays the strobes flash profile in the SyncView display. The SyncView display can be seen by pressing the SyncView button on the right side of the Raven. Depending on the strobe’s flash duration, it is not uncommon to see the strobe profile extend to the right edge of the screen. However, you will want to center the highest point of the strobe profile between the Yellow and Blue vertical lines by simply rotating the command ring dial. By doing this, you are adjusting and fine tuning the timing of when the strobe is triggered in relation to the shutter blades movement and eliminating most clipping that can occur when using the fastest shutter speed possible.    

Setting up SyncView

  • Start by selecting the brand of the strobe you plan to use and set a channel of your choice in your strobe and in the Raven. To learn more about selecting the strobe brand and selecting channels, please click on the strobe brand you wish to use. PocketWizard, Profoto, Godox, and Paul C. Buff
  • Before using SyncView, find your base exposure: ISO, aperture, and X-Sync shutter speed.
  • Then, with the Raven set to the Zone Control Display, press the SyncView button on the right side of the Raven
  • The SyncView display should now be showing in the Raven touchscreen. When using a Nikon camera body, make sure FP is grey, and when using a Canon camera body, make sure HSS is grey.
  • Now select the shutter speed you want to use for SyncView and that is faster than your camera’s X-Sync speed.
  • Take one test shot of your subject so the Raven can get an accurate strobe profile. You can view the image on the camera’s screen. Expect to see clipping or gradient in the image until you dial in the timing precisely.
  • Looking at the SyncView display, rotate the command ring dial to place the peak, the highest point of the Green strobe profile, between the Yellow and Blue lines.
  • Take another test shot and review the image on your camera’s screen. Looking at the image horizontally, look for any clipping or gradient at the top or bottom of the image.
  • If you see clipping or gradient at the top of the image, you need to rotate the command ring dial to the right, so your strobe profile shifts to the right as well. If you see clipping or gradient at the bottom of the image, you need to rotate the left. The amount you rotate depends on how much clipping you see in your image.
  • Take another test shot and view the image on the camera’s screen. Make the necessary adjustments by rotating the command ring dial to shift the Green strobe profile based on the clipping or gradient. To the right if clipping or gradient is on the top of the image and to the left if clipping or gradient is on the bottom.
  • Once you have a test shot with no clipping or gradient visible when reviewing the image, your timing is now set.
  • You can now press the Back/Home button to return to the Zone Control Display.
  • Making any changes to the strobe power level will alter the flash duration. You will need to make more adjustments to the Green strobe profile in the SyncView display.

*Example of fastest shutter speed possible based on strobe flash duration using a Godox AD600BM and Nikon D800. Godox AD600BM set to 1/1 with a flash duration of 1/220, 1/6400 shutter speed is possible. Godox AD600BM set to 1/4 with a flash duration of 1/1196, 1/400 shutter speed is possible.

 

 

 

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Other topics that may be of interest:
Raven Screen Flowchart
Lock Screen feature
Selecting and adjusting Power Level Zones
Setting channels in the Raven
Using SyncView
Using FP/HSS (High Speed Sync)