Thanks for the answer Hired Arm.
Actually, I'm primarily interested in lighting for the Sony A7R-II. I have the lighting down pat for my MF CS system which already syncs at 1/1000 using Profoto AIR at any power setting.
My Sony kit tends to be the more transportable system when traveling back and forth, so Remote TTL and HSS is of great interest because the normal sync on the A7R-II is 1/160 with strobes. Currently I only have a couple of Nissin speed-lights with their TTL remote transmitter which are okay IF you just need fill or any lower power requirement.
Unfortunately, there isn't TTL or HSS for Sony with the Profoto, just Canon and Nikon … at least not yet.
So, if I understand you correctly, Hot-Sync allows regular full power output like 500W/s at any shutter speed faster than 1/200 … it isn't a HSS pulsed output which limits the actual amount of light on the subject, right? (which is why I wondered what the actual meter reading would be between 500 W/s @ normal sync (1/160) and Hot-Sync.
A real informative test of Hot-Sync would be a very bright background behind a back-lit shaded subject using a higher shutter-speed to control that background:clap:
Or a beauty dish shot with the Batis 85/2 @ f/2, again using what ever shutter-speed was needed to control the ambient.
Or am I off base and not getting it right?
Thanks,
- Marc
Marc that is 100% correct and not off base at all.
The Priolite system does not shoot pulsed light. It's just one long duration flash (it lasts 1/200th sec) that is automatically timed for by the HotSync controller for whatever shutter speed selected by the photographer on the camera. You don't have to select any special flash modes... I left mine on fill flash, plugged in the controller, locked it down, and started to shoot.
The Priolite HS system does not have TTL capability currently and I'm not sure if that is something can be added through firmware updates or not. It's not a huge deal to me that the Priolite's are missing TTL but I understand how or that it may be a deal breaker for some photographers.
I am planning to do exactly those tests today (and planned to do them for this past weekend because the ability to go cord free is half the fun) except I don't know exactly how bright I can get the background with all the rain that we are experiencing in NC over the weekend (and all throughout this coming week). I've made my decision to purchase a set already so worst case I can do those same tests when they come in in case the one that happens today isn't helpful enough with our ambient conditions.
***FWIW the first flower shot above was taken with the Mola Demi with the sock on. The accidental flower shot (with the 55 FE) was taken with the Mola Rayo that I just got last week. I believe that the Rayo throws out a significant amount of additional/focused light as the light wasn't at full power (if I remember correctly it was about 3 stops from max) for that picture while the Demi show was at full power.***
You can also try the lights for yourself using this link. The cost is $200 (insured, shipped, and return shipping included) and they put a $500 hold on your card until the lights are returned. The $200 can be applied to the cost of a lighting kit if you decide to buy after your testing is done.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY