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07/06/2004 05:22:53 PM · #1
what is the difference between the sync and a hotshoe?
thankx
07/06/2004 05:28:19 PM · #2
I'm assuming that you mean functionally, and that the difference in the connection is evident.

The hot shoe typically has more contacts so that the flash unit and the camera can communicate. This is for things like TTL and E-TTL where the cxamera controls the flash output.

The PC sync terminal only has 2 contacts and just allows the trigger signal from the camera to fire the flash. No exposure information, nothing other than the trigger.

Message edited by author 2004-07-06 17:28:31.
07/06/2004 05:30:21 PM · #3
is one better then the other?
07/06/2004 06:45:55 PM · #4
bump
07/06/2004 07:24:09 PM · #5
Originally posted by katiedid270:

is one better then the other?

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to control a TTL or E-TTL flash unit, then you need to use a hot shoe connection that supports those features. For this you can either mount the flash directly to the camera's hot shoe, or you can remote that functionality with a hard-wired or wireless (radio or infrared) connection. If you just want to fire an external flash unit, or even a group of flash units, then a pc sync connection will suffice.

--Mick

07/06/2004 07:37:30 PM · #6
Hi Katie,

Each has its own advantages.
Hot shoe, as Dan pointed out, facilitates a two-way communication between camera and flash and allows TTL and its variants to work. This is designed to give accurate flash exposures without having to manually figure out your flash settings - just set the flash to TTL and away you go. The disadvantage here is that because the flash is mounted directly on the camera, you will typically get harsh shadows being cast just behind your subject.
There are hot-shoe extension cables available for some cameras that allow the flash to be mounted off camera (typically to one side or the other) and still maintain the TTL communication. These cables are not usually very long.
PC Sync is just a simple trigger cable with no TTL functionality. Therefore you will have to either use a flash meter to obtain flash output settings or think "Ok, I'm about this far from my subject, my aperture is f8 and my ISO is 100" and set your flash manually. The advantage is that sync cables are usually longer than a hot shoe extension cable and you can move the flash further away from the camera and control your lighting a little more.
So, you see it's really a matter of how you want to use flash, the subject etc that may make one better than the other. Personally, I use E-TTL hot shoe extension or IR controllers as I hardly ever use the flash on camera. Besides my camera doesn't have PC Sync :). Sorry, a bit long winded there. I think you will find the PC Sync is a dying breed for most although there is probably still a good use for it in a pro studio.
07/06/2004 08:44:10 PM · #7
thanks everyone
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