Flash synchronization

In a camera, flash synchronization is defined as synchronizing the firing of a photographic flash with the
opening of the shutter admitting light to photographic film or electronic image sensor. It is often
shortened to flash sync or flash synch.

Types of Flash Sync

X Sync
X sync causes the Xenon electronic flash to burst in synchronization with the full opening of the shutter.
For some manual cameras, the X sync speed refers to the maximum speed that the camera can
synchronize with the flash.

M Sync
Some older cameras support M sync, which supports flash sync with (now obsolete) medium-speed
electric flash bulbs. Because flash bulbs take some time to generate their maximum light output, M-sync
is timed to fire the flash slightly earlier, then opening the shutter so as to coincide with that peak
output.
FP Sync
Because cameras with focal plane shutters use two curtains, acting in sequence, to determine the
overall exposure, there is a limit to the shutter speed you can use with flash that is close to
instantaneous, including standard, traditional flash bulbs as well as basic electronic flash. Any such flash
source is only workable at or below a shutter speed which sees the whole film frame uncovered at the
same time, i.e. when the first curtain has fully opened before the second curtain starts to close. With
horizontal blind type shutters this generally limits the electronic flash sync speed to a maximum of 1/60
sec.

This limit applies because, in order to achieve higher speeds from a focal plane shutter, the rear curtain
begins to close soon after the front curtain has begun opening, forming a "travelling slit" that moves
across the film plane. In this case, standard X-sync flash will not work, yielding only a partially exposed
frame determined by the width and position of the slit at the time the flash fires.
Front Curtain Sync
Generally, the flash sync fires at the instant the front curtain has fully opened. This is called front curtain
sync, and it is used where it is desired that the flash freeze motion at the beginning of the exposure.
Front curtain sync is adequate for most flash-photography. When making long exposures while also
firing a flash, front curtain sync creates an effect where any motion blur - from ambient light - appears
ahead of the subject, i.e. it appears to leave the subject behind. In the case of a moving motor vehicle in
a night scene, for example, this can create an unrealistic effect since its headlamp and tail-lamp trails
will extend out in front of it.
Rear Curtain Sync
Some cameras offer the ability to fire the flash at just before the second curtain closes. This is called rear
(or second) curtain sync, and it is used to freeze motion at the end of the exposure. When making long
exposures while firing a flash, rear curtain sync creates the effect of motion blur trailing the main
subject.