Skyport mode – Normal or Speed?
What’s the difference
The Skyport system has a feature called “ELSP”.
This option offers two different sync modes: “Normal” and “Speed”.
Why and how would you use these two modes?
Here are the basics.
Normal Mode
〉The “Normal” sync mode is the standard mode you should use in general.
In “Normal” sync mode, the backlit screen lights up in green on the Transmitter Pro. On other EL-Skyport Transmitters and Receivers, this setting is set by default.
Use this mode when shooting at normal flash sync speeds. i.e. when using a shutter speed of 1/250 second or below, or when shooting in HSS or Hi-Sync (HS) mode.
When the screen of the Transmitter Pro is green, "Normal" mode is enabled.
Note:
When using “Normal” mode, make sure that the EL-Skyport receiver built into the flash unit or the power pack, is also set to “Normal” mode. Both the flash unit and the Transmitter must work in the same sync mode. If this is not the case, no communication and no flash can be triggered nor power settings can be changed or displayed.
Speed Mode
〉The “Speed” mode should be used with leaf shutter lenses.
In “Speed” sync mode, the backlit screen of the Transmitter Pro lights up in red. On all EL-Skyport Transmitters and Receivers, this setting has to be enabled.
The Speed sync mode is designed to be used with leaf shutter lenses offered by Hasselblad or Phase One and allows to use shutter speeds faster than 1/250s. The maximum shutter speed depends on the camera system and can go up to 1/1000s or even 1/1600s.
When the screen of the Transmitter Pro is red, "Speed" mode is enabled.
Note:
When using “Speed” sync mode, make sure that the EL-Skyport receiver built into the flash unit or the power pack is also set to “Speed” mode. Both the flash unit and the Transmitter must work in the same sync mode. If this is not the case, no communication and no flash can be triggered nor power settings can be changed or displayed.
Which mode should I use?
Most of the photographers will use “Normal” sync mode.
The “Speed” sync mode has been designed to be used with digital medium format cameras. That’s why we recommend always staying in “Normal” mode if you don’t use Hasselblad or Phase One cameras.
Note:
In “Normal” sync mode, you also gain the maximum distance range, which is reduced in “Speed” mode.
You do not need the “Speed” mode when you want to use HSS on the Transmitter Pro.
How to enable the ELSP mode?
On the Transmitter Pro
- Go into Menu.
- Select Setup.
- Select ELSP Mode.
- Choose Normal or Speed.
On the EL-Skyport Speed
- Press 5s on the Test button to switch from Normal to Speed Mode.
- In Normal Mode, the green led will flash 1x time.
- In Speed Mode, the green led will flash 2x times.
On older Elinchrom units (no OLED display)
- Press together the Up and Down buttons.
- Press Up and Down to select the right mode.
- Select r.1 for Normal Mode.
- Select r.2 for Speed Mode.
On the Transmitter Plus
- Press 2s on the Mode button to switch from Normal to Speed Mode.
- In Normal Mode, the numbers will show in green.
- In Speed Mode, the numbers will show in red.
On Elinchrom units (with OLED display)
- Go into the Menu.
- Select the 2. Skyport.
- Select the 3. Speed r.2.
- Select r.1 for Normal Mode.
- Select r.2 for Speed Mode.
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