Flash terminology

jbriginshawphotograp · 09-20-2015, 06:12 AM

Good morning,

I just purchased my first speedlight (AF540FGZII) and am getting the hang of it, slowly. Owning a flash means all sorts of new terms. I was almost shocked when I discovered that the terms "master" and "slave" are used in the context of flash photography. Couldn't we transition to a more modern take on these terms? What do you all think?

Sliver-Surfer · 09-20-2015, 07:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp

Good morning,

I just purchased my first speedlight (AF540FGZII) and am getting the hang of it, slowly. Owning a flash means all sorts of new terms. I was almost shocked when I discovered that the terms "master" and "slave" are used in the context of flash photography. Couldn't we transition to a more modern take on these terms? What do you all think?

seriously??

**marcusBMG** · 09-20-2015, 07:14 AM - **1 Like**

This is technical terminology, in context there is IMO no social connotation and no need to start going all PC. Similarly male/female threads .....

**Digitalis** · 09-20-2015, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

Similarly male/female threads .....

I have seen more than a few red faces when discussing such things...

derekkite · 09-20-2015, 09:38 AM

You know what being a slave means? Having no initiative and being at the back and call of someone else. A master is one who says and others do. That describes exactly the interaction between the master flash unit and the slave flash unit. The terminology is correct.

Unless you got a new model that is a sentient being, I fail to see the problem. If a slave flash went about doing what it wanted it would be faulty.

BrianR · 09-20-2015, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

This is technical terminology, in context there is IMO no social connotation and no need to start going all PC. Similarly male/female threads .....

It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends.

**Digitalis** · 09-20-2015, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by BrianR

It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends.

Don't worry, those female/male attachments aren't big enough to intimidate anyone.

panoguy · 09-24-2015, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Don't worry, those female/male attachments aren't big enough to intimidate anyone.

My 2.5m light stand has a male stud for the female thread on my slave flash.

Intimidates plenty!

AquaDome · 09-24-2015, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by BrianR

It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends.

Barry Goldwater annoyed the Amateur Radio community with the same complaint about antenna cable connectors.

09-20-2015, 06:12 AM	#1
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99	Flash terminology Good morning, I just purchased my first speedlight (AF540FGZII) and am getting the hang of it, slowly. Owning a flash means all sorts of new terms. I was almost shocked when I discovered that the terms "master" and "slave" are used in the context of flash photography. Couldn't we transition to a more modern take on these terms? What do you all think?

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09-20-2015, 07:10 AM - 1 Like	#2
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp Good morning, I just purchased my first speedlight (AF540FGZII) and am getting the hang of it, slowly. Owning a flash means all sorts of new terms. I was almost shocked when I discovered that the terms "master" and "slave" are used in the context of flash photography. Couldn't we transition to a more modern take on these terms? What do you all think? seriously??

09-20-2015, 07:14 AM - 1 Like	#3
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	This is technical terminology, in context there is IMO no social connotation and no need to start going all PC. Similarly male/female threads .....

09-20-2015, 07:41 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by marcusBMG Similarly male/female threads ..... I have seen more than a few red faces when discussing such things...

09-20-2015, 09:38 AM	#5
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	You know what being a slave means? Having no initiative and being at the back and call of someone else. A master is one who says and others do. That describes exactly the interaction between the master flash unit and the slave flash unit. The terminology is correct. Unless you got a new model that is a sentient being, I fail to see the problem. If a slave flash went about doing what it wanted it would be faulty.

09-20-2015, 07:54 PM	#6
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by marcusBMG This is technical terminology, in context there is IMO no social connotation and no need to start going all PC. Similarly male/female threads ..... It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends.

09-20-2015, 08:13 PM	#7
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by BrianR It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends. Don't worry, those female/male attachments aren't big enough to intimidate anyone.

09-24-2015, 02:55 PM	#8
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Digitalis Don't worry, those female/male attachments aren't big enough to intimidate anyone. My 2.5m light stand has a male stud for the female thread on my slave flash. Intimidates plenty!

09-24-2015, 03:43 PM	#9
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	Originally posted by BrianR It's a touch ironic that so-called PC cables for connecting flashes have vulgar male/female threads exposed to the world. You'd think they'd come with little covers or something for the ends. Barry Goldwater annoyed the Amateur Radio community with the same complaint about antenna cable connectors.