Originally posted by GoldenWreckedAngle I just hope that some day, in the process of figuring out how to shoot video on a DSLR, one of the camera makers figures out how to open the shutter all the way then turn the sensor on and off electronically. I hope it will dawn on them at that moment that they can give us a 1/500 synch speed at full flash power in the deal and maybe some insain full res frames per minute too.
If Pentax could offer a 1/500 full power synch speed it might be the one pony trick that could give them a renewed value edge.
Several of the 6mp Nikon DSLR's sync on the hotshoe at 1/500, using exactly the method you describe. D50, D70s, D40.
If you take the flash off the hotshoe and use a sync cord or a radio trigger you can sync all the way up to the max shutter speed of the camera (radio slave delays notwithstanding).
My understanding is that this electronic shutter implementation is possible on CCD sensors, but can not be implemented on CMOS sensors.
If someone came out with a 10-12mp CCD camera with electronic shutter, 1/500 sync speed (with possibility to hack higher sync speed via radio triggers), solid AF performance and great high ISO, they'd sell this camera like hot cakes to strobist fans.
-Sam