Second-curtain sync.

Timing of the firing of an electronic flash unit, such that it fires shortly before the second curtain of a focal plane shutter closes. (with first curtain sync the flash fires immediately upon the first curtain opening) The result of the second-curtain firing is a more natural light trail when used with slow-shutter sync.

Canon introduced second-curtain sync mode with their T90 camera and sometimes mark it with the second curtain sync icon. Nikon, Minolta and other makers support it as well, but refer to it as “rear-curtain sync.” For more information see the second-curtain sync section of my flash photography article.

cf. curtain, first curtain sync, flash unit, second-curtain sync, slow sync, T90.

Entry last updated 2002-05-01. Term 1074 of 1487.

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