Yes. High-speed sync (HSS) can work with your camera set to Manual exposure mode, provided your camera and flash support HSS together. Camera exposure mode and flash output mode are separate controls: you can choose shutter speed and aperture yourself while the flash meters automatically with TTL, or set flash power manually if the particular setup allows it.
What HSS does—and what “Manual” means
At or below a camera’s normal flash sync speed, a focal-plane shutter can expose the sensor at once for a brief flash. Above that speed, the shutter curtains form a moving slit across the sensor. HSS addresses this by having a compatible flash emit a rapid series of pulses while the curtains travel, so the exposure is illuminated across the frame. Nikon describes the technique and its operation.
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Camera Manual mode (often marked M) lets you select the camera’s exposure settings, such as shutter speed and aperture. It does not, by itself, mean the flash is in manual-power mode. Depending on the compatible equipment, you may use camera M with TTL flash metering, or adjust flash output manually. Whether both flash-control options work with HSS depends on the exact camera-and-flash pairing; check both manuals.
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When HSS is useful
- Keep a wide aperture in bright light: Use a faster shutter speed to retain a shallow depth of field while adding flash.
- Add fill light outdoors: HSS can let the flash contribute above normal sync speed when balancing a subject against bright surroundings.
- Control ambient exposure: Adjust shutter speed for the background while using flash to illuminate the subject, within the power and distance limits of the setup.
Nikon’s HSS guidance discusses using the feature above the camera’s normal sync speed and illustrates its use with manual camera exposure.
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- Note 1: How to Use: Insert the Transmitter's Hot Shoe Socket into Your Camera's Hot Shoe Jack, Plug the Flash onto the Receiver, and Switch ON the Receiver. Make Sure the Channel Selector of Both Transmitter and Receiver at Same Channel. Press the Test Button on the Transmitter to Test Before Shooting
- Note 2: If Your Camera Does Not Have a Hot Shoe Socket for Connecting the Transmitter You Can Connect the Transmitter to the Camera by the PC Sync Cord Provided. (Only the Old Camera Is Needed). You Can Trigger Both the Flashgun and Studio Lights with This Flash Trigger
- Note 3: If You Use the Receiver on Big Studio Strobe Flashlight or AC Slave Flash, You Can Just Connect the Receiver to the Studio Strobe Flashlight with a 3.5mm or 6.35mm Jack Plug PC Sync Cord(Not Included)
- Effortless Sync Speed: Achieve a Maximum Sync Speed of up to 1/200 Seconds, Ensuring Your Flashes Fire Exactly When Needed for Sharp, Well-Exposed Shots Every Time
- Easy Setup and Use: The Compact and Lightweight Design Makes the Godox CT-16 Incredibly Portable and Easy to Set up. The Intuitive Controls Ensure That Even Beginners Can Start Using It Right Away Without Any Hassle
How to set it up
- Check compatibility. Confirm that both the camera and flash support HSS together. The feature may be called HSS, FP, or Auto FP, depending on the system. Consult the manuals for your specific models; feature names alone do not guarantee that a pairing works.
- Enable HSS. Turn on the relevant high-speed sync option in the camera or flash controls as specified by the manufacturers. Nikon’s workflow, for example, describes enabling Auto FP through camera custom settings; other systems can use different controls. Nikon’s still-life guide also advises checking the manuals for the equipment in use.
- Choose camera exposure settings. Set the camera to M, then choose shutter speed and aperture for the intended ambient exposure. Use a shutter speed above the normal sync speed only after confirming that HSS is active and supported.
- Set flash exposure. Select TTL or manual flash output only if that control mode is supported with HSS by your camera and flash combination.
- Take a test frame and adjust. If the flash contribution is too weak, move the flash closer, use additional compatible flashes, or reduce shutter speed if the image allows.
Why HSS reduces flash range
HSS uses flash output across the shutter-curtain travel rather than concentrating it in a single brief burst. As shutter speed rises, the effective flash output available for the exposure falls, reducing practical working distance. Nikon advises avoiding faster shutter speeds than the image requires because they make the Speedlight work harder and reduce effective distance. See Nikon’s guidance on flash power and distance.
That trade-off means HSS is not a way to combine arbitrarily fast shutter speeds with unchanged flash range. If you need more light on the subject, you may have to bring the flash closer, add compatible flash units, or use a slower shutter speed.
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- Note :1.The transmitter and receiver need to be set up the same channel. 2.Before use the transmitter,please take out the transparent film on the transmitter. If you have any questions,you can rearch us
- Flash Trigger Set :The CT-16 wireless radio flash trigger has 433MHz transmit frequency.It can secures fast response and stable transmission.It also has studio flash interface to wirelessly trigger several kinds of studio flashes and the maximum synchronous speed up to 1/250 second.(Different SLR sync speeds are different)
- Installation : The Godox CT-16 3-in-1 flash transmitter is equipped with a 23A 12V lithium-ion battery which can normally be used over ten thousand times. The receiver slides the battery-chamber cover from the back of the receiver and inserts two AAA 1.5V alkaline batteries(not included)
- Univeral for Flash & Wide Application :The GODOX flash trigger for camera set is designed for photographic studio and on-location work to trigger various flashlights and camera flashes. The transmitter is attached to the hot shoe of the camera while the receiver is plugged into the studio flash. Each receiver works with one studio flash. It can Speedy frequency regulation and convenience for photographers to shoot.
- Godox Trigger Package Contains : The CT-16 flash triggers kit for Speedlite can compatible with Canon,Sony,Nikon,etc cameras.The trigger receiver kit include 1x CT-16 transmitter, 2 x CT-16 receiver, 2 x sync cable, 2 x convert adapter,1 x clean cloth
Sync speeds and limits depend on the equipment
There is no universal normal sync speed or maximum HSS shutter speed. Both depend on the camera, flash, and whether the specific pairing supports the feature. For example, Nikon lists an X sync speed of 1/200 second for the Z 30 and identifies Auto FP HSS support in its Z 30 specifications. That 1/200-second figure is specific to that camera; it is not a general HSS limit or a maximum HSS shutter speed.
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Compatibility can also vary across manufacturers. Nikon warns that non-Nikon flashes may not fully work with its FP feature in its still-life flash guide. Do not assume that a flash will provide HSS—or every TTL or manual control—on a different brand’s body without checking the exact models’ documentation.
Quick Recap
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- TTL Autoflash and Pro Functions: Support TTL Autoflash, 1/8000s High-Speed Sync, Multi Flash, Manual Flash, Flash Exposure Compensation, TCM Transform Function, Magnification Function, One-Shoot & Multi- Shoot Setting, Group Modeling Lamp Control, Group Zooming, Adjusting All Groups' Output Value Simultaneously, Etc
- SMART TCM BUTTON: Long Press TCM Button Can Transform the Flash Value in TTL Mode into the Power Output Value in M Mode; Short Press TCM Button Enables the Groups to Be Switched Between the One-Group and Multi-Group Mode
- Versatile Using Methods: As a Wireless Godox Flash Trigger/ Wireless Shutter Release Trigger/ Wireless Canon Speedlights Trigger/ Flash Trigger with 2.5mm Sync Cord Jack
- 01-99 WIRELESS ID: Only Achieve Triggering When the Channels and Wireless IDs of the Master and Slave Unit Are Set to the Same, Avoiding Signal Interference Effectively
- LARGE LCD Display: 16 Groups and 32 Channels to Wirelessly Control and Trigger. Full Graphic Display of 5 Groups Simultaneously
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- 【Universal Standard Hot Shoe Cameras】--Godox CT-16 flash trigger and receiver kit is compatible with Canon,Nikon,Sony,Pentax,Olympus,etc hot shoe cameras,not compatible with Canon EOS Rebel SL3/1500D/2000D/3000D,etc(Not have electrical contact)
- 【Support Camera Flashes & Studio Flashes】--433MHz Wireless flash trigger,supports multi brands of camera flashes and studio flash lights,equipped with 3.5mm/6.35mm adapter and sync cord
- 【16 Channels,Stable transmission 】--Supports multi groups of camera flashes Synchronization,16 Channels,Maximum synchronous speed up to 1/250s in M mode,transmitting distance up to 30m
- 【Package Contents】--Godox 2 in 1 Camera flash trigger kit including 1x flash transmitter, 1x flash receiver, 1x sync cable,2x convert adapter,1x clean cloth.If you have any questions,please reach us
- 【Warn Tips for Use】--1.Please confirm your camera hot shoe mount has electrical contact or not.2.Please set the same channel between transmitter and receiver.3.please take out the transparent film on the transmitter
Rank #3
- TTL Autoflash and Pro Functions: Support TTL Autoflash, 1/8000s High-Speed Sync, Multi Flash, Manual Flash, Flash Exposure Compensation, TCM Transform Function, Magnification Function, One-Shoot & Multi- Shoot Setting, Group Modeling Lamp Control, Group Zooming, Adjusting All Groups' Output Value Simultaneously, Etc
- SMART TCM BUTTON: Long Press TCM Button Can Transform the Flash Value in TTL Mode into the Power Output Value in M Mode; Short Press TCM Button Enables the Groups to Be Switched Between the One-Group and Multi-Group Mode
- Versatile Using Methods: As a Wireless Godox Flash Trigger/ Wireless Shutter Release Trigger/ Wireless Canon Speedlights Trigger/ Flash Trigger with 2.5mm Sync Cord Jack
- 01-99 WIRELESS ID: Only Achieve Triggering When the Channels and Wireless IDs of the Master and Slave Unit Are Set to the Same, Avoiding Signal Interference Effectively
- LARGE LCD Display: 16 Groups and 32 Channels to Wirelessly Control and Trigger. Full Graphic Display of 5 Groups Simultaneously
What to verify in your camera and flash manuals
- Whether the camera and flash support HSS, FP, or Auto FP as a compatible pairing.
- How to enable the feature on your system.
- The camera’s normal sync speed and the HSS shutter-speed limits for the pairing.
- Whether TTL metering, manual flash power, or both are available while HSS is active.
- How flash output and working distance change at the shutter speed you plan to use.
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