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speedlight

speedlight

1 6.7
A small light that attaches to a camera to make photos brighter
  • noun
  • /ˈspiːdˌlaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : flash
  • My friend recommended a speedlight for improving the quality of my portrait photography.

Examples

  • He'll teach you how to do it using speedlights and smaller, battery-powered lights with simple and affordable accessories to modify and control the light.

    Blog text (13)
  • The speedlight has come in handy for some food shots at night and some environmental portraits.

    Blog text (30)
  • I did know to use my speedlight for fill flash.

    Blog text (25)
  • Remote Flash Triggers: Essential for getting the speedlight off the camera.

    Blog text (30)
  • I photographed the result with daylight slide film, using speedlight to illuminate the copy.

    Academic text (1993)
  • I can also flash sync up to 1/4000 using my external speedlight.

    Blog text (30)
  • I decided to take the plunge and purchase an SB-700 Speedlight for my Nikon.

    Blog text (7)
  • The tulip was photographed with the Nikon Macro Speedlight on the 105mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor.

    Academic text (2005)
  • I used my speedlight to brighten the dark indoor shots during the wedding reception.

  • With the speedlight, I was able to capture clear images even in low-light conditions.

Synonyms

flash
vsspeedlight
273 1.7

A sudden, brief burst of bright light, for example from a camera

is an attachable lighting unit used on photographic equipment rather than any brief light
flashbulb
vsspeedlight
  • Archaic
9 5.1

A small lamp that gives a short, very bright light for taking photos

is a complete attachable lighting unit rather than a single bulb
camera flash
vsspeedlight
2 2.2

A short bright light that brightens a scene when you take a photo

attaches to photographic equipment as a small portable lighting unit
flash bulb
vsspeedlight
  • Archaic
1 3.5

A small lamp that gives a very bright short light for taking photos

is a complete attachable lighting unit rather than a single bulb
flashgun
vsspeedlight
  • Specialized
7.0

A small device that makes a bright light for taking photos

attaches to photographic equipment as a small portable lighting unit
flashcube
vsspeedlight
  • Archaic
8.4

A small cube with several bulbs that fits on older cameras to give light for pictures

is a single electronic unit that attaches to photographic equipment
flash lamp
vsspeedlight
  • Archaic
4.6

A small device that makes a short bright light for taking photos

is a compact attachable lighting unit rather than a lamp part

How Bright

strobe
  • Specialized
19 6.3
speedlight
  • Specialized
1 6.7
camera flash
2 2.2

Surface Forms

speedlight singular
speedlights plural

Morphology

speedlight = speed + light (semi-transparent) = speed + light

The components 'speed' and 'light' are clear, but the specialized technical meaning 'camera flash unit' is not directly inferable by a general learner.

Etymology

The word speedlight is made from speed and light, so it literally means a 'fast' light, like a quick 'flash' used in photography. That's why a speedlight is the small, portable flash photographers attach to a camera to give a short, bright burst of light.