Millions of Nikon photographers did without this until 2003, when it first showed up in the SB-800. I have it on most of my cameras today and I use it only rarely, and I'd venture that I probably use flash more than most Nikonians.

FP sync is mostly for fill flash in generally brighter environments. For example, if were to shoot flowers at, say, noon time, you'll have some very harsh shadows. Adding fill light is a reasonable approach to softening them, but at noon on a sunny day your exposure may already be f/11 and 1/2000th. So FP flash allows you to sync at high speed, and the distance loss isn't a factor with closeup subjects.

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Brian... a bicoastal Nikonian and Team Member

My gallery is online. Comments and critique welcomed any time!