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• Using the Flash

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Use an optional flash unit for additional lighting when shooting at night or indoors under low light.

1. Remove the hot shoe cover and slide the flash onto the hot shoe.

   

2. Turn the flash on.

   

   For more information, see the documentation provided with the flash unit.

   The options available vary with the flash unit.

3. Select [FLASH FUNCTION SETTING] in the [FLASH SETTING] menu.

   If the flash is not on, sync terminal options will be displayed. Turn the flash on before adjusting settings.

4. Highlight items using the selector and rotate the rear command dial to change the highlighted setting.

5. Press [DISP/BACK] to put the changes into effect.

Using Shoe-Mounted Flash Units

External flash units are more powerful than their built-in counterparts. Some support high-speed sync (FP) and can be used at shutter speeds faster than the flash sync speed, while others can function as master flash units controlling remote units via optical wireless flash control.

Connect the flash unit and select [FLASH SETTING] > [FLASH FUNCTION SETTING] in the camera shooting menu to display flash options. The options available vary with the status of the connected unit.

[SHOE MOUNT FLASH]

The following options are available with optional shoe-mounted flash units.

Flash control mode

The flash control mode selected with the flash unit. This can in some cases be adjusted from the camera; the options available vary with the flash.

[TTL]

TTL mode. Adjust flash compensation ().

[M]

The flash fires at the selected output regardless of subject brightness or camera settings. Output in some cases can be adjusted from the camera ().

[MULTI]

Repeating flash. Compatible shoe-mounted flash units will fire multiple times with each shot.

The flash does not fire. Some flash units can be turned off from the camera.

Flash compensation/output

The options available vary with flash control mode.

[TTL]

Adjust flash compensation (the full value may not be applied if the limits of the flash control system are exceeded). In the cases of the EF-X20, EF-20, and EF-42, the selected value is added to the value selected with the flash unit.

[M]/[MULTI]

Adjust flash output (compatible units only). Choose from values expressed as fractions of full power, from 1/1 (mode [M]) or 1/4 ([MULTI]) down to 1/512 in increments equivalent to 1/3 EV. The desired results may not be achieved at low values if they exceed the limits of the flash control system; take a test shot and check the results.

Flash mode (TTL)

Choose a flash mode for TTL flash control. The options available vary with the shooting mode ([P], [S], [A], or [M]) selected.

([FLASH AUTO])

The flash fires only as required; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. A icon displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway indicates that the flash will fire when the photo is taken.

([STANDARD])

The flash fires with every shot if possible; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

([SLOW SYNC.])

Combine the flash with slow shutter speeds when photographing portrait subjects against a backdrop of night scenery. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

Sync

Control flash timing.

([1ST CURTAIN])

The flash fires immediately after the shutter opens (generally the best choice).

([2ND CURTAIN])

The flash fires immediately before the shutter closes.

([AUTO FP(HSS)])

High-speed sync (compatible units only). The camera automatically engages front-curtain high-speed sync at shutter speeds faster than the flash sync speed. Equivalent to [1ST CURTAIN] when [MULTI] is selected for flash control mode.

Zoom

The angle of illumination (flash coverage) for units that support flash zoom. Some units allow the adjustment to be made from the camera. If [AUTO] is selected, zoom will automatically be adjusted to match coverage to lens focal length.

Lighting

If the unit supports this feature, choose from the options below.

([FLASH POWER PRIORITY])

Gain range by slightly reducing coverage.

([STANDARD])

Match coverage to picture angle.

([EVEN COVERAGE PRIORITY])

Slightly increase coverage for more even lighting.

LED light

Choose how the built-in LED light functions during still photography (compatible units only). It can function as a catchlight (/[CATCHLIGHT]), as an AF-assist illuminator (/[AF ASSIST]), or as both a catchlight and an AF-ASSIST illuminator (/[AF ASSIST+CATCHLIGHT]). Choose [OFF] to disable the LED during photography.

Number of flashes

Choose the number of times the flash fires each time the shutter is released in [MULTI] mode. Full value may not be applied if limits of flash control system are exceeded.

Frequency

Choose the frequency at which the flash fires in [MULTI] mode. Full value may not be applied if limits of flash control system are exceeded.

[SUPPLIED FLASH]

Displayed when the EF-X8 flash unit supplied with FUJIFILM X-T1 and X-T2 cameras is connected and raised.

Flash control mode

Choose from the following options.

[TTL]

TTL mode. Adjust flash compensation () and choose a flash mode ().

[M]

The flash fires at the selected output () regardless of subject brightness or camera settings. Output is expressed in fractions of full power, from 1/1 to 1/64. The desired results may not be achieved at low values if they exceed the limits of the flash control system; take a test shot and check the results.

([COMMANDER])

Choose if the flash is being used to control remote synced flash units, for example as part of a studio flash system.

The flash does not fire. Flash units connected via the sync terminal will still fire when the shutter is released, but can be disabled by lowering the EF-X8 and turning the units off in the flash settings menu.

Flash compensation/output

Adjust flash level. The options available vary with the flash control mode ()

Flash mode (TTL)

Choose a flash mode for TTL flash control. The options available vary with the shooting mode ([P], [S], [A], or [M]) selected.

([FLASH AUTO])

The flash fires only as required; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. A icon displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway indicates that the flash will fire when the photo is taken.

([STANDARD])

The flash fires with every shot if possible; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

([SLOW SYNC.])

Combine the flash with slow shutter speeds when photographing portrait subjects against a backdrop of night scenery. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

Sync

Choose whether the flash is timed to fire immediately after the shutter opens (/[1ST CURTAIN]) or immediately before it closes (/[2ND CURTAIN]). [1ST CURTAIN] is recommended in most circumstances.

[SYNC TERMINAL]

The following options are available when no compatible flash unit is connected or if a unit is connected via the sync terminal or uses only the X-contact on the hot shoe.

Flash control mode

Choose from the following options:

[M]

A trigger signal is transmitted from the sync terminal and hot shoe when a picture is taken. Choose a shutter speed slower than the sync speed; even slower speeds may be required if the unit uses long flashes or has a slow response time.

The sync terminal and hot shoe do not transmit a trigger signal.

Sync

Choose whether the flash is timed to fire immediately after the shutter opens (/[1ST CURTAIN]) or immediately before it closes (/[2ND CURTAIN]). [1ST CURTAIN] is recommended in most circumstances.

[MASTER (OPTICAL)]

The options will be displayed if the unit is currently functioning as master flash for FUJIFILM optical wireless remote flash control.

The master and remote units can be placed in up to three groups (A, B, and C) and flash mode and flash level adjusted separately for each group. Four channels are available for communication between the units; separate channels can be used for different flash systems or to prevent interference when multiple systems are operating in close proximity.

Flash control mode (group A)

Flash control mode (group B)

Flash control mode (group C)

Choose flash control modes for groups A, B, and C. [TTL%] is available for groups A and B only.

[TTL]

The units in the group fire in TTL mode. Flash compensation can be adjusted separately for each group.

[TTL%]

If [TTL%] is selected for either group A or B, you can specify the output of the selected group as a percentage of the other and adjust overall flash compensation for both groups.

[M]

In mode [M], the units in the group fire at the selected output (expressed as a fraction of full power) regardless of subject brightness or camera settings.

[MULTI]

Choosing [MULTI] for any group sets all the units in all groups to repeating flash mode. All units will fire multiple times with each shot.

If [OFF] is selected, the units in the group will not fire.

Flash compensation/output (group A)

Flash compensation/output (group B)

Flash compensation/output (group C)

Adjust flash level for the selected group according to option selected for flash control mode. Note that the full value may not be applied if the limits of the flash control system are exceeded.

[TTL]

Adjust flash compensation.

[M]/[MULTI]

Adjust flash output.

[TTL%]

Choose the balance between groups A and B and adjust overall flash compensation.

Flash mode (TTL)

Choose a flash mode for TTL flash control.The options available vary with the shooting mode ([P], [S], [A], or [M]) selected.

([FLASH AUTO])

The flash fires only as required; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. A icon displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway indicates that the flash will fire when the photo is taken.

([STANDARD])

The flash fires with every shot if possible; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

([SLOW SYNC.])

Combine the flash with slow shutter speeds when photographing portrait subjects against a backdrop of night scenery. The flash will not fire if not fully charged when the shutter is released.

Sync

Control flash timing.

([1ST CURTAIN])

The flash fires immediately after the shutter opens (generally the best choice).

([2ND CURTAIN])

The flash fires immediately before the shutter closes.

([AUTO FP(HSS)])

High-speed sync (compatible units only). The camera automatically engages front-curtain high-speed sync at shutter speeds faster than the flash sync speed. Equivalent to [1ST CURTAIN] when [MULTI] is selected for flash control mode.

Zoom

The angle of illumination (flash coverage) for units that support flash zoom. Some units allow the adjustment to be made from the camera. If [AUTO] is selected, zoom will automatically be adjusted to match coverage to lens focal length.

Lighting

If the unit supports this feature, choose from the options below.

([FLASH POWER PRIORITY])

Gain range by slightly reducing coverage.

([STANDARD])

Match coverage to picture angle.

([EVEN COVERAGE PRIORITY])

Slightly increase coverage for more even lighting.

Master

Assign the master flash to group A ([Gr A]), B ([Gr B]), or C ([Gr C]). If [OFF] is selected, output from the master flash will be held to a level that does not affect the final picture. Available only if the unit is mounted on the camera hot shoe as a master flash for FUJIFILM optical wireless remote flash control in [TTL], [TTL%], or [M] mode.

Number of flashes

Choose the number of times the flash fires each time the shutter is released in [MULTI] mode.

Channel

Choose the channel used by the master flash for communication with the remote flash units. Separate channels can be used for different flash systems or to prevent interference when multiple systems are operating in close proximity.

Frequency

Choose the frequency at which the flash fires in [MULTI] mode.