Using a flash (Flash photography)
The flash can be used for flash photography in a variety of shooting conditions.
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Press the flash pop-up button to raise the flash.
Flash pop-up button
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Press the # (I) button.
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Select an item using the control dial and press the Q button.
- #: Fill In
- The flash fires.
- 0: Redeye
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The flash fires so that the red-eye phenomenon is reduced.
- In [0 (Redeye)], after the pre-flashes, it takes about 1 second before the shutter is released. Do not move the camera until shooting is complete.
- [0 (Redeye)] may not work effectively under some shooting conditions.
- $: Flash Off
- The flash does not fire.
- 1: Red-Eye Slow Slow synchronization (1st curtain/Red-eye reduction flash)
- The slow synchronization is combined with the red-eye reduction flash.
- 2: Slow Slow synchronization (1st curtain)
- The flash fires with slow shutter speeds to brighten dimly-lit backgrounds.
- M: Slow2 Slow synchronization (2nd curtain)
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The flash fires immediately before the shutter closes to create trails of light behind moving light sources.
- 3, 4 etc.: Manual Value
- For users who prefer manual operation. Press the INFO button and use FG to adjust flash output.
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The options available and the order in which they are displayed vary depending on the shooting mode.
- When the flash fires, the shutter speed is set to 1/250 seconds or slower. When shooting a subject against a bright background with the flash, the background may be overexposed.
Optional Flash Units
When using optional flash units, be sure the built-in flash has been securely restored to its housing.
Flash modes that can be set by shooting mode
| Shooting mode |
Monitor | Flash mode | Flash timing |
Conditions for firing the flash |
Shutter speed limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P/A | # | Fill In | 1st curtain |
Always fires | 30 sec. – 1/250 sec.* |
| 0 | Redeye | 1/30 sec. – 1/250 sec.* | |||
| $ | Flash Off | k | k | k | |
| 1 |
Red-Eye Slow Slow |
1st curtain |
Always fires | 60 sec. – 1/250 sec.* | |
| 2 |
Slow Slow |
||||
| M |
Slow2 Slow |
2nd curtain |
|||
| S/M | # | Fill In | 1st curtain |
Always fires | 60 sec. – 1/250 sec.* |
| 0 | Redeye | ||||
| $ | Flash Off | k | k | k | |
| M |
Slow2 Slow |
2nd curtain |
Always fires | 60 sec. – 1/250 sec.* |
- Only # and $ can be set in B mode.
The shutter speed is 1/200 seconds when using a separately sold external flash.
Minimum range
The lens may cast shadows over objects close to the camera, causing vignetting, or the flash may be too bright even at minimum output.
| Lens | Approximate distance at which vignetting occurs |
|---|---|
| 17mm f1.8 | 0.25 m |
| 25mm f1.8 | 0.25 m |
| 45mm f1.8 | 0.5 m |
| ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ | 1 m |
| ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 | 0.9 m |
- External flash units can be used to prevent vignetting. To prevent photographs from being overexposed, select A or M mode, and choose a high aperture value or reduce ISO sensitivity.