User Guide

106
Flash Photography with Speedlite 550EX
With Speedlite 550EX, flash photography is easy as any AE mode, and you can use the
following features:
• E-TTL autoflash
With E-TTL autoflash (preflash evaluative metering),
optimum flash exposure is obtained for the subject in
focus. In the aperture-priority AE mode, a slow sync speed
is set automatically in low-light situations to obtain a
natural-looking, balanced exposure between the subject
and background.
• High-Speed Sync (FP Flash)
High-speed sync (FP or focal-plane flash) enables flash synchronization with all shutter
speeds from 30 sec. to 1/16000 sec.
• FE (Flash Exposure) Lock
FE lock obtains and locks the correct flash exposure for any part of the subject. This is the
flash equivalent of AE lock.
• Flash exposure compensation
Like normal exposure compensation, flash exposure compensation can be used to set the
flash output up to +/–3 stops in 1/3-stop increments.
• FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing)
As with AEB (autoexposure bracketing), flash exposures can be bracketed up to +/–3 stops
in 1/3-stop increments.
• E-TTL wireless autoflash with multiple Speedlites
E-TTL autoflash can also be implemented with multiple wireless Speedlites. All the features
listed above can be used, and no connections codes are required. Sophisticated lighting
effects can be obtained as easily as using a Speedlite directly attached to the camera.
•
E-TTL is an abbreviation for Evaluative-Through-The-Lens.
•
With autofocus, the flash exposure is always based on the aperture (set automati-
cally or manually) and autoflash metering is weighted at the current AF point.
•
When it is difficult to autofocus, the 550EX’s built-in AF-assist beam is emitted
automatically. The beam is linked to the active AF point in the Area AF.