In P, S, A, and M modes, the flash control mode for the built-in flash can be selected using the Flash control > Flash control mode (built-in) option in the photo shooting menu. The options available vary with the item selected.

“Times“

The options available for Repeating Flash > Times are determined by flash output.

Output Options available for “Times”
1/4 2
1/8 2–5
1/16 2–10
1/32 2–10, 15
1/64 2–10, 15, 20, 25
1/128 2–10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35

Flash Control for Optional Flash Units

When an optional flash unit is connected, the Flash control > Flash control mode (built-in) option in the photo shooting menu changes to Flash control mode (external).

Flash Control Mode

In i-TTL flash control, the camera sets the flash level based on light reflected from a series of nearly invisible preflashes (monitor preflashes) emitted immediately before the main flash fires. The camera supports the following i-TTL flash control modes:

  • i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR: Preflashes reflected from objects in all areas of frame are picked up by 180K-pixel (approximately 180,000-pixel) RGB sensor and are analyzed to adjust flash output for natural balance between main subject and ambient background lighting. If type G, E, or D lens is used, distance information is included when calculating flash output. Not available when spot metering is used.
  • Standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR: Flash output adjusted to bring lighting in frame to standard level; brightness of background is not taken into account. Recommended for shots in which main subject is emphasized at expense of background details, or when exposure compensation is used. Standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR is activated automatically when spot metering is selected.

Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range

Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture.

Aperture at ISO equivalent of Approximate range
100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 m ft
1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 0.7–8.5 2 ft 4 in.–27 ft 10 in.
2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 0.6–6.0 2 ft–19 ft 8 in.
2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 0.6–4.2 2 ft–13 ft 9 in.
4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 0.6–3.0 2 ft–9 ft 10 in.
5.6 8 11 16 22 32 0.6–2.1 2 ft–6 ft 10 in.
8 11 16 22 32 0.6–1.5 2 ft–4 ft 11 in.
11 16 22 32 0.6–1.1 2 ft–3 ft 7 in.
16 22 32 0.6–0.8 2 ft–2 ft 7 in.

In mode P, the maximum aperture (minimum f-number) is limited according to ISO sensitivity, as shown below:

Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:
100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800
2.8 3.5 4 5 5.6 7.1 8 10

If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the maximum value for aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.

See Also

For information on:

  • Locking flash value for a metered subject before recomposing a photograph, see “FV Lock” (0 FV Lock).
  • Enabling or disabling auto FP high-speed sync and choosing a flash sync speed, see A > Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed, 0 Flash Sync Speed).
  • Choosing the slowest shutter speed available when using the flash, see A > Custom Setting e2 (Flash shutter speed, 0 Flash Shutter Speed).