2. Z 9 Reference Guide
  3. Flash Photography
  4. Flash Control Mode

Flash Control Mode

When a flash unit that supports unified flash control (an SB-5000, SB-500, SB-400, or SB‑300; Unified Flash Control) is mounted on the camera, the flash control mode, flash level, and other flash settings can be adjusted using the [Flash control] > [Flash control mode] item in the photo shooting menu. The flash control modes available vary with the flash used. The options available in the flash control display vary with the option selected for [Flash control mode].

  • Settings for flash units other than the SB-5000, SB-500, SB-400, and SB‑300 can only be adjusted using flash unit controls.

  • Settings for an SB-5000 mounted on the accessory shoe can also be adjusted using the controls on the flash unit.

Option

Description

[TTL]

  • Flash output is adjusted automatically in response to shooting conditions.

  • Output can be adjusted using [Flash compensation (TTL)].

[Auto external flash]

  • Light from the flash is reflected from the subject to an auto external flash sensor and flash output adjusted automatically.

  • Output can be adjusted using [Auto external flash compensation].

  • Auto external flash supports “auto aperture” (qA) and “non-TTL auto” (A) modes. For details, see the documentation provided with the flash unit.

[Distance-priority manual]

  • Choose the distance to the subject; flash output will be adjusted automatically.

  • The distance to the subject is selected using [Distance-priority options] > [Distance], while flash output can be adjusted using [Flash compensation].

[Manual]

  • Choose the flash level manually.

  • Flash output is selected using [Manual output amount].

[Repeating flash]

  • The flash fires repeatedly while the shutter is open, producing a multiple-exposure effect.

  • Use [Repeating flash] > [Output] to adjust flash output and [Times] to choose the number of times the unit fires. [Frequency] controls how often the unit fires per second, measured in Hz.

  • The maximum number of times the flash will fire varies with [Output] and [Frequency]. For details, see the documentation provided with the flash unit.
Unified Flash Control

Unified flash control allows the camera and flash unit to share settings. Changes to flash settings made with either the camera or flash unit are reflected on both devices, as are changes made using optional Camera Control Pro 2 software. The flash unit must support unified flash control.