External Flash Units

External flash units are more powerful than their built-in counterparts. Some can function as commander flash units controlling remote units via optical wireless flash control.

You may be unable to test-fire the flash in some circumstances, for example when a setup menu is displayed on the camera.

Red-Eye Removal

Red-eye removal is available when [FLASH] is selected for F[FLASH SETTING] > [RED EYE REMOVAL]. Red-eye removal minimizes “red-eye” caused when light from the flash is reflected from the subject’s retinas.

Flash Sync Speed

The flash will synchronize with the shutter at shutter speeds of 1/2000 s or slower.

Optional Flash Units from Fujifilm

The camera can be used with optional Fujifilm shoe-mounted flash units.

Third-Party Flash Units

Do not use third-party flash units that apply over 300 V to the camera hot shoe.

Using an External Flash
[SYNC TERMINAL]
[SHOE MOUNT FLASH]
[COMMANDER (OPTICAL)]

Using an External Flash

Connect the unit to the camera.

In shooting mode, select [FLASH FUNCTION SETTING] in the F ([FLASH SETTING]) menu tab. The options available vary with the flash unit.

Menu	Description
[Built-In Flash]	Displayed when [ON] is selected for F[FLASH SETTING] > [Built-In Flash]. aFlash Photography
[SYNC TERMINAL]	Displayed when no compatible flash unit is connected or if the connected unit uses only the X-contact on the hot shoe. a[SYNC TERMINAL]
[SHOE MOUNT FLASH]	Displayed when an optional flash unit other than the EF‑X8 is mounted on the hot shoe and turned on. a[SHOE MOUNT FLASH]
[COMMANDER (OPTICAL)]	Displayed if an optional flash unit functioning as a commander for Fujifilm optical wireless remote flash control is connected and turned on. a[COMMANDER (OPTICAL)]

[SYNC TERMINAL] will be displayed if [OFF] is selected for F [FLASH SETTING] > [Built-In Flash] and no supported shoe-mounted flash is attached.

Highlight items using the focus stick (focus lever) and rotate the rear command dial to change the highlighted setting.
Press [DISP/BACK] to put the changes into effect.

[SYNC TERMINAL]

[SYNC TERMINAL] is displayed if the built-in flash is lowered and either no flash unit, or an incompatible flash unit, is mounted on the hot shoe.

Setting	Description
AFlash control mode	Choose from the following options: [M]: A trigger signal is transmitted via the hot shoe X contacts 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. D(OFF): The trigger signal is disabled.
BSync	Choose whether the flash is timed to fire immediately after the shutter opens (H/[1ST CURTAIN]) or immediately before it closes (I/[2ND CURTAIN]). 1ST CURTAIN is recommended in most circumstances.

Setting

Description

AFlash control mode

Choose from the following options:

[M]: A trigger signal is transmitted via the hot shoe X contacts 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.
D(OFF): The trigger signal is disabled.

BSync

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

The Sync Terminal

Flash units requiring a sync cable connection cannot be used.

[SHOE MOUNT FLASH]

The following options are available when an optional shoe-mounted flash unit is attached and turned on.

To prevent the built-in flash firing when a shoe-mounted flash unit is attached, select [OFF] for F [FLASH SETTING] > [Built-In Flash].

Setting	Description
AFlash 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 (B). [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 (B). [Multi]: Repeating flash. Compatible shoe-mounted flash units will fire multiple times with each shot. D(OFF): The flash does not fire. Some flash units can be turned off from the camera.
BFlash 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.
CFlash mode (TTL)	Choose a flash mode for TTL flash control. The options available vary with the shooting mode ([P], [S], [A], or [M]) selected. E([FLASH AUTO]): The flash fires only as required; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. A p icon displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway indicates that the flash will fire when the photo is taken. F([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. G([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.
DSync	Control flash timing. H([1ST CURTAIN]): The flash fires immediately after the shutter opens (generally the best choice). I([2ND CURTAIN]): The flash fires immediately before the shutter closes.
EZoom	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.
FLighting	If the unit supports this feature, choose from: J([FLASH POWER PRIORITY]): Gain range by slightly reducing coverage. K([STANDARD]): Match coverage to picture angle. L([EVEN COVERAGE PRIORITY]): Slightly increase coverage for more even lighting.
GLED light	Choose how the built-in LED light functions during still photography (compatible units only): as a catchlight (M/[CATCHLIGHT]), as an AF-assist illuminator (N/[AF ASSIST]), or as both a catchlight and an AF-assist illuminator (O/[AF ASSIST+CATCHLIGHT]). Choose [OFF] to disable the LED during photography.
GNumber of flashes ^*	Choose the number of times the flash fires each time the shutter is released in [MULTI] mode.
HFrequency ^*	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.

[COMMANDER (OPTICAL)]

The options will be displayed if the unit is currently functioning as a commander for Fujifilm optical wireless remote flash control.

Fujifilm optical wireless remote flash control offers a choice of four channels (Channels 1 through 4) for the exchange of optical signals between the commander and remote flash units. Separate channels can be used for different flash systems or to prevent interference when multiple systems are operating in close proximity.

The flash units can also be placed in up to three groups (A, B, and C) and flash mode and flash level adjusted separately for each group.

Setting	Description
AFlash control mode (group A) BFlash control mode (group B) CFlash 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. D: If [OFF] is selected, the units in the group will not fire.
DFlash compensation/ output (group A) EFlash compensation/ output (group B) FFlash 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.
GFlash mode (TTL)	Choose a flash mode for TTL flash control. The options available vary with the shooting mode ([P], [S], [A], or [M]) selected. E([FLASH AUTO]): The flash fires only as required; flash level is adjusted according to subject brightness. A p icon displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway indicates that the flash will fire when the photo is taken. F([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. G([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.
HSync	Control flash timing. H([1ST CURTAIN]): The flash fires immediately after the shutter opens (generally the best choice). I([2ND CURTAIN]): The flash fires immediately before the shutter closes.
IZoom	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.
JLighting	If the unit supports this feature, choose from: J([FLASH POWER PRIORITY]): Gain range by slightly reducing coverage. K([STANDARD]): Match coverage to picture angle. L([EVEN COVERAGE PRIORITY]): Slightly increase coverage for more even lighting.
KCommander	Choose the group for units functioning as a commander for Fujifilm optical wireless remote flash control in [TTL], [TTL%], or [M] mode. This option is available only with clip-on flash units that support Fujifilm optical wireless remote flash control. [Gr A]: Assign the commander to group A. [Gr B]: Assign the commander to group B. [Gr C]: Assign the commander to group C. [OFF]: Output from the commander is held to a level that does not affect the final picture.
KNumber of flashes	Choose the number of times the flash fires each time the shutter is released in [MULTI] mode.
LChannel	Choose the channel used by the commander 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.
LFrequency	Choose the frequency at which the flash fires in [MULTI] mode.