Flash Photography with the EOS-Dedicated 550EX Speedlite

The Canon 550EX Speedlite allows you to take high-quality flash pictures easily, in the same way as you would with a built-in flash.

E-TTL Autoflash

E-TTL autoflash (preflash evaluative metering in memory) supplies the correct level of flash for the subject in the AF point selected by AF. In dark locations, you can set the camera to aperture-priority AE for automatic slow-sync operation, for a natural-looking exposure balanced between the subject and back- ground.

High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) (94)

High-speed sync (FP or focal-plane flash) enables flash synchronization at all shutter speeds

from 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.

FE (Flash Exposure) Lock (95)

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 (95)

As with normal exposure compensation, you can use flash exposure compensation to adjust the flash output within a range of +/–2 stops, in 1/2-stop increments.

FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) (94)

The FEB function is like AEB (autoexposure bracketing) with flash. You can bracket flash exposures by up to +/–3 stops, in 1/2-stop increments.

Modeling Flash (95)

Modeling flash allows you to check shadows and the light balance produced by multi-light settings.

Wireless Multi-Flash/E-TTL Autoflash (95)

You can implement wireless multi-light E-TTL autoflash, using any or all of the features listed above. This provides the freedom to set up sophisticated lighting effects with no connection cords required.

Autoflash functions are not available with EZ, E, EG, ML, or TL-series Speedlites.

In difficult focusing conditions, the AF-assist beam is emitted from the 550EX Speedlite, and automatically linked to the active AF point.

Besides the 550EX, other EX-series Speedlites can be used with the camera. Regarding the available features, refer to the Speedlite's instructions.

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