topic EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

TSB — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:56:45 GMT

Hello all!

I am a keen beginner dental photographer looking to troubleshoot an issue. I am experiencing mostly dark images while taking shots with a mirrorless camera and twin flash set up. This same set up with an APS-C sensor camera takes the same images without an issue.

This is the set up where the issues occur:R8 (mirrorless)750D (APS-C)

EOS R8 (mirrorless)
EF-EOS R adapter
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
Meike TTL MK-MT42 ii twin flash (with diffusers)
Owl Bracket

When taking the pictures, as you can see, only the upper part of the image is visible and everything else is too dark.

HOWEVER, when I use exactly the same set up with an EOS 750D (APS-C sensor), the picture comes out completely fine.

While taking the pictures, both camera bodies have the same settings:

Manual Exposure Mode
Shutter Speed 1/200
F22
ISO 100

As you can see, when taking the picture using the R8, the images hardly appear. I have tried messing around with the shutter speed and iso but they still come out the same.

BUT when i take the pictures with the 750D, i can see the pictures at least.

I would truly appreciate any guidance and help!

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

FloridaDrafter — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 02:17:31 GMT

According to the EXIF data of your two images, the flash did not fire on the R8.

It may have indeed fired, but out of sync.

Newton

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

p4pictures — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:41:20 GMT

Can you try a shot with the shutter speed set to 1/125?

I wonder if your Meike Twin Flash is fully compatible with the EOS R8 so a little slower shutter speed might help and is not likely to make a difference to the ambient light part of your shot.

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

TSB — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 01:21:02 GMT

Hi Brian, thank you for replying!

I think you are correct regarding the compatibility. Although the Meike twin flash is working normally with the 750D, it does not want to play ball with the R8.

Meike 1/125 f22 ISO 100Godox MF-R76 Ring flash, 1/200

I have tested out other flashes like the Godox MF-R76 with the R8 set up and it is working fine. Unfortunately to get the most perfect intra-oral pictures, twin flashes are by far superior.

Would you recommend any other setting changes or would it be obvious that I need to invest in other twin flash systems? (any recommendations as I use twin flashes with diffusers)

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

TSB — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 01:22:03 GMT

It definitely did fire, but seems to be out of sync, no matter what I tweak!

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

rs-eos — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 03:00:49 GMT

A long shot here, but are there any settings you can try such as first curtain or rear curtain sync with these flashes? It could be though that the Meike flash is just not compatible with the R8.

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

normadel — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 04:14:15 GMT

Your best bet may be to use a Canon Macro Flash....Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II or Macro Twin Lite MT-26EX-RT.

Pricey, but they will provide full E-TTL capability and guaranteed camera compatibility. You take a chance with an aftermarket flash.

I have a Godox MF-R76 for macro use. Since it is a fully-manual unit, there's no concern about camera compatibility. You just use camera in Manual Mode and fiddle with aperture and flash intensity settings to get what you want.

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

normadel — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:09:26 GMT

Oh yeah. A non-Canon flash will not fire when using Live View, unless you turn off a function called "Silent Shooting", if a camera has it. I have a Rebel that does not. My 50D, 60D, 7D and 6D do.

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

ajm133 — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 21:03:30 GMT

I have an r7 and started with a Godox TT350c flash which usually worked but once in a while it misfired. Turning off the AF assist lamp helped make it more reliable, but I still didn't have a level of confidence with it. So I purchased a Canon EL100 which has literally been flawless. Less power and twice the price of the Godox but it never let me down so the Godox collects dust. Based on various reading, it seems like many who have used 3rd party flash had some inconsistencies so my guess would be the flash and camera are just not communicating consistently which may be causing a problem

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

sandynich — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:34:14 GMT

Have you had any problems using the Godox MF-R76 with the R8? In the amazon description of the godox it says it is not compatible with the R8...

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

fisherman10 — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:57:34 GMT

Hi TSB, have you found a solution to your issue?

I am currently using Nikon D7000 with the exact same Meike MK-MT24 set which is made up of MK-GT620 trigger and MK-R200 flashes.

I was looking to change to the Canon R8 too as it is cheaper than the R6ii cousin. And I also thought of just buying a MK-GT620 trigger for Canon system and then I can use it along with my existing MK-R200 flashes.

While researching on Meike's website, I found that they mention it is incompatible with Canon R8. Most likely due to R8 using a Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS) instead of a standard mechanical shutter.

https://meikeglobal.com/collections/flash/products/macro-twin-lite-flash-for-sony-photographer-exposure

What that said, have you manage to test out the Canon R8 with wireless Godox system? I saw you tested the Godox mf-r76 but this is a wired system.

Was wondering if the Godox trigger works nicely? Then can use it with their MF12 wireless flashes.

They have many triggers which are:
1) X1
2) X2
3) Xpro
4) XPro II
5) X3
6) X3Pro
7) XR

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

SignifDigits — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:34:31 GMT

I am sorry to hear you are having issues with your R8 and your flash. Thanks for sharing your issue with us. Can you please share your firmware version and your flash settings (manual for this is at https://cam.start.canon/en/C013/manual/html/UG-04_Shooting-1_0180.html) ?

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:22:23 GMT

This is a two year old thread, so you might not get a response from the OP.

You should start your own thread.

Re: EOS R8: Dark pictures with twin flash

SignifDigits — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:50:17 GMT

Sorry, John. I saw it pop up at the top due to fisherman10