topic Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Danielsnake — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:56:27 GMT

Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

I wonder when canon will allow us to use exposure simulation with a speed flash attached to the camera hotshoe.

In the last update for the canon R6 mark II (1.6.0) and the R8 (1.5.0) can be read in the firmware notes that exposure simulation can be activated while using an on camera flash.

Does that work for anyone?

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

nocef90582 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:06:09 GMT

There have been recent reports and mentions, including in community discussions following firmware updates for the Canon R6 Mark II and R8, that Canon has introduced a feature allowing exposure simulation to remain active when an on-camera flash or speedlite is attached. This is a significant change, as typically, the camera would disable ambient exposure simulation (resulting in a brighter, non-simulated view) to aid in focusing in dark conditions where flash is commonly used. While full flash exposure simulation (predicting the flash's light) is not yet possible, the new feature is likely the ability to maintain the ambient light simulation, allowing photographers to accurately set the background exposure via the EVF/LCD before the flash fires. Users are actively testing this new capability to confirm its functionality across different flash setups.

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

p4pictures — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:54:06 GMT

I have tried the function and can happily make it work as described in the manuals using my EOS R6 Mark II with the Canon Speedlites, and transmitters I have.

Using Speedlite 600EX-RT / 600EX II-RT, 430EX III-RT / ST-E3-RT v2 / ST-E10

You need to set the Display simulation setting on the red SHOOT 9 menu to Exposure only during DOF

You need to either use the standard depth of field preview button or another button customised as a depth of field preview button.

With the flash switched on and ready to fire. The camera will not simulate the ambient exposure, but when you press and hold the "depth of field preview button" then the camera simulates the ambient exposure based on the current settings.

This is the manual section, expand the caution note at the end and read the first line.

https://cam.start.canon/en/C010/manual/html/UG-03_Shooting-1_0390.html

"In flash photography, only the [Exposure only during DOF] setting applies."

I think Canon could have made a different implementation of this, but that is how it is setup at the moment. I would have preferred an option with "Simulate ambient exposure when using flash" to be added to the Display simulation options.

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

Danielsnake — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:12:57 GMT

That 8s a very ppor implementation of the feature.

I believe sony allow their users to use exposure simulations with a flash unit attached to the hot shoe, does sony have better engineers?.

I want my canon to allow me free my creativity not restrict it

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

Danielsnake — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:18:34 GMT

I would argue that flash is used equally if not more during day time, specially under hard sunlight.

I'm a wedding photographer and I found myself frequently under low light situations, focussing is not nearly my biggest issue under those conditions, because Flashes have fovusing lamps, see?, This current implementation of the exposure simulation with a flash is very poor and limiting.

In regards of simulating flash light, i don't think that would ever be possible, and that is ok, i dont need it.

But i do need to simulate the ambient light when using my flash

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:04:28 GMT

Keep in mind that the R8 is an entry level, full frame camera. It lacks more than one feature included in its big brothers. Foremost among them are dual card slots and the s bigger battery.

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

deebatman316 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:14:46 GMT

Canon does support Exposure Simulation with flash as @p4pictures pointed out. Canon focuses wide open unlike Sony. The depth of field preview button locks the camera out from focusing.

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

deebatman316 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:17:05 GMT

Most Canon flashes do not have LED AF Assist Beams. Instead the speedlite fires an Intermittent flash burst to help the camera focus. Or the camera emits an LED AF Assist Beam.

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Danielsnake — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:27:03 GMT

I have a friend with an r6 mark II, he also can't use exposure simulation with the 600ex-rt nor the profoto a1

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

Danielsnake — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:28:54 GMT

That is not an acceptable solution, it is more like an awkward and inconvenient workaround

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

deebatman316 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:13:57 GMT

Are there camera settings configured correctly. If not it won’t work. If it’s configured correctly pressing the depth of field preview button will activate exposure simulation with flash. I’ve tested it on various supported cameras and it works correctly. But settings need to be changed in the camera menu first.

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

deebatman316 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:16:07 GMT

I’ve found it actually works better and the camera locks faster than LED AF Assist. If the lens has a fast motor (USM). The camera will use speedlite instead of the camera for AF Assist. All the LED AF Assist causes is slow focusing and hunting. Visible white light helps the camera focus faster.

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:04:26 GMT

“ That is not an acceptable solution, it is more like an awkward and inconvenient workaround. “

I think it’s the best of both worlds. You can see the exposure with the aperture stopped down or wide open.

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

deebatman316 — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:13:24 GMT

Exposure simulation with flash only works with the lens stopped. But it works both ways without flash.

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:56:49 GMT

The OP should make a formal feature suggestion. This social media platform is just that. The link to provide feedback is on the homepage,

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Danielsnake — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:15:48 GMT

That is not an acceptable method for weddingph photography, it need to be working all the time without having to pressa additonal buttons

Re: Hey canon, when will the function of exposure simulation work with a flash?

Danielsnake — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:17:30 GMT

Im glad that works for you.

I photograph weddings and focusins is never an issue.

The issue comes with te exposure simulatiom limitation when using flash

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Danielsnake — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:19:49 GMT

It is slow for a wedding environment, i need to see the ambient exposure all the time, while working the roght exposure with the flash.

Needs to be faster, less convoluted, simpler.

I believe sony does it.

What harm can it do to give us the option to choose?

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

Danielsnake — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:11:28 GMT

Thos is the best "non-solution" option I've read here. I sincerely mean it.

Since the alternative is a curbersome workaround.

Make a formal suggestion seems to be the only path to get to a decent solution to this limitation

Re: EOS R8 & R6 Mark II: How to use Exposure Simulation with a flash

mrkjhn — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:09:56 GMT

I could be wrong but the year before (2024-2025) I was using a rental R6II before this newer firmware and if I recall, I could program the depth of field button to some other function (can't remember what it was), but it would do exactly the same thing, so....this isn't really all that new or helpful. Constant Exp. Sim. would be a nicer and more usable option.