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

[Danielsnake]

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?

[nocef90582]

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.

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

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. 

[Danielsnake]

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

[Danielsnake]

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

[Waddizzle]

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.

[deebatman316]

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. 

[deebatman316]

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.

[Danielsnake]

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

[Danielsnake]

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