Live viewfinder too dark when using off-camera flash

[Armstrong83]

I'm having trouble seeing my subject while shooting with flash. My settings are dialled in for off camera flash, this makes the viewfinder dark and I'm unable to get a good visual of my subject. Any ideas how a can see what I'm shooting while using flash?

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

Im assuming you have the camera set to manual exposure. If your camera is set to 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100 and you’re indoors the camera is simulating the effect of your settings which is probably an underexposed shot, until flash fires. 

You need to locate the setting for Exposure simulation or Display simulation and disable it. Then the viewfinder preview is bright, but the exposure will be correct. 

If you use Canon Speedlites they communicate with the camera and the camera automatically disables the simulation when the flash is ready. Even works with wireless off-camera flash with Canon Speedlites.

[Armstrong83]

Thank you Sir

[Danny]

Thanks for joining the conversation, Armstrong83!

To help someone else in the future who might encounter this problem, please let us know exactly which Canon camera model you're using.

Thanks and have a great day!