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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
focusing 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 background.
● High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) (→98)
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 (→99)
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 (→99)
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) (→98)
The FEB function is like AEB (autoexposure bracketing) with flash. You can bracket flash
exposures by up to ±2 stops, in 1/2-stop increments.
● Modeling Flash (→99)
Modeling flash allows you to check shadows and the light balance produced by multi-light
settings.
● Wireless Multi-Light E-TTL Autoflash (→99)
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.
● You can also use the Canon 380EX and 220EX Speedlites. Refer to their
respective user’s guides for a list of functions that can be used with them.
● In difficult focusing conditions, the AF-assist light is emitted from the
550EX Speedlite, and automatically linked to the active focusing point.
Autoflash functions are not available with EZ, E, EG, ML, or TL-series Speedlites.
