FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) has announced that, in September, 2016, it will add the high-end multi-function external flash “Hot-shoe mount flash EF-X500” to the lineup of accessories for the X Series of digital cameras.

The EF-X500 is a hot-shoe mount flash with the maximum guide number of approx. 50*. High-speed flash synchronization, FP mode, offers the flash at any shutter speed. This means you can concentrate on shooting even when a faster shutter speed is required, for example, in order to use a near-maximum aperture to produce beautiful bokeh.

The EF-X500 also features wireless multi-flash TTL auto function. Setting up multiple flashes and freely controling light on a subject and background offer a creative result. The TTL auto function is available with multi-flash setup as well as single flash, so that you can start shooting without making additional adjustments to light output.

1. Product name, release date, pricing

Product name	Release date	Recommended retail price
Hot-shoe mount flash EF-X500	September, 2016	Open

2. Main product features

① FP flash (high-speed flash sync) enables flash photography at any shutter speed

With cameras equipped with a focal plane shutter, when the shutter speed is high, the first and second shutter curtains move across at the same time, making the exposure through a narrow vertical slit between them. It prevented light from a conventional flash to reach only a small section of the sensor. This is why a slower shutter speed must be used in flash photography, with the range of available shutter speeds severely limited.
The EF-X500 supports the FP mode (high-speed flash sync), in which the flash outputs continuous light while the first and second curtains travel across the sensor, thereby enabling flash photography at any shutter speed.
When shooting with a near-maximum aperture to create beautiful bokeh, the shutter speed tends to go higher. The EF-X500 frees photographers from being conscious about shutter speed limitations, and allows them to focus on shooting.

② Wireless multi-flash TTL freely controlling light on subject and background to enable creative photography

The EF-X500 can be used in multi-flash setup to freely control light on a subject and background for a creative result. The TTL auto function is available with the multi-flash setup as well as single flash, so that you can start shooting without making additional adjustments to light output.
Multiple flashes can be controlled up to three groups, each of which can be set up with different light output, allowing you to fine-tune the light. The light output can also be adjusted from the camera.

③ Dust-resistant and weather-resistant capabilities expanding the scope of photographic fields when used with X Series cameras

This is the first Fujifilm flash with dust-resistant and weather-resistant. Using it with the weather-sealed X Series of cameras can broaden your photographic fields.

④ Innovative design with low center of gravity creating a perfect harmony with the lightweight and compact X Series of digital cameras

The front side of the EF-X500's main body is applied with leather texture to compliment the design of the X Series. It is designed with low center of gravity to maintain ease of operation when mounted on the X Series of cameras, known for their light weight and compact bodies.

3. Other product features

① Maximum guide number of approx. 50 (ISO100･m) / 164 (ISO100•ft)*
② Zooming the illumination angle for the focal lengths of 24mm - 105mm**, and covering the illumination angle of around 20mm** when the wide panel is used
③ Flash head that can be tilted up by 90 degrees, down by 10 degrees, to the left by 135 degrees and to the right by 180 degrees for bouncing light
④Equipped with LED video light that can also be used as AF assist light and catchlight
⑤ Registers up to ten combinations of various settings. Advance registration of specific shooting conditions makes it easy to activate the setting quickly when required.

• *At illumination angle for the focal length of 105mm (35mm format equivalent)
• **35mm-format equivalent

4. Optional accessories

• Battery pack “EF-BP1”
  The external battery pack “EF-BP1” takes eight AA batteries to shorten charging time and improve the number of flashes per charge.

5. Hot-shoe mount flash EF-X500's main specifications

• ***See the latest list of compatible cameras on Fujifilm website
  (http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/). Firmware upgrade is required for FUJIFILM X-T1 and X-Pro2.
• *435mm format equivalent
• *5Supported cameras only