Brochure
63
usa.canon.com/eos
63
SPEEDLITE FLASHES
reflective subject, or the subject is not in that
part of the frame – an assumption validated by
distance information. The algorithm thus helps
avoid chronic underexposure problems in such
situations. These readings are weighted,
averaged, and compared with the ambient
light reading and the main flash output is then
set and stored in memory. The E-TTL II, in effect,
captures the subject as a “plane” and not as
a “point.” As a result, EOS SLR cameras can
help deliver consistent flash exposures even
if the subject contains various colors and
levels of reflection. The camera also allows
the user to select an averaged metering
pattern through custom function settings.
T TL* – TTL (Through-The-Lens) is the standard
flash exposure control mode used by the
built-in flash units that come with some 35mm
EOS film cameras. Unlike E-TTL or E-TTL II, TTL
reads flash illumination reflected from the film
during the exposure. When the camera is set to
Program AE mode, TTL flash sets an aperture
based on the ambient light level.
Flash Exposure Lock (FE Lock)
FE Lock adds Auto Exposure lock and Spot
metering functions when shooting with EX-series
Speedlite flashes and E-TTL compatible EOS
cameras. The EX-series Speedlite flash’s
pre-flash fires when the camera’s AE Lock button
is depressed, storing a Spot meter reading of
flash and ambient lighting data for up to 16
seconds. This provides enough time to not only
recompose the shot, but also alter the ambient
light exposure for maximum creative control.
FE Lock is extremely useful when you wish to
recompose after focus lock or to place the main
subject in a part of the frame not covered by
one of the focusing points. It can also eliminate
potential exposure errors caused by unwanted
reflections from surfaces like windows or mirrors.
Adjusting Ambient Exposure in FE Lock**
After pre-flashing the subject with the FE
Lock button, ambient exposure can be adjusted
by turning the Quick Control Dial. The ambient
exposure level is displayed on the exposure
level scale in the viewfinder and on the external
LCD panel.
FP Mode***
FP (focal-plane) flash, or High-speed Sync,
enables E-TTL and E-TTL II compatible cameras
equipped with an EX-series Speedlite flash to
synchronize flash at shutter speeds faster than the
camera’s normal maximum sync speed. Even in
bright daylight, for example, a fast lens can be
used at a wide aperture to reduce depth-of-field
and emphasize the subject. FP flash can be
combined with E-TTL, E-TTL II, or FE Lock, and
is available in all AE modes plus Manual.
Flash Exposure Compensation****
This setting adjusts flash output without
changing the shutter speed or aperture. It’s
a particularly effective way to fine-tune the
balance between foreground and background
exposure for fill flash shots, but it can also be
used to compensate for extremely bright or
dark tones in the subject.
Second-Curtain Sync
Instead of firing the instant the shutter
opens, Second-Curtain Sync fires the flash
at the end of the exposure, allowing streaks
of light to flow naturally behind a moving
subject. This creative flash mode is most
effective with slower shutter speeds and
subjects with light sources, such as the
headlights of a moving car.
Stroboscopic Flash
Stroboscopic flash is a series of flashes fired
in rapid succession during a single exposure.
With stroboscopic flash, multiple images of
a moving subject appear in the photograph.
Using this mode, you can analyze a golf swing
or record the shattering of a windowpane.
(Available with Speedlite 600EX-RT, 580EX II,
Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX, Macro Ring Lite
MR-14EX II, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, and
the built-in flash of the EOS 7D).
LED Light
In a first for Canon
Speedlite flashes,
the 320EX features
a bright, built-in LED
light for illumination
when shooting video
or for use as a
modelling light. With fully charged AA
batteries, the LED light can last for up to
four hours of continuous use.
Flash Release Function
Select Speedlite flash models include a
convenient feature that enables photographers
to release the camera shutter from the remote
flash wirelessly with a 2-second delay. With
EOS DSLR cameras that provide a master
function with remote reception mode, this
feature makes it possible to reposition the
flash with complete freedom – even out of the
camera’s line-of-sight and at some distance
from the camera.
High-Speed Sync — EF 135mm f/2.0L USM lens • f/2 • 1/750 sec.
Taken with MT-24EX and EOS-1v HS
* A-TTL and TTL are not compatible with DSLR cameras. See lens chart for a listing of lenses that supply distance information. ** Ambient exposure cannot be adjusted when the camera is set to Bulb mode or in low-light
situations when the camera is set to Program AE or A-DEP. *** Unlike conventional electronic flash, FP flash output (guide number) decreases as shutter speed increases above normal X-sync speed. **** Flash exposure
compensation can be set with most current Speedlite flashes, and it can also be set with all current EOS cameras other than the EOS Rebel series and EOS Digital Rebel.
†
Not Linked to AF point.
††
Requires EOS body that supports
E-TTL and E-TTL II respectively.
†††
Defaults to TTL in all
conditions except direct flash in the camera’s Program mode.
SLR Compatibility
Camera Model E-TTL
E-TTL II
A-TTL / TTL
EOS-1D X No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS-1Ds Mark III No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS-1D Mark IV No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS 5D Mark III No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS 6D No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS 5D Mark II No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS 7D Mark II / 7D No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS 70D / 60D / 50D / 40D / 30D No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS Rebel T5i / T4i / SL1 / T3i / T5 / T3 / T2i / T1i / XSi / XS
No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS Digital Rebel XTi / XT No Yes
†
Not Possible
EOS-1v / EOS-3 Yes No
4-point/3-zone
EOS ELAN 7ne
Yes Yes
4-point/3-zone
EOS Rebel T2 / T2 Date No Yes Not Possible
EOS Rebel K2 / K2 Date Yes No
4-point/3-zone
Speedlite Compatibility
E-TTL / E-TTL II E-TTL / E-TTL II A-TTL TTL Manual
600EX-RT Yes
††
No Yes
†††
Yes
580EX II Yes
††
No Yes
†††
Yes
430EX II Yes
††
No No Yes
320EX Yes
††
No No Yes
270EX II Yes
††
No No Yes
90EX Yes
††
No No Yes
MR-14EX II / MR-14EX Yes
††
No Yes
†††
Yes
MT-24EX Yes
††
No Yes
†††
Yes
E-TTL II – Available on Canon’s EOS DSLR cameras,
E-TTL II incorporates distance information from
compatible EF lenses (see page 34 for details) for
more versatile flash exposure control. E-TTL II
helps minimize underexposure that can occur
with straight reflections by ignoring sensor areas
that report abnormally high levels. This feature
is useful when shooting a subject with a highly
reflective object in the background, or if the
subject itself is highly reflective. In addition,
because distance information is used in
calculating the flash output level, E-TTL II
prevents overexposure when photographers
lock focus and recompose. For example, with
the EOS 5D Mark III, the ambient light is first
measured using the camera’s 63-zone metering
when the shutter button is pressed. Next,
a pre-flash is fired and the metering sensor
takes readings. The ambient and pre-flash
readings are compared. The metering areas
having small differences are selected as the
main flash exposure areas. Areas with large
discrepancies between ambient and pre-flash
readings are excluded or down-weighted
because they are assumed to contain a highly
Sophisticated Flash Control Modes
E-TTL – In E-TTL (Evaluative Through-The-Lens)
flash exposure control mode, meter readings
are taken through the lens, but not off the focal
plane. Using a pre-flash fired after the shutter
button has been fully depressed – but before
the camera’s reflex mirror goes up – E-TTL uses
the camera’s Evaluative metering sensor to
compare the ambient light values with the light
reflected from the subject by the pre-flash. The
camera then calculates and stores the flash
output required for optimum exposure of the
main subject (as identified by the AF point) and
the background. E-TTL requires the use of
EX-series dedicated Speedlite flashes such
as the 600EX-RT, 580EX II, 430EX II, 320EX,
270EX II, MT-24EX, MR-14EX II or MR-14EX in
combination with a compatible camera.
SPEEDLITE TECHNOLOGY
Integral to the EOS System, Canon Speedlite flashes are the ideal flash source
for EOS cameras. They are technologically advanced to provide perfect exposure
and illumination with just about any subject, yet operation is remarkably simple.
Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, Canon Speedlite flashes can make it easy
to obtain professional results.
Tyler Stableford
Explorer of Light
Never have I used such
a versatile, powerful
Speedlite system as the
600EX-RT Speedlites.
Whether I'm shooting
run-and-gun events or
portraiture on location,
the Speedlites are as
dependable as it gets.
“
”
©Tyler Stableford