Canon 580EX II manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    English A65_00.fm Page 1 Friday, December 1 5, 2006 9:28 AM[...]

  • Page 2

    2 Thank you for purchasing a Canon product. The Canon S peedlite 580EX II is an EO S-dedicated, high-output flash unit automatically compatible with E-TTL II, E-TTL, and TTL autoflash. It can serve as an on-camera flash as well as a master unit or a slave unit in a wireless, multiple-S peedlit e system. It has the same dust- and water-resistance as[...]

  • Page 3

    3 The < 9 > symbol in the text refers to the Select Dial. The < 8 > symbol in the text refers to the Select/Set button. The symbol in the text refers to a Custom Function. The operation procedures in this inst ruction manual assume that both the camera and S peedlite’s power switches are ON. Icons used in the text to indicate the resp[...]

  • Page 4

    4 Nomenclature Flash head/ Wireless transmitter Wireless sensor AF-assist beam emitter (p.49) Mounting foot (p.9) Locking pin (p.9) Contacts External metering sensor (p.30) External power source socket Bracket mounting hole Contact cover PC terminal Catchlight panel (retracted) (p.19) Built-in wide panel (retracted) (p.20) Mini stand pocket Case Mi[...]

  • Page 5

    5 Battery compartment cover (p.8) Battery compartment lock lever (p.8) Mounting foot’s lock lever (p.9) Lock-release button (p.9) Dust- and water-resistant adapter Flash exposure confirmation lamp (p.1 1) LCD panel Bounce angle < D > Flash mode/ Slave setting button (p.1 1, 22, 24/45, 46) * < A > LCD panel illumination/ Custom Functio[...]

  • Page 6

    6 LCD Panel T o illuminate the LCD panel, press the < B > button. The items actually displayed de pend on the cu rrent settings. Flash ratio Slave ID Slave ID underscore Indicator (meters) < V > Flash bounce indicator (Blinks for 7 down) Manual flash output level Flash exposure compensation amount FEB compensation amount < c > Hig[...]

  • Page 7

    7 Getting Started and Basic Operation Installing the Batteries .. ......................... ................. 8 Attaching to the Camera ........................ ................. 9 T urning on the Power Swit ch ................. ............... 10 Fully Automatic Flash Shoo ting ............................. 1 1 Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash i[...]

  • Page 8

    8 Install four size-AA batteries. 1 Open the cover . Use your thumb to press the battery compartment lock lever , then slide it as shown by the arrow c to open the cover . 2 Install the batteries. Make sure the + and – battery contact s are properly oriented as shown in the compartment. 3 Close the cover . Close the battery compartment cover and [...]

  • Page 9

    9 1 Atta ch the Speedlite. Slip the S peedlite’s mounting foot into the camera’s hot shoe all the way . 2 Secure the Speedlite. On the mounting foot, slide the lock lever to the right. X When the lock lever c licks in place, it will be locked. 3 Detach the S peedlite. While pressing the lock-release button, slide the lock lever to the left and [...]

  • Page 10

    10 1 Set the power switch to < K >. X The flash recycling start s. 2 Check that the flash is ready . The pilot lamp will first turn green (ready for quick flash), th en red (flash ready). Pressing the pilot lamp will fire a test flash. Quick flash enables a flash to be fir ed before flash-ready , when the pilot lamp is still green. Although t[...]

  • Page 11

    11 When you set the camera’s shooting mode to < V > (Program AE) or < U > (Full Auto), E-TTL II/E-TTL fully automatic flash will make it as easy as normal AE shooting in the < V > and < U > modes. 1 Set the Speedlite to < a >. Press the < D > button so that < a > is displayed. 2 Focus the subject. Press t[...]

  • Page 12

    12 Just set the camera’s shooting mode to < W > (aperture-priority AE), < X > (shutter-priority AE), or < q > (manual) and you can use E-TTL II/ E-TTL autoflash. If you use the < Z > or < Y > shooting mode, the resu lt will be the same as using the < V > (Program AE) mode. 1/X sec. is the camera’s maximum fla[...]

  • Page 13

    13 Using Flash f Flash Exposure Compen sation ...................... 14 g FEB ................................. ............................... 15 7 : FE Lock ......................... ............................... 16 c High-speed Sync ......... .......................... .......... 17 Bounce Flash.................... .......................... .[...]

  • Page 14

    14 In the same way as normal exposure compensation, you can set exposure compensation for flash. The flash exposure compensation amount can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments. (If the camera’s exposure compensation is in 1/2-stop increment s, flash exposure compensation will be in 1/2-stop increments.) 1 Select < f >. Press the &[...]

  • Page 15

    15 Y ou can take three flash shots while automatically changing the flash output for each shot up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (1/2-stop increments if the camera enables only 1/2-stop increments). This is called FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). 1 Select < g >. Press the < 8 > button so that < g > is displayed. X The < g [...]

  • Page 16

    16 FE (flash exposure) lock locks the co rrect flash exposure setting for any part of the scene. With < a > displayed on the LCD panel, you press the camera’ s < 7 > button. If the camera does not have the < 7 > button, press the < P > button. 1 Focus the subject. 2 Press the < 7 > button. ( 3 ) Aim the subject at th[...]

  • Page 17

    17 With high-speed sync (FP flash), t he flash can synchronize with all shutter speeds. This is convenient when you want to use aperture priority for fill-flash portraits. Select < c >. Press the < E > button so that < c > is displayed. In the viewfinder , check that the < F > icon is displayed. c High-speed Sync If you set [...]

  • Page 18

    18 By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface before illuminating t he subject. This can sof ten shadows behind the subject for a more natural- looking shot. This is called bounce flash. Set the Bounce Direction Hold down the < z > button and turn the flash head. If the flash coverage is set aut[...]

  • Page 19

    19 With the catchlight panel, you can cr eate a catchlight in the subject’s eyes to add life to the facial expression. 1 Point the flash head upward by 90°. 2 Pull out the wide pa nel. X The catchlight panel will come out at the same time. 3 Push the wide pa nel back in. Push in only the wide panel. Follow the same procedure as for bounce flash.[...]

  • Page 20

    20 The flash coverage can be set to match the lens focal length from 24mm to 105mm. The flash coverage can be set automatically or manually . Also, with the built-in wid e panel, the flash coverage can be expanded for 14mm wide-angle lenses. Press the < G > button. T urn the < 9 > dial to change the flash coverage. If < d > is not[...]

  • Page 21

    21 EOS DIGIT AL cameras have one of three image sizes. The lens’ effective focal length will dif fer depending on the camera’s image size. The S peedlite automatically recognizes the EOS DIGIT AL camera’s image size and automatically sets the flash coverage for lens focal lengths from 24mm to 105mm. When the S peedlite is attached to a compat[...]

  • Page 22

    22 Y ou can set the flash output from 1/128 power to 1/1 full power in 1/3- stop increments. Use a hand-held flash meter to deter mine the required flash output to obtain a correct flash exposure. 1 Press the < D > button so that < q > is displayed. 2 Set the flash output. Press the < 8 > button. X The flash output blinks. T urn t[...]

  • Page 23

    23 When the S peedlite is attached to an EOS-1D series camera, you can set the flash level manually for closeup subjects. 1 Set the camera and Speedlite. Set the camera’s shooting mode to < q > or < W >. Set the S peedlite to manual flash. 2 Focus the subject. Focus manually . 3 Set up an 18% gray card. Place the gray card at the subj[...]

  • Page 24

    24 With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to capture multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph. Y ou can set the firing frequency (number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz), the number of flashes, and the flash output. 1 Press the < D > button so that < p > is displayed. 2 Select t[...]

  • Page 25

    25 If the number of flashes is displayed as - -, the maxi mum number of flashes will be as shown by the table below re gardless of the firing frequency . Maximum Stroboscopic Flashes Hz Flash Output 12345 6 - 7 8 - 9 1/4 7654433 1/8 14 14 12 10 8 6 5 1/16 30 30 30 20 20 20 10 1/32 60 60 60 50 50 40 30 1/64 90 90 90 80 80 70 60 1/128 100 100 100 100[...]

  • Page 26

    26 With a slow shutter speed, you can create a light trail following the subject. The flash fires right before the shutter closes. Press the < E > button so that < r > is displayed. r Second-Curtain Sync Second-curtain sync work s well in the camera’ s “ buLb ” mode. T o return to normal flash, press the < E > button again. [...]

  • Page 27

    27 Y ou can customize S peedlite features to suit your shooting preferences. Y ou do this with Custom Functions. C : Setting Custom Functions Custom Function No. Function Setting No. Settings & Description Reference pag e C.Fn-00 Distance indicator display 0 Meters (m) - 1 Feet (ft) - C.Fn-01 Auto power off 0 Enabled p.10 1 Disabled C.Fn-02 Mod[...]

  • Page 28

    28 1 Hold down the < A > button until < u > is displayed. 2 Select the Custom Function No. T urn the < 9 > dial to set the Custom Function No. 3 Change the setting. Press the < 8 > button. X The Custom Function No. blinks. X T urn the < 9 > dial to set the desired number , then press the < 8 > button. X After you[...]

  • Page 29

    29 C.Fn-02-3: Convenient when you want to check the depth of field. (p.44) C.Fn-12: If an external power source is used, the flash recycling is powered concurrently by the in ternal batteries and external power source. In this case, when the internal batteries become exhausted first, shooting might not be possible. If 1 is set, the flash recycling [...]

  • Page 30

    30 The flash reflected off the subject is metered by an external metering sensor in real time. When the standar d flash exposure is attained, the flash output is cutoff automatically . Auto external metering compatible with the EOS-1D Mark III and manual ex ternal metering compatible with all EOS cameras are provided. Set auto external metering. Se[...]

  • Page 31

    31 3 Set the Speedlite to the camera’ s aperture setting. Press the < 8 > button so the aperture setting blinks. T urn the < 9 > dial to set the aperture, then press the < 8 > button. After completing the settings, press the shutter button halfway . The ef fective flash range will be displayed on the S peedlite’s LCD panel. Wi[...]

  • Page 32

    32 If the S peedlite is attached to an EO S camera which has a S peedlite control function, it can control the S peedlite as shown below . For the menu operation procedure, refer to your camera’s instruction manual. Setting Speedlite functions The settable functions will vary depending on the flash mode. · Flash mode · Shutter sync (1st/2nd cur[...]

  • Page 33

    33 Wireless Flash About Wireless Flash.... ......................... ............... 34 Wireless Settings .......... ......................... ............... 36 Fully Automatic Wireless Flash ............................ 37 Flash Ratio with E-TTL II ....................... ............... 41 Setting the Flash Output fo r Each Slave .............. [...]

  • Page 34

    34 With multiple Canon S peedlites havi ng the wireless flash feature, you can create various lighting effect s with the same ease as using normal E-TTL II autoflash. The settings you input with the 580EX II (master unit) attached to the camera are also automatically transmitted to the slave units which are controlled by the master unit via wireles[...]

  • Page 35

    35 Y ou can create two or three slave groups and set the flash ratio for E- TTL II autoflash shooting (p.41 - 45). Wireless flash with two slave groups (p.41) Wireless flash with three slave groups (p.43) Multi-Speedlite, Wireless Lighting Configurations 80 o 10m A B 15m (32.8ft.) (49.2ft.) 8m (26.2ft.) 12m (39.4ft.) Indoors Outdoors 80 o 10m A B C[...]

  • Page 36

    36 Y ou can switch between normal fl ash and wireless flash. For normal shooting, be sure to set the wireless setting to OFF . 1 Press the < H > button for 2 sec. or longer until the display blinks as shown on the lef t. 2 Set it as the master unit. T urn the < 9 > dial until < M > blinks, then press the < 8 > button. X <[...]

  • Page 37

    37 This method has all the S peedlites fi re at the same flash output with E- TTL II autoflash controlling the total flash output. 1 Set the camera-att ached 580EX II as the master unit. 2 Set the other 580EX II Speedlites(s) as the wireless slave unit(s). 3 Check the communication channel. If the master unit and slave unit(s) are set to a differen[...]

  • Page 38

    38 7 Check the flash operation. Press the master unit’s test firing button. X The slave unit will fire. If the flash does not fire, adjust the slave unit’s angle toward the master unit and distance from the master unit. 8 Set the camera and shoot. Set the camera in the same way as with normal flash shooting. Use the mini stand (tripod socket pr[...]

  • Page 39

    39 The slave unit’s auto power of f time can be changed. (C.Fn-10 → p.27) The time during which the slave unit’s auto power off ca n be canceled by the master unit can be changed. (C.Fn-1 1 → p.27) Y ou can disable the master unit from fi ring so that only the slave unit(s) will fire a flash. 1 Press the < G > button so that the displ[...]

  • Page 40

    40 Flash exposure compensation and other settings set with the master unit will also be automatically set in the slave units. Thus, you need not operate the slave unit(s). Wireless flash with the following settings can be done in the same way as with normal flash shooting. · Flash exposure compensation · FEB · High-speed sync (FP flash) · Manua[...]

  • Page 41

    41 With one master unit and one slave unit or two slave groups, you can set the flash ratio for E- TTL II autoflash shooting. The example below has two slave units and the master unit disabled from firing. T wo slave units can be assigned to di f ferent slave groups by setting the slave ID. 1 Set the wireless mode to < x >. (p.36) 2 Press the[...]

  • Page 42

    42 3 Set the slave ID. Press the < 8 > button. X Slave ID < 1 > will be set. For the other slave unit, do steps 1 and 2, turn the < 9 > dial to select < 2 >, then press the < 8 > button. Slave ID < 2 > will be set. 1 Set the wireless mode to < M >. (p.36) 2 Disable the master unit’ s flash firing. (p.39) [...]

  • Page 43

    43 Y ou can have slave groups A and B and al so add slave group C. Y ou can use slave groups A and B to obtain the st andard flash exposure of the subject, and slave group C to illuminate th e background to eliminate shadows. 1 Set the slave unit s. See “Setting the Slave Units” on page 41 to set the slave unit’s ID to < 1 >, < 2 >[...]

  • Page 44

    44 2 Set the master unit and shoot. Follow “Setting the Master Unit and Shooting” on page 42. In step 4, select < k >. If the camera has a depth-of-field preview button, pressing it will fire the flash continuously for 1 sec. Th is is called the modeling flash. It enables you to see the shadow ef fects on the subject and the lighting bala[...]

  • Page 45

    45 With manual flash and multiple S peed lites, you can set a different flash output for each slave unit. All settings are done with the master unit. 1 Press the < D > button so that < q > is displayed. 2 Press the < G > button so that < y > blinks. 3 Select the flash ratio. T urn the < 9 > dial to select < l > o[...]

  • Page 46

    46 Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with the slave unit. As with studio flash units, you ca n set the flash output individually with the slave units for wireless or manual flash. Hold down the < D > button for 2 sec. or more. X < q > will blink. Set the manual flash output (p.22). Hold down the < D > button f[...]

  • Page 47

    47 Reference 580EX II System ............... .......................... .......... 48 T roubleshooting Guide ..... .......................... .......... 50 S pecifications ............................................. .......... 52 Using a T ype-B Camera ... .......................... .......... 55 A65_04.fm Page 47 Thursday, Novembe r 23, 2006 1:2[...]

  • Page 48

    48 c Speedlite 580EX II (On-camera/Master unit) d Speedlite T ransmitter ST-E2 Dedicated transmitter for wireless control of 580EX II/430EX set as slave units. e Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 Compact, lightweight, and portable ex ternal power p ack. Provides the same level of dust- and water -resistance as the 580EX II. It uses eight size-AA alkaline [...]

  • Page 49

    49 When the flash fires, the color temper ature information is transmitted to the EOS DIGIT AL camera. This feature optimizes the flash picture’s white balance. When the camera’s white balance is set to < A > or < Q >, it will work automatically . T o see if this feature works with your camera, see “White Balance” under “S pec[...]

  • Page 50

    50 If there is a problem, refer to this T roubleshooting Guide. The batteries are installed in the wrong orient ation. X Install the batteries in the correct orientation. (p.8) The Speedlite’ s internal batteries are exhausted. X If the flash recycling time takes 30 sec. or longer , replace the batteries. (p.8) X Install the S peedlite’ s inter[...]

  • Page 51

    51 The Speedlite is not att ached securely to the camera. X Attach the S peedlite’ s mounting fo ot securely to the camera. (p. 9 ) The flash head has been tilted down by 7°. X Change the bounce position. (p.19) When you set the flash coverage manually , th e setting was a higher number than the lens focal length , resulting in a dark periphery [...]

  • Page 52

    52 •T y p e T ype: On-camera, E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash S peedlite Compatible cameras: T ype-A EOS cameras (E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash) T ype-B EOS cameras (TTL autoflash) Guide No.: 58/190 (at 105mm focal length, ISO 100 in meters/feet) Flash coverage: 24 - 105mm (14mm with wide panel) · Auto zoom (Flash coverage set automatically to match the[...]

  • Page 53

    53 • Wireless Flash Transmission method: Optical pulse Channels: 4 Wireless options: OFF , Master , and Slave T ransmission range (Approx.) : Indoors: 12 - 15 m / 39.4 - 49.2 ft., Outdoors: 8 - 10 m / 26.2 - 32.8 ft. Master unit reception angle: ±40° horizontal, ±30° vertical Controllable slave groups: 3 (A, B, and C) Flash ratio control: 1:8[...]

  • Page 54

    54 Guide No. (at ISO 100, in meters/feet) Normal Flash (Full Output) and Quick Flash Flash Coverage (mm) 14 24 28 35 50 70 80 105 Normal Flash (Full output) 15/ 49.2 28/ 91.9 30/ 98.4 36/ 11 8 . 1 42/ 137.8 50/ 164 53/ 173.9 58/ 190.3 Quick Flash Same as 1/2 to 1/6 manual flash output Manual Flash Flash Output Flash Coverage (mm) 14 24 28 35 50 70 [...]

  • Page 55

    55 If you use the 580EX II with a T ype-B camera (TTL autoflash camera), note the available features and restrictions below . When a T ype-B camera is used with the 580EX II set to autoflash, < b > will be displayed on the S peedlit e’s LCD panel. (With a T ype-A camera, < a > will be displayed.) Features A vailable wi th T ype-B Came[...]

  • Page 56

    56 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1 ) This device may not ca use harmful interference, and (2) this device mu st accept any interference received, including interference that may ca use undesired operation. Do not make any changes or modificati ons to the equipment unless o[...]

  • Page 57

    57 The apparatus shall no t be exposed to dri pping or splashing. Batteries shall not be exposed to excess ive heat such as su nshine, fire or the like. Dry batteries shall not be subjected to charging. This mark indicates that the prod uct complies with Australia’s EMC regulations. European Union (and EEA) only . This symbol indicates that this [...]

  • Page 58

    This Instructions bookle t is dated Februar y 2007. For info rmation on the camera’s compatibility with system access ories marketed after this date, cont act your nearest Canon Service Center . A65_04.fm Page 58 Monday, December 18, 2006 2:47 PM[...]