Canon 550EX manual

E E English Edition INSTRUCTIONS This Instructions booklet is dated April 2000. F or information on the camera’ s compatibility with system accessories marketed after this date, contact your nearest Canon Service Center. CANON INC. 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, T okyo 146-8501, Japan U.S .A. CANON U.S.A. INC. For all inquiries concerning th[...]

2 K ey to Symbols : W ar ning for pre v enting camera or Speedlite malfunction. : Supplementar y notes f or basic operation. : Helpful tip f or Speedlite operation or picture taking. • K eep this Instructions booklet handy for future ref erence. Thank y ou for pur chasing a Canon pr oduct. The Canon Speedlite 550EX is a powerful, high-output flas[...]

Con ventions Used in this Booklet The Instructions are divided into separate sections for Type-A and Type-B cameras. If you have a Type-A camera, see pages 10 to 76 and 112 to 125. If you have a Type-B camera, see pages 10 to 22 and 77 to 125. ● The Speedlite operation procedures assume that the Speedlite 550EX has been turned on with its main sw[...]

Contents 4 Before Y ou Start Basic Flash Photography Adv anced Flash Photography Wireless Flash Photography Basic Flash Photography Adv anced Flash Photography Wireless Flash Photography Nomenclature .........................................6 1. Installing Batteries ..........................10 2. External Power Sources ................12 3. Attach[...]

• For Type-A cameras, see pages 10 to 76 and 112 to 125. • For Type-B cameras, see pages 10 to 22 and 77 to 125. 5 [2] Wireless E-TTL Autoflash ....60 1. Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF .......................60 2. Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON .........................63 [3] Wireless Manual Flash ....71 1. Wireless[...]

Nomenc lature ● Front 6 Flash head and transmitter Built-in Wide Panel (retracted) (page 20, 42) External power source socket Locking collar (page 13) Electrical contacts Battery compartment cover (page 10) * The battery compartment has a switch to display the distance in feet or meters on the LCD panel. Sensor AF-assist beam emitter (page 22) Mo[...]

Nomenclature ● Rear 7 Buttons marked with an asterisk remain active for 8 sec. after the button is released. LCD panel illumination with the < > button remains on for 12 sec. < > Horizontal bounce release button (page 40, 90) PUSH When these two buttons are pressed simultaneously, the setting changes in the following loop: * < >[...]

Nomenclature ● LCD P anel 8 Manual flash output display Flash exposure compensation display Flash exposure bracketing (FEB) display High-speed sync (FP flash) icon FEB icon / Autoflash icon Flash exposure compensation icon Manual flash icon Multi (stroboscopic) flash icon / Custom Function icon Flash range scale Flash ratio scale Wireless icon Ma[...]

9 Bef ore Y ou Star t This chapter is for preparing the Speedlite 550EX for actual operation. 02. F073-E (9~) 02.4.1 2:08 PM Page 9[...]

1. Installing Batteries Speedlite 550EX requires one of the following two types of batteries: (1) Size-AA alkaline batteries × 4 (2) Size-AA nickel-hydride batteries × 4 Slide the battery compartment cover as shown by the arrow and flip it up. Insert the batteries with the + and – contacts oriented as shown in the battery compartment. 10 Close [...]

Installing Batteries Rechar ging Time and A vailab le Flashes • The minimum recycling time applies in the E-TTL or TTL mode while the maximum recycling time applies in the manual or full-output (1/1) mode. • The minimum flash count applies in the manual or full-output (1/1) mode while the maximum flash count applies in the E-TTL or TTL mode. ?[...]

2. External P ower Sources Speedlite 550EX can use any of the following two external power sources. For details, refer to the Instructions of the respective external power source. (1) Transistor Pack E Uses Canon Battery Magazine TP (six size-C alkaline batteries) or Ni-Cd Pack TP. (2) Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 Uses six size-AA alkaline or nickel-[...]

3. Attaching the Speedlite to the Camera Loosen the locking collar by turning it as shown by the arrow. Slip the Speedlite ’ s mounting foot into the camera ’ s hot shoe until it stops. Turn the locking collar as shown by the arrow and tighten. (The mounting foot ’ s locking pin will extend into the hot shoe.) • To detach the Speedlite, tur[...]

4. Wireless Selector The wireless selector has three settings as shown below. Set to OFF to use the 550EX as a normal, on-camera Speedlite. Set to MASTER to use the 550EX as the master unit in a wireless, multi-Speedlite system. 14 Set to SLAVE to use the 550EX as a slave unit in a wireless, multi-Speedlite system. 02. F073-E (9~) 02.4.1 2:08 PM Pa[...]

Wireless Selector 15 If the 550EX is to be used as a normal, on-camera Speedlite but the wireless selector has been set to or , the following applies: : If master flash ON has also been set, it will be the same as using the Speedlite at the wireless selector ’ s OFF setting. If master flash OFF has been set, a picture cannot be taken. : It will b[...]

5. Main Switch The main switch has three settings as shown below. Turns off the power. Turns on the power. 16 Turns on the power and enables the SE mode. • The SE (Save Energy) mode turns off the Speedlite automatically after a period of non-use as indicated in the following table. • When the wireless selector is set to or and the SE mode takes[...]

6. Pilot Lamp and T est Firing Set the Speedlite ’ s main switch to . • The flash will start charging. When the flash is ready, the pilot lamp lights. ● Red pilot lamp When the flash is fully charged, the pilot lamp lights in red. For normal use, confirm that the pilot lamp is red before taking the picture. ● Yellow pilot lamp When the came[...]

8. Using the Zoom Button and Wide P anel 7. Flash Exposure Confirmation When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp on the back of the Speedlite lights in yellow-green for 3 sec. If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after the flash fires, the picture may have been underexposed. Move closer[...]

Using the Zoom Button and Wide Panel ● A utomatic Flash Head Zooming Turn on the camera. Turn on the Speedlite. • If is displayed, press the < > button until turns off. Press the camera ’ s shutter button halfway. The current lens focal length will appear on the Speedlite ’ s LCD panel. ● Manual Flash Head Zooming 19 Press the < [...]

Using the Zoom Button and Wide Panel ● Using the Wide P anel PUSH Pull out the built-in wide panel and flip it down to cover the flash head. The flash head ’ s zoom setting will be set to 17mm automatically. • Using the wide panel disables the < > button. • Use the wide panel with flash head at the normal or 7 ° downward tilt positio[...]

9. Flash Mode The following flash modes can be set with the < > button: E-TTL (or TTL) autoflash, manual flash, and stroboscopic flash. Pressing the < > button changes the flash mode in the following loop: The film speed is set automatically according to the film speed set with the camera. 21 Press the < > button to illuminate the[...]

12. AF-Assist Beam In low-light or low-contrast situations, the Speedlite emits the AF-assist beam automatically to assist autofocusing. The AF-assist beam is compatible with the AF of all EOS cameras. The AF-assist beam is effective with 28mm and longer lenses. Its effective range in darkness is indicated in the table below. See page 123 for detai[...]

23 For T ype-A Cameras Basic Flash Photograph y When the Speedlite 550EX is attached to a Type-A camera such as the EOS- 3, you can take flash pictures with E-TTL autoflash as easily as normal autoexposure (AE) pictures. As with evaluative metering, the E-TTL autoflash system uses a multi-zone sensor. A preflash is fired for evaluative flash meteri[...]

1. Using Flash in Full A uto Mode Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to P (Program AE) or (Full Auto). Flash photography will then be as easy as normal AE photography. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically to suit a wide variety of lighting conditions including outdoor fill flash. The E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash[...]

Using Flash in Full Auto Mode After the flash fires, check that the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights. When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for about 3 sec. If the lamp does not light, the flash may have been insufficient, resulting in underexposure. In such a case, check that the pilot [...]

2. Using Flash in Other Camera Modes Flash photography is also automatic in the other picture-taking modes. In the Av (aperture-priority AE), Tv (shutter speed-priority AE), and M modes, the E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash exposure automatically. The camera sets the necessary shutter speed (in the Av mode), aperture (in the Tv mode), or flash[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (1) A v: Aperture-Priority AE and E-TTL Autoflash This mode is effective for controlling the depth of field in your flash pictures. You can also obtain a balanced exposure between the subject and background. You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically to obtain a correct exposure for th[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes ● Balanced Flash Exposures In low-light situations, the exposure level can be balanced between the subject and background by using a slow sync speed. You can obtain balanced flash exposures automatically by setting the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av . The camera then sets the sync speed automatically to sui[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (2) Tv: Shutter Speed-Priority AE and E-TTL A utoflash By selecting the shutter speed, you can obtain various effects with flash. You can set the shutter speed from 30 sec. to the top sync speed. The camera then sets the aperture automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the background. The E-TTL autoflash sys[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (3) M: Manual Exposure and E-TTL A utoflash In this mode, you set both the shutter speed and aperture. The E-TTL autoflash system controls the flash exposure based on the the aperture you set. Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to M and set the desired aperture and shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec. to the top[...]

31 For T ype-A Cameras Ad vanced Flash Photograph y This section explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX. It contains the following: 1. High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) (page 32) 2. FE Lock (page 34) 3. Flash Exposure Compensation (page 36) 4. FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) (page 38) 5. Bounce Flash (page 40) 6. Close-Distan[...]

1. High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) When you set the synchronization mode to high-speed sync (FP flash), the camera can synchronize with the 550EX at all shutter speeds. When high- speed sync has been set, is displayed in the viewfinder. • High-speed sync can be used in the E-TTL and M flash modes. • High-speed sync is especially effective for fill-f[...]

High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 33 5 With normal flash. With high-speed sync. • With high-speed sync, the Guide No. changes depending on the shutter speed (see page 121). The faster the shutter speed, the shorter the flash range will be. Check the current flash range on the 550[...]

2. FE Loc k You can use FE (flash exposure) lock with Type-A cameras. This is the flash version of AE lock. With FE lock, you use spot metering to obtain the correct flash exposure reading for a specific part of the subject. • FE lock works with E-TTL and high-speed sync (FP flash). Select a picture-taking mode with the camera. Focus the subject.[...]

FE Lock Check the flash exposure level in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 35 6 • If the subject is too far away to obtain a correct flash exposure, will blink in the viewfinder. Either move closer to the subject or use a larger aperture (smaller f- number) and try again. • FE lock cannot be used if the 550EX is set to the M (Manual) flas[...]

3. Flash Exposure Compensation Flash exposure compensation with the 550EX can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increments with some cameras). You can also use flash exposure compensation in combination with normal exposure compensation (to control the background’s exposure level) in a flash picture. Press the < > b[...]

Effect on exposure of each type of compensation Flash Exposure Compensation Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 37 5 6 • Flash exposure compensation set with the 550EX overrides any flash exposure compensation set wi[...]

4. FEB (Flash Exposure Brac keting) With FEB, you can obtain bracketed flash shots of the subject while the background exposure level remains the same. Three bracketed flash shots can be taken: Correct exposure, decreased exposure, and increased exposure. The three shots can be bracketed up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increment[...]

FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. Take the remaining two bracketed shots. (If necessary, repeat steps 4 to 6.) 39 5 6 7 Correct exposure. Decreased exposure by 1 stop. Increased exposure by [...]

5. Bounce Flash With direct, frontal flash, harsh shadows are usually created in the background behind the subject. This can be avoided by bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling. Bounce flash also gives softer lighting effects. To turn the flash head, press the < > button. To tilt the flash head, press the < > button. Turn and/[...]

Bounce Flash Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. • If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after you take the picture, use a larger aperture (smaller f-number) and try again. 41 4 With bounce flash. Without bounce flash. Bounce the flash on a plain, white, reflective surface. If a colored surf[...]

Bounce Flash ● Creating a Catchlight A catchlight is a reflection of the flash in the subject’s eyes. A catchlight in the eyes makes the subject look more lively. For portraits, you can easily create a catchlight with the 550EX. Tilt the flash head upward all the way by 90˚. Extend the built-in wide panel until it clicks in place as shown in t[...]

6. Close-Distance Flash Photograph y The flash head can be tilted downward by 7°. This position enables the flash to better illuminate the lower part of a subject that is close to the camera. Press the < > button and tilt the flash head downward until it stops. The icon will blink on the LCD panel. • This flash head position is effective o[...]

7. Manual Flash Mode In the manual flash mode, you can set the flash output from 1/1 (full) to 1/128 power in full-stop increments. • To prevent overheating and deterioration of the flash head, observe the following limits for continuous shooting with flash: (1) At 1/1 or 1/2 output: Max. 15 continuous flash shots. (2) At 1/4 or 1/8 output: Max. [...]

Manual Flash Mode Press the < > or < > button to set the desired flash output. • Each time the button is pressed, the flash output changes by one stop. Press the < > button again. The manual flash output display will stop blinking and remain displayed. Focus the subject. • When you press the shutter button halfway, focus will [...]

8. Str oboscopic Flash With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to record multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph for later study. You can set the firing frequency (the number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz) from 1 Hz to 199 Hz. The firing frequency can be set in 1-Hz increments from 1 Hz t[...]

Stroboscopic Flash Press the < > button to select the firing frequency, flash count, or flash output display. When selected, the respective item blinks on the LCD panel to indicate that it can be altered. Pressing the < > button changes the blinking item in the following loop: Press the < > or < > button to set the desired v[...]

Stroboscopic Flash Use the following formula to calculate the required shutter speed. Flash count ÷ Firing frequency = Shutter speed Example: If the flash count is 10 and the firing frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed will have to be at least 2 sec. 10 ÷ 5 = 2 • If the flash count display is , the flash will keep firing until the shutter speed[...]

9. Second-Cur tain Synchr onization Normally, the flash fires in synchronization with the first shutter curtain when the shutter is fully open. With second-curtain synchronization, the flash fires immediately before the second shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure. With second-curtain synchronization and a slow shutter speed, you can cr[...]

10. Modeling Flash When the 550EX is used with the EOS-1D, 1V, 3, D60, D30, ELAN 7/7E, and 30/33, a modeling flash can be fired so you can check the lighting and shadow effects before you take the picture. Set the desired flash photography settings with the camera and 550EX. Press the camera’s depth-of-field preview button. • The aperture will [...]

51 For T ype-A Cameras Wireless Flash Photograph y This section covers wireless flash photography with the 550EX. It explains the 550EX’s built-in master and slave flash features. 550EX Wireless Flash Features • A wireless flash system with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used as easily as a single, on-camera Speedlite 550EX. • Up to three 5[...]

[1] Wireless System Setup and T esting The wireless flash system can be setup in one of two ways: 1 With a 550EX set as the master unit and one or more 550EXs set as slave units. 2 With Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 (sold separately) used as the master unit and one or more 550EXs set as slave units. This section describes the procedure for the former[...]

2. Setting the 550EX as a Slave Unit Set the wireless selector to on the 550EX to be used as a slave unit. A 550EX set in this way is called a “slave unit.” • The slave unit’s flash head zoom setting is set automatically to . 53 You can change the slave unit’s flash head zoom setting manually with the button. 05. F073-E (51~) 02.4.1 2:12 [...]

To set the slave unit’s channel No., press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: 3. Setting the Master/Slave Channel To prevent your master unit from firing another photographer’s slave units, four channels are provided to differentiate your slave units from unrelated on[...]

Setting the Master/Slave Channel Press the < > or < > button to set the same channel No. (1, 2, 3, or 4) as the master unit’s. Press the < > button. • The icon and channel No. will be displayed. 55 5 6 If the master unit and slave unit(s) are not set to the same channel No., the master unit will be unable to trigger the slave [...]

4. Setting the Slave ID With multiple slave units, a slave ID can be assigned to distinguish a slave unit as being the main flash or fill flash. A flash ratio can thereby be set. Three slave IDs are available: A, B, and C. To set a slave unit’s slave ID, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selecti[...]

5. Master Flash ON/OFF The master unit’s flash firing can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). (1) ( ) : This setting enables the master unit to fire a flash. • This setting is called “Master flash ON.” • This setting automatically sets the master unit’s slave ID to A. (2) ( ) : This setting (Master flash OFF) prevents the master unit fro[...]

6. Wireless Flash Range After the master and slave units have been set, position them within the wireless flash range shown below. 58 • Use the mini stand (provided) for the slave unit(s). The mini stand also has a tripod socket. • Use the bounce feature to turn the body of the slave unit so that the sensor is exposed to the master unit. • Fo[...]

Wireless Flash Range Check that the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and that the slave unit(s) are recharged and ready. • When a slave unit is ready, its AF-assist beam blinks once per second. Press the master unit’s pilot lamp (test firing button) to fire a test flash. • When the wireless transmission works, the slave units fire at 1/64 ou[...]

[2] Wireless E-TTL A utoflash Wireless E-TTL autoflash with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used in one of two ways: (1) OFF : All slave units fire at the same flash output. (2) ON : Slave units with different slave IDs (A, B, or C) can be fired at different flash outputs to produce a flash ratio. • A flash ratio can be set only with the EOS-1D,[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF Check for the following icons on the master unit’s LCD panel: • displayed • not displayed • displayed Make sure the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and the slave units are ready. Press the pilot lamp to test the wireless transmission. Focus the subject and take the picture. ● Master Flash OF[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF Check for the following icons on the master unit’s LCD panel: • displayed • not displayed • displayed Make sure the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and the slave units are ready. Press the pilot lamp to test the wireless transmission. Focus the subject and take the picture. 62 1 2 3 4 • The [...]

2. Wireless E-TTL A utoflash With Flash Ratio ON As shown in the figure below, the wireless E-TTL autoflash system described as an example consists of a master unit set to master flash OFF and two slave units. • The slave ID of the slave unit on the camera’s left is A. • The slave ID of the slave unit on the camera’s right is B. • Master [...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON On the master unit, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to select ON A:B. • ON A:B will blink. Press the < > button again. • A:B and (flash ratio bar) will blink. • In the left figure[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button to register the flash ratio. • The flash ratio bar stops blinking and remains displayed. • To indicate that a flash ratio has been set, A:B will remain displayed on the master unit’s LCD panel. Follow the basic procedure for wireless E-TTL autoflash picture- taking on pag[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON ● Setting the Flash Ratio for Three Sla ve Units: A, B and C With three wireless slave units, slave unit A is the main flash, slave unit B is the fill flash, and slave unit C is a supplemental flash. Thus, slave units A and B serve to illuminate the subject for a proper exposure while slave unit C illu[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON The following wireless E-TTL autoflash procedure is for a master unit with three slave units. This procedure sets the A:B flash ratio and the flash exposure compensation amount for slave unit C. • The flash ratio range for A:B is the same as when only two slave units are used. • Flash exposure compen[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button. • A:B and (flash ratio bar) will blink. Press the < > or < > button to set the A:B flash ratio. • Press the < > button to move the flash ratio bar to the left, or press the < > button to move it to the right on the flash ratio scale. Press the < [...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button to register the setting. • The flash ratio bar and A:B:C remain displayed. • To change the flash exposure compensation amount, repeat steps 8 to 10. Follow the basic procedure for wireless E-TTL autoflash on page 60 and take the picture. ● Slave Gr oups Multiple slave uni[...]

Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON ● Wireless High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) After setting up the wireless flash system with one or more slave units, you can enable wireless high-speed sync by setting on the master unit. • You need not touch any controls on the slave units. • The procedure for setting wireless high-speed sync is the sam[...]

[3] Wireless Manual Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can manually set the slave unit’s flash output with the master unit. The flash output can be uniform or varied among the slave units. To determine the proper flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter. On the master unit, press the < > button and select M . Press the[...]

2. Wireless Manual Flash With V aried Flash Output You can set a different flash output for each slave unit (A, B, and C) as follows. On the master unit, press the < > button and select M . Press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to selec[...]

Wireless Manual Flash With Varied Flash Output Press the < > or < > button to set the flash output for B . Press the < > button. • C and the flash output display will blink. Press the < > or < > button to set the flash output for C . Press the < > button to register the settings. 73 After setting up the wireles[...]

[5] Manual or Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with a slave unit. The setting is independent from the master unit. The master unit just triggers the slave unit which fires according to its own independent (manual or stroboscopic flash) setting. This feature can be used in the following sit[...]

2. Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit • While M is blinking, press the < > button. will then start blinking. • To set the stroboscopic flash, see page 46. 75 To determine the proper exposure, take test shots and experiment. Pressing the < > button while is blinking will cancel the slave unit’s independent setting. Set it back t[...]

● Speedlite T ransmitter ST -E2 (Sold separately) Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 serves as the master unit for wireless Speedlite 550EX control. It can control up to two slave unit groups (A and B). It is attached directly to the camera’s hot shoe. As a master unit, the differences between the 550EX and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 are listed below[...]

77 For T ype-B Cameras Basic Flash Photograph y When the Speedlite 550EX is attached to a Type-B camera such as the EOS- 1N, you can take flash pictures with TTL autoflash as easily as normal autoexposure (AE) pictures. Flash photography can be fully automatic—all you do is press the shutter button. Or you can set the desired shutter speed and ap[...]

1. Using Flash in Full A uto Mode Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to P (Program AE) or (Full Auto). Flash photography will then be as easy as normal AE photography. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically to suit a wide variety of lighting conditions including outdoor fill flash. The E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash[...]

Using Flash in Full Auto Mode After the flash fires, check that the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights. When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for about 3 sec. If the lamp does not light, the flash may have been insufficient, resulting in underexposure. In such a case, check that the pilot [...]

2. Using Flash in Other Camera Modes Flash photography is also automatic in the other picture-taking modes. In the Av (aperture-priority AE), Tv (shutter speed-priority AE), and M modes, the TTL autoflash system sets the flash exposure automatically. The camera sets the necessary shutter speed (in the Av mode), aperture (in the Tv mode), or flash o[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (1) A v: Aperture-Priority AE and TTL Autoflash This mode is effective for controlling the depth of field in your flash pictures. You can also obtain a balanced exposure between the subject and background. You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the [...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes ● Balanced Flash Exposures In low-light situations, the exposure level can be balanced between the subject and background by using a slow sync speed. You can obtain balanced flash exposures automatically by setting the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av. The camera then sets the sync speed automatically to suit[...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (2) Tv: Shutter Speed-Priority AE and TTL A utoflash By selecting the shutter speed, you can obtain various effects with flash. You can set the shutter speed from 30 sec. to the top sync speed. The camera then sets the aperture automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the background. The TTL autoflash system [...]

Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (3) M: Manual Exposure and TTL A utoflash In this mode, you set both the shutter speed and aperture. The TTL autoflash system controls the flash exposure based on the aperture you set. Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to M and set the desired aperture and shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec. to the top sync sp[...]

85 For T ype-B Cameras Ad vanced Flash Photograph y This section explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX. It contains the following: 1. Flash Exposure Compensation (page 86) 2. FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) (page 88) 3. Bounce Flash (page 90) 4. Close-Distance Flash Photography (page 92) 5. Manual Flash Mode (page 93)[...]

1. Flash Exposure Compensation Flash exposure compensation with the 550EX can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increments with some cameras). You can also use flash exposure compensation in combination with normal exposure compensation (to control the background’s exposure level) in a flash picture. Press the < > b[...]

Flash Exposure Compensation Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 87 5 6 • Flash exposure compensation set with the 550EX overrides any flash exposure compensation set with the camera. • If the subject is small and t[...]

2. FEB (Flash Exposure Brac keting) With FEB, you can obtain bracketed flash shots of the subject while the background exposure level remains the same. Three bracketed flash shots can be taken: Correct exposure, decreased exposure, and increased exposure. The three shots can be bracketed up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increment[...]

FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. Take the remaining two bracketed shots. (If necessary, repeat steps 4 to 6.) 89 5 6 7 Correct exposure. Decreased exposure by 1 stop. Increased exposu[...]

3. Bounce Flash With direct, frontal flash, harsh shadows are usually created in the background behind the subject. This can be avoided by bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling. Bounce flash also gives softer lighting effects. To turn the flash head, press the < > button. To tilt the flash head, press the < > button. Turn and/[...]

Bounce Flash Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. • If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after you take the picture, use a larger aperture (smaller f-number) and try again. 91 4 With bounce flash. Without bounce flash. Bounce the flash on a plain, white, reflective surface. If a colored surf[...]

92 4. Close-Distance Flash Photograph y The flash head can be tilted downward by 7°. This position enables the flash to better illuminate the lower part of a subject that is close to the camera. Press the < > button and tilt the flash head downward until it stops. The icon will blink on the LCD panel. • This flash head position is effectiv[...]

Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av or M . Press the 550EX’s < > button and select M . • Pressing the < > button changes the flash mode in the following loop: 93 Press the < > button. • The manual flash output display blinks. 5. Manual Flash Mode In the manual flash mode, you can set the flash output from 1/1 (full)[...]

Check the flash range on the LCD panel. If the flash range does not match the focusing distance, change the aperture until it does match. • You can also change the flash output until the flash range matches the focusing distance. Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 94 Manual Flash Mode Press the < > or[...]

95 6. Str oboscopic Flash With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to record multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph for later study. You can set the firing frequency (the number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz) from 1 Hz to 199 Hz. The firing frequency can be set in 1-Hz increments from 1 H[...]

Press the < > button to select the firing frequency, flash count, or flash output display. When selected, the respective item blinks on the LCD panel to indicate that it can be altered. Pressing the < > button changes the blinking item in the following loop: 96 Stroboscopic Flash Press the < > or < > button to set the desire[...]

97 Stroboscopic Flash Use the following formula to calculate the required shutter speed. Flash count ÷ Firing frequency = Shutter speed Example: If the flash count is 10 and the firing frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed will have to be at least 2 sec. 10 ÷ 5 = 2 • If the flash count display is , the flash will keep firing until the shutter sp[...]

98 7. Second-Cur tain Synchr onization Normally, the flash fires in synchronization with the first shutter curtain when the shutter is fully open. With second-curtain synchronization, the flash fires immediately before the second shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure. With second-curtain synchronization and a slow shutter speed, you can[...]

99 For T ype-B Cameras Wireless Flash Photograph y This section covers wireless flash photography with the 550EX. It explains the 550EX’s built-in master and slave flash features. A wireless flash system with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used as easily as a single, on-camera Speedlite 550EX. With Type-B cameras, the 550EX offers the following[...]

2. Setting the 550EX as a Slave Unit Set the wireless selector to on the 550EX to be used as a slave unit. A 550EX set in this way is called a “slave unit.” • The slave unit’s flash head zoom setting is set automatically to . [1] Wireless System Setup and T esting The wireless flash system can be setup in one of two ways: 1 With a 550EX set[...]

101 3. Setting the Master/Slave Channel To prevent your master unit from firing another photographer’s slave units, four channels are provided to differentiate your slave units from unrelated ones. The master unit and slave unit(s) in the same wireless flash system must be set to the same channel No. Press the master unit’s < > button and[...]

Setting the Master/Slave Channel Press the < > button. • The icon and channel No. will be displayed. To set the slave unit’s channel No., press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > or < > button to set the same channel No. (1, 2, 3, or 4)[...]

103 4. Setting the Slave ID With multiple slave units, a slave ID can be assigned to distinguish a slave unit as being the main flash or fill flash. A flash ratio can thereby be set. Three slave IDs are available: A, B, and C. To set a slave unit’s slave ID, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the sel[...]

5. Master Flash ON/OFF The master unit’s flash firing can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). (1) ( ) : This setting enables the master unit to fire a flash. • This setting is called “Master flash ON.” • This setting automatically sets the master unit’s slave ID to A. (2) ( ) : This setting (Master flash OFF) prevents the master unit fro[...]

105 6. Wireless Flash Range After the master and slave units have been set, position them within the wireless flash range shown below. • Use the mini stand (provided) for the slave unit(s). The mini stand also has a tripod socket. • Use the bounce feature to turn the body of the slave unit so that the sensor is exposed to the master unit. • F[...]

Wireless Flash Range Check that the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and that the slave unit(s) are recharged and ready. • When a slave unit is ready, its AF-assist beam blinks once per second. Press the master unit’s pilot lamp (test firing button) to fire a test flash. • When the wireless transmission works, the slave unit fires at the fla[...]

107 [2] Wireless Manual Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can manually set the slave unit’s flash output with the master unit. The flash output can be uniform or varied among the slave units. To determine the proper flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter. Press the master unit’s < > button and select M . Press the[...]

108 2. Wireless Manual Flash With V aried Flash Output You can set a different flash output for each slave unit (A, B, and C) as follows. On the master unit, press the < > button. Press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to select ON A:B o[...]

109 [3] Wireless Str oboscopic Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can set stroboscopic flash with the master unit for wireless stroboscopic flash. • The firing frequency and flash count will be the same for all slave units. They can be set by following the procedure on page 97. • Set the flash output of the slave units in the[...]

110 Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with a slave unit. The setting is independent from the master unit. The master unit just triggers the slave unit which fires according to its own independent (manual or stroboscopic flash) setting. This feature can be used in the following situations: (1) As with studio flash, you can set t[...]

111 • While M is blinking, press the < > button. will then start blinking. • To set the stroboscopic flash, see page 95. 2. Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit To determine the proper exposure, take test shots and experiment. Pressing the < > button while is blinking will cancel the slave unit’s independent setting. Set it back [...]

112 The Speedlite 550EX has Custom Functions which enable you to customize Speedlite functions according to your preferences. ● Setting a Custom Function Press the LCD panel illumination button for at least 2 sec. until appears on the LCD panel. Press the < > button until the Custom Function No. to be altered blinks. • Pressing the < &[...]

113 Custom Functions ● Custom Function Settings Function Custom Function No. Setting Description CF-1 0 Enabled 1 Disabled CF-2 0 Correct exposure, decreased exposure, increased exposure 1 Decreased exposure, correct exposure, increased exposure CF-3 0 E-TTL 1 TTL CF-4 0 Activate after 60 min. of non-operation. 1 Activate after 10 min. of non-ope[...]

114 Canon Speedlite 550EX System 1 9 q 2 3 7 6 5 4 8 t r y u e The accessories on the left enable wired, multi-Speedlite TTL autoflash. e TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 r TTL Distributor t Off-Camera Shoe Adapter OA-2 y Connecting Cord 60 u Connecting Cord 300 0 w 08. F073-E (99~) 02.4.1 2:16 PM Page 114[...]

115 Canon Speedlite 550EX System 1 Speedlite 550EX (On-camera master unit) 2 Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 Dedicated wireless transmitter for any 550EX set as a slave unit. 3 Connecting Cord ET (included with Transistor Pack E) 4 Transistor Pack E Houses Battery Magazine TP or Ni-Cd Pack TP. 5 Battery Magazine TP Houses six size-C alkaline batteries.[...]

116 T roub leshooting Guide Problem I cannot detach the Speedlite from the camera. The flash does not fire even when I press the shutter button completely. After I turn on the Speedlite, the pilot lamp turns off after a while. When I turn on the main switch, the entire display blinks. When I press the shutter button halfway, the flash range bar seg[...]

117 Troubleshooting Guide Page 36 86 36 86 36 86 18 36 86 28 82 53 100 58 105 Solution With an EOS camera having multiple focusing points, select a focusing point which covers the subject and then compose the shot before taking the picture. With an EOS camera having only one focusing point, set a suitable exposure compensation amount on the minus s[...]

118 Specifications Type: Direct-sync, shoe-mount flash with E-TTL/TTL autoflash control and wireless transmission/reception (E-TTL preflash, AF-assist beam, auto zoom, and bounce flash). Compatible cameras: Type-A EOS cameras (for E-TTL autoflash control) Type-B EOS cameras (for TTL autoflash control) Flash coverage and Guide No.: See page 121. Bat[...]

119 Specifications Flash-ready indication: (1) Red pilot lamp indicates normal flash ready. (2) Yellow pilot lamp indicates quick flash ready. AF-assist beam linkage and range: Linked to area AF (45 focusing points), effective from approx. 0.6 to 10 meters / 2 to 33 feet at the center and 0.6 to 5 meters / 2 to 16 feet along the periphery (in total[...]

120 Specifications Slave unit SE mode While the slave unit’s SE mode is in effect, the slave unit turns on when a cancellation: flash is fired. The slave unit's SE mode can be canceled by the following wireless operations: (1) When the master unit’s test firing button is pressed. (2) When the camera’s FE lock button is pressed. Power sou[...]

121 Specifications ● Guide No. [Normal Mode] (At ISO 100 in meters) [High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) ] Flash Coverage (mm) 17 24 28 35 50 70 80 105 Normal (full) Flash Guide No. 15 28 30 36 42 46 50 55 Quick Flash Same as for manual flash from 1/2 to 1/6. 1/1 15 28 30 36 42 46 50 55 1/2 10.6 19.8 21.2 25.5 29.7 32.5 35.4 38.9 1/4 7.5 14 15 18 21 23 25[...]

122 Specifications ● Maximum Contin uous Flashes • When the flash count is , the maximum flash count will be as follows regardless of the flash frequency. Hz 123456789 1 0 Flash Output 1 / 4 7654433332 1/8 14 14 12 10 8 6 6 5 5 4 1/16 30 30 30 20 20 20 20 10 10 8 1/32 60 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 1/64 90 90 90 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 1/128 100 10[...]

123 Specifications ● AF-Assist Beam Emission Preconditions ● Camera’ s Flash-Related Exposure W arnings 550EX/Camera Combination 550EX’s AF-Assist Camera’s AF-Assist Beam Emitted Beam Emitted EOS-1D, EOS-1V, EOS-3, EOS-1N, EOS-1N RS, EOS D60, EOS D30, EOS ELAN 7/7E, 30/33, EOS 50/50 E/ELAN ll/ELAN ll E, EOS 300/REBEL 2000, EOS 500 N/REBEL[...]

124 Specifications ● Speedlite 550EX Feature A v ailability *1 With Custom Function CF-3-1. *2 Only one slave group can be controlled. *3 For bulb exposures with the EOS 700, the aperture f/5.6. *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *2 *2 *2 *2 *2 *2 Camera Camera’s Max. Sync Speed (sec.) Autoflash Control Wireless Flash Wireless 1/90 1/125 1/200 1/250 1/[...]

125 *4 Enabled in shutter-speed AE mode. ● : Available. × : Not available. *4 *4 *4 *3 s Flash Wireless Flash FP Flash FE Lock Flash Exposure Compensation FEB Flash Ratio Modeling 2nd-Curtain TL M/MULTI w/550EX w/camera Control Flash Sync ● ××××××× ● ● ××××××× ● ××××××××× ××××××××× ● ×× ● × ● ××[...]

126 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless other[...]

2 K ey to Symbols : W ar ning for pre v enting camera or Speedlite malfunction. : Supplementar y notes f or basic operation. : Helpful tip f or Speedlite operation or picture taking. • K eep this Instructions booklet handy for future ref erence. Thank y ou for pur chasing a Canon pr oduct. The Canon Speedlite 550EX is a powerful, high-output flas[...]

E E English Edition INSTRUCTIONS This Instructions booklet is dated April 2000. F or information on the camera’ s compatibility with system accessories marketed after this date, contact your nearest Canon Service Center. CANON INC. 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, T okyo 146-8501, J apan U.S .A. CANON U.S.A. INC. For all inquiries concerning t[...]