Flashes & lighting
Canon Speedlite 550EX Flash User manual
User manual for Canon Speedlite 550EX Flash. 124 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Canon
- Model / document
- Canon Speedlite 550EX Flash
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 124
- File size
- 11.5 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
,rF-
Thankyoufor purchasinga Canonproduct.
The CanonSpeedlite550EXis a powerful,high-outputflashunitfeaturingE-
TTL (Evaluative-Through-The-Lens)autoflashcontrol.lt can be usedas an on-
cameraSpeedliteor as a masteror slaveunit in a wireless,multi-Speedlite
system.
When used with Type-Acameras(listedbelow),the 550EX obtainsnatural-
lookingflash picturesby balancingthe flash outputand existinglight.The
550EXalso enableshigh-speedsync (FP or Focal-Planeflash)for flashsyn-
chronizationat all shutterspeeds,FE (Flash Exposure)lock, FEB (Flash
ExposureBracketing),and bounceflash.ltsAF-assistbeamis compatiblewith
the EOS-3'sareaAF.
When used with Type-Bcameras(listedbelow),the 550EXworks as a TTL
autoflashunit.
With Type-Bcameras,some 550EXfeaturesare not available.Referto the
tablesbelowto checkyour cameratype and the featuresavailable.
This Instructionsbooklethas separatesectionsfor Type-Aand Type-Bcam-
eras.Readthe sectionwhichappliesto yourcamera.
Type-ACamera E-TTL EOS-3,EOS50 / EOS50 E, EOS ELANtr/ EOS ELAN]t E,
EOS REBELG / EOS5OON, EOS IX
Tvpe-BCamera TTL All otherEOScameras.
550EXFeaturesAvailablewith EOS Cameras Q:Available X: Not available
550EXFeatures With Type-ACameras With Type-BCameras
X E-TTlrautoflashcontrol o
X High-speedsync(FPflash) o
FE lock C X
' : F E B , ' o
X Wireless,multi-SpeedliteE-TTL o
Key to Symbols
{f : Warningfor preventingcameraor Speedlitemalfunction.
E : Supplementarynotesfor basicoperation.
;b: : Helpfultip for Speedliteoperationor picturetaking.
. Keepthis Instructionsbookletwww.butkus.ushandyfor futurereference.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
'::'r'' i:.'rll'lirtiltirrlif d':rl:'ii1;iiwl'liiiriilrir!'i
ConventionsUsedin this Booklet
The lnstructionsare dividedinto separatesectionsfor Type-Aand rype-B
cameras.lf you have a fype-A camera,see pages10 to 76 and 112 to
125.ltyou havea Type-Bcamera,see pages10 to 22 and77to 125.
o rhe speedliteoperationproceduresassumethat the speedlite550EX
has been turnedon with its main switch.Beforeproceeding,turn on
the mainswitch.
The cameraand speedlite'sbuttonsand dials and their settingsare
indicatedby iconsin the Instructions.The name of each buttonand
dial can be foundin "Nomenclature"on page 6. lconsfor camera
modesare also used.They are as follows:
E : FullAuto
P : ProgramAE
Av : Aperture-priorityAE
Tv : Shutterspeed-priorityAE
M : Manual
The GD icon indicri.r u simple explanationof a relevantCustom
Function.F6r details,see "CustomFunctions"on page 112. The
CustomFunctionexplanations'assumethat the defaultCustom
Functionsettingsare in effect. r* .{
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Jr::;ls**s&;w*L::taView original page 4Page 5 · Read text
Contents
InstallingBatteries.........................10
ExternalPowerSources................12
BeforeYou Start Attachmentto Camera...................13 WirelessSelector .........14
MainSwitch...............................16
UsingFlashin FullAutoMode.......24
Basic Flash UsingFlashin
Photography OtherCameraModes....................26
Advanced Flash
Photography
11l WirelessSystemSetupandTesting...52
1. Settingthe550EXas theMasterUnit....52
2. Settingthe550EXas a SlaveUnit........53
WirelessFlash 3. Settingthe Master/SlaveChannel........54
Photography 4. SettingtheSlavelD...............,............ 5. MasterFlashON/OFF.........................
6. WirelessFlashRange .......58
UsingFlashin FullAutoMode.......78
BhsicFlash UsingFlashin
Phbtography OtherCameraModes....................80
1 . FlashExposureCompensation......86
Advanced Flash 2. FEB (FlashExposureBracketing)......88
Photography 3. BounceF|ash......... ......90
t1l WirelessSystemSetupandTesting...100.,
1 . Settingthe550EXastheMasterUnit....100
WirelessFlash 2.3. SettingSettingthethe550EXMaster/Slaveas a SlaveChannelUnit......100......101
Photography 4. SettingtheSlave1D.......................,..03
5. MasterFlashON/OFF........................104 www.butkus.us o . WirelessFlashRangeView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
. ForType-Acameras,see pages10 to 76 and 112 to 125.
. ForType-Bcameras,see pages10 Io 22 and77 to 125.
6. PilotLampand Test Firing..........1710. Settingthe FilmSpeed...............21
7. FlashExposureConfirmation.....18 11. LCD Panellllumination...............21
8. Usingthe Zoom Buttonand 12. AF-AssistBeam ........22
WidePanel.................................18 AutomaticReversionto Default
FlashMode ...............21 Settings..... ................22
( 1 ) Av: Aperture-PriorityAE and (3) M: ManualExposureand
E-TTLAutoflash... .....27 E-TTLAutoflash... .....30
(2) Tv: ShutterSpeed-PriorityAE and
E-TTLAutoflash ........29
4. FEB 7. ManualFlashMode....................44
(FlashExposureBracketing)......38 8. StroboscopicF1ash.....................46,t 5. Bounce F|ash..............................409. Second-Curtain
6. Close-DistanceFlash Synchronization..........................4
Photography...............................4310. ModelingFlash .........50
t2l WirelessE-TTLAutoflash ....60 2. WirelessManualFlash 't. WirelessE-TTLAutoflash WithVariedFlashOutou1..................7
WithFlashRatioOFF.......................60l4l WirelessStroboscopicFlash ....73
- 2 . WirelessE-TTLAutoflash 15] Manualor StroboscopicFlash
r$' WithFlashRatioON.........................63Witha SlaveUnit ....74 [3] WirelessManualFlash 1.-Setting' ManualFlash
1 . WirelessManualFlash Witha SlaveUnit...,.......................
WithUniformFlashOutput..,............71 2. StroboscooicFlashWitha SlaveUnit...75
( 1 ) Av: Aperture-PriorityAE and (3) M: ManualExposureand
E-TTLAutoflash..........................81E-TTLAutoflash... .....84
e\ Tv: ShutterSpeed-Priority' *AE and
E-TTLAutoflash 8-Ltr
4. Close-Distance 6. StroboscopicFlash.....................95
FfashPhotography............{..... 7. Second-CurtainSynchronization...93
5. ManualFlashMode...............*,..93
l2l WirelessManualFlash ...107 1. ManualFlashWitha SlaveUnit......110
1 . WirelessManualFlash 2. StroboscopicFlashWitha SlaveUnit...111
WithUniformFlashOutout.............107CustomFunctions .........112
WirelessManualFlashWithVariedFlashOutoul..108 CanonSpeedlite550EXSystem.....114n2":- t3l WirelessStroboscooicFlash...109 TroubleshootingGuide....................1 16
I4l Manualor StroboscooicFlash Specifications.................................1 18
Witha SlaveUnit ...110
ilJ!*li;',.,;.,*, - ..--siAtrxu -ir.View original page 6Page 11 · Read text
1. lnstallingBatteries
Speedlite55OEXrequiresone of the followingtwo typesof batteries:
(1) Size-AAalkalineLRObatteries x 4
(2) Size-AANicadKR15/51batteriesx 4
1 Slidethe batterycompartmentcover r as shownby the arrowand flip it up.
2 contactsInserttheorientedbatteriesaswithshownthe + inandthe-
batterycompartment.
3 Closeas shownthe inbatterythe figure.compartmentcover
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lnstallingBatteries : i
[--=lqJ BatteryCautions
. Use four new batteriesof the same type. When replacingbatteries,replaceall four
batteriesat one time.
. Althoughnon-alkalinebatteries(R6) may also be used,the numberof flasheswill be
less.
. The contactsof Nicad batteriesare not standardized.lf you want to use Nicad
batteries,make sure the batterycontactstouch the batterycompartment'scontacts
securely.
. Removethe batterieswhenthe Speedlitewill not be usedfor an extendedperiod.
. In low temperatures,take two sets of fully-chargedNicadbatteriesand keep one set
warmin a pocket,etc.,and use the batteriesalternately.
. To preventfaultyconnections,makesurethe batterycontactsare clean.lf necessary,
use a cleanclothto wipethe batterycontacts.
. Size-AAlithiumFRObatteriescan alsobe used.
RechargingTime and AvailableFlashes
RechargingTime
BatteryType Available Flashes
QuickFlash NormalFlash
Size-AAalkaline A p p r o x . 0 -. 14 s e c . Approx.0.1-8sec. Approx.100to 700 LR6 batteries
Size-AANicad Approx.0.1 - 2.5 sec. Approx.0.1-5sec. Approx.40 to 300 KR15/51batteries
The minimumrechargingtimeappliesto the E-TTLor TTL modewhilethe maximumrecharging
timeappliesto the manualor full-output(1/1)mode.
The minimumavdilableflashesappliesto the E-TTLor TTL modewhilethe maximumavailable
flashesappfiesto the manualor full-output(1/_]Jmode.
The abgvedataare basedon Canon'sstanW testswith new batteries.
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1 1View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
2. ExternalPowerSources
Speedlite550EXcan use any of the followingtwo externalpowersources.
Fordetails,referto the Instructionsof the respectiveexternalpowersource.
(1) TransistorPackE
Uses CanonBatteryMagazineTP (six size-CalkalineR14 batteries)or
Ni-CdPackTP.
(2) CompactBatteryPack CP-E2
Usessix size-AAalkalineLR6or Ni-Cdbatteries.
Size-AAlithium(FR6)batteriescan alsobe used.
RechargingTime and AvailableFlashes
Recharging Time (sec )
Power Source Available Flashes
Quick Flash Normal Flash
lnternal Size-AA alkaline LR6/AM-3 batteries x 4 Approx01 - 4 A p p r o 0x 1 - 8 Approx 100- 700
Power
Size-AANicadKR15/51batteriesx 4 A p p r o x 0 l - 2 5 A p p r o x 0 l - 5 Approx40 - 300 Sources
Transistor Pack E (Ni-Cd Pack TP) A p p r o x 0 l - 1 5 A p p r o x 0 l - 3 Approx300- 1800
External TransistorPackE (1R14/AM-2) Approx01 - 2 A p p r o x 0 l - 5 Approx350- 2200
Power
Sources CompactBatteryPackCP-E2(LR6/AM-3) Approx0.1- 1.5 A p p r o 0x 1 - 5 Approx350- 2200
CompactBatteryPackCP-E2(KR15/51) A p p r o x 0 l - 1 A p p r o x0 1 - 2 Approx130- 900
. While High-VoltagePack E315'smain switchis still on, do not clean the connector r L
It plugwithvt'ateror a metalpin and do not touchthe plug.
. Evenwhenan externalpowersourceis used,batteriesmustbe installedin the 550EX
lo powerthe internalcircuitry.
. The 550EXuses both the internaland externalpowersourcesto rechargethe flash.
Tfierefore,the internalpowersourcqJnaybecomeexhaustedsoonerthanthe external
- powersource.For prolongedflaslpfrotography,keep a spareset of batterieshandy
for the internalpowersource. ,T
--+{
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[ 1 2View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
4. WirelessSelector
The wirelessselectorhas threesettingsas shownbelow.
S e t t o O F F t o u s e t h e 5 5 0 E X a s a
normal,on-cameraSpeedlite.
'l' SLAVE
Set to MASTERto use the 550EXas the
masterunitin a wireless,multi-Speedlite
system.
Set to SLAVEto use the 550EX as a
slave unit in a wireless,ffiUlti-Speedlite
system.
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1 4View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
l=l lf the 550EX is to be used as a normal,on-cameraSpeedlitebut the wirelessselector
ljl has been set to MASTERor SLAVE,the followingapplies:
MASTER: lf masterflash ON has also been set, it will be the same as using the
Speedliteat the wirelessselector'sOFF setting.lf masterflash OFF has
been set, a picturecannotbe taken.
SLAVE : lt will be the same as using the Speedliteat the wirelessselector'sOFF
setting.However,when the camera'sexposuremeterturns otf 6 sec. after
the shutterbuttonis pressed,the 550EXwill be a slaveunit.
. lf the wirelessselectoris set to MASTERand masterflash OFF has been set, the
flashwill notfire.(seepage57)
. When the wirelessselectoris set to MASTER or SLAVE,the flash coverageis set
automaticallyto El P{''n. The GuideNo. decreasesas a result.
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5. MainSwitch
The mainswitchhasthreesettingsas shownbelow.
Turnsoff the power.
Turnson the power.
Turnson the powerand enablesthe SE
mode.
. T h e S E ( S a v e E n e r g y )m o d e t u r n s o f f t h e
Speedliteautomaticallyafter a periodof non-use
as indicatedin the followingtable.
WirelessSelectorSetting
OFF I MASTER SLAVE
90 sec. 60 min.
. Whenthe wirelessselectoris set to @ or MASTERand the SE modetakeseffect,the LCD
paneldisplayturnsoff. To cancelthe SE mode,ertherpressthe camera'sshutterbuttonhalfway
or pressthe Speedlite'stestfiringbutton.The Speedlitewillthenturnon again.
. lf the wirelessselectoris set to SLAVEand the SE mode takes effect,SE is displayedon the
LCD panel.lf the time limit (1 hour or 8 hours)for turningon the Speedliteagain (SE mode
cancellation)ellpses,SE turnsoff on the LCD panel.In this case,you mustturnthe Speedlite's
mainswitthoff and on againto turn it on again.
Gr:r' CustomFunctionCF-4 can alterjle time it takes beforethe slave unit entersthe SE - mode.See page113. ..-*
GFt CustomFunctionCF-s can alterthe time limitfor the masterunit to be able to cancel - the slaveunit'sSE mode.Seenfi?ge113.
--H:-U- Memoryfeature The Speedlite'scurrentmode,zoom setting,flash exposurecompensationsetting,etc.,
are retainedin memoryeven afterthe Speedliteis turnedoff. When the Speedliteis
turnedon again,all the settingsremaineffective.When replacingthe batteries,the
settingsstoredin memorycan stillbe retainedif the new batteriesare installedwithinone
minute. www.butkus.usView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
6. PilotLampandTestFiring
1 Set the Speedlite'smainswitchto | .
+ SEL/SET ZOOM I . The flashwill startcharging.Whenthe flash
is ready,the pilotlamplights.
O Redpilotlamp
When the flash is fully charged,the pilot
lamp lightsin red. For normaluse, confirm
that the pilot lamp is red beforetakingthe
picture.
O Yellowpilotlamp
Whenthe camerais set for singleshooting,a
yellowpilot lamp indicatesa less-than-full
chargewhich enablesa quick flash (see
descriptionbelow).For closesubjectswhich
do not requirefull-outputflash,quickflash
shortensthe rechargingtime.
4 To test the Speedlite,pressthe pilot
h lamp (testfiringbutton)to fire a test
f lash.
O About Quick Flash
Withthe quick-flashfeature,you can fire a flash even beforethe flash is fully charged.When the
pilotlampis yellow,a4uickflashcan be f ired.The GuideNo.for a quickf lashis 112to 1/16 thatof a
normalflash.Fordetails,see page121.
Quickflashcannotbe firedin the followingcases:'-
. Whenthe Speedliteis usedwith a Type-Bca$va.
. The camerais set to continuousshootingo4l
. FEBis used. -.-*
. ln the manualflashmodeor stroboscopicflashmodewiththe outputset to 111and 112.
. ln the stroboscopicflashmode. r.^
. WhenTTL Hot ShoeAdapter3 is usedwiththe Speedlite.
. WhenCustomFunctionCF-3is set to 1 (TTLautoflash).
The Speedlitecannotbe test fired duringthe 6 sec. after you pressthe camera's
shutterbuttonhalfway(whileexposuremeteringis active). E lf the Speedliteis in the SE mode,pressingthe test firingbuttonturns on the
Speedlite.
1 7View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
Usingthe Zoom Buttonand WidePanel
O Automatic Flash Head Zooming
Turnon the camera
ETTL Zoom 5fitt 1
Turnon the Speedlite./I ht . lf El is displayed,press the < ZOOM>
0 5 0 7 1 1 . 5 2 3 4 6 9 1 3 1 8 m buttonuntil M turnsoff.
+
e Pressthe camera'sshutterbutton \, halfway.Thecurrentlensfocallength rI willappearon the Speedlite'sLCD
panel.
O Manual Flash Head Tooming
Press the <ZOOM> button. El and
ETTL ElZoom ?Ytt Zoom will be displayed.Keeppressing
the <ZOOM> buttonuntilthe desired
zoom setting(focallength)appears.
Pressing-the<ZOOM> buttonchanges
the zoom settingin the loop shown
below.
. j 3
a I lf the zoom settingis a focal tifngthi*\ longerthan the actuallens focal length,the light will
tlt fall off alongthe peripheryof thegreture.
1 9View original page 20Page 22 · Read text
9.FlashMode
Thefollowingflashmodescan be set with the <MODE> button:E-TTL(or
TTL)autoflash,manualflash,and stroboscopicflash.Pressingthe < MODE>
buttonchangesthe flashmodein the followingloop:
ETTL/TTL---+ M+ MuLTr-l
ETTL Zoom 50tt []
10.Settingthe FilmSpeed
The film speedis set automaticallyaccordingto the film speedset with the
camera.
11.LCDPanellllumination
Pressthe <-.9:>buttonto illuminatethe
LCD panelfor 12 sec. To turn off the
0 5 0 7 1 1 5 2 3 4 6 I 1 3 ! t i J m i n a t i o np,r e s st h e < + > b u t t o n
-s\F#gain.
=* . The illuminationstayson longerthan 12 sec. if
you press any buttonother than the < PILOT> - and <+ > buttons.
21View original page 22Page 24 · Read text
ForType-ACameras
BasicFlashPhotography
Whenthe Speedlite550EXis attachedto a Type-Acamerasuchas the EOS-
3, you can take flash pictureswith E-TTLautoflashas easilyas normal
autoexposure(AE)pictures.
As with evaluativemetering,the E-TTLautoflashsystemuses a multi-zone
sensor.A preflashis firedfor evaluativeflash meteringand the readingis
storedin memory.SinceE-TTLautoflashis linkedto the activefocusingpoint,
the flashexposureis highlyaccurate.The resultis a natural-lookingflash
picturewithexcellentbalancebetweenthe flashlightandambientlight.
Thissectionassumesthatthe Speedlite550EXis usedwitha Type-Acamera
Beforeproceeding,firstturnon the EOS-3andthe 550EX E Setthe 550EX'swirelessselectorto OFF
For EOS-3operations,referto the EOS-3Instructions
23View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
1. UsingFlash FullAutoMode
Set the camera'spicture-takingmodeto P (ProgramAE) or E (FullAuto).
Flashphotographywill then be as easy as normalAE photography.The
camerasets the apertureand shutterspeed automaticallyto suit a wide
varietyof lightingconditionsincludingoutdoorfill flash.The E-TTLautoflash
systemsetsthe flashexposureautomatically.
camera'spicture-takingmode 1 ,t.llnt
P
S e t t h e 5 5 0E X ' s f l a s h m o d e t o ETTL Zoom 5[tt 2 ETTL
Focusthe subject. 3 . T h e s h u t t e rs p e e d a n d a p e r t u r ew i l l b e 0 . 5 0 . 7 1 1 . 5 2 3 4 6 9 1 3 1 8 m
displayedin the viewfinder.
. The shutterspeedwill be set automaticallyat
1 / 6 0 s e c . o r f a s t e r ( u p t o t h e t o p s y n c
speed).The apertureis alsoset at the same
time.
Checkthat the subjectis withinthe
flashrangedisplayedon the 550EX's
LCDpanel.
Checkthatthe , iconis displayedin 5 the viewfinder,thentakethe picture.
. A preflashis firedimmediatelybeforeshutter
releaseand the main flash.The subject's
meterreadingis obtainedwith the preflash
and usedto set the outputof the mainflash.
A n o p t i m u mf l a s h e x p o s u r ei s t h e r e b y
www.butkus.usobtained.
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rr,,nn Flashin,FullAuto ll/lode
::, , .,
After the flash fires,check that the A v f lash exposu re confirmation lamp
lights. + SEL/SET ZOOM
When a correctflash exposurehas
been obtained,the flash exposure ciPILOT confirmationlamp lightsfor about3
sec. lf the lamp does not light,the O flash may have been insufficient,
resultingin underexposure.In sucha
case,checkthatthe pilotlampis red,
then move closerto the subjectand
takethe pictureagain.
The preflashis firedto obtainan evaluativeflashmeterreading.
The mainflashilluminatesthe subjectfor the actualpicture.H
O Fill Flash
Fillflashcan be usedoutdoorsin daylightto supplementexistinglight.lt can
softenshadowareasof the subjector illuminatea backlitsubject.
Withfillflash. Withoutfill flash.
l-_= When fill flash is used,the flash exposurelevel is reducedautomaticallyso that the
HJ subject'silluminationby the flash balanceswell with the background'sambientlight.
Insteadof havinga properly-exposedsubjectand an underexposedbackground,both
the subjectand backgroundare exposedcorrectlyfor a natural-lookingflashpicture.
25View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
2. UsingFlashin OtherCameraModes
Flashphotographyis alsoautomaticin the otherpicture-takingmodes.In the
Av (aperture-priorityAE), Tv (shutterspeed-priorityAE), and M modes,the
E-TTLautoflashsystemsets the flash exposureautomatically.The camera
setsthe necessaryshutterspeed(in the Av mode),aperture(in the Tv mode),
or flashoutput(in the M mode).Flashphotographyis as easy as normalAE
picture-taking.
Shutter Speed and Aperture Settings for Picture-Taking Modes
CameraMode ShutterSoeed FlashAperture
Av Automaticallyset (30 sec.- 1/Xsec.) Manuallyset
Tv Manuallyset (30 sec.- 1/Xsec.) Automaticallyset
M Manuallyset (bulb,30 sec.- 1/Xsec.) Manuallyset
. Manuallyset: You set it yourself.
. Automaticallyset: Set automaticallyby the camera.
. 1/Xsec.:Maximumsyncspeed.(seepage124)
. When the shutterbuttonis pressedcompletely,a preflashfires to obtainan evaluativeflash
meterreadingfor settingthe optimumoutputof the mainflash.
. The background'sexposureis set withthe shutterspeedand aperturecombination.
''' . trthe..'.,ffi$'.t tot*Es *ffi'1F$iffi f-fl lJl set in the sameway as in the P mode(ProgramAE).
. lf the DEP mode (depth-otfieldAE) is used with the 550EX,it will be the same as
usingthe P mode(ProgramAE).
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r* UsingFlashin OtherCameraModes
(1)Av: Aperture-PriorityAE and E-TTLAutoflash
Thismodeis effectivefor controllingthe depthof field in your flashpictures.
You can also obtaina balancedexposurebetweenthe subjectand
background.You set the apertureand the camerasets the shutterspeed
* automaticallyto obtaina correctexposurefor the background.The E-TTL
autoflashsystemobtainsthe properexposurebasedon the apertureyou set.
Set the camera'spicturetakingmode 1 I to Av.
fl Set the 550EX's flash mode to I ettt.
ETT L Focusthesubject. 2 r,
A Check that the subjectdistanceis I I I I I I I a 0.50.7 1 1.5 2 3 4 6 9 13 18 m withinthe flash ranie displayedon
the 550EX'sLCDpanel.
\ * I Checkthatthe f iconis displayedin v the viewfinder,thentakethe picture.
l= rttnbtopslhcspeeddispraybrinks,thetifrCftsrounowirrbii"dt8ii;i$366d.'ABititi" $bi"''i
L;l shutterspeeddisplayblinks,the backgroundwill be underexposed.In such cases,
changethe apertureuntilthe shutterspeeddisplaystopsblinking.
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{qt&llxe*,'t;; 'tr**iq.'*{; ', ;&:rrxii*S*,lView original page 28Page 29 · Read text
UsingFlashin OtherCameraModes
O BalancedFlash Exposures
In low-lightsituations,the exposurelevelcan be balancedbetweenthe
subjectand backgroundby usinga slow sync speed.You can obtain
balancedflashexposuresautomaticallyby settingthe camera'spicture-taking
modeto Av. The camerathen sets the sync speedautomaticallyto suit the
background.Usinga tripodis recommendedto preventcamerashake.
Balancedflashexposure. Flashexposurein the FullAutomode.
To disableautomaticbalancedflashexposures,set the camera'spicture-takingmode
to M. You can then set the desiredshutterspeedand aperturemanually.See page
30.
Basedon the shutterspeed and apertureyou set, the E-TTLautoflashsystem
controlsthe flashexposureautomatically.
lf you are usingthe CanonEF 135mmf/2.8softfocuslenson yourcamerawithouta
tripod,settingthe shutterspeedand aperturemanuallyis mosteffectivefor obtaining
soft-focuseffects.Followthe procedurebelow.
I Set an aperturenearthe maximumaperture.
2) Setthe minimumshutterspeedroquiredto preventcamerashake.
3) Checkthatthe flashhas recharyd,thentakethe picture.
, t
To obtainbalancedflash exposures".-x in the Tv mode,set the shutterspeed untilthe
meterreadingindicatesa coffectexposure. E To obtainbalancedflash exposuresin the M mode, set the shutterspeed and
apertureuntilthe meterreadingindicatesa correctexposure.
Underflourescentlighting,the photomay havea greenishcast.And undertungsten
lighting,the photomay havean orangecast.
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UsingFlashin OtherCameraModes
(2)Tv: Shutter Speed-PriorityAE and E-TTL
Autoflash
Byselectingthe shutterspeed,you can obtainvariouseffectswithflash.You
canset the shutterspeedfrom 30 sec. to the top sync speed.The camera
thensets the apertureautomaticallyto obtaina correctexposurefor the
background.The E-TTLautoflashsystemcontrolsthe flashexposurebased
onthe camera-selectedaoerture.
Set the camera'spicture-takingmode 1 ' to Tv and set the desiredshutter
speedanywherefrom 30 sec. to the
top syncspeed.
4 S e t t h e 5 5 0 E X ' sf l a s h m o d e t o
ETTL l ETTL
O Focusthe subject.
J
I I I I I I I Arf Checkthat the subjectdistanceis 0 . 5 0 . 7 1 1 . 5 2 3 4 6 9 1 3 1 8 m withinthe flash rangedisplayedon
the 550EX'sLCDpanel.
tr Checkthatthe , iconis displayedin r, the viewfinder,thentakethe picture.
f_+l lf the aperturedisplay blinks,the baf&round may turn out overexposedor
L$ underexposed.ln such a case,changethglhutter speeduntilthe aperturedisplaystops
blinking. . --'e>"
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