Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 User manual

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CT1-7782-000 © CANON INC. 2007 PRINTED IN JAPAN
2007.01.01
English
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Speedlite Transmitter
ST-E2

English
Speedlite Transmitter
ST-E2
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Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
The Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 is a wireless transmitter for
controlling up to two flash slave groups consisting of Canon Speedlites
compatible with wireless flash shooting.
Also refer to the instruction manual of your camera and
Speedlite.
Before using the ST-E2, read this instruction manual and the instruction
manuals for your camera and Speedlite. Familiarize yourself with the operation
of each before using the ST-E2.
It is automatically compatible with the camera’s flash metering
mode (E-TTL ll, E-TTL, or TTL).
The camera controls the ST-E2 automatically in the following flash metering
modes:
1. E-TTL II autoflash (evaluative flash metering with preflash reading/lens
distance information)
2. E-TTL autoflash (evaluative flash metering with preflash reading)
3. TTL autoflash (off-the-film metering for real-time flash metering)
Regarding the camera’s available flash metering modes, refer to the
“External Speedlite” specification in the “Specifications” of your
camera’s instruction manual.
The camera instruction manual’s chapter on flash photography will refer
to cameras having 1 and 2 above as a Type-A camera (compatible
with E-TTL II or E-TTL). And cameras having 3(compatible with only
with TTL) are called Type-B cameras.
* This instruction manual assumes that you are using the ST-E2 with a Type-
A camera.
If the ST-E2 is used with a Type-B camera, only manual flash shooting and
stroboscopic flash will be possible.
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Nomenclature...................................................................... 4
Installing the Battery .......................................................... 6
Attaching to the Camera .................................................... 6
Turn on the Power Switch.................................................. 7
Fully Automatic Wireless Flash......................................... 8
Flash Ratio with E-TTL II .................................................. 10
Troubleshooting Guide .................................................... 13
Specifications ................................................................... 14
The operation procedures in this instruction manual assume that
both the camera and ST-E2’s power switches are ON.
Icons are used in the text to indicate the respective buttons, dials,
and settings. They match the same icons found on the camera and
ST-E2.
Reference page numbers are indicated by (p.**).
This instruction manual uses the following alert symbols:
: The Caution symbol indicates a warning to prevent shooting
problems.
: The Note symbol gives supplemental information.
Contents
Conventions Used in this Manual
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Under low-light or low-contrast conditions, the built-in AF-assist beam
will be emitted automatically to make it eaasier to autofocus. The ST-
E2’s AF-assist beam is compatible with the AF points of almost all EOS
cameras. The AF-assist beam is compatible with 28mm and longer
lenses. The effective range is shown below.
Nomenclature
About the AF-Assist Beam
Position Effective Range (m / ft)
Center 0.6 - 10 / 2 - 32.8
Periphery 0.6 - 5 / 2 - 16.4
Mounting foot’s
lock lever
Mounting foot
Contacts
Locking pin
Transmitter
A
F-assist beam
emitter
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Flash ratio indicator
Power switch
Flash exposure
confirmation lamp
<8> <9> Flash ratio
adjustment button
E-TTL lamp
High-speed sync lamp
<F> High-speed
sync (FP flash)
button
<J> Pilot lamp/
Test transmission button
<w> Channel
button
Channel
indicator
Flash ratio control
lamp
<y> Flash ratio button
Battery compartment cover
’
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Use one lithium 2CR5 battery.
1Remove the cover.
Slide the battery compartment cover
as shown by the arrow and remove.
2Insert the battery.
Insert the battery as shown.
3Close the cover.
Slide the cover back to its closed
position.
Installing the Battery
1Slide the lever to the right.
2Attach the ST-E2.
Slip the ST-E2’s mounting foot into
the camera’s hot shoe all the way.
3Secure the ST-E2.
Slide the mounting foot’s lock lever to
the left. The locking pin will then
protrude to secure the ST-E2 to the
camera.
To detach the ST-E2, slide the
mounting foot’s lock lever to the right
and detach.
Attaching to the Camera
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1Turn on the power switch.
Set the power switch to <K>.
XThe <a> lamp will light.
2Check that the <J> lamp is
on.
When the <J> lamp is on, it is
ready for wireless flash control.
To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after 90 sec.
of idle use. To turn on the ST-E2 again, press the camera’s shutter
button halfway.
If there is another Canon wireless flash system nearby, you can change
the channel No. to prevent signal confusion. Both the ST-E2 and slave
units (p.8) must be set to the same channel No.
Set the channel No.
Press the <w> button to set the
desired channel.
XThe channel number changes each
time you press the button.
Turn on the Power Switch
About Auto Power Off
Setting Communication Channel
<7> retains the settings made at the <K> position and the ST-E2 will
not respond to any operation except test transmissions. This prevents the
current settings from being altered accidentally. After you set the flash
settings, setting the power switch to <7> is recommended.
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This method has all the Speedlites fire at the same flash output with E-TTL II
autoflash controlling the total flash output to obtain a standard flash exposure.
1Set the slave unit(s).
As for the setting procedure, refer to the
slave Speedlite’s instruction manual.
2
Check the communication channel.
If the ST-E2 and slave unit(s) are set
to a different channel, set them all to
the same channel (p.7).
3
Position the camera and Speedlites as desired.
Position the Speedlites within the
range shown on the next page.
4Check that the flash is ready.
When the slave unit(s) is ready to fire,
the AF-assist beam will blink for 1
sec.
5Check that the wireless flash
system works.
Press the ST-E2’s <J> (test
transmission) button.
XThe 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.
6Set the camera and shoot.
Set the camera in the same way as
with normal flash shooting.
X If a standard flash exposure was
obtained, the flash exposure confirmation
lamp will light for about 3 sec.
Fully Automatic Wireless Flash
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Use the bounce feature to swing the slave unit’s flash body so that
the wireless sensor faces the master unit.
Use the mini stands (equipped with tripod socket) provided with the
Speedlites to prop them up as slave units.
Indoors, the wireless signal may also bounce off the wall so there is
more leeway in positioning the slave unit(s).
After positioning the slave unit(s), be sure to test the wireless
operation before shooting.
Do not place any obstacles between the ST-E2 and slave unit(s).
Obstacles can block the transmission of wireless signals.
15m (49.2ft.)
10m (32.8ft.)
8m (26.2ft.)
80°
12m (39.4ft.)
Indoors
Outdoors
Make sure the ST-E2’s flash ratio control lamp is off. If the flash ratio control lamp
is on, the Speedlite may not fire or a standard exposure may not be attained.
When the ST-E2’s pilot lamp lights and the <Q> icon lights in the camera
viewfinder, they indicate that the ST-E2 is ready for remote transmission.
They do not indicate that the slave is ready (recharged).
If the flash exposure confirmation lamp did not light, move the slave
unit(s) closer to the subject and shoot again. With a digital camera, you
can also increase the camera’s ISO speed.
If auto power off turns off the slave unit, press the ST-E2’s < J > button to
send a test transmission. This will turn on the slave unit.
Test transmission is not possible while the camera’s 4 and 0 timer is in effect.
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