Canon 270EX - Speedlite - Hot-shoe clip-on Flash User manual

PRINTED IN CHINA MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
MODE D’EMPLOI
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CT1-7830-000 © CANON INC. 2009
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English
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Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
The Canon Speedlite 270EX is a compact flash unit for Canon EOS cameras, and works
with the E-TTL II and E-TTL autoflash systems. All control is performed on the camera side,
letting you easily enjoy flash shooting in the same manner as a built-in flash.
Use with an EOS DIGITAL camera
• The 270EX is designed for optimum use with an EOS DIGITAL camera.
Use with an EOS film camera
• When used with an E-TTL II or E-TTL autoflash EOS film camera, autoflash shooting can
be performed in the same manner as when used with an EOS DIGITAL camera.
• The 270EX cannot be used with TTL autoflash EOS film cameras.
Be sure to also read the description of flash shooting in the camera’s instruction
manual. For convenience, a camera compatible with E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash systems is
indicated as Type-A camera in camera’s instruction manuals.
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Nomenclature............................................................................................................. 4
Installing the Batteries ..............................................................................................5
Attaching the Flash ...................................................................................................7
Fully Automatic Flash Shooting...............................................................................8
Flash Shooting in Each Camera Mode .................................................................... 9
Switching Flash Coverage......................................................................................11
Bounce Flash Shooting........................................................................................... 12
Other Functions.......................................................................................................13
Setting the Flash Functions by Camera Operation .............................................. 14
Troubleshooting Guide ...........................................................................................16
Specifications ..........................................................................................................17
Contents
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Nomenclature
cFlash head/AF-assist beam emitter
dLocking pin
eContacts
fMounting foot
gBattery compartment cover
hBounce angle index
i<Q> lamp
jMounting foot lock lever
kPower switch
<
ON > : Turns on power
<
OFF > : Turns off power







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1Slide the battery compartment cover
and open it as shown by the arrows.
2Install two batteries.
Make sure the + and - battery contacts are correctly
oriented.
Return the cover to its original position.
Recycling Time and Flash Count
Recycling Time: Approx. 0.1 - 3.9 sec.
Flash Count: Approx. 100 - 680 flashes
Based on new size-AA/LR6 alkaline batteries and Canon’s testing standards.
Installing the Batteries
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Be sure to use a new set of two batteries of the same brand. When replacing the
batteries, replace both batteries at once.
Do not fire more than 20 continuous flashes in a short time.
If you fire more than 20 continuous flashes in a short time, the overheating prevention
function may be activated and make the recycling time about 8 to 20 sec. If this occurs,
allow a rest time of about 15 min. and the functioning of the flash will then return to
normal.
If you change the batteries after firing flashes continuously, be aware that the batteries
might be hot.
Using size-AA batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper battery contact
due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.
Size-AA Ni-MH or lithium batteries can also be used.
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Be sure to turn off the Speedlite before attaching or detaching it.
1Slide the lock lever to the left and
attach the Speedlite to the camera.
Slip the Speedlite’s mounting foot firmly all the way
into the camera’s hot shoe.
2Secure the Speedlite.
Slide the lock lever to the right.
To remove the Speedlite, slide the lock lever to the
left and detach it from the camera.
Attaching the Flash
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When you set the camera’s shooting mode to <U> (Full Auto), <C> (Creative Auto) or
<V> (Program AE), you can shoot in fully automatic flash mode.
1Set the power switch to < ON >.
BThe flash recycling starts.
2Check that the <Q> lamp is lit.
When the <Q> lamp lights, you can shoot with the flash.
See p.19 for guidelines about the flash shooting range.
You can also shoot when the lamp is blinking (Quick Flash), but the flash output level will
be 1/2 to 1/3 the normal flash.
3Take the picture.
Fully Automatic Flash Shooting
When the resulting picture is dark, move closer to the subject or increase the ISO speed
and try shooting again.
You cannot use Quick Flash when the flash mode is set to M: Manual Flash (p.14).
You cannot use Quick Flash during continuous shooting. (To enable flash, see p.15)
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In this mode, the camera will automatically adjust the flash output level to achieve standard
exposure for the automatically set aperture.
• If the aperture display blinks, it means that the background exposure will be underexposed
or overexposed. Adjust the shutter speed until the aperture display stops blinking.
In this mode, the camera will automatically adjust the flash output level to achieve standard
exposure for the set aperture.
If the background is dark, like a night scene, a slow sync speed will be used to obtain a
standard exposure of both the main subject and background. Standard exposure of the main
subject is obtained with the flash, while a standard exposure of the background is obtained
with a slow shutter speed.
• Since a slow shutter speed will be used for low-light scenes, using a tripod is
recommended.
• If the shutter speed display blinks, it means that the background exposure will be
underexposed or overexposed. Adjust the aperture until the shutter speed display stops
blinking.
Flash Shooting in Each Camera Mode
X: Shutter Priority AE
W: Aperture Priority AE
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Select this mode if you want to set both the shutter speed and aperture manually.
As the camera will automatically adjust the flash output level according to the aperture you
set, the exposure of the main subject will be standard. The exposure of the background is
obtained with the shutter speed and aperture combination you set.
1/X sec. is the camera’s maximum flash sync speed.
q: Manual Exposure
Flash Sync Speeds and Apertures Used
Shutter Speed Setting Aperture Setting
VSet automatically (1/X sec. - 1/60 sec.) Automatic
XSet manually (1/X sec. - 30 sec.) Automatic
WSet automatically (1/X sec. - 30 sec.) Manual
qSet manually (1/X sec. - 30 sec., Bulb) Manual
If you use the <Z> or <Y> shooting mode, the result will be the same as flash shooting
in <V> (Program AE) mode.
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Flash head (normal position)
The Guide No. is 22/72 (ISO 100 in meters/feet). The
maximum flash coverage matches an EF 28mm wide
angle lens (EF-S 18mm).
Flash head (pulled forward)
The Guide No. is 27/89 (ISO 100 in meters/feet). The flash
coverage matches an EF 50mm (EF-S 32mm) or lenses
with longer focal length.
Switching Flash Coverage
When shooting with a lens wider than EF 50mm (EF-S
32mm), the periphery of the picture becomes extremely
dark.
See p.19 for guidelines about the flash shooting range.
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By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface
before illuminating the subject. This can soften shadows behind the subject for more natural-
looking shots.
Bounce Flash Shooting
When the resulting picture is dark, set smaller F
number (open the aperture) or increase the ISO
speed and try shooting again. The resulting picture
may also be dark if the wall or ceiling is too far away.
The wall or ceiling should be a plain, white or
nearly white color for high reflectance. If the
bounce surface is colored, this may produce a
color cast in the resulting picture.
After shooting with bounce flash, be sure to
return the flash head to the forward-facing
position and push the flash head back into its
original position.
Pull the flash head forward and
then tilt it upward to determine
the flash head angle.
Determine the best angle for bounce flash by taking test shots and checking the resulting
pictures on the camera LCD monitor.
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To save battery power, power will be turned off automatically after 90 sec. of idle use. Press
the camera’s shutter button to turn on the Speedlite again.
* You can cancel the auto power off function. (p.15)
When you press the camera’s shutter button halfway, the flash may fire repeatedly. This is
the AF-assist beam function that facilitates autofocus for dark scenes. Its effective range is
approximately 4m/13.1 ft.
This function is available when using the Speedlite with an EOS DIGITAL camera that has an
external flash control function. Depending on the camera model, note that the firmware may
need to be updated.
Pressing the camera’s depth-of-field button will fire the flash continuously for 1 sec. This
enables you to see the shadow effects on the subject before flash shooting.
Other Functions
Auto Power Off
AF-Assist Beam
Modeling Flash
Do not fire the modeling flash more than 10 consecutive times. If you fire the modeling flash
10 consecutive times, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 10 min. to avoid overheating and
deteriorating the flash head.
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When the 270EX is attached to an EOS DIGITAL camera
with an external flash control function, you can make the
following settings by camera menu operations. See the
camera’s instruction manual for the setting method and
functions.
[Flash firing] (Enable*/Disable)
Set to [Disable] when you wish to use only the AF-assist beam.
[External flash func. setting]
•Flash mode (E-TTL II*/Manual flash)
Normally, use [E-TTL II]. [Manual flash] can also be set when not using autoflash.
Setting the Flash Functions by Camera Operation
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•Shutter sync. (1st curtain*/2nd curtain/High-speed)
-1st curtain: This is the normal flash shooting mode in which the flash fires at the
timing when the shutter is fully open.
-2nd curtain: The flash fires right before the shutter closes.
-High-speed: This mode enables flash shooting at all shutter speeds. This is
effective when you want to use aperture priority for fill-flash
portraits.
•Flash exp. comp
You can adjust the flash output level in the same way as normal exposure
compensation.
•E-TTL II (Evaluative*/Average)
-Evaluative: Fully automatic flash shooting can be performed, from dark scenes
to fill-flash shooting.
-Average: Metering is averaged for the entire scene.
[External flash C.Fn setting]
C.Fn-01: Auto power off (Enabled*/Disabled)
C.Fn-06: Quick flash w/continuous shot (Disabled*/Enabled)
Default settings are indicated by *.
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If a problem occurs, refer to this Troubleshooting Guide.
• Make sure the batteries are installed in the correct orientation. (p.5)
• If the <Q> lamp does not light after 30 seconds, replace the batteries with new ones. (p.5)
• Clean the electrical contacts of the Speedlite and the camera.
• You were too close to the subject. Keep at least 0.7 m/2.3 ft. away from the subject.
• If a lens hood is attached, remove the lens hood.
• After shooting with the flash head pulled forward, be sure to return the flash head to its
original position before shooting again.
• When the shooting mode is set to <W> mode for a dark scene, a slow sync speed is
automatically set, and the shutter speed also becomes slower. Use a tripod or set the
shooting mode to <V>.
Troubleshooting Guide
The Speedlite does not fire.
The bottom of the picture looks dark.
The periphery of the picture looks extremely dark.
The picture is really blurred.
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Type
Type ................................................. On-camera autoflash Speedlite
Compatible cameras ........................ E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash EOS camera
Guide No.......................................... 27/89 (with the flash head pulled forward, ISO 100 in
meters/feet)
Flash coverage ................................ Matches a EF 28mm (EF-S 18mm) wide angle lens
Color temperature information
transmission..................................... Flash color temperature information transmitted to
camera when flash is fired
Exposure Control
Exposure control system.................. E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash, manual flash
Effective flash range...........................
(With EF 50mm f/1.4 lens at ISO 100)
0.7 - 19.3 m / 2.3 - 63.3 ft. (Quick flash: 0.7 - 11.1 m /
2.3 - 36.4 ft.)
* High-speed sync: 0.7 - 7.6 m / 2.3 - 24.9 ft. (at 1/250 sec.)
Functions supported by camera
operations ........................................ Flash exposure compensation, FE lock, high-speed
sync, modeling flash
Specifications
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AF-Assist Beam....................... Intermittent flash firing
Effective range: Center: Approx. 4 m / 13.1 ft.,
Periphery: Approx. 3.5 m / 11.5 ft.
Power Source
Battery.............................................. Two size-AA alkaline batteries
Recycling Time.................................
Approx. 0.1 - 3.9 sec. (Quick flash: approx. 0.1 - 2.6 sec.)
Battery life (flash count) ................... Approx. 100 - 680 flashes
Power saving ................................... Power off after 90 sec. of idle operation
Dimensions (W x H x D)........... 64 x 65 x 76.5 mm / 2.5 x 2.6 x 3.0 in.
Weight ....................................... Approx. 145 g / 5.1 oz. (excluding batteries)
All specifications above are based on Canon’s testing standards.
Product specifications and external appearance are subject to change without notice.
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