Canon 580EX - Speedlite II - Hot-shoe clip-on... User manual

English
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Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
The Canon Speedlite 580EX II is an EOS-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-Speedlite system. It has the same dust- and
water-resistance as EOS-1D series cameras.
Read this instruction manual while also referring to your
camera’s instruction manual.
Before using the Speedlite, read this instruction manual and your camera’s
instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the Speedlite operations.
The basic operation is as easy as with normal AE shooting.
When the 580EX II is attached to an EOS camera, almost all automatic
exposure control for flash photography is handled by the camera.
It is almost the same as using the camera’s built-in flash if it has one. You can
think of the 580EX II as a built-in, high-output flash, but attached externally.
It becomes automatically compatible with the camera’s flash
metering mode (E-TTL ll, E-TTL, and TTL).
In accordance with the camera’s flash control system, the Speedlite controls
the flash automatically in the respective flash metering mode:
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 flash metering modes 1 or 2 as a Type-A camera
(compatible with E-TTL II or E-TTL). And cameras having flash
metering mode 3(compatible with only TTL) are called Type-B
cameras.
*This instruction manual assumes that you are using the Speedlite
with a Type-A camera.
For Type-B cameras, see page 55.
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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 instruction manual assume that both
the camera and Speedlite’s power switches are ON.
Icons used in the text to indicate the respective buttons, dials, and
settings match the same icons found on the camera and Speedlite.
The (4) / (0) / (3) icons indicate that the respective function
remains in effect for 4 sec., 6 sec., or 16 sec. after you let go of the
button.
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
1Getting Started and Basic Operation ................................ 7
2Using Flash........................................................................ 13
3Wireless Flash ................................................................... 33
4Reference........................................................................... 47
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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 Mini stand
Shoe
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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.11)
LCD panel
Bounce angle
<D>
Flash mode/
Slave setting button
(p.11, 22, 24/45, 46)
* <A>
LCD panel illumination/
Custom Function setting
button (p.6/27)
<J>
Pilot lamp/Test firing/
Wireless slave power
ON button (p.10/38)
<E>
High-speed sync
(FP flash)/Shutter curtain
synchronization button
(p.17/26)
<G>
Zoom button/
Wireless selector/
Wireless set button
(p.20/36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45)
Power switch (p.10)
<L> : Power off
<K> : Power on
<9> Select Dial
* <8> Select/Set button
<z>
Bounce lock release
button (p.18)
Asterisked buttons have functions which remain active for 8 sec. after you
press and let go of the button. The <B> illumination lasts for 12 sec.
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LCD Panel
To illuminate the LCD panel, press the <B> button.
The items actually displayed depend on the current 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> High-speed sync
(FP flash)
<g> FEB
<9> ISO speed
<8/a/b>
Auto external
metering/
E-TTL (ll)/
TTL autoflash
<f> Flash
exposure compensation
<q/p>
Manual flash/Multi
(Stroboscopic)
flash
<u>
Custom Function
Flash range
scale/Flash
ratio scale
<s> Auto zoom
for image size
Indicator (feet)
<r>
Second-curtain sync
Zoom focal length
<d> Manual zoom
<M> Master
<y> Flash ratio
<x> Slave
Aperture
FEB status
Stroboscopic flash count
Stroboscopic flash frequency
Manual flash 1/3-stop
increment indicator
Custom Function No.
Custom Function setting
<w> Channel
Firing mode
Master flash ON : W
Master flash OFF : Y
Slave flash : X
<8q>
Manual external
metering
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Getting Started and
Basic Operation
Installing the Batteries ............................................ 8
Attaching to the Camera......................................... 9
Turning on the Power Switch................................ 10
Fully Automatic Flash Shooting............................. 11
Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash in the
Shooting Modes.................................................... 12
To avoid overheating and degrading the flash
head, do not fire more than 20 continuous
flashes. After 20 continuous flashes, allow a rest
time of at least 10 min.
If you fire more than 20 continuous flashes and
then fire more flashes in short intervals, the
inner overheating prevention function may be
activated to make the recycling time about 8 to
20 sec. If this occurs, allow a rest time of about
15 min. and the flash will then return to normal.
Cautions for firing continuous flashes
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Install four size-AA batteries.
1Open the cover.
Use your thumb to press the battery
compartment lock lever, then slide it
as shown by the arrow cto open the
cover.
2Install the batteries.
Make sure the + and – battery
contacts are properly oriented as
shown in the compartment.
3Close the cover.
Close the battery compartment cover
and slide it as shown by the arrow.
XWhen the cover clicks in place, it will
be locked.
Based on new size-AA alkaline batteries and Canon’s testing standards.
Quick flash enables a flash to be fired before flash-ready (p.10).
Installing the Batteries
Recycling Time and Flash Count (with size-AA alkaline batteries)
Recycling Time Flash Count
Quick Flash Normal Flash
Approx. 0.1 - 2.5 sec. Approx. 0.1 - 5 sec. Approx. 100 - 700
Using size-AA batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper
battery contact due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.
If you change the batteries after firing many flashes continuously, be
aware that the batteries might be hot.
Use a new set of four batteries of the same brand. When replacing the
batteries, replace all four at one time.
Size-AA Ni-MH or lithium batteries can also be used.
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1Attach the Speedlite.
Slip the Speedlite’s mounting foot into
the camera’s hot shoe all the way.
2Secure the Speedlite.
On the mounting foot, slide the lock
lever to the right.
XWhen the lock lever clicks in place, it
will be locked.
3Detach the Speedlite.
While pressing the lock-release
button, slide the lock lever to the left
and detach the Speedlite.
Attaching to the Camera
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1Set the power switch to <K>.
XThe flash recycling starts.
2Check that the flash is ready.
The pilot lamp will first turn green (ready
for quick flash), then red (flash ready).
Pressing the pilot lamp will fire a test
flash.
Quick flash enables a flash to be fired before flash-ready, when the pilot
lamp is still green.
Although the Guide No. will be 1/6 to 1/2 that of the full output, quick flash
is effective for near subjects and when you want a shorter recycle time.
Set the drive mode to single shooting. Quick flash cannot be used in the
continuous shooting, FEB, manual flash, and stroboscopic flash modes.
Quick flash can also be used during continuous flash shooting.
(C.Fn-06 →p.27)
To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after a
certain period (approx. 1.5 min. to 15 min.) of idle use. To turn on the
Speedlite again, press the camera’s shutter button halfway. Or press
the Speedlite’s test firing button.
Auto Power Off can also be disabled. (C.Fn-01 →p.27)
Turning on the Power Switch
About Quick Flash
About Auto Power Off
A test flash cannot be fired while the camera’s operation timer 4or 0
is active.
The Speedlite’s settings will be retained in memory even after the power
is turned off. To retain the Speedlite’s settings after you replace the
batteries, turn off the power and replace the batteries within 1 minute.
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