Canon Macro ring lite MR-14EX II User manual

English
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The Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II is a flash unit for shooting
close-ups with Canon EOS cameras, compatible with E-TTL II/E-TTL/
TTL autoflash systems. The flash unit is equipped with various
functions suitable for a wide range of shooting objectives, from simple
shooting to advanced shooting. It has functions to control the flash ratio
between flash tubes A and B, single-side firing, wireless multiple flash
shooting using additional slave flash units, and manual flash.
Read this instruction manual while also referring to your
camera’s instruction manual.
Before using the product, read this instruction manual and your
camera’s instruction manual to familiarize yourself with their
operations.
Using with an EOS DIGITAL camera (Type-A camera)
You can use the MR-14EX II for easy macro flash shooting by
autoflash control in the same way as a camera’s built-in flash.
Using with an EOS film camera
Camera with an E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash system (Type-A
camera)
You can use the MR-14EX II for easy macro flash shooting by
autoflash control in the same way as a camera’s built-in flash.
Camera with a TTL autoflash system (Type-B camera)
See page 76.
* This instruction manual assumes that the MR-14EX II is used with a
Type-A camera.
Introduction
Using the MR-14EX II with a Camera
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Before starting, check that all the following items are included with your
MR-14EX II. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.
* Be careful not to lose any of the above items.
Item Check List
Lens Cap
(p.16) Case
MR-14EX II
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Icons in this Manual
9: Indicates the Select dial.
8: Indicates the Set button.
3/1/4/ : Indicates that the respective function remains active for
7/24 sec., 6 sec., 8 sec., 10 sec., or 16 sec. after you let go
of the button.
(p.**) : Reference page numbers for more information.
: Warning to prevent shooting problems.
: Supplemental information.
M:Mshown to the right of the page title indicates that the
function is performed when the camera’s shooting
mode is set to <d/s/f/a/F> (Creative Zone
mode).
Basic Assumptions
The operation procedures assume that both the camera and the
MR-14EX II’s power switches are set to <K>.
The icons used for buttons, dials and symbols in the text match the
icons found on the camera and the MR-14EX II.
The operation procedures assume that the menu and Custom
Functions of the camera, and the Custom Functions and Personal
Functions of the MR-14EX II are at their default settings.
All figures are based on the use of four AA/LR6 alkaline batteries
and Canon’s testing standards.
The operation procedures assume that a macro lens is used.
Conventions Used in this Manual
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Chapters
Introduction 2
Getting Started with Macro Flash Shooting
Preparations for macro flash shooting and basic shooting 13
Setting Flash Functions with Camera Operations
Setting the flash functions from the camera’s menu screen 37
Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting
Wireless multiple flash shooting using additional slave units with
optical transmission 43
Customizing the MR-14EX II
Customizing with Custom Functions and Personal Functions 57
Reference
System map, FAQ, use with a type-B camera 67
1
2
3
4
5
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1
2
Introduction 2
Item Check List................................................................................. 3
Conventions Used in this Manual..................................................... 4
Chapters........................................................................................... 5
Nomenclature................................................................................... 8
Getting Started with Macro Flash Shooting 13
Installing the Batteries.................................................................... 14
Attaching the Control Unit to the Camera ...................................... 15
Attaching the Flash Unit to the Lens .............................................. 16
Turning on the Power..................................................................... 18
Fully Automatic Flash Shooting...................................................... 20
Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash by Shooting Mode................ 21
Effective Flash Range (Reference)................................................ 24
lSetting the Flash Ratio..................................................... 25
fFlash Exposure Compensation................................................. 27
gFEB .......................................................................................... 28
7: FE Lock.................................................................................. 29
cHigh-speed Sync ....................................................................... 30
rSecond-curtain Sync ............................................................... 31
q: Manual Flash............................................................................ 32
Clearing MR-14EX II Settings ........................................................ 36
Setting Flash Functions with Camera Operations 37
Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu Screen............................. 38
Contents
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Contents
3
4
65
Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting 43
:Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting.............................................44
Wireless Settings............................................................................47
a: Multiple Flash Shooting with Slave C Added.....................49
a: Advanced Multiple Flash Shooting with
Slave A, B, and C Added................................................................53
q: Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting with Manual Flash Output....55
Customizing the MR-14EX II 57
C/ >: Setting Custom and Personal Functions.....................58
C: Setting Custom Functions.....................................................61
>: Setting Personal Functions....................................................65
Memory Function............................................................................66
Reference 67
MR-14EX II System ........................................................................68
Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature Increase....................69
Troubleshooting Guide....................................................................71
Specifications..................................................................................73
Using MR-14EX II with a Type-B Camera ......................................76
Index...............................................................................................81
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Nomenclature
Flash Unit
Release button (p.16) Connecting cord
Flash tube B
Lens cap/
Filter thread (p.16-17)
Focusing lamp (p.22)
Focusing lamp (p.22)
Flash tube A
<i> Indicator
<h> Indicator
Front
Rear
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Nomenclature
Control Unit
MODE
Function button 2
Function button 1
<d>
Focusing lamp button
(p.22)
<E>
Flash mode button
(p.20, 32, 49, 55)
<Q>
Flash-ready lamp/
Test flash button
(p.18, 50, 61-63)
Mounting foot lock lever (p.15)
Lock-release button (p.15)
Mounting foot (p.15)
Terminal cover
External power
source socket
Contacts
Battery compartment
cover (p.14)
Battery compartment cover
lock-release lever (p.14)
Locking pin
<8> Set button
<9> Select dial
Flash exposure confirmation
lamp (p.20)
Power switch (p.18)
<K>:Poweron
<a> : Button/
dial lock
(Power on)
<J>:Poweroff
<f>
Flash ratio setting/
Flash tube select button
(p.25, 32, 47, 49,
53, 55)
Function button 4
Function button 3
LCD panel
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Nomenclature
E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash (p.21)
LCD Panel
c: High-speed sync
(p.30, 40)
r: Second-curtain
sync (p.31, 40)
u:Custom
Functions
(p.61)
Flash exposure level
T:Personal
Functions
(p.65)
FEB sequence (p.62)
g: FEB (p.28, 40)
Flash ratio
G: Battery indicator (p.18)
a: E-TTL II/E-TTL
autoflash
b: TTL autoflash
j: Normal shooting
t: Temperature
increase (Firing
restriction/p.69)
f: Flash exposure
compensation (p.27, 40)
Flash exposure compensation
amount
,:
Flash ratio setting
Firing group
l:FireA:B
(flash ratio control)
4:Fire A (single-side firing)
5:Fire B (single-side firing)
Aperture
The screens shown are examples. The display will show only the settings
currently applied.
The functions, such as <=> and <@>, displayed above function
buttons 1 to 4, change according to the settings.
When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates (p.19).
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Nomenclature
Manual flash (p.32)
Wireless multiple flash shooting with optical transmission
(p.43)
q: Manual flash
Manual flash
output
Firing group
4:FireA
5:FireB
Firing group
l:Fire A:B (flash
ratio control)
4:FireA
5:FireB
6:FireC
(slave C)
j:Fire A, B, and C
(only when C.Fn-15 is set to 1)
g: Wireless shooting
(master)
M: Master
::Optical
transmission
wireless shooting
*:Transmission
channel
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Cautions for firing continuous flashes
To avoid degrading and damaging the flash unit due to overheating,
do not fire more than 20 continuous flashes. After 20 continuous
flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 min.
If you fire 20 continuous flashes, and then fire the flash again
repeatedly in short intervals, the safety function may activate and
restrict flash firing. While flash firing is restricted, the firing interval is
automatically set to a time between approx. 8 and 15 sec. If this
happens, allow a rest time of at least 10 min.
For details, see “Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature
Increase” on page 69.
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1
Getting Started with
Macro Flash Shooting
This chapter describes the preparations before starting
macro flash shooting and the basic shooting operations.
Conditions of the subject greatly influence the exposure when
shooting close-ups. Therefore, it is recommended to shoot the
same subject with different exposures (p.27) and check the
exposure immediately after shooting.
When the camera’s shooting mode is set to a fully automatic
mode or an Image Zone mode, the functions with Madded to
the right side of the page title cannot be set. Set the camera’s
shooting mode to d/s/f/a/F(Creative Zone mode) to
enable all the operations in this chapter.
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Use four AA/LR6 batteries.
1Open the cover.
Slide the lock-release lever to the left
as shown in the illustration, slide the
cover down, then open the battery
compartment cover.
2Install the batteries.
Make sure the “+” and “-” battery
contacts are correctly oriented as
shown in the battery compartment.
The grooves on the side surfaces of
the battery compartment indicate “-”.
This is convenient when replacing the
batteries in a dark place.
3Close the cover.
Close the battery compartment cover
and slide it up.
XWhen it clicks in place, the battery
compartment cover is locked.
Based on new AA/LR6 alkaline batteries, both sides firing, and Canon’s testing
standards.
The Quick flash function enables flash shooting before the flash is fully charged
(p.18).
Installing the Batteries
Firing Interval and Number of Flashes
Firing Interval Number of Flashes
Quick Flash Normal Flash
Approx. 0.1 to 3.3 sec. Approx. 0.1 to 5.5 sec. Approx. 100 to 700
Using AA/LR6 batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper
battery contact due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.
Be aware that the batteries may become hot, if you change batteries after
firing flashes continuously.
Batteries are required by the flash unit even when an external power
source (p.68) is used.
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Attaching the Control Unit to the Camera
1Attach the control unit.
Slip the control unit’s mounting foot
all the way into the camera’s hot
shoe.
2Secure the control unit.
Slide the mounting foot lock lever to
the right.
XWhen the lock lever clicks in place, it
is locked.
3Detach the control unit.
While pressing the lock-release
button, slide the lock lever to the left
and detach the control unit.
Attaching the Control Unit to the Camera
When <!> is displayed, or the LCD panel display turns off during
recycling, replace the batteries with new ones.
Use a new set of four batteries of the same brand. When replacing the
batteries, replace all four at one time.
AA/LR6 Ni-MH or lithium batteries can also be used.
Be sure to turn off the MR-14EX II before attaching or detaching it.
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Attach the flash unit to the front of the macro lens.
Attach the flash unit to the front
of the lens while holding down
the release button.
Make sure that the flash unit is
securely attached.
When rotating the flash unit, lightly
press the release button while
rotating it.
Detach the flash unit while holding
down the release button.
Attach the provided lens cap to the flash unit when it is not used in order
to protect the lens.
A 67 mm diameter filter can also be
attached to the flash unit (p.17).
Attaching the Flash Unit to the Lens
Attaching the Lens Cap
Be sure to attach the flash unit to the lens when shooting. Shooting while
holding the flash unit in your hand may result in a low temperature burn.
Do not touch the flash unit or batteries immediately after continuous flash
firing or modeling flash (p.23). Touching them may result in a burn. Make
sure that the flash unit has cooled before detaching the flash unit or
replacing batteries.
When using the following lenses, attach the Macrolite Adapter (sold
separately) to the front of the lens (filter thread) and then attach the flash
unit.
• EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: Macrolite Adapter 67
• EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM: Macrolite Adapter 72C
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Attaching the Flash Unit to the Lens
A commercially-available filter can be
used during flash shooting. A filter can
be attached, using the two procedures
described below. Filters may not be used
together with some macro lenses.
(1)Attach a 67 mm filter on the front face of the flash unit (see the
above illustration).
(2)Attach the flash unit to the lens with the filter attached to the front of
the lens (filter thread).
*The lens cannot be used with a filter, since focusing is interrupted by an attached
filter touching the front of the lens. Also, filter may be damaged or the lens
malfunction may result.
If you want to use a dedicated hood with the MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x
Macro Photo (sold separately), attach the flash unit after attaching
the hood to the lens.
A hood cannot be attached when using any other macro lens.
Using a Filter
Macro Lens Filter Compatibility
(1) (2)
EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro No*
Yes
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro
Yes
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo
Using a Hood
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1Set the power switch to <K>.
XThe flash recycling starts.
XDuring recycling, <G> is
displayed on the LCD panel. When
flash recycling is completed, this
indicator disappears.
2Check that the flash is ready.
The state of the flash-ready lamp
changes from off to green (Quick
flash ready) to red (fully charged).
Press the test flash button (flash-
ready lamp) to fire a test flash.
The Quick flash function enables flash shooting when the flash-ready
lamp is lit green (before the flash is fully charged). It is available when
the camera’s drive mode is set to single shooting. The flash output will
be approx. 1/2 to 1/5 of the full output, but it is effective for shooting with
a shorter firing interval.
Note that you cannot use Quick flash when continuous shooting, FEB,
manual flash, or wireless multiple flash shooting is set.
To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after approx.
90 sec. of idle use. To turn on the MR-14EX II again, press the camera’s
shutter button halfway, or press the test flash button (flash-ready lamp).
Turning on the Power
Quick Flash
Auto Power Off
Quick flash cannot be used when the flash mode is set to <b>.
A test flash cannot be fired when the camera’s 3/1/4/7/2
timer is active.
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Turning on the Power
By setting the power switch to <a>, you can disable the flash’s
buttons and dial operations. It is effective when you want to prevent the
flash function settings from being accidentally changed after you set
them.
If you operate a button or dial, <LOCKED> is displayed on the LCD
panel. (The functions displayed above function buttons 1 to 4,such as
<=> and <@>, are not displayed.)
When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates for 12 sec.
If you operate them when the LCD panel is illuminated, duration of the
illumination will be extended.
Lock Function
LCD Panel Illumination
The flash settings will remain in effect even after the power is turned off.
To retain the settings when replacing the batteries, replace the batteries
within 1 min. after turning off the power switch and removing the
batteries.
When the temperature of the flash unit has risen due to continuous flash
firing, the time until auto power off takes effect may increase.
You can fire a test flash or turn on/off the focusing lamp while the power
switch is set to the <a> position. Also, when a button or dial is
operated, the LCD panel illuminates.
You can fire Quick flash during continuous shooting (C.Fn-06/p.62).
Auto power off can be disabled (C.Fn-01/p.61).
You can select the charging method to be used when an external power
source is used (C.Fn-12/p.63).
You can change the setting of the LCD panel illumination (C.Fn-22/p.64).
You can change the color of the LCD panel illumination (P.Fn-03/p.65).
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When you set the camera’s shooting mode to <d> (Program AE) or a
fully automatic mode, you can shoot in the E-TTL II/E-TTL fully
automatic flash mode.
1Set the flash mode to <a>.
Press the <E> button and set to
<a>.
Check that <M> is not
displayed.
2Focus on the subject.
Press the shutter button halfway to
focus.
XThe shutter speed and aperture are
displayed in the viewfinder.
Check that <Q> is lit in the viewfinder.
3Take the picture.
When you press the shutter button
completely, the flash will fire and the
picture will be taken.
XIf a standard flash exposure was
obtained, the flash exposure
confirmation lamp lights for 3 sec.
Fully Automatic Flash Shooting
Even when attached to a camera that supports the E-TTL II autoflash,
<a> is displayed on the LCD panel.
If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light or if the subject is
dark (underexposed) when you check the image on the camera’s LCD
monitor, move closer to the subject and shoot again. You can also set a
higher ISO speed when using a digital camera.
“Fully automatic mode” refers to <A>, <1>, and <C> shooting
modes.
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