Canon SPEEDLIGHT 420ex User manual

Thank you for purchasing aCanon product.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX is an autozoom flash unit equipped with a
wireless sensor for E-TTL wireless autoflash.
*E-TTL stands for Evaluative-Through-The-Lens.
The features available with Speedlite 420EX depend on the EOS camera.
Refer to the table below to identify your camera type.
This instruction booklet has separate chapters for Type-A and Type-B EOS
cameras. After reading the first chapter applicable to both camera types,
read the respective sections that apply to your camera.
EOS-10, 1V, 3,060,030, ELAN 7/7E, 30/33,
Type-A Camera E-TIL
ELAN II/ELAN II E, SO/SOE, REBEL 2000/300,
.
SOON/REBEL G, 3000N/66/REBEL XSN, IX, IX 7/IX Lite
Type-B Camera
TTL All other EOS cameras other than the above.
Available 420EX Features with EOS Cameras 0: Available X: Not available.
Feature With Type-A Cameras With Type-B Cameras
E-TTL autoflash 0X
TTL autoflash X0
High-speed sync (FP flash) 0X
FE lock 0X
E-TIL wireless autoflash with mUltiple Speedlites
0X
Key to Symbols
oThe Caution symbol alerts you to actions to prevent flash
photography problems.
[i] The Note symbol gives additional information for basic operations.
~8-: The Light bulb symbol offers helpful tips for operating the
... ~' Speedlite or for taking pictures.
Keep this instruction booklet handy for future reference.
2

Conventions Used in this Booklet.
This instruction booklet has separate chapters for Type-A and
Type-B cameras. If
you have a Type-A camera, read pages Hto
30 and 39 to 53.
If you .have aType-B camera, read pages 9to 16 and
31 to 53.
•The operation procedures in this instruction booklet assume
that the main (power) switch on the camera
and 420EX has
been turned on. Be sure to turn on the main switch before
proceeding.
•The icons in
the text indicate the camera and 420EX's buttons
and dials and their settings. The icons in the text are the same
ones found on the camera and Speedlite. For the name of the
button
or dial, see "Nomenclature" on page 8. The following
icons for the camera's picture-taking modes are also used:
o :Full Auto
p : Program AE
Av :Aperture-priority AE
Tv :Shutter speed-priority AE
M : Manual
•The (016) icon indicates that the respective function remains in
effect for 16sec. after the relevant button is released.
•Reference page numbers are indicated in parentheses as
follows: (-7page
.)
3

Conventions Used in this Booklet. 3
Nomenclature 6
Installing the Batteries 10
Mounting the Speedlite 12
Wireless Selector 13
Main Switch 14
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Switch 14
Pilot Lamp and Test Firing 15
Flash Exposure Confirmation 15
Flash Coverage 16
AF-Assist Beam 16
Flash
in Full Auto Mode 18
Flash
in Other Picture-Taking Modes 20
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) 25
FE Lock 27
Second-Curtain Synchronization 29
Modeling Flash 30
4

Contents
Flash
in Full Auto Mode 32
Flash
in Other Picture-Taking Modes 34
4(Advan.c.ed( ••. FI·.~sb·i·l?hotographYi •• (F()r •. Type.A.iand····.B ··Cllmeras) 39
Bounce Flash 40
Flash Exposure Compensation
.41
Multi-Speedlite System .42
Troubleshooting Guide .48
Major Specifications .49 4
5

Nomenclature
Front
.--------- Flash head
Wireless sensor
-------1'==;<'=1--
AF-assist beam emitter --1'7--_
(~page 16)
Locking
pin(~page 12) --J(~~~
¥---f-f-- Battery chamber
cover
(---7page 10)
('&-~~~----- Locking collar
(~page 12)
Mounting foot
(---7page 12) ......J
'----------- Contacts (~page 12)
•The reference page is indicated by (~page .).
• In the text, the 420EX's controls and settings are indicated with the corresponding
icons enclosed
in brackets <>.
6

Nomenclature
Back
<lpUSHI>
Horizontal bounce
release button
(~page 40) ---------,
<8>
Upward bounce release
button
(~page 40)
OFF., rON
~~~ltll-Main switch (~page 14)
.~mIEl=--___;:;:;__-~ <OFF>: Turns off the power.
<ON>: Turns on the power.
E-TTL
: ~ ~5 • • ..-!-+-+--+-++---Autozoom position
,=========5~O~70~1~05~
indicators (~page 16)
E- TTL indicator -------t---,
<PILOT>
Pilot lamp I
Test firing button (~page 15)----""~~~~~~--::~5:.p
<~H>
High-speed sync (FP flash) •., r~
switch (~page 14) ----+\--------1ffl ;1)1
Flash exposure confirmation -----'
lamp (~page 15) <
CH. >Channel button (~page 43)
<GROUP>
Slave group (SLAVE
10) ---------'
button (~page 43)
'------Wireless selector (~page 42)
7

This chapter helps you prepare for flash
photography with the 420EX.
BeforeYou Start

Installing the Batteries
Install one of the following types of batteries:
(1) Four size-AA alkaline batteries
(2) Four size-AA nickel-hydride batteries
Open the battery chamber cover.
•Slide the battery chamber cover as
shown by arrow 1and flip it up as
shown by arrow 2.
Insert the batteries.
•Make sure the +and -battery
contacts are properly oriented as
shown in the battery chamber.
Close the battery chamber cover.
•Close the cover and push it down
while sliding it as shown by arrow
2.
10