Canon Speedlite 420EX User manual

E
English Edition
INSTRUCTIONS
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Thank you for purchasing a Canon 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.
Keep this instruction booklet handy for future reference.
Key to Symbols
The Caution symbol alerts you to actions to prevent flash
photography problems.
The Note symbol gives additional information for basic operations.
The Light bulb symbol offers helpful tips for operating the
Speedlite or for taking pictures.
Available 420EX Features with EOS Cameras
Feature With Type-A Cameras With Type-B Cameras
E-TTL autoflash O X
TTL autoflash X O
High-speed sync (FP flash) O X
FE lock O X
E-TTL wireless autoflash with multiple Speedlites OX
O: Available X: Not available.
Type-A Camera E-TTL
EOS-1D, 1V, 3, D60, D30, ELAN 7/7E, 30/33,
ELAN ll/ELAN ll E, 50/50E, REBEL 2000/300,
500N/REBEL G, 3000N/66/REBEL XSN, IX, IX 7/IX Lite
Type-B Camera TTL All other EOS cameras other than the above.
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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 9 to
30 and 39 to 53.
If you have a Type-B camera, read pages 9 to 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:
: Full Auto
: Program AE
: Aperture-priority AE
: Shutter speed-priority AE
: Manual
• The ( ) icon indicates that the respective function remains in
effect for 16 sec. after the relevant button is released.
• Reference page numbers are indicated in parentheses as
follows: (→page M)
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Contents
4
1
2
Conventions Used in this Booklet..............................................3
Nomenclature ............................................................................6
Before You Start (For Type-A and Type-B Cameras) .....9
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
Easy Flash Photography (For Type-A Cameras) ..........17
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
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Contents
3
4
1
2
3
4
Easy Flash Photography (For Type-B Cameras) ..........31
Flash in Full Auto Mode...........................................................32
Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes......................................34
Advanced Flash Photography (For Type-A and B Cameras) ...39
Bounce Flash ..........................................................................40
Flash Exposure Compensation ...............................................41
Multi-Speedlite System............................................................42
Troubleshooting Guide............................................................48
Major Specifications ................................................................49
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Nomenclature
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Front
Flash head
Locking collar
(→page 12)
Contacts (→page 12)
Mounting foot (→page 12)
Wireless sensor
AF-assist beam emitter
(→page 16)
Battery chamber
cover (→page 10)
• The reference page is indicated by (→page M).
• In the text, the 420EX's controls and settings are indicated with the corresponding
icons enclosed in brackets < >.
Locking pin(→page 12)
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Nomenclature
Back
<>
Horizontal bounce
release button (→page 40)
E-TTL indicator
<>
Upward bounce release
button (→page 40)
Autozoom position
indicators (→page 16)
Main switch (→page 14)
<>: Turns off the power.
<>: Turns on the power.
<>
High-speed sync (FP flash)
switch (→page 14)
<>
Pilot lamp /
Test firing button (→page 15)
Flash exposure confirmation
lamp (→page 15)
<>
Slave group (SLAVE ID)
button (→page 43)
Wireless selector (→page 42)
<>Channel button (→page 43)
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1
This chapter helps you prepare for flash
photography with the 420EX.
Before You Start
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Installing the Batteries
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Install one of the following types of batteries:
(1) Four size-AA alkaline batteries
(2) Four size-AA nickel-hydride batteries
1Open the battery chamber cover.
• Slide the battery chamber cover as
shown by arrow 1 and flip it up as
shown by arrow 2.
1
2Insert the batteries.
• Make sure the + and - battery
contacts are properly oriented as
shown in the battery chamber.
2
3Close the battery chamber cover.
• Close the cover and push it down
while sliding it as shown by arrow 2.
1
2
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Installing the Batteries
Recycling Time and Flash Count
Battery Type Recycling Time Flash Count
Size-AA alkaline batteries Approx. 0.1-7.5 sec. Approx. 200-1400
• Use four new batteries of the same type. When replacing batteries, replace all
four batteries at one time.
• Size-AA lithium batteries can also be used.
• Although non-alkaline, manganese batteries may also be used, the number of
flashes will be less.
• Remove the batteries when the 420EX will not be used for an extended period.
• In low temperatures, take two sets of batteries and keep one set warm in a
pocket, etc., and use the batteries alternately.
• An external power pack cannot be used with the 420EX.
• The above specifications are based on Canon’s testing standards.
• Using size-AA nickel-hydride batteries will yield only about 70 to 80
percent of the flashes (1550 mAh at full output) obtainable with size-AA
alkaline batteries. The recycling time will also be about half the time with
size-AA alkaline batteries.
• To prevent faulty connections, make sure the battery contacts are clean. If
necessary, use a clean cloth to wipe the battery contacts.
• In the case of size-AA nickel-hydride and size-AA lithium batteries, the shape
of the contacts is not standardized. Be sure that the batteries are compatible
with the flash unit before buying.
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Mounting the Speedlite
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1Loosen the locking collar.
• Turn it as shown by the arrow.
2Mount the 420EX onto the camera.
• Slide the 420EX's mounting foot all
the way into the hot shoe.
3Tighten the locking collar.
Turn the locking collar as shown by
the arrow. The mounting foot's
locking pin extends into the hot
shoe's locking pin hole.
• To detach the 420EX, turn the
locking collar in the opposite direction
until it stops. (The locking pin retracts
into the mounting foot.) Then slide
out the 420EX from the hot shoe.
The hot shoe on the EOS 650, 620, 750, and 850 does not have a locking pin
hole. Although the 420EX can still be mounted on these cameras, be careful not
to have it slip off the hot shoe.
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The wireless selector has the following settings.
For Normal Flash Operation
• Set the wireless selector to OFF to
use the 420EX as a normal, on-
camera Speedlite.
Wireless Selector
For Wireless Flash Operation
• Set the wireless selector to SLAVE to
use the 420EX as a wireless slave
unit.
The flash coverage is set to 24mm
automatically.
• Even if the wireless selector is accidentally set to < >, the 420EX will still
operate as an on-camera Speedlite for normal flash photography.
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Main Switch
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The main switch has the following settings.
Turns off the power.
Turns on the power.
After 90 sec. of non-use, the SE
(Save Energy) mode takes effect
automatically to turn off the 420EX
and save battery power.
• To cancel the SE mode, press the
test firing button.
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Switch
The high-speed sync switch has the following settings.
Sets the normal sync mode.
Sets the high-speed sync mode.
• When the 420EX is used with a Type-A camera and the switch is set to < >,
setting a shutter speed faster than the camera's fastest sync speed sets the
high-speed sync mode. And using a shutter speed slower than the fastest sync
speed sets the normal sync mode.
• When a Type-B camera is used, the normal sync mode takes effect regardless
of this switch's setting.
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Pilot Lamp and Test Firing
Before taking the flash picture, you can fire a test flash.
1Check that the < > lamp is lit.
• When the flash is ready, the
< > lamp lights.
2After the < > lamp lights,
press it to fire a test flash.
A test flash fires.
•The <>lamp also works as a test
firing button.
Flash Exposure Confirmation
If the correct flash exposure has been
obtained, the flash exposure
confirmation lamp lights (in green) for
about 3 sec. after the flash fires.
If the flash exposure confirmation lamp
does not light after the flash fires, the
picture may have been underexposed.
Move closer to the subject and try
again.
• Test firing is not possible while the camera's exposure metering is active after
you press the shutter button halfway.
• If the SE mode is in effect, pressing the test firing button cancels the SE mode
and turns on the 420EX.
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The 420EX's flash head zooms automatically to provide adequate flash
coverage for the lens focal length in use. Flash coverage is provided for the
24mm to 105mm focal lengths. The corresponding autozoom position
indicator on the Speedlite lights.
When a zoom lens is used, the flash coverage changes automatically to
suit the focal length you zoom to.
Flash Coverage
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Press the shutter button halfway.
• The autozoom position indicator for
the corresponding lens focal length
lights.
If where you focus lacks sufficient light or contrast, the 420EX's AF-assist
beam is emitted automatically so that the camera can autofocus. The AF-
assist beam can cover the focusing points of the EOS 30/ELAN 7E and
almost all other EOS cameras. The AF-assist beam is effective from 0.7 to
7 m/2.3 to 23ft. at the center focusing point.
AF-Assist Beam
AF-Assist Beam Preconditions
The preconditions for the AF-assist beam to be emitted are explained on
page 51.
• When the flash coverage changes, the Speedlite's Guide No. also changes.
See the Guide No. table on page 50 to see how the Guide No. changes.
• If the lens focal length is 105mm or longer, the 105 autozoom position indicator
lights.
• When the wireless selector is set to < > (→page 42), the flash coverage
is set automatically to 24mm.
If a lens focal length shorter than 24mm is used, the picture's periphery will look
dark.
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When the 420EX is mounted on a Type-
A camera such as the EOS 30/ELAN
7E, using E-TTL autoflash is just as
easy as normal autoexposure (AE).
E-TTL autoflash uses the camera's
multi-zone metering sensor for highly
precise flash exposure control. A
preflash is fired for evaluative flash
metering and the reading is used to
determine the main flash output. The
result is a flash picture with excellent
balance between the flash illumination
and ambient light.
Easy Flash Photography
(For Type-A Cameras)
• This section uses the EOS 30/ELAN 7E as the sample Type-A camera.
• Before proceeding, first turn on the main switch on the camera and 420EX.
• Set the 420EX's wireless selector to < >.
• For EOS 30/ELAN 7E operations, refer to the EOS 30/ELAN 7E instruction
booklet.
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With the 420EX attached to a Type-A camera set to < > (Full Auto) or
< > (Program AE), flash photography will be fully automatic and as easy
as normal AE photography without flash. The camera sets the shutter
speed and aperture automatically to suit the lighting situation, whether it is
dark or daylight (fill flash). E-TTL autoflash thereby sets the flash exposure
automatically.
Flash in Full Auto Mode
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1Set the camera to < > (Full
Auto) or < > (Program AE).
• Fully automatic flash photography
takes effect when any Basic Zone
mode is set with the camera.
• Set the high-speed sync switch to
<>.
2Focus the subject.
The shutter speed and aperture
settings are displayed in the
viewfinder and on the LCD panel.
• The sync speed is set automatically
anywhere from 1/60 sec. to the
camera's fastest sync (varies
depending on the camera). The
aperture is also set automatically.
(→page 52)
3Take the picture.
• Check that the < > icon is lit in the
viewfinder, then take the picture.
• Immediately before the picture is
taken, a preflash is fired. The main
flash then follows. The subject
brightness metered with the preflash
is used to determine the optimum
output of the main flash.
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Flash in Full Auto Mode
4Check that the flash exposure
confirmation lamp lights.
• When a correct flash exposure has
been obtained, the lamp lights for
about 3 sec. If it does not light,
underexposure may have occurred.
Check that the < > is lit, then
move closer to the subject and take
the picture again.
Fill Flash
Even in daylight, you can use flash as fill light to soften harsh shadows or
illuminate a dark, backlit subject.
With fill flash, the subject illuminated with flash might look unnatural compared to
the background's brightness. To prevent this, the flash output is reduced
automatically to obtain a more natural balance between the subject and
background brightness. This is called automatic flash output reduction.
• The preflash is fired to obtain a meter reading of the subject.
• The main flash is used for the actual flash exposure.
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Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes
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You can also use E-TTL autoflash with the camera set to < > (aperture-
priority AE), < > (shutter speed-priority AE), or < > (manual).
If flash is used in the < > (depth-of-field AE) mode, it will be the same as
using flash in the < > (Program AE) mode.
Shutter Speed and Aperture Settings According to Mode
Mode Shutter Speed Flash Aperture
(Program AE) Automatically set (1/60 sec. - 1/x sec.) Automatically set
(Aperture-priority AE) Automatically set (30 sec. - 1/x sec.) Manually set
(Shutter speed-priority AE) Manually set (30 sec. - 1/x sec.) Automatically set
(Manual) Manually set (buLb, 30 sec. - 1/x sec.) Manually set
• Manually set: Set by you.
• Automatically set: Set by the camera.
• 1/x sec.: Camera's fastest sync speed. (→page 52)
• When you press the shutter button completely, a preflash is fired immediately
before the main flash is fired for the picture taken. The preflash is used to obtain
subject brightness information to determine the optimum output of the main flash.
• The background exposure is set according to the shutter speed and aperture
combination.
• While the 420EX's main switch is on, the E-TTL indicator lights automatically when
you press the camera's shutter button halfway.
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