Canon SPPEDLITE 577G User manual

INTRODUCTION
The Speedlite 577G is Canon’s
most powerful electronic computer
flash unit with many impressive au¬
tomatic and professional features.
With Canon SLR cameras, it goes
well beyond the conventional mean¬
ing of automatic in flash photo¬
graphy. On a Canon New F-1, A-1,
AE-1 PROGRAM, AE-1, AL-1 or AV-1
camera, it will automatically switch
the shutter speed to the flash sync
speed of 1/60 second. (1/90 sec¬
ond in the case of the New F-1.)
Even the aperture will be set auto¬
matically for the New F-1 (Shutter-
Priority Mode), A-1, AE-1 PROGRAM,
and AE-1 as long as the lens is on
“A”. If using one of the New F-I’s or
A-I’s slower shutter speeds is de¬
sirable, that is possibie too. Flash
photography with the 577G is as
easy as turning on its power switch,
selecting one of three apertures by
sliding one switch and waiting for
its pilot lamp to glow. Its many spe¬
cial features and accessories offer
all of the necessary options for
obtaining beautiful and professional
results. For control of shadows and
better modeling of the subject, the
flashhead tilts upward up to 120°
and swings to the left and right
120° each way. Its unique bracket
design insures quick release of the
flash unit for varying the distance
between the flash and the camera.
And since it has a carefully mated,
separate sensor which remains in
the camera’s hot shoe, correct ex¬
posure is obtained even when the
flash itself is not aimed directly at
the subject.
The 577G normally covers the angle
of view of lenses having a focal
length of at least 35mm, but with its
Wide Adapter 577G-24, flash photo¬
graphy can also be done with 24 or
28mm lenses. Even flash photo¬
graphy with a 20mm lens can be
accomplished by attaching the Wide
Adapter 577G-20, an optional ac¬
cessory. With special synchro cords
which are available on the market
for connecting other Canon Speed-
lites, synchronized multiple flash is
another option.
* Since the Canon Speedlite 577G
does not have an internal power
source, use of the Canon Tran¬
sistor Pack G, which accepts
either six C-size batteries or the
Canon rechargeable Ni-Cd Pack
TP, is required.
2

BAS/CS
Assembly.....p.6
Transistor Pack G.....p.9
How Automatic Flash Control Works....p.11
Setting the ASA Film Speed.p. 12
Setting the Shutter Speed...p. 12
Setting an Aperture on the Flash...p. 14
Setting the Aperture on the Camera.p. 15
Pre-Shooting Checks.p. 16
Shooting.......p. 20

r
9
^
®
9
@
®
O

O Flash Head
© Slow-Sync AUTO/MANU Switch
© Transistor Pack G Connecting
Socket
O Synchro Cord Socket
© Auto Shooting Distance Range
Scales
@ ASA Fiim Speed Setting Dial
O Attachment Groove for Wide and
Tele Adapters
© Aperture Selection Window
0 Aperture Selection Switch
0 Tilting Angle Indicator Window
0 AUTO/MANU Switch
0 Pilot Lamp (Flash Test Button)
0 Auto Check Lamp
0 Sensor Unit Socket
® Positioning Groove
© Bracket Coupling Pin
© Tightening Screws
© Slide Lock Release Button
© Threaded Attachment Point
© Camera Placement Positioning
Groove
© Tripod Screw Socket
© Bracket Coupling Pin Socket
® Motor Drive MF Adapter
Attachment Site
® Framing Guides
© Tripod Socket Screw
© Wide Adapter 577G-24
© Lock Nut
© Synchro Cord A Socket
© Sensor
© Connecting Plug
© Coupling Index
^ Pilot Lamp
© Power Switch

ASSEMBLY
Slide lock button to left. While
holding it in, pull flash section
apart from camera support.
4 Align the index on the clamp
with positioning groove on the
grip.
Screw large tripod-type screw
into the threaded end of the
groove.
After sliding clamp on grip, re¬
tighten the two screws on flash
section.
3 Adjust position of support be¬
fore completing.
Align flash section with
camera support section and
push them together.

(1) B racket to Camera
1. Slide the lock button on the flash
section of the bracket to the left
and, while holding the button in,
separate the flash section from the
camera support section (Photo 1).
2. Screw the large tripod-type screw
into the camera support section of
the bracket to the screw thread at
one end of the groove (Photo 2).
3. Screw the tripod-type screw part¬
way into the tripod socket on the
camera's base. Before screwing it
in the rest of the way, shift the
camera support back and forth
untii the ridges across the front of
it are right up against the front of
the camera. Make sure the
camera is not sitting on top of
these ridges. Aiso adjust the
support sideways for the best fit.
Then finish tightening the screw
(Photo 3).
(2) B racket to 577G’s Grip
1. W ith a coin or a similar object,
loosen the two large screws on the
flash section. Separate the clamp
from the rest of the section.
2. Align the index on the clamp
with the positioning groove on the
grip and slide the clamp as far up
around the grip as you want (Photo
4).
3. Realign the flash section with the
clamp and retighten the two
screws (Photo 5). The clamp
should be positioned on the grip
so that, when assembly is com¬
pleted, the flash will be facing
straight ahead, in the same direc¬
tion as the lens.
(3) F lash Section to Camera
Support Section
Align the flash and camera support
sections of the bracket and push
them together (Photo 6). The lock
button on the flash section will spring
to the right when the two parts are
locked together.
♦ T o separate the two sections of
the bracket, slide the lock button
on the flash section to the left and
push it in. The lock button must
also be in this position for cou¬
pling the two sections as above.
7

(4) Sensor Unit G20 to Camera
and Flash
Rather than having a built-in sensor,
the 577G has a separate one which
slips into the camera’s accessory
shoe. It is very finely attuned to the
particular Speedlite 577G with which
it comes so that it can give the best
results possible.
1. Loosen the sensor’s lock nut and
slide it into the camera’s acces¬
sory shoe so that its eye is facing
forward. If the accessory shoe is
a hot shoe, be careful to push the
sensor all the way in so that pro¬
per electrical connection will be
made. Then tighten the lock nut.
2. To connect the sensor with the
577G, align the index on the plug
at the end of its cord with the
index on the 577G’s sensor socket
and push the plug in all the way.
* If the camera does not have a hot
shoe, Synchro-Cord A, an op¬
tional accessory, must also be
attached. See p. 31.
• A flash coupler must be used to
attach the sensor to the Canon
F-1. Three are available as op¬
tional accessories. Flash Coupler
F is especially for this combina¬
tion. Flash Coupler D or L may
also be used.
♦ Since the 577G and the sensor
provided with it are so carefully
matched to each other, they
should be considered a set. Do
not use the 577G with a different
sensor unit G20.

TRANSISTOR PACK G
This accessory provides power for accessory), which is rechargeable.
Speedlite577G. The Ni-Cd pack should be fully
Proper Batteries: Six new C-size al- charged,
kaline-manganese batteries or the
Canon Ni-Cd Pack TP (optional
Turn off the transistor pack’s Insert the set of six alkaline- Insert the transistor pack into
power switch. manganese batteries into its case and rehook the cord.
battery magazine TP.
Align the plug’s index with Turn on transistor pack’s Turn 577G’s AUTO/MANU
the 577G’s power source power switch. Lamp next to it switch to AUTO for auto¬
socket index. Push plug into should light up. matic flash control,
socket.

1. Unhook the Transistor Pack G’s
cord from its case and remove the
pack from the case.
2. Turn off the transistor pack’s
power switch (Photo 1).
3. Insert the set of six al¬
kaline-manganese batteries into
battery magazine TP as illustrat¬
ed. Then align the contact on the
magazine with the transistor
pack’s and insert the one into the
other (Photo 2).
OR
Insert a fully-charged Ni-Cd Pack
TP into Transistor Pack G the
same way as battery magazine TP
is inserted.
4. Reinsert the transistor pack into
its case as shown in the photo.
Then rehook the cord (Photo 3).
5. Align the index on the piug at the
end of the transistor pack’s cord
with the index on the 577G’s ex¬
ternal power source socket. Push
the piug securely into the socket
(Photo 4).
6. Turn on the transistor pack’s
power switch. The lamp next to
the power switch should light up
(Photo 5).
7. Make sure the usual preparations
as described in the following
pages have been made on
camera, flash and lens and wait
for the 577G’s pilot lamp to glow.
Then take the picture (Photo 6).
* The transistor pack’s operation
lamp glows as long as the power
switch is on and there is power.
However, even when it is glowing,
the batteries should be replaced
with new ones or the Ni-Cd Pack
TP should be recharged if the
flash unit’s recycling time be¬
comes longer than usual.
* When the batteries wear out, re¬
place all of them at the same time
with a set of new ones which are
all of the same brand.
* If you do not expect to use Tran¬
sistor Pack G for a long time, re¬
move the alkaline-manganese
batteries from the magazine. Ni-
Cd Pack TP may be left inserted
but the power switch must be off
to prevent corrosive battery
leakage and other potential dam¬
age.
• Be sure the transistor pack’s
power switch is off whenever it is
not in use.
• Should the battery temperature
rise in continuous shooting with C-
size batteries, you may rest at
ease, for it is a normal condition.
* There is a protective lining be¬
tween Battery Magazine TP and
Transistor Pack G.
Before using, remove this lining.
It may be thrown away.
10

HOW AUTOMATIC FLASH
CONTROL WORKS
The 577G’s sensor acts something
like the camera’s photocell; it
measures the intensity of light from
the flash which is reflected back from
the subject. When it decides that the
subject has received enough light, it
automatically cuts off flash emission.
In order to do this properly, the
sensor must, like a camera’s photo¬
cell, be as close to the film as possi¬
ble and facing the subject. Since the
577G’s sensor is separate in the
camera’s accessory shoe, it is always
in the best position to measure the
light correctly even while the flash
unit itself can be aimed in many dif¬
ferent directions for the best lighting
effect.
Flash Mode
Camera
Shutter Speed
Setting
Aperture Settir>g
- 1
Full Autoflash
A-1,AE-1 PROGRAM.
AE-1, NewF-1 (Shutter-
Priority AE Mode)
Automatically switches
to X-sync unless on
“B”
Automatic (When
using FD lens set on
“A” mark)
Automatic
Shutter Setting
Autoflash
AL-1,AV-1, NewF-1
(Aperture-Priority AE
or Manual Mode)
Automatically switches
to X-sync unless on
“B"
Manual
Normal
Autoflash
F-1 or other
cameras
.
Manual
(to X-sync)
Manual
To make its decision on when the
subject has received enough light,
the sensor must know three things:
1) the film speed, 2) the aperture and
3) the shutter speed. You must
always set the ASA film speed on the
flash by hand, but depending on the
camera you use, the flash may set
the aperture, the shutter speed or
both automatically. The table on the
left shows the various ways that the
aperture and shutter speed may be
set with various cameras.
11

SETTING THE
ASA FILM
SPEED
The sensor must know the ASA film
speed to give correct exposure.
Make sure it is set correctly on both
the camera and the flash. To set it on
the 577G, rotate the calculator dial
until the film speed index is aligned
with the ASA speed which corres¬
ponds to that of the film in the
camera.
SETTING THE
SHUTTER SPEED
Canon New F-1
Normal Flash Photography; Once
the 577G is attached to the
camera and its pilot lamp is glow¬
ing, the camera switches auto¬
matically to a sync speed of 1/90
sec., provided the shutter dial is
not on “B”.
Slow Sync Flash: Set the 577G’s
slow sync switch to MANU. Then
turn the camera’s shutter dial to
any speed from 1/60 sec. to 8
sec.
Canon A-1 Camera
Normal Flash Photography: Make
sure the 577G’s slow-sync
AUTO/MANU switch is on
“AUTO”. Except for “B” (Bulb), the
AT dial and AE mode selector may
be on any setting and the shutter
speed will switch to 1/60 sec., the
flash synchronization speed,
automatically as soon as the
577G’s pilot lamp glows. If the AT
dial is set to “B”, you will be in
control of exposure duration just
as you normally are with “B”.
AUTO PMin MANU. 1/60-30S
1
12

Slow Sync Flash: Set the 577G's
slow-sync AUTO/MANU switch
on "MANU”. Set the AT dial to a
shutter speed from 1 /60 sec. to 30
sec. The picture will be taken at
the speed to which the dial is set.
Canon AE-1 PROGRAM, AE-1,
and AL-1
Except for "B”, the shutter speed dial
may be on any setting and the shut¬
ter speed switch to the flash sync
speed of 1/60 sec. automatically
soon as the 577G's pilot lamp glows.
If the dial is set to “B”, “B” will be the
exposure duration.
Canon AV-1
The shutter speed will switch to the
flash sync speed of 1/60 sec. auto¬
matically when the 577G’s pilot lamp
glows if the selector dial is on the red
<3 (the preferable setting). It will
stay on 1/60 sec. continuously if the
dial is set to “60";”. If the dial is on
"A Self" or “Self^”, the shutter
speed will be 1/60 sec. and the
flash will be synchronized with the
camera for a delayed shot by self-
timer.
Other Cameras
Set the shutter speed dial by hand to
the camera's X flash synchronization
speed: e.g., to 1/60 sec. or slower on
the Canon F-1.
13

SETTING AN APERTURE
ON THE FLASH
You set an aperture with the aperture
selection switch on the back of the
577G. The switch has three color-
coded positions: red, green and yel¬
low. As you slide the switch, the color
of the position you have set will
appear in one of three windows on
the back of the flash.
a) Auto Shooting Distance Ranges
b) Auto Aperture Indices
c) Selection Switch Position
Indicators
Each position has a corresponding
aperture and auto shooting distance
range. The auto aperture is the f-
number which is directly opposite
the dot which is the same color as
the position of the aperture selection
switch. It changes with the ASA film
speed you have set on the calculator
dial. For instance, if you have set the
aperture selection switch to the red
position, the auto aperture will be
f/2.8 at ASA 100 but f/5.6 at ASA 400.
The auto shooting distance range is
indicated by the straight white line
which is directly opposite the set¬
ting of the aperture selection switch.
There are three lines, one for each
position of the switch. Each repre¬
sents the range of distances from the
subject for which that position of the
selection switch will give correct ex¬
posure. If the camera is out of that
range, the subject will be over- or
underexposed. There are two ways
to check that the camera is within
that range: either by reading the
lens’ distance scale after focusing
or by the auto check lamp (see p. 16).
When you are deciding which of the
three positions of the selection
switch you should set, place prime
importance on the shooting distance
range. If the actual shooting distance
falls within the range of two or all
three positions, take depth of field
into account.
* The indicated auto shooting dis¬
tance ranges only hold true if the
flash is pointing straight at the
subject. If the flash head is tilted
or swung for bounce flash, or if
the flash is held some distance
from the camera, rely on the auto
check lamp to tell you if you are
within the correct range (see p.
26). These ranges also change if
a wide or tele adapter is at¬
tached. See p. 23 and "Specifi¬
cations”, p. 35.
14

SETTING THE APERTURE
ON THE CAMERA
New F-1 (Shutter-Priority Mode),
A-1, AE-1 PROGRAM, and AE-1
•FD Lens: Leave the lens on “A”.
The aperture you have set on the
flash will be set on the camera
automatically when the 577G’s
pilot lamp glows. The settings of
the A-1’s AE mode selector and
AT dial do not matter (except in
relation to shutter speed, p. 12). [If
you wish, you may remove the
aperture ring from “A” and turn it
to the auto aperture you have set
on the flash or to a different
aperture to make an exposure cor¬
rection. In this case, remember to
reset the aperture each time you
reset the selection switch on the
577G.]
• FL Lens: See “Other Cameras”,
next column.
New F-1 (Manual, Aperture-Priority
Modes) and Other Cameras
Turn the aperture ring to the same
aperture you have set with the selec¬
tion switch on the flash or to a dif¬
ferent aperture if you wish to correct
exposure.
15

PRE-SHOOTING CHECKS
I. Test Firing and Auto Shooting
Check
a) AUTO/MANU Switch
b) Pilot lamp
c) Auto Check Lamp
Now that all camera, lens and
flash settings have been made,
turn on the power switch on
Transistor Pack G. After the flash
reaches sufficient charge for firing,
the pilot lamp will glow and you
can take a flash picture anytime.
If you wish to check the flash and
whether the shooting distance is
correct, press the pilot lamp after
it glows. A flash should be fired. If
the auto check lamp next to the
pilot lamp lights up right after¬
wards for about two seconds, it
means that your shooting distance
will give correct exposure. If it
does not glow, either set the aper¬
ture selection switch to a better
position or move closer to your
subject. This method of checking
shooting distance is especially
helpful when the flash is tilted or
swung for bounce flash (p. 25).
* The auto check lamp tells you
whether you are close enough to
your subject but not whether you
are far enough away. Even if you
are too close to get a well-
exposed picture, it will still glow,
so always keep the shooting
ranges given on the back of the
flash in mind and double check
the lens’ distance scale if you think
you might be too close.
II. Checking Viewfinder Infor¬
mation
The Canon New F-1, A-1, AE-1
PROGRAM, AL-1, AE-1 and AV-1
have special viewfinder informa¬
tion for fiash photography. You
can check it by pressing the
shutter button halfway after the
pilot lamp glows.
New F-1 Information
(1) Full Autoflash Mode; Shutter-
Priority AE Mode (with AE Motor
Drive FN or AE Power Winder
FN attached, FD lens on “A”
and shutter dial not on "B”).
(example)
K
7
\7
30
t6

Film Speed of ASA 100; Aper¬
ture Selection Switch at red
position; Slow-Sync AUTO/
MANU Switch on AUTO.
* Shutter speed is automatical¬
ly set to 1/90 sec., even
though shutter speed display
shows what has been set on
the shutter dial.
(2) Automatic Shutter Setting Auto¬
flash Mode: Manual Mode or
Aperture-Priority AE Mode (the
latter mode with AE Finder FN,
shutter dial on “A").
(example)
2i
2
L2
30
Manual Mode: Turn the lens ap¬
erture ring to the same aperture
set on the flash. The aperture
needle points to the aperture
that has been set on the lens.
Aperture-Priority AE Mode: Film
Speed of ASA 100; Aperture
Selection Switch at red position;
Slow-Sync AUTO/MANU Switch
on AUTO.
* Manually set the aperture to
the lens the same aperture
that has been selected for the
flash.
* The camera switches auto¬
matically to X-sync (1/90
sec.) and the meter needle
points to the right of 1/60
sec.
A-1 Information
(1) Full Autoflash Mode: FD lens on
“A” and AT dial not on “B”.
(example)
\e 0 F
E . B \
Film Speed: ASA 100, Aperture
Selection Switch: Red position,
Slow-sync AUTO/MANU Switch:
on AUTO.
(2) Automatic Shutter Setting Auto¬
flash Mode: FD lens off “A” and
AT dial noton “B”.
(example)
ED F 3.5
Film Speed: ASA 64, Aperture
Selection Switch: Yellow posi¬
tion, Slow-sync AUTO/MANU
Switch: on AUTO.
17

60.indicates shutter speed is
1/60 second.
F.indicates sufficient charge
for firing flash.
2.8, 9.5...is the aperture set on flash.
Even if you turn the aper¬
ture ring to a different
aperture from that set on
the flash, the viewfinder will
still show the aperture on
the flash. However, the pic¬
ture willl be taken at the
aperture you have set on
the lens.
M ...........reminds you that you have
taken the aperture ring off
“A" to set an aperture by
hand.
* With an FL lens, viewfinder infor¬
mation on aperture is not always
reliable. Make sure the aperture
ring is set to the aperture chosen
on the flash.
* If the AT dial is on “B”, “bu" re¬
places shutter speed information
in the viewfinder for both flash
modes. Automatic flash control is
possible on "B”.
(example)
1 b U F E . B M 1
* The aperture display may be one
half f/stop off the one set on the
flash. This is because the aperture
display is rounded off to half
f/stops; it will not affect exposure.
A-1 Warnings
1. Aperture display blinks showing
maximum aperture: means the
aperture set on the flash is pro¬
bably larger than the lens’
maximum aperture. Set the aper¬
ture selection switch to a smaller
aperture. Be sure to check the
aperture set on the flash if this
happens.
(If the display blinks with an aper¬
ture which is the same as the lens’
maximum aperture, exposure will
be correct anyway.)
2. Aperture display blinks showing
aperture of 1/16 to f/32: means
aperture set on flash may be too
small. Check the aperture set on
the flash. If it is the same or larger
than the lens’ minimum aperture,
exposure will be correct. Other¬
wise, set the 577G’s aperture se¬
lection switch to a larger aperture.
(example)
E D
18

AE-1 PROGRAM, AE-1 Informa¬
tion
(1) Full Autoflash Mode; FD lens on
“A” and shutter speed dial not
on “B”.
(example)
Film Speed: ASA 100; Aperture
Selection Switch: Red position.
AE-1 PROGRAM , AE-1
(2) Automatic Shutter Setting Auto¬
flash Mode: FD lens off “A” or
FL lens. (“M” mark will flash in
AE-1 viewfinder, and will light
up in AE-1 PROGRAM view¬
finder. It reminds you that you
have taken the aperture ring off
"A” for manual aperture setting.)
AE-1 PROGRAM Warnings
The aperture selected on the flash
will blink in the viewfinder if that ap¬
erture is larger than the maximum
aperture of the lens.
AE-1 Warnings
1. Underexposure warning lamp
blinks: means the aperture set on
the flash is larger than the lens’
maximum aperture. Set the aper¬
ture selection switch to a smaller
aperture (lamp should stop blink¬
ing).
2. Meter needle swings into
overexposure warning zone:
means aperture set on flash may
be too small. Check it. If it is the
same or larger than the lens’
minimum aperture, exposure will
be correct. If it is smaller, set the
aperture selection switch to a
larger aperture.
AL-1,AV-1 Information
(1) Automatic Shutter Setting Auto¬
flash Mode: Selector dial not on
“B”.
* Synchronized flash photography
is possible only when the meter
needle points to 1/60 second.
1000
1000
^00
SQO
m
7S0
ITS
ITS
30
— <1 1
1 30
IS
IS
1
B
4
4
7
1
2
1
_
AL-1
AV-1
19

SHOOTING
Once all preparations detailed on the
preceding pages have been made,
make sure the subject is in focus and
that the 577G’s pilot lamp is glowing.
Then press the shutter button to take
the picture. If the auto check lamp
glows immediately afterwards, it
means that you were close enough to
the subject for correct exposure.
* In delayed flash photography with
the camera's self-timer, do not
press the shutter button to set the
timer until the pilot lamp glows.
* When the shooting distance is less
than one meter, the difference be¬
tween the optical axes of the lens
and the flash may result in uneven
lighting.
* Since it is possible for viewfinder
information in the New F-1, AE-1,
AL-1, or AV-1 to be the same in
flash photography as in normal
AE photography, it is advisable to
check that the pilot lamp is glow¬
ing before shooting.
♦ You can continue flash photo¬
graphy if the pilot lamp is still
glowing after the shutter is re¬
leased. If the pilot lamp does go
out after a flash shot, you can
take a shot in the normal AE
mode while waiting for it to glow
again. (This, however, does not
apply when the shutter speed is
set to “B” or when the camera is
not set for AE photography.)
Make sure that the shutter speed
or aperture which will be used for
normal AE photography will give
correct exposure, too.
♦ When the flash is no longer
necessary, be sure to turn off
the Transistor Pack G’s power
switch to prevent battery drain.
With the power switch off, it is
possible to shoot normally without
detaching the flash or the sensor.
♦ While performing normal AE
photography as the flash recycles,
there is a possibility that, while the
shutter curtain is open, the 577G's
pilot lamp will glow and the flash
may fire. In this case, correct ex¬
posure cannot be guaranteed.
^6bleim¥ackg^unds^
Certain types of background may
lead to incorrect exposure. A very
small subject against a very dark or
distant background may turn out
overexposed. On the other hand, if
the surroundings are bright white
with strong reflections, the subject
may be underexposed.
20