Canon Speedlite 580EX II Manual
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Canon Speedlite 580EX II Manual

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Summary of Contents for Canon Speedlite 580EX II

  • Page 2 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.
  • Page 3 Contents Getting Started and Basic Operation ........ 7 Using Flash ................ 13 Wireless Flash ..............33 Reference ................47 Conventions Used in this Manual The <9> symbol in the text refers to the Select Dial. The <8> symbol in the text refers to the Select/Set button. symbol in the text refers to a Custom Function.
  • Page 4 Nomenclature Catchlight panel (retracted) (p.19) Built-in wide panel (retracted) (p.20) Flash head/ Wireless transmitter Contact cover Wireless sensor External power source socket AF-assist beam emitter (p.49) External metering sensor (p.30) Mounting foot (p.9) PC terminal Bracket mounting Locking pin (p.9) Contacts hole Case...
  • Page 5 Bounce angle < > Bounce lock release LCD panel button (p.18) < > Flash mode/ Slave setting button < > (p.11, 22, 24/45, 46) High-speed sync (FP flash)/Shutter curtain synchronization button (p.17/26) * < > LCD panel illumination/ Battery compartment Custom Function setting cover (p.8) button (p.6/27)

  • Page 6: Lcd Panel

    LCD Panel < > ISO speed < > Manual zoom Manual flash output level Aperture Flash exposure FEB status compensation amount Stroboscopic flash count FEB compensation amount Stroboscopic flash frequency Manual flash 1/3-stop < > High-speed sync increment indicator (FP flash) Custom Function No.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    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 Cautions for firing continuous flashes To avoid overheating and degrading the flash head, do not fire more than 20 continuous flashes.

  • Page 8: Installing The Batteries

    Approx. 0.1 - 5 sec. Approx. 100 - 700 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). Using size-AA batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper battery contact due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.

  • Page 9: Attaching To The Camera

    Attaching to the Camera Attach the Speedlite. Slip the Speedlite’s mounting foot into the camera’s hot shoe all the way. Secure the Speedlite. On the mounting foot, slide the lock lever to the right. When the lock lever clicks in place, it will be locked.

  • Page 10: Turning On The Power Switch

    Turning on the Power Switch Set the power switch to <K>. The flash recycling starts. Check 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.

  • Page 11: Fully Automatic Flash Shooting

    Fully Automatic Flash Shooting When you set the camera’s shooting mode to <V> (Program AE) or <U> (Full Auto), E-TTL II/E-TTL fully automatic flash will make it as easy as normal AE shooting in the <V> and <U> modes. Set the Speedlite to <a>. Press the <D>...

  • Page 12: Using E-Ttl Ii And E-Ttl Autoflash In The Shooting Modes

    Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash in the Shooting Modes Just set the camera’s shooting mode to <W> (aperture-priority AE), <X> (shutter-priority AE), or <q> (manual) and you can use E-TTL II/ E-TTL autoflash. Select this mode when you want to set the shutter speed manually. The camera will then automatically set the aperture matching the shutter speed to obtain a standard exposure.

  • Page 13: Using Flash

    Using Flash f Flash Exposure Compensation ...... 14 g FEB ..............15 7: FE Lock ............16 c High-speed Sync..........17 Bounce Flash............18 H: Setting the Flash Coverage and Using the Wide Panel ............. 20 q: Manual Flash ..........22 p: Stroboscopic Flash ........

  • Page 14: Flash Exposure Compensation

    f Flash Exposure Compensation In the same way as normal exposure compensation, you can set exposure compensation for flash. The flash exposure compensation amount can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments. (If the camera’s exposure compensation is in 1/2-stop increments, flash exposure compensation will be in 1/2-stop increments.) Select <f>.

  • Page 15: Feb

    g FEB You can take three flash shots while automatically changing the flash output for each shot up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (1/2-stop increments if the camera enables only 1/2-stop increments). This is called FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). Select <g>.

  • Page 16: 7: Fe Lock

    7: FE Lock FE (flash exposure) lock locks the correct flash exposure setting for any part of the scene. With <a> displayed on the LCD panel, you press the camera’s <7> button. If the camera does not have the <7> button, press the <P>...

  • Page 17: High-Speed Sync

    c High-speed Sync With high-speed sync (FP flash), the flash can synchronize with all shutter speeds. This is convenient when you want to use aperture priority for fill-flash portraits. Select <c>. Press the <E> button so that <c> is displayed. In the viewfinder, check that the <F>...

  • Page 18: Bounce Flash

    Bounce Flash By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface before illuminating the subject. This can soften shadows behind the subject for a more natural-looking shot. This is called bounce flash. Set the Bounce Direction Hold down the <z>...
  • Page 19 Creating a Catchlight With the catchlight panel, you can create a catchlight in the subject’s eyes to add life to the facial expression. Point the flash head upward by 90°. Pull out the wide panel. The catchlight panel will come out at the same time.

  • Page 20: H: Setting The Flash Coverage And Using The Wide Panel

    H: Setting the Flash Coverage and Using the Wide Panel The flash coverage can be set to match the lens focal length from 24mm to 105mm. The flash coverage can be set automatically or manually. Also, with the built-in wide panel, the flash coverage can be expanded for 14mm wide-angle lenses.
  • Page 21 Auto Zoom for Image Size EOS DIGITAL cameras have one of three image sizes. The lens’ effective focal length will differ depending on the camera’s image size. The Speedlite automatically recognizes the EOS DIGITAL camera’s image size and automatically sets the flash coverage for lens focal lengths from 24mm to 105mm.

  • Page 22: Q: Manual Flash

    q: Manual Flash You can set the flash output from 1/128 power to 1/1 full power in 1/3- stop increments. Use a hand-held flash meter to determine the required flash output to obtain a correct flash exposure. Press the <D> button so that <q>...
  • Page 23 Metered Manual Flash Exposures When the Speedlite is attached to an EOS-1D series camera, you can set the flash level manually for closeup subjects. Set the camera and Speedlite. Set the camera’s shooting mode to <q> or <W>. Set the Speedlite to manual flash. Focus the subject.

  • Page 24: P: Stroboscopic Flash

    p: Stroboscopic Flash With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to capture multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph. You can set the firing frequency (number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz), the number of flashes, and the flash output.
  • Page 25 To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not use stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession. After 10 times, allow the Speedlite to rest for at least 15 min. If you try to use the stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession, the firing might stop automatically to protect the flash head.

  • Page 26: Second-Curtain Sync

    r Second-Curtain Sync With a slow shutter speed, you can create a light trail following the subject. The flash fires right before the shutter closes. Press the <E> button so that <r> is displayed. Second-curtain sync works well in the camera’s “buLb” mode. To return to normal flash, press the <E>...

  • Page 27: C: Setting Custom Functions

    C: Setting Custom Functions You can customize Speedlite features to suit your shooting preferences. You do this with Custom Functions. Custom Setting Reference Function Function Settings & Description page Meters (m) C.Fn-00 Distance indicator display Feet (ft) Enabled C.Fn-01 Auto power off p.10 Disabled Enabled (Depth-of-field preview...
  • Page 28 Hold down the <A> button until <u> is displayed. Select the Custom Function No. Turn the < > dial to set the Custom Function No. Change the setting. Press the < > button. The Custom Function No. blinks. Turn the < >...
  • Page 29 C.Fn-02-3: Convenient when you want to check the depth of field. (p.44) C.Fn-12: If an external power source is used, the flash recycling is powered concurrently by the internal batteries and external power source. In this case, when the internal batteries become exhausted first, shooting might not be possible.

  • Page 30: External Flash Metering

    External Flash Metering The flash reflected off the subject is metered by an external metering sensor in real time. When the standard flash exposure is attained, the flash output is cutoff automatically. Auto external metering compatible with the EOS-1D Mark III and manual external metering compatible with all EOS cameras are provided.
  • Page 31 Set the Speedlite to the camera’s aperture setting. Press the <8> button so the aperture setting blinks. Turn the <9> dial to set the aperture, then press the <8> button. After completing the settings, press the shutter button halfway. The effective flash range will be displayed on the Speedlite’s LCD panel.

  • Page 32: Speedlite Control With The Camera's Menu Screen

    Speedlite Control with the Camera’s Menu Screen If the Speedlite is attached to an EOS camera which has a Speedlite control function, it can control the Speedlite as shown below. For the menu operation procedure, refer to your camera’s instruction manual. Setting Speedlite functions The settable functions will vary depending on the flash mode.

  • Page 33: Wireless Flash

    Wireless Flash About Wireless Flash..........34 Wireless Settings..........36 Fully Automatic Wireless Flash ......37 Flash Ratio with E-TTL II ........41 Setting the Flash Output for Each Slave ....45 Setting Manual Flash and Stroboscopic Flash with the Slave ............46...

  • Page 34: About Wireless Flash

    About Wireless Flash With multiple Canon Speedlites having the wireless flash feature, you can create various lighting effects with the same ease as using normal E-TTL II autoflash. The settings you input with the 580EX II (master unit) attached to the camera are also automatically transmitted to the slave units which are controlled by the master unit via wireless.
  • Page 35 Multi-Speedlite, Wireless Lighting Configurations You can create two or three slave groups and set the flash ratio for E- TTL II autoflash shooting (p.41 - 45). Wireless flash with two slave groups (p.41) Indoors (49.2ft.) Outdoors (32.8ft.) 8m (26.2ft.) 12m (39.4ft.) Wireless flash with three slave groups (p.43) Indoors...

  • Page 36: Wireless Settings

    Wireless Settings You can switch between normal flash and wireless flash. For normal shooting, be sure to set the wireless setting to OFF. Master Unit Setting Press the <H> button for 2 sec. or longer until the display blinks as shown on the left. Set it as the master unit.

  • Page 37: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash

    Fully Automatic Wireless Flash This method has all the Speedlites fire at the same flash output with E- TTL II autoflash controlling the total flash output. Set the camera-attached 580EX II as the master unit. Set the other 580EX II Speedlites(s) as the wireless slave unit(s).
  • Page 38 Check the flash operation. Press the master unit’s test firing button. The slave unit will fire. If the flash does not fire, adjust the slave unit’s angle toward the master unit and distance from the master unit. Set the camera and shoot. Set the camera in the same way as with normal flash shooting.
  • Page 39 The Speedlite’s zoom setting will be set automatically to 24mm. It is possible to change the master unit’s zoom setting. However, note that the master unit transmits wireless signals to the slave unit(s) with the preflash. Therefore, the flash coverage must cover the slave unit’s position. If you change the master unit’s zoom setting, be sure to test the wireless flash operation before shooting.
  • Page 40 Setting the Communication Channel If there is another Canon wireless flash system nearby, you can change the channel No. to prevent signal confusion. Both the master and slave units must be set to the same channel No.

  • Page 41: Flash Ratio With E-Ttl Ii

    Flash Ratio with E-TTL II With one master unit and one slave unit or two slave groups, you can set the flash ratio for E-TTL II autoflash shooting. The example below has two slave units and the master unit disabled from firing.
  • Page 42 Set the slave ID. Press the <8> button. Slave ID <1> will be set. For the other slave unit, do steps 1 and 2, turn the <9> dial to select <2>, then press the <8> button. Slave ID <2> will be set. Setting the Master Unit and Shooting Set the wireless mode to <M>.
  • Page 43 The flash ratio range of 8:1 - 1:1 - 1:8 is equivalent to 3:1 - 1:1 - 1:3 in stops (1/2-stop increments). The flash ratio under the Z mark is shown in parentheses below the scale. (5.6:1) (2.8:1) (1.4:1) (1:1.4) (1:2.8) (1:5.6) Wireless Flash with Three Slave Groups 15m (49.2ft.) 10m (32.8ft.)

  • Page 44: Modeling Flash

    Set the master unit and shoot. Follow “Setting the Master Unit and Shooting” on page 42. In step 4, select <k>. If <yl> is set, the slave unit in slave group <3> will not fire. If you point the slave unit in slave group <3> toward the subject, the subject will be overexposed.

  • Page 45: Setting The Flash Output For Each Slave

    Setting the Flash Output for Each Slave With manual flash and multiple Speedlites, you can set a different flash output for each slave unit. All settings are done with the master unit. Press the <D> button so that <q> is displayed. Press the <G>...

  • Page 46: Setting Manual Flash And Stroboscopic Flash With The Slave

    Setting Manual Flash and Stroboscopic Flash with the Slave Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with the slave unit. As with studio flash units, you can set the flash output individually with the slave units for wireless or manual flash. Manual Flash Hold down the <D>...

  • Page 47: Reference

    Reference 580EX II System........... 48 Troubleshooting Guide ......... 50 Specifications ............52 Using a Type-B Camera ........55...

  • Page 48: 580Ex Ii System

    580EX II System Speedlite 580EX II (On-camera/Master unit) Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 Dedicated transmitter for wireless control of 580EX II/430EX set as slave units. Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 Compact, lightweight, and portable external power pack. Provides the same level of dust- and water-resistance as the 580EX II. It uses eight size-AA alkaline or Ni-MH batteries.
  • Page 49 About Color Temperature Information Transmission When the flash fires, the color temperature information is transmitted to the EOS DIGITAL camera. This feature optimizes the flash picture’s white balance. When the camera’s white balance is set to <A> or <Q>, it will work automatically. To see if this feature works with your camera, see “White Balance”...

  • Page 50: Troubleshooting Guide

    Troubleshooting Guide If there is a problem, refer to this Troubleshooting Guide. The Speedlite does not fire. The batteries are installed in the wrong orientation. Install the batteries in the correct orientation. (p.8) The Speedlite’s internal batteries are exhausted. If the flash recycling time takes 30 sec. or longer, replace the batteries.
  • Page 51 Auto zoom does not work. The Speedlite is not attached securely to the camera. Attach the Speedlite’s mounting foot securely to the camera. (p.9) The flash range scale bars blink. The flash head has been tilted down by 7°. Change the bounce position. (p.19) The periphery or bottom of the picture looks dark.

  • Page 52: Specifications

    Specifications • Type Type: On-camera, E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash Speedlite Compatible cameras: Type-A EOS cameras (E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash) Type-B EOS cameras (TTL autoflash) Guide No.: 58/190 (at 105mm focal length, ISO 100 in meters/feet) Flash coverage: 24 - 105mm (14mm with wide panel) ·...
  • Page 53 76 x 137 x 117 mm / 3.0 x 5.4 x 4.6 in. (excluding dust- and water-resistant adapter) • Weight (Approx.) 405 g / 14.3 oz. (Speedlite only, excluding batteries) All specifications above are based on Canon’s testing standards. Product specifications and external appearance are subject to change without notice.
  • Page 54 Guide No. (at ISO 100, in meters/feet) Normal Flash (Full Output) and Quick Flash Flash Coverage (mm) Normal Flash (Full output) 49.2 91.9 98.4 118.1 137.8 173.9 190.3 Quick Flash Same as 1/2 to 1/6 manual flash output Manual Flash Flash Coverage (mm) Flash Output 49.2...

  • Page 55: Using A Type-B Camera

    Using a Type-B Camera If you use the 580EX II with a Type-B camera (TTL autoflash camera), note the available features and restrictions below. When a Type-B camera is used with the 580EX II set to autoflash, <b> will be displayed on the Speedlite’s LCD panel. (With a Type-A camera, <a>...
  • Page 56 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified in the instructions.
  • Page 57 WEEE scheme or your household waste disposal service. For more information regarding return and recycling of WEEE products, please visit www.canon- europe.com/environment. (EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein)
  • Page 58 This Instructions booklet is dated February 2007. For information on the camera’s compatibility with system accessories marketed after this date, contact your nearest Canon Service Center.

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