Shooting with Speedlites

EL/EX Series Speedlites for EOS Cameras

Features of EL/EX series Speedlites (sold separately) can be used in flash photography with the camera.

For instructions, refer to the EL/EX series Speedlite's Instruction Manual.

  • Flash exposure compensation

    You can adjust flash output (flash exposure compensation) ().

  • FE lock

    This enables you to obtain appropriate flash exposure for a specific part of the subject. To activate FE lock, center the subject on the screen and press the button assigned to FE lock. After this, compose the shot and take the picture.

Caution

  • Use of accessories not designed for a multi-function shoe requires Multi-Function Shoe Adapter AD-E1, sold separately.
  • Setting [Shooting: Auto Lighting Optimizer] () to an option other than [Disable] may still cause images to look bright even if you set lower flash exposure compensation for darker images.

Note

  • You can also set flash exposure compensation in [Flash function settings] in [Shooting: External Speedlite control] ().
  • The camera can turn on certain Speedlites automatically when the camera is turned on. For details, refer to the instruction manual of Speedlites that support this feature.

Canon Speedlites Other Than the EL/EX Series

  • With an EZ/E/EG/ML/TL series Speedlite set to A-TTL or TTL autoflash mode, the flash can be fired at full output only.

    Set the camera's shooting mode to [Av] or [M] and adjust the aperture value before shooting.

  • When using a Speedlite that has manual flash mode, shoot in the manual flash mode.

Non-Canon Flash Units

  • Sync speed

    The camera can synchronize with non-Canon compact flash units at up to 1/250 sec.

    With large studio flash units, the flash duration is longer than that of a compact flash unit and varies depending on the model. Before shooting, confirm that flash sync is performed correctly by taking some test shots at a sync speed of approx. 1/60 sec. to 1/30 sec.

Caution

  • Using the camera with a dedicated flash unit or flash accessory for cameras of other manufacturers poses a risk of malfunction and even damage.
  • Do not attach a high-voltage flash unit to the camera's multi-function shoe. It may not fire.

Quick Flash Group Control

As you view the shooting screen in wireless multi-flash photography, you can configure the settings for each flash group by pressing the button assigned to [Quick flash group control] in [Custom Functions: Customize buttons for shooting]. This example is based on assigning the 1 button ().

  1. Set the flash firing mode to Group (individual group control) to prepare for wireless multi-flash photography.

    • For details, refer to the instruction manuals of flash units supporting wireless multi-flash photography.

  2. During standby, press the 1 button.

    • A setting screen for each flash group is displayed.
    • Turn the Quick control dial dial to select a flash group (A–E) to configure.
    • Press the INFO button to set the flash mode.
    • Turn the Main dial dial to adjust flash output or flash exposure compensation.

Note

  • You can access the [Quick flash group control] setting screen in [P], [Tv], [Av], or [M] mode.
  • When Speedlites are set to a flash mode other than Group (individual group control), pressing the 1 button displays the [Flash function settings] screen.

FE Memory Function

You can set the flash output captured in [ETTL] flash mode as the flash output for [M] flash mode by pressing the button assigned to [ETTL M] in [Custom Functions: Customize buttons for shooting]. This example is based on assigning the 1 button ().

  1. Set the flash Custom Function setting [FE memory] to [2:Enable( ETTL M)] ().

    • For the setting procedure with the flash, refer to the instruction manuals of flash units (except the EL-1) supporting FE memory.

  2. Shoot with the flash mode set to [ETTL].

    • Press the shutter button completely to take the picture.

  3. During standby, press the 1 button.

    • The flash mode switches to [M] and the flash output captured in step 2 is displayed.
    • Pressing the 1 button again after shooting in [M] flash mode switches the mode to [ETTL] and displays the flash exposure compensation amount.
    • To change the flash output or the flash exposure compensation, perform operations with the flash or set with [Flash function settings] ().

Note

  • The FE memory function is available in [P], [Tv], [Av], [M], and [B] modes.
  • Pressing the 1 button does not switch flash modes on Speedlites currently in a mode other than [ETTL] or [M].