Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature Increase

When continuous flash, stroboscopic flash, or modeling flash is repeatedly fired in short intervals, the temperature of the flash head, batteries, and the area near the battery compartment may increase.

When you perform firing repeatedly, the firing interval increases in steps within the range of up to approx. 4 sec. to avoid degrading or damaging the flash head due to overheating. When you perform firing repeatedly even more in this state, flash firing is restricted automatically.

Furthermore, when flash firing is restricted, a warning icon is displayed to indicate the increase in temperature, and the firing interval (with which the flash photography can be performed) will be automatically set to approx. 8 sec. (level 1) or approx. 20 sec. (level 2).

Temperature Increase Warning

As the internal temperature of the flash unit increases, the warning is displayed in two levels. When you perform continuous firing repeatedly even more in the state in level 1, the state changes to level 2.

Display / Tone Level 1
(firing interval: About 8 seconds)
Level 2
(firing interval: About 20 seconds)
Icon Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2
LCD panel illumination Lit Blinking
Beep When P.Fn-06 is set to 0: Warning beep on

Modeling lamp temperature increase warning

A warning screen appears when the temperature of the modeling lamp rises.

Press the joystick vertically or the Undo button to clear warning messages on the warning screen.

If the ambient temperature of the modeling lamp becomes too high, the lamp may dim or turn off.

Display Level 1 Level 2
Icon Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 1 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2 Temperature increase (flash firing restriction) level 2
On Off On Off
Brightness When setting maximum brightness: dimmed Off

Battery temperature increase warning

The mark below appears when the temperature of the battery rises. Subsequently, the display returns to the same state as the temperature increase warning ().

Number of Continuous Flashes and Rest Time

The following table shows the number of continuous flashes until the warning (level 1) is displayed, and the necessary rest time (guideline) until normal flash photography can be performed.

Function Number of Continuous Flashes to Reach Level 1 Warning (Guideline) Necessary Interval Time (Guideline)
Flash coverage
14 mm - 135 mm 150 mm - 200 mm
Continuous full emission () Fan drive 170 times or more 160 times or more 50 min. or longer
Fan stop 50 times or more
Modeling flash () Fan drive 130 times or more
Fan stop 50 times or more
Stroboscopic flash () Varies depending on firing conditions -

Set to manual flash and measure according to our test standards

CAUTION

  • When performing continuous flashes, do not touch the flash head, batteries, or the area near the battery compartment.

    When continuous flash or modeling flash is repeatedly fired at short intervals, do not touch the flash head, batteries, or the area near the battery compartment. The flash head, battery, and area near the battery compartment become hot, resulting in a risk of burns.

Caution

  • Do not open or close the battery compartment cover while flash firing is being restricted. Doing so is very dangerous since the flash firing restriction is canceled.
  • Even when level 1 warning is not displayed, the firing interval will be extended as the flash head begins to heat up.
  • If level 1 warning is displayed, allow a rest time for at least 50 min.
  • Even if you stop flash firing after level 1 warning is displayed, level 2 warning may be displayed.
  • When taking flash photography in ETTL flash mode or at high temperatures, the number of flashes may be restricted to fewer than those listed in the table.
  • For cautions on the number of flash firings, see "Continuous Flashes", "Stroboscopic Flash" or "Modeling Flash".
  • The flash may not fire in rare cases due to environmental factors such as temperature rise.
  • The number of continuous flashes until the warning (Level 1) is displayed is the number of times the EL-1 is used on its own and when it is used in combination with the compact battery pack CP-E4N (sold separately). When an external power source other than the CP-E4N is used, the number of continuous flashes until the warning (level 1) is displayed becomes fewer.
  • When the bounce adapter is used, when the color filter is used, and when both the bounce adapter and color filter are used together, the number of continuous flashes until the warning is displayed becomes slightly fewer.
  • When P.Fn-06-1 is set (), the warning beep does not sound even when flash firing is restricted.
  • When C.Fn-22-1 is set (), the warning by the LCD panel illumination will not be displayed even if the temperature of the flash head rises.
  • When using Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N (sold separately), also refer to the CP-E4N Instruction Manual.