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Canon 550EX - page 1
E E English Edition INSTRUCTIONS This Instructions booklet is dated April 2000. F or information on the camera’ s compatibility with system accessories marketed after this date, contact your nearest Canon Service Center. CANON INC. 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, T okyo 146-8501, Japan U.S .A. CANON U.S.A. INC. For all inquiries concerning th ...
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Canon 550EX - page 2
2 K ey to Symbols : W ar ning for pre v enting camera or Speedlite malfunction. : Supplementar y notes f or basic operation. : Helpful tip f or Speedlite operation or picture taking. • K eep this Instructions booklet handy for future ref erence. Thank y ou for pur chasing a Canon pr oduct. The Canon Speedlite 550EX is a powerful, high-output flas ...
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Canon 550EX - page 3
Con ventions Used in this Booklet The Instructions are divided into separate sections for Type-A and Type-B cameras. If you have a Type-A camera, see pages 10 to 76 and 112 to 125. If you have a Type-B camera, see pages 10 to 22 and 77 to 125. ● The Speedlite operation procedures assume that the Speedlite 550EX has been turned on with its main sw ...
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Canon 550EX - page 4
Contents 4 Before Y ou Start Basic Flash Photography Adv anced Flash Photography Wireless Flash Photography Basic Flash Photography Adv anced Flash Photography Wireless Flash Photography Nomenclature .........................................6 1. Installing Batteries ..........................10 2. External Power Sources ................12 3. Attach ...
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Canon 550EX - page 5
• For Type-A cameras, see pages 10 to 76 and 112 to 125. • For Type-B cameras, see pages 10 to 22 and 77 to 125. 5 [2] Wireless E-TTL Autoflash ....60 1. Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF .......................60 2. Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON .........................63 [3] Wireless Manual Flash ....71 1. Wireless ...
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Canon 550EX - page 6
Nomenc lature ● Front 6 Flash head and transmitter Built-in Wide Panel (retracted) (page 20, 42) External power source socket Locking collar (page 13) Electrical contacts Battery compartment cover (page 10) * The battery compartment has a switch to display the distance in feet or meters on the LCD panel. Sensor AF-assist beam emitter (page 22) Mo ...
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Canon 550EX - page 7
Nomenclature ● Rear 7 Buttons marked with an asterisk remain active for 8 sec. after the button is released. LCD panel illumination with the < > button remains on for 12 sec. < > Horizontal bounce release button (page 40, 90) PUSH When these two buttons are pressed simultaneously, the setting changes in the following loop: * < > ...
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Canon 550EX - page 8
Nomenclature ● LCD P anel 8 Manual flash output display Flash exposure compensation display Flash exposure bracketing (FEB) display High-speed sync (FP flash) icon FEB icon / Autoflash icon Flash exposure compensation icon Manual flash icon Multi (stroboscopic) flash icon / Custom Function icon Flash range scale Flash ratio scale Wireless icon Ma ...
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Canon 550EX - page 9
9 Bef ore Y ou Star t This chapter is for preparing the Speedlite 550EX for actual operation. 02. F073-E (9~) 02.4.1 2:08 PM Page 9 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 10
1. Installing Batteries Speedlite 550EX requires one of the following two types of batteries: (1) Size-AA alkaline batteries × 4 (2) Size-AA nickel-hydride batteries × 4 Slide the battery compartment cover as shown by the arrow and flip it up. Insert the batteries with the + and – contacts oriented as shown in the battery compartment. 10 Close ...
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Canon 550EX - page 11
Installing Batteries Rechar ging Time and A vailab le Flashes • The minimum recycling time applies in the E-TTL or TTL mode while the maximum recycling time applies in the manual or full-output (1/1) mode. • The minimum flash count applies in the manual or full-output (1/1) mode while the maximum flash count applies in the E-TTL or TTL mode. ? ...
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Canon 550EX - page 12
2. External P ower Sources Speedlite 550EX can use any of the following two external power sources. For details, refer to the Instructions of the respective external power source. (1) Transistor Pack E Uses Canon Battery Magazine TP (six size-C alkaline batteries) or Ni-Cd Pack TP. (2) Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 Uses six size-AA alkaline or nickel- ...
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Canon 550EX - page 13
3. Attaching the Speedlite to the Camera Loosen the locking collar by turning it as shown by the arrow. Slip the Speedlite ’ s mounting foot into the camera ’ s hot shoe until it stops. Turn the locking collar as shown by the arrow and tighten. (The mounting foot ’ s locking pin will extend into the hot shoe.) • To detach the Speedlite, tur ...
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Canon 550EX - page 14
4. Wireless Selector The wireless selector has three settings as shown below. Set to OFF to use the 550EX as a normal, on-camera Speedlite. Set to MASTER to use the 550EX as the master unit in a wireless, multi-Speedlite system. 14 Set to SLAVE to use the 550EX as a slave unit in a wireless, multi-Speedlite system. 02. F073-E (9~) 02.4.1 2:08 PM Pa ...
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Canon 550EX - page 15
Wireless Selector 15 If the 550EX is to be used as a normal, on-camera Speedlite but the wireless selector has been set to or , the following applies: : If master flash ON has also been set, it will be the same as using the Speedlite at the wireless selector ’ s OFF setting. If master flash OFF has been set, a picture cannot be taken. : It will b ...
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Canon 550EX - page 16
5. Main Switch The main switch has three settings as shown below. Turns off the power. Turns on the power. 16 Turns on the power and enables the SE mode. • The SE (Save Energy) mode turns off the Speedlite automatically after a period of non-use as indicated in the following table. • When the wireless selector is set to or and the SE mode takes ...
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Canon 550EX - page 17
6. Pilot Lamp and T est Firing Set the Speedlite ’ s main switch to . • The flash will start charging. When the flash is ready, the pilot lamp lights. ● Red pilot lamp When the flash is fully charged, the pilot lamp lights in red. For normal use, confirm that the pilot lamp is red before taking the picture. ● Yellow pilot lamp When the came ...
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Canon 550EX - page 18
8. Using the Zoom Button and Wide P anel 7. Flash Exposure Confirmation When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp on the back of the Speedlite lights in yellow-green for 3 sec. If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after the flash fires, the picture may have been underexposed. Move closer ...
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Canon 550EX - page 19
Using the Zoom Button and Wide Panel ● A utomatic Flash Head Zooming Turn on the camera. Turn on the Speedlite. • If is displayed, press the < > button until turns off. Press the camera ’ s shutter button halfway. The current lens focal length will appear on the Speedlite ’ s LCD panel. ● Manual Flash Head Zooming 19 Press the < ...
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Canon 550EX - page 20
Using the Zoom Button and Wide Panel ● Using the Wide P anel PUSH Pull out the built-in wide panel and flip it down to cover the flash head. The flash head ’ s zoom setting will be set to 17mm automatically. • Using the wide panel disables the < > button. • Use the wide panel with flash head at the normal or 7 ° downward tilt positio ...
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Canon 550EX - page 21
9. Flash Mode The following flash modes can be set with the < > button: E-TTL (or TTL) autoflash, manual flash, and stroboscopic flash. Pressing the < > button changes the flash mode in the following loop: The film speed is set automatically according to the film speed set with the camera. 21 Press the < > button to illuminate the ...
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Canon 550EX - page 22
12. AF-Assist Beam In low-light or low-contrast situations, the Speedlite emits the AF-assist beam automatically to assist autofocusing. The AF-assist beam is compatible with the AF of all EOS cameras. The AF-assist beam is effective with 28mm and longer lenses. Its effective range in darkness is indicated in the table below. See page 123 for detai ...
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Canon 550EX - page 23
23 For T ype-A Cameras Basic Flash Photograph y When the Speedlite 550EX is attached to a Type-A camera such as the EOS- 3, you can take flash pictures with E-TTL autoflash as easily as normal autoexposure (AE) pictures. As with evaluative metering, the E-TTL autoflash system uses a multi-zone sensor. A preflash is fired for evaluative flash meteri ...
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Canon 550EX - page 24
1. Using Flash in Full A uto Mode Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to P (Program AE) or (Full Auto). Flash photography will then be as easy as normal AE photography. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically to suit a wide variety of lighting conditions including outdoor fill flash. The E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash ...
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Canon 550EX - page 25
Using Flash in Full Auto Mode After the flash fires, check that the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights. When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for about 3 sec. If the lamp does not light, the flash may have been insufficient, resulting in underexposure. In such a case, check that the pilot ...
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Canon 550EX - page 26
2. Using Flash in Other Camera Modes Flash photography is also automatic in the other picture-taking modes. In the Av (aperture-priority AE), Tv (shutter speed-priority AE), and M modes, the E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash exposure automatically. The camera sets the necessary shutter speed (in the Av mode), aperture (in the Tv mode), or flash ...
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Canon 550EX - page 27
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (1) A v: Aperture-Priority AE and E-TTL Autoflash This mode is effective for controlling the depth of field in your flash pictures. You can also obtain a balanced exposure between the subject and background. You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically to obtain a correct exposure for th ...
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Canon 550EX - page 28
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes ● Balanced Flash Exposures In low-light situations, the exposure level can be balanced between the subject and background by using a slow sync speed. You can obtain balanced flash exposures automatically by setting the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av . The camera then sets the sync speed automatically to sui ...
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Canon 550EX - page 29
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (2) Tv: Shutter Speed-Priority AE and E-TTL A utoflash By selecting the shutter speed, you can obtain various effects with flash. You can set the shutter speed from 30 sec. to the top sync speed. The camera then sets the aperture automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the background. The E-TTL autoflash sys ...
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Canon 550EX - page 30
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (3) M: Manual Exposure and E-TTL A utoflash In this mode, you set both the shutter speed and aperture. The E-TTL autoflash system controls the flash exposure based on the the aperture you set. Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to M and set the desired aperture and shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec. to the top ...
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Canon 550EX - page 31
31 For T ype-A Cameras Ad vanced Flash Photograph y This section explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX. It contains the following: 1. High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) (page 32) 2. FE Lock (page 34) 3. Flash Exposure Compensation (page 36) 4. FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) (page 38) 5. Bounce Flash (page 40) 6. Close-Distan ...
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Canon 550EX - page 32
1. High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) When you set the synchronization mode to high-speed sync (FP flash), the camera can synchronize with the 550EX at all shutter speeds. When high- speed sync has been set, is displayed in the viewfinder. • High-speed sync can be used in the E-TTL and M flash modes. • High-speed sync is especially effective for fill-f ...
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Canon 550EX - page 33
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 33 5 With normal flash. With high-speed sync. • With high-speed sync, the Guide No. changes depending on the shutter speed (see page 121). The faster the shutter speed, the shorter the flash range will be. Check the current flash range on the 550 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 34
2. FE Loc k You can use FE (flash exposure) lock with Type-A cameras. This is the flash version of AE lock. With FE lock, you use spot metering to obtain the correct flash exposure reading for a specific part of the subject. • FE lock works with E-TTL and high-speed sync (FP flash). Select a picture-taking mode with the camera. Focus the subject. ...
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Canon 550EX - page 35
FE Lock Check the flash exposure level in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 35 6 • If the subject is too far away to obtain a correct flash exposure, will blink in the viewfinder. Either move closer to the subject or use a larger aperture (smaller f- number) and try again. • FE lock cannot be used if the 550EX is set to the M (Manual) flas ...
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Canon 550EX - page 36
3. Flash Exposure Compensation Flash exposure compensation with the 550EX can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increments with some cameras). You can also use flash exposure compensation in combination with normal exposure compensation (to control the background’s exposure level) in a flash picture. Press the < > b ...
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Canon 550EX - page 37
Effect on exposure of each type of compensation Flash Exposure Compensation Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 37 5 6 • Flash exposure compensation set with the 550EX overrides any flash exposure compensation set wi ...
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Canon 550EX - page 38
4. FEB (Flash Exposure Brac keting) With FEB, you can obtain bracketed flash shots of the subject while the background exposure level remains the same. Three bracketed flash shots can be taken: Correct exposure, decreased exposure, and increased exposure. The three shots can be bracketed up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increment ...
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Canon 550EX - page 39
FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. Take the remaining two bracketed shots. (If necessary, repeat steps 4 to 6.) 39 5 6 7 Correct exposure. Decreased exposure by 1 stop. Increased exposure by ...
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Canon 550EX - page 40
5. Bounce Flash With direct, frontal flash, harsh shadows are usually created in the background behind the subject. This can be avoided by bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling. Bounce flash also gives softer lighting effects. To turn the flash head, press the < > button. To tilt the flash head, press the < > button. Turn and/ ...
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Canon 550EX - page 41
Bounce Flash Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. • If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after you take the picture, use a larger aperture (smaller f-number) and try again. 41 4 With bounce flash. Without bounce flash. Bounce the flash on a plain, white, reflective surface. If a colored surf ...
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Canon 550EX - page 42
Bounce Flash ● Creating a Catchlight A catchlight is a reflection of the flash in the subject’s eyes. A catchlight in the eyes makes the subject look more lively. For portraits, you can easily create a catchlight with the 550EX. Tilt the flash head upward all the way by 90˚. Extend the built-in wide panel until it clicks in place as shown in t ...
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Canon 550EX - page 43
6. Close-Distance Flash Photograph y The flash head can be tilted downward by 7°. This position enables the flash to better illuminate the lower part of a subject that is close to the camera. Press the < > button and tilt the flash head downward until it stops. The icon will blink on the LCD panel. • This flash head position is effective o ...
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Canon 550EX - page 44
7. Manual Flash Mode In the manual flash mode, you can set the flash output from 1/1 (full) to 1/128 power in full-stop increments. • To prevent overheating and deterioration of the flash head, observe the following limits for continuous shooting with flash: (1) At 1/1 or 1/2 output: Max. 15 continuous flash shots. (2) At 1/4 or 1/8 output: Max. ...
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Canon 550EX - page 45
Manual Flash Mode Press the < > or < > button to set the desired flash output. • Each time the button is pressed, the flash output changes by one stop. Press the < > button again. The manual flash output display will stop blinking and remain displayed. Focus the subject. • When you press the shutter button halfway, focus will ...
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Canon 550EX - page 46
8. Str oboscopic Flash With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to record multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph for later study. You can set the firing frequency (the number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz) from 1 Hz to 199 Hz. The firing frequency can be set in 1-Hz increments from 1 Hz t ...
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Canon 550EX - page 47
Stroboscopic Flash Press the < > button to select the firing frequency, flash count, or flash output display. When selected, the respective item blinks on the LCD panel to indicate that it can be altered. Pressing the < > button changes the blinking item in the following loop: Press the < > or < > button to set the desired v ...
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Canon 550EX - page 48
Stroboscopic Flash Use the following formula to calculate the required shutter speed. Flash count ÷ Firing frequency = Shutter speed Example: If the flash count is 10 and the firing frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed will have to be at least 2 sec. 10 ÷ 5 = 2 • If the flash count display is , the flash will keep firing until the shutter speed ...
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Canon 550EX - page 49
9. Second-Cur tain Synchr onization Normally, the flash fires in synchronization with the first shutter curtain when the shutter is fully open. With second-curtain synchronization, the flash fires immediately before the second shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure. With second-curtain synchronization and a slow shutter speed, you can cr ...
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Canon 550EX - page 50
10. Modeling Flash When the 550EX is used with the EOS-1D, 1V, 3, D60, D30, ELAN 7/7E, and 30/33, a modeling flash can be fired so you can check the lighting and shadow effects before you take the picture. Set the desired flash photography settings with the camera and 550EX. Press the camera’s depth-of-field preview button. • The aperture will ...
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Canon 550EX - page 51
51 For T ype-A Cameras Wireless Flash Photograph y This section covers wireless flash photography with the 550EX. It explains the 550EX’s built-in master and slave flash features. 550EX Wireless Flash Features • A wireless flash system with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used as easily as a single, on-camera Speedlite 550EX. • Up to three 5 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 52
[1] Wireless System Setup and T esting The wireless flash system can be setup in one of two ways: 1 With a 550EX set as the master unit and one or more 550EXs set as slave units. 2 With Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 (sold separately) used as the master unit and one or more 550EXs set as slave units. This section describes the procedure for the former ...
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Canon 550EX - page 53
2. Setting the 550EX as a Slave Unit Set the wireless selector to on the 550EX to be used as a slave unit. A 550EX set in this way is called a “slave unit.” • The slave unit’s flash head zoom setting is set automatically to . 53 You can change the slave unit’s flash head zoom setting manually with the button. 05. F073-E (51~) 02.4.1 2:12 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 54
To set the slave unit’s channel No., press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: 3. Setting the Master/Slave Channel To prevent your master unit from firing another photographer’s slave units, four channels are provided to differentiate your slave units from unrelated on ...
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Canon 550EX - page 55
Setting the Master/Slave Channel Press the < > or < > button to set the same channel No. (1, 2, 3, or 4) as the master unit’s. Press the < > button. • The icon and channel No. will be displayed. 55 5 6 If the master unit and slave unit(s) are not set to the same channel No., the master unit will be unable to trigger the slave ...
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Canon 550EX - page 56
4. Setting the Slave ID With multiple slave units, a slave ID can be assigned to distinguish a slave unit as being the main flash or fill flash. A flash ratio can thereby be set. Three slave IDs are available: A, B, and C. To set a slave unit’s slave ID, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selecti ...
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Canon 550EX - page 57
5. Master Flash ON/OFF The master unit’s flash firing can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). (1) ( ) : This setting enables the master unit to fire a flash. • This setting is called “Master flash ON.” • This setting automatically sets the master unit’s slave ID to A. (2) ( ) : This setting (Master flash OFF) prevents the master unit fro ...
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Canon 550EX - page 58
6. Wireless Flash Range After the master and slave units have been set, position them within the wireless flash range shown below. 58 • Use the mini stand (provided) for the slave unit(s). The mini stand also has a tripod socket. • Use the bounce feature to turn the body of the slave unit so that the sensor is exposed to the master unit. • Fo ...
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Canon 550EX - page 59
Wireless Flash Range Check that the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and that the slave unit(s) are recharged and ready. • When a slave unit is ready, its AF-assist beam blinks once per second. Press the master unit’s pilot lamp (test firing button) to fire a test flash. • When the wireless transmission works, the slave units fire at 1/64 ou ...
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Canon 550EX - page 60
[2] Wireless E-TTL A utoflash Wireless E-TTL autoflash with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used in one of two ways: (1) OFF : All slave units fire at the same flash output. (2) ON : Slave units with different slave IDs (A, B, or C) can be fired at different flash outputs to produce a flash ratio. • A flash ratio can be set only with the EOS-1D, ...
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Canon 550EX - page 61
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF Check for the following icons on the master unit’s LCD panel: • displayed • not displayed • displayed Make sure the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and the slave units are ready. Press the pilot lamp to test the wireless transmission. Focus the subject and take the picture. ● Master Flash OF ...
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Canon 550EX - page 62
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio OFF Check for the following icons on the master unit’s LCD panel: • displayed • not displayed • displayed Make sure the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and the slave units are ready. Press the pilot lamp to test the wireless transmission. Focus the subject and take the picture. 62 1 2 3 4 • The ...
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Canon 550EX - page 63
2. Wireless E-TTL A utoflash With Flash Ratio ON As shown in the figure below, the wireless E-TTL autoflash system described as an example consists of a master unit set to master flash OFF and two slave units. • The slave ID of the slave unit on the camera’s left is A. • The slave ID of the slave unit on the camera’s right is B. • Master ...
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Canon 550EX - page 64
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON On the master unit, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to select ON A:B. • ON A:B will blink. Press the < > button again. • A:B and (flash ratio bar) will blink. • In the left figure ...
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Canon 550EX - page 65
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button to register the flash ratio. • The flash ratio bar stops blinking and remains displayed. • To indicate that a flash ratio has been set, A:B will remain displayed on the master unit’s LCD panel. Follow the basic procedure for wireless E-TTL autoflash picture- taking on pag ...
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Canon 550EX - page 66
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON ● Setting the Flash Ratio for Three Sla ve Units: A, B and C With three wireless slave units, slave unit A is the main flash, slave unit B is the fill flash, and slave unit C is a supplemental flash. Thus, slave units A and B serve to illuminate the subject for a proper exposure while slave unit C illu ...
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Canon 550EX - page 67
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON The following wireless E-TTL autoflash procedure is for a master unit with three slave units. This procedure sets the A:B flash ratio and the flash exposure compensation amount for slave unit C. • The flash ratio range for A:B is the same as when only two slave units are used. • Flash exposure compen ...
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Canon 550EX - page 68
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button. • A:B and (flash ratio bar) will blink. Press the < > or < > button to set the A:B flash ratio. • Press the < > button to move the flash ratio bar to the left, or press the < > button to move it to the right on the flash ratio scale. Press the < ...
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Canon 550EX - page 69
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON Press the < > button to register the setting. • The flash ratio bar and A:B:C remain displayed. • To change the flash exposure compensation amount, repeat steps 8 to 10. Follow the basic procedure for wireless E-TTL autoflash on page 60 and take the picture. ● Slave Gr oups Multiple slave uni ...
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Canon 550EX - page 70
Wireless E-TTL Autoflash With Flash Ratio ON ● Wireless High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) After setting up the wireless flash system with one or more slave units, you can enable wireless high-speed sync by setting on the master unit. • You need not touch any controls on the slave units. • The procedure for setting wireless high-speed sync is the sam ...
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Canon 550EX - page 71
[3] Wireless Manual Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can manually set the slave unit’s flash output with the master unit. The flash output can be uniform or varied among the slave units. To determine the proper flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter. On the master unit, press the < > button and select M . Press the ...
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Canon 550EX - page 72
2. Wireless Manual Flash With V aried Flash Output You can set a different flash output for each slave unit (A, B, and C) as follows. On the master unit, press the < > button and select M . Press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to selec ...
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Canon 550EX - page 73
Wireless Manual Flash With Varied Flash Output Press the < > or < > button to set the flash output for B . Press the < > button. • C and the flash output display will blink. Press the < > or < > button to set the flash output for C . Press the < > button to register the settings. 73 After setting up the wireles ...
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Canon 550EX - page 74
[5] Manual or Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with a slave unit. The setting is independent from the master unit. The master unit just triggers the slave unit which fires according to its own independent (manual or stroboscopic flash) setting. This feature can be used in the following sit ...
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Canon 550EX - page 75
2. Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit • While M is blinking, press the < > button. will then start blinking. • To set the stroboscopic flash, see page 46. 75 To determine the proper exposure, take test shots and experiment. Pressing the < > button while is blinking will cancel the slave unit’s independent setting. Set it back t ...
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Canon 550EX - page 76
● Speedlite T ransmitter ST -E2 (Sold separately) Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 serves as the master unit for wireless Speedlite 550EX control. It can control up to two slave unit groups (A and B). It is attached directly to the camera’s hot shoe. As a master unit, the differences between the 550EX and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 are listed below ...
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Canon 550EX - page 77
77 For T ype-B Cameras Basic Flash Photograph y When the Speedlite 550EX is attached to a Type-B camera such as the EOS- 1N, you can take flash pictures with TTL autoflash as easily as normal autoexposure (AE) pictures. Flash photography can be fully automatic—all you do is press the shutter button. Or you can set the desired shutter speed and ap ...
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Canon 550EX - page 78
1. Using Flash in Full A uto Mode Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to P (Program AE) or (Full Auto). Flash photography will then be as easy as normal AE photography. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically to suit a wide variety of lighting conditions including outdoor fill flash. The E-TTL autoflash system sets the flash ...
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Canon 550EX - page 79
Using Flash in Full Auto Mode After the flash fires, check that the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights. When a correct flash exposure has been obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for about 3 sec. If the lamp does not light, the flash may have been insufficient, resulting in underexposure. In such a case, check that the pilot ...
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Canon 550EX - page 80
2. Using Flash in Other Camera Modes Flash photography is also automatic in the other picture-taking modes. In the Av (aperture-priority AE), Tv (shutter speed-priority AE), and M modes, the TTL autoflash system sets the flash exposure automatically. The camera sets the necessary shutter speed (in the Av mode), aperture (in the Tv mode), or flash o ...
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Canon 550EX - page 81
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (1) A v: Aperture-Priority AE and TTL Autoflash This mode is effective for controlling the depth of field in your flash pictures. You can also obtain a balanced exposure between the subject and background. You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the ...
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Canon 550EX - page 82
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes ● Balanced Flash Exposures In low-light situations, the exposure level can be balanced between the subject and background by using a slow sync speed. You can obtain balanced flash exposures automatically by setting the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av. The camera then sets the sync speed automatically to suit ...
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Canon 550EX - page 83
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (2) Tv: Shutter Speed-Priority AE and TTL A utoflash By selecting the shutter speed, you can obtain various effects with flash. You can set the shutter speed from 30 sec. to the top sync speed. The camera then sets the aperture automatically to obtain a correct exposure for the background. The TTL autoflash system ...
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Canon 550EX - page 84
Using Flash in Other Camera Modes (3) M: Manual Exposure and TTL A utoflash In this mode, you set both the shutter speed and aperture. The TTL autoflash system controls the flash exposure based on the aperture you set. Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to M and set the desired aperture and shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec. to the top sync sp ...
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Canon 550EX - page 85
85 For T ype-B Cameras Ad vanced Flash Photograph y This section explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX. It contains the following: 1. Flash Exposure Compensation (page 86) 2. FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) (page 88) 3. Bounce Flash (page 90) 4. Close-Distance Flash Photography (page 92) 5. Manual Flash Mode (page 93) ...
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Canon 550EX - page 86
1. Flash Exposure Compensation Flash exposure compensation with the 550EX can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increments with some cameras). You can also use flash exposure compensation in combination with normal exposure compensation (to control the background’s exposure level) in a flash picture. Press the < > b ...
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Canon 550EX - page 87
Flash Exposure Compensation Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 87 5 6 • Flash exposure compensation set with the 550EX overrides any flash exposure compensation set with the camera. • If the subject is small and t ...
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Canon 550EX - page 88
2. FEB (Flash Exposure Brac keting) With FEB, you can obtain bracketed flash shots of the subject while the background exposure level remains the same. Three bracketed flash shots can be taken: Correct exposure, decreased exposure, and increased exposure. The three shots can be bracketed up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (or 1/2-stop increment ...
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Canon 550EX - page 89
FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) Check that the subject is within the flash range displayed on the 550EX’s LCD panel. Check that the and icons are displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. Take the remaining two bracketed shots. (If necessary, repeat steps 4 to 6.) 89 5 6 7 Correct exposure. Decreased exposure by 1 stop. Increased exposu ...
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Canon 550EX - page 90
3. Bounce Flash With direct, frontal flash, harsh shadows are usually created in the background behind the subject. This can be avoided by bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or ceiling. Bounce flash also gives softer lighting effects. To turn the flash head, press the < > button. To tilt the flash head, press the < > button. Turn and/ ...
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Canon 550EX - page 91
Bounce Flash Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. • If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light after you take the picture, use a larger aperture (smaller f-number) and try again. 91 4 With bounce flash. Without bounce flash. Bounce the flash on a plain, white, reflective surface. If a colored surf ...
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Canon 550EX - page 92
92 4. Close-Distance Flash Photograph y The flash head can be tilted downward by 7°. This position enables the flash to better illuminate the lower part of a subject that is close to the camera. Press the < > button and tilt the flash head downward until it stops. The icon will blink on the LCD panel. • This flash head position is effectiv ...
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Canon 550EX - page 93
Set the camera’s picture-taking mode to Av or M . Press the 550EX’s < > button and select M . • Pressing the < > button changes the flash mode in the following loop: 93 Press the < > button. • The manual flash output display blinks. 5. Manual Flash Mode In the manual flash mode, you can set the flash output from 1/1 (full) ...
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Canon 550EX - page 94
Check the flash range on the LCD panel. If the flash range does not match the focusing distance, change the aperture until it does match. • You can also change the flash output until the flash range matches the focusing distance. Check that the icon is displayed in the viewfinder, then take the picture. 94 Manual Flash Mode Press the < > or ...
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Canon 550EX - page 95
95 6. Str oboscopic Flash With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to record multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph for later study. You can set the firing frequency (the number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz) from 1 Hz to 199 Hz. The firing frequency can be set in 1-Hz increments from 1 H ...
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Canon 550EX - page 96
Press the < > button to select the firing frequency, flash count, or flash output display. When selected, the respective item blinks on the LCD panel to indicate that it can be altered. Pressing the < > button changes the blinking item in the following loop: 96 Stroboscopic Flash Press the < > or < > button to set the desire ...
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Canon 550EX - page 97
97 Stroboscopic Flash Use the following formula to calculate the required shutter speed. Flash count ÷ Firing frequency = Shutter speed Example: If the flash count is 10 and the firing frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed will have to be at least 2 sec. 10 ÷ 5 = 2 • If the flash count display is , the flash will keep firing until the shutter sp ...
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Canon 550EX - page 98
98 7. Second-Cur tain Synchr onization Normally, the flash fires in synchronization with the first shutter curtain when the shutter is fully open. With second-curtain synchronization, the flash fires immediately before the second shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure. With second-curtain synchronization and a slow shutter speed, you can ...
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Canon 550EX - page 99
99 For T ype-B Cameras Wireless Flash Photograph y This section covers wireless flash photography with the 550EX. It explains the 550EX’s built-in master and slave flash features. A wireless flash system with multiple Speedlite 550EXs can be used as easily as a single, on-camera Speedlite 550EX. With Type-B cameras, the 550EX offers the following ...
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Canon 550EX - page 100
2. Setting the 550EX as a Slave Unit Set the wireless selector to on the 550EX to be used as a slave unit. A 550EX set in this way is called a “slave unit.” • The slave unit’s flash head zoom setting is set automatically to . [1] Wireless System Setup and T esting The wireless flash system can be setup in one of two ways: 1 With a 550EX set ...
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Canon 550EX - page 101
101 3. Setting the Master/Slave Channel To prevent your master unit from firing another photographer’s slave units, four channels are provided to differentiate your slave units from unrelated ones. The master unit and slave unit(s) in the same wireless flash system must be set to the same channel No. Press the master unit’s < > button and ...
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Canon 550EX - page 102
Setting the Master/Slave Channel Press the < > button. • The icon and channel No. will be displayed. To set the slave unit’s channel No., press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > or < > button to set the same channel No. (1, 2, 3, or 4) ...
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Canon 550EX - page 103
103 4. Setting the Slave ID With multiple slave units, a slave ID can be assigned to distinguish a slave unit as being the main flash or fill flash. A flash ratio can thereby be set. Three slave IDs are available: A, B, and C. To set a slave unit’s slave ID, press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the sel ...
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Canon 550EX - page 104
5. Master Flash ON/OFF The master unit’s flash firing can be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). (1) ( ) : This setting enables the master unit to fire a flash. • This setting is called “Master flash ON.” • This setting automatically sets the master unit’s slave ID to A. (2) ( ) : This setting (Master flash OFF) prevents the master unit fro ...
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Canon 550EX - page 105
105 6. Wireless Flash Range After the master and slave units have been set, position them within the wireless flash range shown below. • Use the mini stand (provided) for the slave unit(s). The mini stand also has a tripod socket. • Use the bounce feature to turn the body of the slave unit so that the sensor is exposed to the master unit. • F ...
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Canon 550EX - page 106
Wireless Flash Range Check that the master unit’s pilot lamp is lit and that the slave unit(s) are recharged and ready. • When a slave unit is ready, its AF-assist beam blinks once per second. Press the master unit’s pilot lamp (test firing button) to fire a test flash. • When the wireless transmission works, the slave unit fires at the fla ...
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Canon 550EX - page 107
107 [2] Wireless Manual Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can manually set the slave unit’s flash output with the master unit. The flash output can be uniform or varied among the slave units. To determine the proper flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter. Press the master unit’s < > button and select M . Press the ...
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Canon 550EX - page 108
108 2. Wireless Manual Flash With V aried Flash Output You can set a different flash output for each slave unit (A, B, and C) as follows. On the master unit, press the < > button. Press the < > button and select . • Pressing the < > button changes the selection in the following loop: Press the < > button to select ON A:B o ...
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Canon 550EX - page 109
109 [3] Wireless Str oboscopic Flash After setting up the wireless flash system, you can set stroboscopic flash with the master unit for wireless stroboscopic flash. • The firing frequency and flash count will be the same for all slave units. They can be set by following the procedure on page 97. • Set the flash output of the slave units in the ...
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Canon 550EX - page 110
110 Manual flash or stroboscopic flash can be set manually with a slave unit. The setting is independent from the master unit. The master unit just triggers the slave unit which fires according to its own independent (manual or stroboscopic flash) setting. This feature can be used in the following situations: (1) As with studio flash, you can set t ...
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Canon 550EX - page 111
111 • While M is blinking, press the < > button. will then start blinking. • To set the stroboscopic flash, see page 95. 2. Str oboscopic Flash With a Slave Unit To determine the proper exposure, take test shots and experiment. Pressing the < > button while is blinking will cancel the slave unit’s independent setting. Set it back ...
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Canon 550EX - page 112
112 The Speedlite 550EX has Custom Functions which enable you to customize Speedlite functions according to your preferences. ● Setting a Custom Function Press the LCD panel illumination button for at least 2 sec. until appears on the LCD panel. Press the < > button until the Custom Function No. to be altered blinks. • Pressing the < & ...
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Canon 550EX - page 113
113 Custom Functions ● Custom Function Settings Function Custom Function No. Setting Description CF-1 0 Enabled 1 Disabled CF-2 0 Correct exposure, decreased exposure, increased exposure 1 Decreased exposure, correct exposure, increased exposure CF-3 0 E-TTL 1 TTL CF-4 0 Activate after 60 min. of non-operation. 1 Activate after 10 min. of non-ope ...
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Canon 550EX - page 114
114 Canon Speedlite 550EX System 1 9 q 2 3 7 6 5 4 8 t r y u e The accessories on the left enable wired, multi-Speedlite TTL autoflash. e TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 r TTL Distributor t Off-Camera Shoe Adapter OA-2 y Connecting Cord 60 u Connecting Cord 300 0 w 08. F073-E (99~) 02.4.1 2:16 PM Page 114 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 115
115 Canon Speedlite 550EX System 1 Speedlite 550EX (On-camera master unit) 2 Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 Dedicated wireless transmitter for any 550EX set as a slave unit. 3 Connecting Cord ET (included with Transistor Pack E) 4 Transistor Pack E Houses Battery Magazine TP or Ni-Cd Pack TP. 5 Battery Magazine TP Houses six size-C alkaline batteries. ...
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Canon 550EX - page 116
116 T roub leshooting Guide Problem I cannot detach the Speedlite from the camera. The flash does not fire even when I press the shutter button completely. After I turn on the Speedlite, the pilot lamp turns off after a while. When I turn on the main switch, the entire display blinks. When I press the shutter button halfway, the flash range bar seg ...
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Canon 550EX - page 117
117 Troubleshooting Guide Page 36 86 36 86 36 86 18 36 86 28 82 53 100 58 105 Solution With an EOS camera having multiple focusing points, select a focusing point which covers the subject and then compose the shot before taking the picture. With an EOS camera having only one focusing point, set a suitable exposure compensation amount on the minus s ...
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Canon 550EX - page 118
118 Specifications Type: Direct-sync, shoe-mount flash with E-TTL/TTL autoflash control and wireless transmission/reception (E-TTL preflash, AF-assist beam, auto zoom, and bounce flash). Compatible cameras: Type-A EOS cameras (for E-TTL autoflash control) Type-B EOS cameras (for TTL autoflash control) Flash coverage and Guide No.: See page 121. Bat ...
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Canon 550EX - page 119
119 Specifications Flash-ready indication: (1) Red pilot lamp indicates normal flash ready. (2) Yellow pilot lamp indicates quick flash ready. AF-assist beam linkage and range: Linked to area AF (45 focusing points), effective from approx. 0.6 to 10 meters / 2 to 33 feet at the center and 0.6 to 5 meters / 2 to 16 feet along the periphery (in total ...
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Canon 550EX - page 120
120 Specifications Slave unit SE mode While the slave unit’s SE mode is in effect, the slave unit turns on when a cancellation: flash is fired. The slave unit's SE mode can be canceled by the following wireless operations: (1) When the master unit’s test firing button is pressed. (2) When the camera’s FE lock button is pressed. Power sou ...
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Canon 550EX - page 121
121 Specifications ● Guide No. [Normal Mode] (At ISO 100 in meters) [High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) ] Flash Coverage (mm) 17 24 28 35 50 70 80 105 Normal (full) Flash Guide No. 15 28 30 36 42 46 50 55 Quick Flash Same as for manual flash from 1/2 to 1/6. 1/1 15 28 30 36 42 46 50 55 1/2 10.6 19.8 21.2 25.5 29.7 32.5 35.4 38.9 1/4 7.5 14 15 18 21 23 25 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 122
122 Specifications ● Maximum Contin uous Flashes • When the flash count is , the maximum flash count will be as follows regardless of the flash frequency. Hz 123456789 1 0 Flash Output 1 / 4 7654433332 1/8 14 14 12 10 8 6 6 5 5 4 1/16 30 30 30 20 20 20 20 10 10 8 1/32 60 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 1/64 90 90 90 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 1/128 100 10 ...
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Canon 550EX - page 123
123 Specifications ● AF-Assist Beam Emission Preconditions ● Camera’ s Flash-Related Exposure W arnings 550EX/Camera Combination 550EX’s AF-Assist Camera’s AF-Assist Beam Emitted Beam Emitted EOS-1D, EOS-1V, EOS-3, EOS-1N, EOS-1N RS, EOS D60, EOS D30, EOS ELAN 7/7E, 30/33, EOS 50/50 E/ELAN ll/ELAN ll E, EOS 300/REBEL 2000, EOS 500 N/REBEL ...
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Canon 550EX - page 124
124 Specifications ● Speedlite 550EX Feature A v ailability *1 With Custom Function CF-3-1. *2 Only one slave group can be controlled. *3 For bulb exposures with the EOS 700, the aperture f/5.6. *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *1 *2 *2 *2 *2 *2 *2 Camera Camera’s Max. Sync Speed (sec.) Autoflash Control Wireless Flash Wireless 1/90 1/125 1/200 1/250 1/ ...
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Canon 550EX - page 125
125 *4 Enabled in shutter-speed AE mode. ● : Available. × : Not available. *4 *4 *4 *3 s Flash Wireless Flash FP Flash FE Lock Flash Exposure Compensation FEB Flash Ratio Modeling 2nd-Curtain TL M/MULTI w/550EX w/camera Control Flash Sync ● ××××××× ● ● ××××××× ● ××××××××× ××××××××× ● ×× ● × ● ×× ...
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Canon 550EX - page 126
126 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 other ...
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Canon 550EX - page 127
2 K ey to Symbols : W ar ning for pre v enting camera or Speedlite malfunction. : Supplementar y notes f or basic operation. : Helpful tip f or Speedlite operation or picture taking. • K eep this Instructions booklet handy for future ref erence. Thank y ou for pur chasing a Canon pr oduct. The Canon Speedlite 550EX is a powerful, high-output flas ...
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Canon 550EX - page 128
E E English Edition INSTRUCTIONS This Instructions booklet is dated April 2000. F or information on the camera’ s compatibility with system accessories marketed after this date, contact your nearest Canon Service Center. CANON INC. 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, T okyo 146-8501, J apan U.S .A. CANON U.S.A. INC. For all inquiries concerning t ...
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