Canon Speedlite 420EX User Manual

EEnglish EditionINSTRUCTIONS K133 Cover (E) 02.4.1 2:59 PM Page 3

Installing the Batteries10Install one of the following types of batteries:(1) Four size-AA alkaline batteries(2) Four size-AA nickel-hydride batteries

11Installing the BatteriesRecycling Time and Flash CountBattery Type Recycling Time Flash CountSize-AA alkaline batteries Approx. 0.1-7.5 sec. Approx.

Mounting the Speedlite121Loosen the locking collar.• Turn it as shown by the arrow.2Mount the 420EX onto the camera.• Slide the 420EX's mounting

13The wireless selector has the following settings.For Normal Flash Operation• Set the wireless selector to OFF touse the 420EX as a normal, on-camera

Main Switch14The main switch has the following settings.Turns off the power.Turns on the power.After 90 sec. of non-use, the SE(Save Energy) mode take

15Pilot Lamp and Test FiringBefore taking the flash picture, you can fire a test flash.1Check that the < > lamp is lit.• When the flash is ready

The 420EX's flash head zooms automatically to provide adequate flashcoverage for the lens focal length in use. Flash coverage is provided for the

172When the 420EX is mounted on a Type-A camera such as the EOS 30/ELAN7E, using E-TTL autoflash is just aseasy as normal autoexposure (AE).E-TTL auto

With the 420EX attached to a Type-A camera set to < > (Full Auto) or< > (Program AE), flash photography will be fully automatic and as eas

19Flash in Full Auto Mode4Check that the flash exposureconfirmation lamp lights.• When a correct flash exposure hasbeen obtained, the lamp lights fora

2Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.The Canon Speedlite 420EX is an autozoom flash unit equipped with awireless sensor for E-TTL wireless autofl

Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes20You can also use E-TTL autoflash with the camera set to < > (aperture-priority AE), < > (shutter spee

21Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes: E-TTL Autoflash and Aperture-Priority AEWhen you want to control the depth of field or when you want both thesu

22Slow-Speed Sync for Dark BackgroundsBy using a slow sync speed with flash, you can correctly expose both thesubject and a dark background. For autom

23Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes: E-TTL Autoflash and Shutter Speed-Priority AEWhen you want to use the shutter speed to create a certain effect,

24: E-TTL Autoflash and Manual ExposureWhen you want to set both the shutter speed and aperture, use manualexposure. E-TTL autoflash controls the flas

25• High-speed sync can be used in the < >, < >, < >, and < > modes.• High-speed sync is effective when you want to:(1) Blur t

263Take the picture.• Focus the subject, check that the < > icon is lit in the viewfinder, thentake the picture.High-Speed Sync (FP Flash)When t

27FE (flash exposure) lock is the flash version of AE lock. With the 420EXattached to the camera, the camera's AE lock button becomes an FE lockb

28FE LockFocusing Point for FE Lock with the EOS 30/ELAN 7EFocusing Point Selection Method Focusing Point for FE LockAutomatic CenterManualWith C.Fn-8

29• To set the camera's Custom Function, refer to the camera's Instructions.Second-Curtain SynchronizationThe EOS 30/ELAN 7E has a Custom Fu

3Conventions Used in this BookletThis instruction booklet has separate chapters for Type-A andType-B cameras. If you have a Type-A camera, read pages

Modeling Flash30With the 420EX attached to the EOS-1D, 1V, 3, D60, D30, ELAN 7/7E, or30/33 you can fire a modeling flash to check the shadow effects o

313When the 420EX is mounted on a Type-B camera, using TTL autoflash is just aseasy as normal autoexposure (AE).Flash photography can be fullyautomati

Flash in Full Auto Mode32With the 420EX attached to a Type-B camera set to < > (Program AE),flash photography will be fully automatic and as eas

33Flash in Full Auto ModeWith fill flash, the subject illuminated with flash might look unnatural compared tothe background's brightness. To prev

Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes34You can also use TTL autoflash with the camera set to < > (aperture-priority AE), < > (shutter speed-

35Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes: TTL Autoflash and Aperture-Priority AEWhen you want to control the depth of field or when you want both thesubj

36Slow-Speed Sync for Dark BackgroundsBy using a slow sync speed with flash, you can correctly expose both thesubject and a dark background. For autom

37Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes: TTL Autoflash and Shutter Speed-Priority AEWhen you want to use the shutter speed to create a certain effect, s

38: TTL Autoflash and Manual ExposureWhen you want to set both the shutter speed and aperture, use manualexposure. TTL autoflash controls the flash ou

394Bounce flash, flash exposurecompensation, and a multi-Speedlitesystem are possible with the 420EX anda Type-A or B camera.Advanced Flash Photograph

Contents412Conventions Used in this Booklet...3Nomenclature ...

Bounce Flash40When the flash is aimed directly at the subject, a harsh shadow mayappear behind the subject. By bouncing the flash off the ceiling or w

41Bounce Flash2Take the picture.• Focus the subject, check that the < > icon is lit in the viewfinder, thentake the picture.• If the flash expos

Multi-Speedlite System42By using multiple Speedlites, you can create more sophisticated lightingeffects. The subject's face can look more three-d

43Multi-Speedlite System3Set the channel No.• Press the < > button and set thesame channel No. as the masterunit's.• Pressing the < >

44Multi-Speedlite SystemSample Wireless Flash SystemYou can easily set up an E-TTL wireless autoflash system with the 550EX,ST-E2, MR-14EX or MT-24EX

45Multi-Speedlite SystemWireless Flash EquipmentMaster unit1231 Speedlite 420EX (Slave unit)2 Mini-stand (Provided with 420EX)Props up the 420EX and p

46Multi-Speedlite SystemWired Flash SystemWith wired flash system accessories, you can easily set up a TTL wiredautoflash system with any EOS camera.U

47Multi-Speedlite SystemWired Flash System Accessories1 Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2Enables the Speedlite to be used off-the-camera up to 60 cm away. All of

48The batteries are exhausted.Install new batteries. (→ page 10)Batteries are installed incorrectly.Install the batteries in the proper orientation. (

49Type ...Direct-contact, shoe-mount flash with E-TTL/TTL autoflash.(AF-assist beam, autozoom head, bounce flash,

5Contents341234Easy Flash Photography (For Type-B Cameras) ...31Flash in Full Auto Mode...

Sync SpeedFlash Coverage24 28 35 50 70 1051/180 12.1 13.1 16.3 17.9 19.5 22.11/250 11.0 12.0 14.9 16.3 17.7 20.11/350 9.7 10.5 13.0 14.3 15.6 17.71/50

51Major SpecificationsCamera's Flash Exposure WarningsProgram AEMinimum aperturesetting blinks.The subject is toobright.Attach a neutral-density(

52EOS Camera and 420EX Feature AvailabilityEOS 650 ●EOS 620 ●EOS 750 ●EOS 850 ●EOS 630/600 ●EOS-1 ●EOS RT ●EOS 10/10S ●EOS 700 ●EOS REBEL/REBEL S/1000

53●: Available.×: Not available.Major Specifications××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××● ×××××××××××● ×××××××××

54This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to thefollowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful inter

55The CE Mark is a Directive conformity mark of the EuropeanCommunity (EC)The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing.Batteries shall

This Instruction Booklet is current as of August 2000. For information on using thisproduct with cameras introduced after this date, contact your near

Nomenclature6FrontFlash headLocking collar(→page 12)Contacts (→page 12)Mounting foot (→page 12)Wireless sensorAF-assist beam emitter(→page 16)Battery

7NomenclatureBack<>Horizontal bounce release button (→page 40)E-TTL indicator<>Upward bounce releasebutton (→page 40)Autozoom positionindi

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91This chapter helps you prepare for flashphotography with the 420EX.Before You Start K133 (E) 02.4.1 3:04 PM Page 9