Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT User Manual

1JEINSTRUCTIONMANUAL

10NomenclatureCatchlight panel (retracted) (p.35)Wide panel (retracted) (p.39)External power source socket (p.122)ContactsLocking pinMounting foot (p.

100a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash PhotographySince the following functions set on the master unit will be set automatically to the slave units on t

101You can divide the slave units into two firing groups, A and B, and adjust the lighting balance (flash ratio) for shooting.The exposure is controll

1025: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash Ratio3Set the A:B flash ratio. Press function button 3 <F>. Turn <9> to set the fla

1035: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash RatioYou can add firing group C to firing groups A and B. C is effective for lighting that elimin

1045: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash Ratio4Set the flash exposure compensation amount for slave unit C. Set the amount as necessary.

105This section describes wireless (multiple-flash) photography using manual flash. You can shoot with a different flash output setting for each slave

106q: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Manual Output4Select a firing group. Press function button 3 <F>. Turn <9> to select the

107You can directly operate the slave unit to manually set the manual flash or stroboscopic flash. This function is called individual slave. This is u

108A Manual Flash/Stroboscopic Flash Setting on a Slave UnitSet the stroboscopic flash settings. For details on the setting procedure, see page 42.Str

1096Customizing theSpeedliteThis chapter describes how to customize the Speedlite with the Custom Functions (C.Fn) and Personal Functions (P.Fn).When

11NomenclatureLCD panel<D>Radio transmission confirmation lamp (p.64, 66, 69, 72, 86)<E>Flash mode button (p.24, 40, 42, 45, 46, 69, 77, 7

110You can make precise adjustments to various flash functions to suit your picture-taking preferences with Custom Functions. The functions used to do

111C / >: Setting Custom and Personal FunctionsCustom Function ListNumberFunctionPageC.Fn-00"Distance indicator displayp.113C.Fn-01#Auto power

112C / >: Setting Custom and Personal FunctionsWhen function button 2 <3>, then function button 1 <;> are pressed on the Custom Functio

113C: Setting Custom FunctionsC.Fn-00:" (Distance indicator display)You can select meters or feet for the distance indicator display on the LCD p

114C: Setting Custom FunctionsC.Fn-03: ( (FEB auto cancel)You can set whether or not to cancel FEB automatically after shooting three shots with FEB.0

115C: Setting Custom FunctionsC.Fn-08:- (AF-Assist beam firing)0: ON (Enabled)1: OFF (Disabled)This disables the emission of the AF-assist beam from t

116C: Setting Custom FunctionsC.Fn-12: 3 (Flash recycle with external power)0: 1 (External & internal power)Charges using both internal and extern

117C: Setting Custom FunctionsC.Fn-21: ; (Light distribution)You can change the flash light distribution (flash coverage) of the Speedlite in relation

118>: Setting Personal FunctionsP. F n- 0 1 : @ (LCD panel display contrast)You can adjust the contrast of the LCD panel in 5 levels.P. F n- 0 2 :

119>: Setting Personal FunctionsP. F n- 0 5 : + (Quick flash)You can set whether or not to fire the flash (fire the quick flash) when the flash-rea

12NomenclatureLCD PanelE-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL Autoflash(p.24)0 : Beep (p.116)L : Automatic flash coverage settingd : Manual flash coverage setting (p.38)a

120MEMO

1217ReferenceThis chapter provides a system map and troubleshooting guide, describes the use of the Speedlite with Type-B cameras, etc.

122" Speedlite 600EX II-RT# Bounce adapter SBA-E3 (provided with 600EX II-RT)$ Color filter SCF-E3OR1 (Low density/provided with 600EX II-RT)% Co

123600EX II-RT System' Device equipped with radio transmission wireless master function600EX-RT, 430EX III-RT, ST-E3-RT( Speedlite equipped with

124When continuous flash, stroboscopic flash, or modeling flash is repeatedly fired in short intervals, the temperature of the flash head, batteries,

125f Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature IncreaseThe following table shows the number of continuous flashes until the warning (level 1) is dis

126f Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature Increase Do not open or close the battery compartment cover while flash firing is being restricted.

127If a problem occurs with the flash, first refer to this Troubleshooting Guide. If this Troubleshooting Guide does not resolve the problem, contact

128Troubleshooting Guide If the main subject looks very dark or very bright, set flash exposure compensation (p.28). If there is a highly reflective

129Troubleshooting Guide Set the flash coverage to <L> (automatic) (p.38). Insert the mounting foot into the camera’s hot shoe all the way, sl

13NomenclatureManual Flash(p.40)Stroboscopic Flash(p.42)Auto/Manual External Flash Metering(p.45/46)q : Manual flashManual flash outputNumber of flash

130Troubleshooting Guide Radio Transmission Wireless Flash Photography Set the master to <'M> and the slave to <'x> (p.63). S

131Troubleshooting Guide Remote release is not possible from a slave unit with cameras released up to 2011 or with EOS REBEL T6/1300D or EOS REBEL T5

132Troubleshooting Guide Optical Transmission Wireless Flash Photography Set the master unit to <:M> and set the slave unit to <:x> (p.9

133 TypeType: E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash Shoe-mount SpeedliteCompatible cameras: Type-A EOS cameras (E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash)Type-B EOS cameras (TT

134SpecificationsFlash exposure compensation:±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop incrementsFEB: ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with

135Specifications Radio Transmission Wireless Master/Slave FunctionFrequency: 2405 MHz - 2475 MHzModulation system: Primary modulation: OQPSK, Seconda

136SpecificationsCharge confirmation: Flash-ready lamp lights up (master unit/slave unit), beep (when C.Fn-20-1 is set on master unit/slave unit), and

137Specifications Normal Flash (Full Output)/Quick Flash Manual FlashGuide Number (ISO 100, in approx. meters/feet)Flash Coverage (mm) 14 20 24 28 3

138This section describes the available and unavailable functions when using the Speedlite 600EX II-RT with a Type-B camera (EOS film camera supportin

1399 Countries and Regions Permitting Radio Transmission Wireless Function UseUse of radio transmission wireless function is restricted in some countr

14Nomenclature Master unitRadio Transmission Wireless Shooting/Optical Transmission Wireless Shooting(p.57/89)M : Master settingFlash ratioFiring grou

140Hereby, Canon Inc. declares that this DS401131 is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/E

141Graphical symbols placed on the equipment Direct currentDISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO LOCAL REGULATIONS.CAN ICES-3 (B) / NMB-3 (B)The ap

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145Numerics12- or 2-sec. timer...418% gray reflector...41AAccessories...

146IndexFlash ratioThree groups (A:B C) ...75, 103Two groups (A:B)...73, 101Flash-ready lamp...21, 69, 97, 119Flash sync speed

147IndexQQuick flash ...18, 21, 119RRadio transmission wireless flash photography...57Fully auto

The descriptions in this Instruction Manual are current as of January 2016. Forinformation on the compatibility with any products introduced after thi

15Nomenclature Slave unitRadio Transmission: Linked Shooting (p.84)h : Slave iconL : Remote release (' only)M : Modeling flash (' only)N : T

16NomenclatureAccessories ProvidedSpeedlite caseMini stand pocketMini stand(p.58, 90)Speedlite caseBounce adapter SBA-E3(p.36)Color filter SCF-E3OR2(p

171Getting Started andBasic OperationsThis chapter describes the preparations before starting flash photography and the basic shooting operations. Cau

18Install four AA/R6 batteries for power supply.1Open the cover. Slide the lock lever to the left as shown in ", slide the cover down, and open

19Installing the Batteries CAUTION Do not use “AA/R6 lithium batteries”.Note that certain AA/R6 lithium batteries may become extremely hot in rare ca

2The Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT is an EOS-dedicated external Speedlite, compatible with E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash systems. The Speedlite can be us

201Attach the Speedlite. Slip the Speedlite’s mounting foot all the way into the camera’s hot shoe.2Secure the Speedlite. Slide the mounting foot

211Set the power switch to <K>. X The flash recharge starts.X During recharging, <G> is displayed on the LCD panel. When flash recharge is

22Turning on the PowerTo save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after approx. 90 sec. of idle use. To turn on the Speedlite again,

23Turning on the Power The flash settings will remain in effect even after the power is turned off. To retain the settings when replacing the batteri

24When you set the camera’s shooting mode to <d> (Program AE) or fully automatic mode, you can shoot in E-TTL II/E-TTL fully automatic flash mod

25Simply set the camera’s shooting mode to <s> (shutter-priority AE), <f> (aperture-priority AE), or <a> (manual exposure), and you

26E-TTL II/E-TTL Autoflash by Shooting ModeEOS DIGITAL cameras have three sizes of image sensors, and the effective shooting angle of view of the atta

272Advanced FlashPhotographyThis chapter describes advanced shooting operations utilizing the flash functions.When the camera’s shooting mode is set t

28With a similar procedure as exposure compensation, you can adjust the flash output. The flash exposure compensation amount can be set up to ±3 stops

29You can take three shots while automatically changing the flash output. This is called FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). The settable range is up to

3ChaptersIntroduction2Getting Started and Basic OperationsPreparing for flash photography and basic flash photography17Advanced Flash PhotographyAdvan

30The FE (Flash Exposure) lock locks the correct flash exposure setting for any part of the subject.With <a> displayed on the LCD panel, press t

31With high-speed sync, you can shoot with a flash even at shutter speeds that exceed the maximum flash sync shutter speed. This is effective when you

32Shooting with a slow shutter speed and second-curtain sync captures the trail of the light sources of a moving subject, such as car lights, in a nat

33By pointing the flash head toward a ceiling or wall, the flash light will bounce off the surface before illuminating the subject, making it possible

34m BounceWhen you position the flash head down by 7° while pressing the <z> button, you can shoot subjects at a short distance in a range of ap

35m BounceUsing the catchlight panel when shooting a portrait enables you to capture reflected light in a person’s eyes and create a more vivid expres

36m BounceIf you attach the provided bounce adapter to the Speedlite and bounce the flash light on the ceiling or wall, etc., you can spread the flash

37m Bounce When the bounce adapter is attached, or when the bounce adapter and the wide panel are used together, underexposure may result since the f

38Flash coverage (the range covered by the flash light) can be set automatically or manually. With the <L> (automatic) setting, the flash covera

39e: Setting the Flash CoverageNWhen you use the flash’s built-in wide panel together, you can perform flash photography covering the angle of view of

4Icons in this Manual9 : Indicates the Select dial.8 : Indicates the Select/Set button.p/2 : Indicates that the respective function remains active for

40You can set the flash output from 1/1 full output to 1/128 power in 1/3-step increments.Use a flash meter (commercially-available) to determine the

41q: Manual FlashNWhen using an EOS-1D series camera, the flash exposure level can be manually set before shooting. This is effective when you are clo

42When using stroboscopic flash with a slow shutter speed, you can shoot multiple successive movements within a single picture, similar to stop-motion

43?: Stroboscopic FlashNTo ensure that the shutter stays open until the end of the continuous flashes for stroboscopic flash, set the camera with a sh

44?: Stroboscopic FlashNWhen the number of flashes is displayed as “----” (bar display), the maximum number of flashes is as shown in the table below.

45The Speedlite’s built-in external metering sensor measures the flash light reflected from the subject in real time and automatically stops the flash

46//.: Flash External MeteringNYou can manually set the Speedlite with the ISO speed and aperture set on the camera. The flash output is automatically

47When the camera’s depth-of-field preview button is pressed, the flash fires continuously for approx. 1 sec. This feature is called “modeling flash”.

48When shooting with flash under incandescent lighting (a tungsten light source), reddish, unnatural colors may result on the subject background where

49o Color Filter The flash guide number decreases when you use the color filter. When performing manual flash or stroboscopic flash, compensate the f

521Introduction 2Chapters ...3Conventions Used in this Manual

50You can revert the settings of the Speedlite shooting functions and wireless shooting settings to their defaults.Clear the settings. Press function

513Setting Flash Functionswith Camera ControlsThis chapter describes how to set the flash functions from the camera’s menu screen.When the camera’s sh

52When using EOS DIGITAL cameras released in and after 2007, you can set flash functions or Custom Functions from the camera’s menu screen.For camera

53Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu Screen EOS DIGITAL cameras released in and after 2012On the camera’s [Flash function settings] or [External fl

54Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu Screen Flash firingTo perform flash photography, set to [Enable]. To use the flash's AF-assist beam only,

55Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu Screen Zoom (flash coverage)You can set the Speedlite flash coverage. When [Auto] is selected, the flash cover

56Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu ScreenYou can set Custom Functions for the Speedlite from the camera’s menu screen. The details displayed vary

574Wireless Flash Photography:Radio TransmissionThis chapter describes wireless flash photography using the radio transmission wireless master/slave f

58Using a Canon Speedlite (master/slave) equipped with the radio transmission wireless shooting function, you can easily perform wirelessly-controlled

59' Radio Transmission Wireless Flash PhotographyYou can divide the slave units into two or three groups and perform E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash pho

6Contents34567Setting Flash Functions with Camera Controls 51Flash Control from the Camera’s Menu Screen ... 52Wireless Flas

60' Radio Transmission Wireless Flash Photography Shooting in a Different Flash Mode Set for Each Group (p.79)Wireless shooting using radio trans

61' Radio Transmission Wireless Flash PhotographyWhen performing radio transmission wireless flash photography, function restrictions may apply,

62' Radio Transmission Wireless Flash Photography2. High-speed sync shooting is not possible.3. Group flash (p.79) is not possible.4. Modeling fl

63To perform radio transmission wireless shooting, set the master unit and slave unit with the following procedure.Set to <'M>. Press the

64Wireless SettingsUse the following procedure to set the transmission channels and wireless radio IDs of the master unit and slave unit. Set the same

65Wireless Settings Scanning and Setting the Master Unit Transmission ChannelsYou can scan the radio reception status and set the master unit’s trans

66Wireless SettingsYou can check the transmission status by viewing the color of the <D> lamp.You can set whether or not to fire the master unit

67Wireless SettingsYou can save the wireless settings to the master unit and slave unit and recall the settings later. Operate each master or slave un

68This section describes basic fully automatic wireless shooting when using a 600EX II-RT attached to the camera (master) and a 600EX II-RT set as a s

69a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Photography4Position the camera and the flash. Position them within the range shown on page 58.5Set the flash mode

7Power Source Batteries Î p.18 Firing interval/frequency Î p.18 Power ON/OFF Î p.21 Flash ready Î p.21 Quick flash Î p.21 Auto power off Î p.22Operati

70a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Photography7Check the performance. Press the master unit’s test flash button.X The flash fires. If it does not fi

71a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash PhotographyDuring radio transmission wireless shooting, the master unit’s LCD panel illuminates or turns off accor

72a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash PhotographySince the following functions set on the master unit will be set automatically to the slave units with

73You can divide the slave units into two firing groups, A and B, and adjust the lighting balance (flash ratio) for shooting.The exposure is controlle

745: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash Ratio3Set the A:B flash ratio. Press function button 3 <F>. Turn <9> to set the flas

755: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash RatioYou can add firing group C to firing groups A and B. C is convenient to set lighting so as to

765: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Flash Ratio4Set the flash exposure compensation amount for slave unit C. Set the amount as necessary.

77This section describes wireless (multiple-flash) shooting using manual flash. You can shoot with a different flash output setting for each slave uni

78q: Wireless Multiple-Flash Photography with Manual Output4Select a firing group. Press function button 3 <F>. Turn <9> to select the g

79When using an EOS DIGITAL camera released in and after 2012, you can shoot in a different flash mode set for each firing group with up to 5 groups (

8The following precautions are provided to prevent harm or injury to yourself and others. Make sure to thoroughly understand and follow these precauti

80[: Shooting in a Different Flash Mode for Each Group3Set each firing group. Set the flash mode of each firing group by operating the master unit.

81[: Shooting in a Different Flash Mode for Each Group4Check the charge status and then shoot. When <G> is displayed, you can check the firing

82In radio transmission wireless shooting, you can fire the test flash and modeling flash (p.47) from a 600EX II-RT set as a slave unit.1Display <N

83When using an EOS DIGITAL camera released in and after 2012, you can perform remote release (remote control shooting) from a 600EX II-RT set as a sl

84When using an EOS DIGITAL camera released in and after 2012 (except EOS REBEL T6/1300D and EOS REBEL T5/1200D), you can perform linked shooting, whi

85Linked Shooting with Radio TransmissionBefore performing the operations below, attach a Speedlite or transmitter to all the cameras to be used for l

86Linked Shooting with Radio Transmission Set the transmitters in the same way if any are to be used in linked shooting. When changing the setting f

87Linked Shooting with Radio Transmission Setting the focus mode switches of the lenses attached to the slave cameras to <MF> and taking the pi

88MEMO

895Wireless Flash Photography:Optical TransmissionThis chapter describes wireless flash photography using the optical transmission wireless master/sla

9Safety Precautions Keep the equipment out of the reach of children and infants, including when in use. Straps or cords may accidentally cause chokin

90Using a Canon Speedlite (master/slave) equipped with the optical transmission wireless shooting function, you can easily perform shooting with wirel

91: Optical Transmission Wireless Flash PhotographyYou can divide the slave units into two or three groups and perform E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash photog

92To perform optical transmission wireless shooting, set the master unit and slave unit with the following procedure.Set to <:M>. Press the <

93Wireless SettingsTo avoid interference with optical transmission wireless flash systems used by other photographers, you can change the transmission

94Wireless SettingsYou can set whether or not to fire the master unit as a flash that controls the slave unit. When master flash firing is set to ON,

95Wireless SettingsYou can save the wireless settings to the master unit and slave unit, and recall the settings later. Operate each master or slave u

96This section describes the basic fully automatic wireless shooting when using a 600EX II-RT attached to the camera (master) and a 600EX II-RT set as

97a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Photography4Position the camera and the flash. Position them within the range shown on page 90.5Set the flash mode

98a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Photography7Check the performance. Press the master unit’s test flash button.X The flash fires. If it does not fi

99a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash PhotographyWhen you need more flash output or you want to perform lighting more easily, you can increase the numbe