QuickGuide to Canon Speedlite
580EX II Modes and Functions
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Overview
This QuickGuide is designed to provide an overview of the Canon
Speedlite 580EX II's main features and menu structure. With this
in mind, we have color-coded the three primary operating modes
that are available, along with the selections that are available in
each mode. By familiarizing yourself with how these modes and
features are organized you will be able to quickly determine what
features are available and where to find them. For more detailed
information on each feature set, please refer to the 580EX II
Instruction Manual.
Controls
Display Illuminator/Custom Function Button
Press once to illuminate the display.
Press and hold
to access
the Custom Function menu. The 580EX II offers 14 custom
functions (C.Fn-00 – C.Fn-13). Note: To change the default
distance indicator from meters to feet, change C.Fn-00 to “1”.
Flash Mode Button
Press this button to cycle through the three operating modes:
E-TTL Automatic
Manual
Multi (Stroboscopic)
The display will change with each button press.
High-Speed/Shutter Curtain Sync Button
The High-speed Sync and Shutter Curtain Sync options are
available only when the 580EX II is in E-TTL or Manual mode.
Press the button until the corresponding icon appears on the
display. When no icon is visible the corresponding function is off.
Zoom/Wireless Select Button
Press this button once if you wish to manually set the flash
coverage angle. The 580EX II will otherwise adjust its coverage to
your lens' focal length automatically.
Press and hold
this button if
you wish to select one of the three wireless options (available only
when you are in the E-TTL Auto or Manual mode). See below for
more information.
Select Dial
This dial allows you to scroll through the options available in
a particular feature set. The Select Dial is active only when a
feature set is active (blinking).
Select/Set Button
This button allows you to cycle through specific options available
in each of the three flash modes. Once you have activated a
feature (indicated by blinking), the Select Dial will allow you to
change the feature to the setting of your choice.
Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB)
Press the
Select/Set Button
until the Flash Exposure
Bracketing icon flashes. Turn the
Select Dial
clockwise
to increase the flash exposure bracket increment or counter-
clockwise to reduce it. Bracketing can be set in 1/3-stop
increments up to ± 3 stops. Press the
Select/Set Button
to
set the amount. Once set, the icon will no longer blink.
Manual Zoom
Press the
Zoom Button
once. When the coverage angle
indicator (upper-right of the display) blinks, turn
Select Dial
to
the angle of your choice. The choices are 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80,
and 105mm, in 35mm full-frame equivalents. Divide by 1.6 for the
Canon APS-C equivalent.
High-Speed Sync
When this option is selected the flash will flash stroboscopically,
in sync with the shutter as it cross the focal plane. Although this
allows the 580EX II to synchronize with shutter speeds higher
than 1/200-second it also reduces light output as shutter speeds
move progressively past the standard maximum sync speed.
Second-Curtain Sync
The 580EX II is normally triggered the instant the first shutter
curtain opens. When Second-Curtain sync is selected the flash
will be triggered just before the second shutter curtain
closes
.
Note that given a fixed ISO setting, the longer your shutter speed,
therefore the more effect that ambient light and any resulting pre-
flash motion blur will have on the image.
E-TTL Automatic also has three wireless flash options:
Wireless [Off]
Wireless [On - Master]
Wireless [On - Slave]
To access a wireless flash option:
1. Press and hold the
Zoom/Wireless Select Button
until the display blinks.
2. Turn the
Select Dial
to the option of your choice.
3. Press the
Select/Set Button
to set your choice. Once
set, the icon will no longer blink.
Wireless [Off]
All wireless functions are off. Only basic functions such FEC, FEB
and High-Speed/Second-Curtain Sync are available.
Wireless [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the
Master (main) unit that controls any other Slave (secondary) units
that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control
the automatic power ratio between Master and Slaves.
E-TTL AUTOMATIC MODE
This operating mode uses the camera's light meter to automati-
cally control flash output and exposure. It can control a single
Speedlite attached to the camera and can also wirelessly control
multiple Speedlites. The basic functions available in this mode
include:
Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
Press the
Select/Set Button
until the flash exposure
compensation icon flashes. Turn the
Select Dial
clockwise
to increase the flash exposure or counter-clockwise to reduce it.
Compensation can be set in 1/3-stop increments up to ± 3 stops.
Press the
Select/Set Button
to lock-in your choice. Once set,
the icon will no longer blink.
