Canon SPEEDLIGHT 420ex Instructions Manual Download Page 1

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Summary of Contents for SPEEDLIGHT 420ex

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Page 2: ... 7 7E 30 33 Type A Camera E TIL ELAN II ELAN II E SO SOE REBEL 2000 300 SOON REBEL G 3000N 66 REBEL XSN IX IX 7 IX Lite Type B Camera TTL All other EOS cameras other than the above Available 420EX Features with EOS Cameras 0 Available X Not available Feature With Type A Cameras With Type B Cameras E TTL autoflash 0 X TTL autoflash X 0 High speed sync FP flash 0 X FE lock 0 X E TIL wireless autofla...

Page 3: ... before proceeding The icons in the text indicate the camera and 420EX s buttons and dials and their settings The icons in the text are the same ones found on the camera and Speedlite For the name of the button or dial see Nomenclature on page 8 The following icons for the camera s picture taking modes are also used o Full Auto p Program AE Av Aperture priority AE Tv Shutter speed priority AE M Ma...

Page 4: ...elector 13 Main Switch 14 High Speed Sync FP Flash Switch 14 Pilot Lamp and Test Firing 15 Flash Exposure Confirmation 15 Flash Coverage 16 AF Assist Beam 16 Flash in Full Auto Mode 18 Flash in Other Picture Taking Modes 20 High Speed Sync FP Flash 25 FE Lock 27 Second Curtain Synchronization 29 Modeling Flash 30 4 ...

Page 5: ... 32 Flash in Other Picture Taking Modes 34 4 Advan c ed FI sb i l hotographYi F r Type A iand B Cllmeras 39 Bounce Flash 40 Flash Exposure Compensation 41 Multi Speedlite System 42 Troubleshooting Guide 48 Major Specifications 49 4 5 ...

Page 6: ...page 16 Locking pin page 12 J f f Battery chamber cover 7page 10 Locking collar page 12 Mounting foot 7page 12 J Contacts page 12 The reference page is indicated by page In the text the 420EX s controls and settings are indicated with the corresponding icons enclosed in brackets 6 ...

Page 7: ...urns off the power ON Turns on the power E TTL 5 Autozoom position 5 O 70 1 05 indicators page 16 E TTL indicator t PILOT Pilot lamp I Test firing button page 15 5 p H High speed sync FP flash r switch page 14 1ffl 1 1 Flash exposure confirmation lamp page 15 CH Channel button page 43 GROUP Slave group SLAVE 10 button page 43 Wireless selector page 42 7 ...

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Page 9: ...This chapter helps you prepare for flash photography with the 420EX Before You Start ...

Page 10: ...tteries Open the battery chamber cover Slide the battery chamber cover as shown by arrow 1 and flip it up as shown by arrow 2 Insert the batteries Make sure the and battery contacts are properly oriented as shown in the battery chamber Close the battery chamber cover Close the cover and push it down while sliding it as shown by arrow 2 10 ...

Page 11: ...ctions make sure the battery contacts are clean If necessary use a clean cloth to wipe the battery contacts In the case of size AA nickel hydride and size AA lithium batteries the shape of the contacts is not standardized Be sure that the batteries are compatible with the flash unit before buying Recycling Time and Flash Count Battery Type Recycling Time Flash Count Size AA alkaline batteries Appr...

Page 12: ...rrow The mounting foot s locking pin extends into the hot shoe s locking pin hole To detach the 420EX turn the locking collar in the opposite direction until it stops The locking pin retracts into the mounting foot Then slide out the 420EX from the hot shoe The hot shoe on the EOS 650 620 750 and 850 does not have a locking pin hole Although the 420EX can still be mounted on these cameras be caref...

Page 13: ...0EX as a normal on camera Speedlite For Wireless Flash Operation Set the wireless selector to SLAVE to use the 420EX as a wireless slave unit The flash coverage is set to 24mm automatically I l Even if the wireless selector is accidentally set to SLAVE the 420EX will still operate as an on camera Speedlite for normal flash photography 13 ...

Page 14: ...utton The high speed sync switch has the following settings Sets the normal sync mode Sets the high speed sync mode Eil When the 420EX is used with a Type A camera and the switch is set to H setting a shutter speed faster than the camera s fastest sync speed sets the high speed sync mode And using a shutter speed slower than the fastest sync speed sets the normal sync mode When a Type B camera is ...

Page 15: ...mera s exposure metering is active after you press the shutler button halfway If the SE mode is in effect pressing the test firing button cancels the SE mode and turns on the 420EX Flash Exposure Confirmation r j OFF rON ann GROUP CH B C 0 1 2 3 4 0 If the correct flash exposure has been obtained the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights in green for about 3 sec after the flash fires If the flas...

Page 16: ...k dark III When the flash coverage changes the Speedlite s Guide No also changes See the Guide No table on page 50 to see how the Guide No changes If the lens focal length is 105mm or longer the t05 autozoom position indicator lights When the wireless selector is set to SLAVE 7page 42 the flash coverage is set automatically to 24mm If where you focus lacks sufficient light or contrast the 42DEX s ...

Page 17: ...lash metering and the reading is used to determine the main flash output The result is a flash picture with excellent balance between the flash illumination and ambient light Easy Flash Photography For Type A Cameras EiI This section uses the EOS 30 ELAN 7E as the sample Type A camera Before proceeding first turn on the main switch on the camera and 420EX Set the 420EX s wireless selector to OFF F...

Page 18: ...s effect when any Basic Zone mode is set with the camera Set the high speed sync switch to e Focus the subject The shutter speed and aperture settings are displayed in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel The sync speed is set automatically anywhere from 1 60 sec to the camera1s fastest sync varies depending on the camera The aperture is also set automatically 7page 52 Take the picture Check that t...

Page 19: ...reflashis fired to obtain a meter reading ofthe subject The ma in flash is used for the actual flash exposure Fill Flash Even in daylight you can use flash as fill light to soften harsh shadows or illuminate a dark backlit subject III With fill flash the subject illuminated with flash might look unnatural compared to the background s brightness To prevent this the flash output is reduced automatic...

Page 20: ...1 x sec Manually set Manually set Set by you Automatically set Set by the camera 1Ix sec Camera s fastest sync speed 7page 52 When you press the shutter button completely a preflash is fired immediately before the main flash is fired for the picture taken The preflash is used to obtain subject brightness information to determine the optimum output of the main flash The background exposure is set a...

Page 21: ...e camera s Command Dial to Av aperture priority AE Set the high speed sync switch to e Set the desired aperture Turn the camera s electronic dial to set the aperture Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture In low light conditions a slow sync speed is set automatically A tripod is recommended for slow sync speeds JI If the camera s faste...

Page 22: ...t in the picture And under tungsten lighting an orange color cast may result To cancel automatic slow speed sync set the camera to the M mode t page 24 and set the desired shutter speed and aperture E TTL autoflash will then automatically control the flash exposure If you use an EOS camera mounted with an EF 135mm f 2 8 Soft Focus lens during hand held flash photography note the following 1 To obt...

Page 23: ... the flash output based on the set aperture Set the camera1s Command Dial to Tv Set the high speed sync switch to e Set the desired shutter speed Turn the camera s electronic dial to set the shutter speed Set the shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec to the camera s fastest sync speed Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture lI If the minim...

Page 24: ...round exposure is determined by the shutter speed and aperture combination Set the camera s Command Dial to M Set the high speed sync switch to e Set the desired aperture and shutter speed Turn the camera s electronic dial Set shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec to the camera s fastest sync speed Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture 2...

Page 25: ...con lights in the viewfinder High speed sync can be used in the P Tv Av and M modes High speed sync is effective when you want to 1 Blur the background for a daylight portrait 2 Create a catchlight in the subject s eyes 3 Soften harsh shadows on the subject s face With FP flash 50 70 105 With normal flash Set the desired picture taking mode Set the high speed sync switch to 25 ...

Page 26: ...o the Av or M mode With high speed sync the Guide No changes depending on the sync speed The faster the sync speed the shorter the effective flash range will be To cancel high speed sync set the high speed sync switch back to When the Av mode is set for fill flash and high speed sync is set the sync speed will not be limited to the normal sync speed If necessary a faster sync speed will be set aut...

Page 27: ...ct Press the shutter button halfway Aim the center focusing point on the subject where you want to lock the flash exposure reading then press the button 016 In the viewfinder the icon is displayed The 420EX fires a preflash and the required flash exposure is locked In the viewfinder FEL is displayed for 0 5 sec Each time you press the button a preflash is fired to obtain the correct flash exposure...

Page 28: ...ed When you focus with Eye Control and press the FE lock button while pressing the shutter button halfway FE lock is applied at the selected focusing point Also if you press the FE lock button without pressing the shutter button before achieving focus FE lock is applied at the center focusing point Ifthe subject is beyond the effective flash range resulting in underexposure the icon will blink Mov...

Page 29: ...t This looks more natural To set the camera s Custom Function refer to the camera s Instructions Taken with 2nd curtain synchronization Taken with 1st curtain synchronization Set the Custom Function for 2nd curtain synchronization With the EOS 30 ELAN lE set C Fn 6 1 Set the picture taking mode with the camera Tv or M is recommended Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in ...

Page 30: ... fired the flash coverage will suit the lens focal length Check the camera and Speedlite s settings for flash photography Press the camera s depth of field preview button The modeling flash is fired at 70 Hz for about 1 sec Do not fire the modeling flash more than 10 times in succession After 10 times allow the 420EX to cool for at least 10 minutes This is to prevent overheating and deterioration ...

Page 31: ...omatic or manual where you set the shutter speed and aperture Easy Flash Photography For Type B Cam eras Eil This section uses the EOS 1 N as the sample Type B camera Before proceeding first turn on the main switch on the camera and 420EX Set the 420EX s wireless selector to OFF For EOS 1 N operations refer to the EOS 1 N instruction booklet ...

Page 32: ...d and aperture settings are displayed in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel The sync speed is set automatically anywhere from 1 60 sec to the camera s fastest sync varies depending on the camera The aperture is also set automatically 7page 52 L QLI J Q Take the picture Check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture Check that the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights When a ...

Page 33: ... dark backlit sUbject III With fill flash the subject illuminated with flash might look unnatural compared to the background s brightness To prevent this the flash outputis reduced automatically to obtain a more natural balance between the subject and background brightness This is called automatic flash output reduction 33 ...

Page 34: ...t M Manual Manually set bulb 30 sec 1 x sec Manually set Manually set Set by you Automatically set Set by the camera 1 x sec Camera s fastest sync speed 7page 52 When you press the shutter button completely the flash is fired and the picture is taken The flash output is controlled by TTL autoflash off the film flash metering cuts off the flash when the correct exposure is obtained based on the ape...

Page 35: ...e aperture you set Av D I J Set the camera to Av aperture priority AE Set the desired aperture Turn the camera s electronic dial to set the aperture Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture In low light conditions a slow sync speed is set automatically A tripod is recommended for slow sync speeds III If the camera s fastest sync speed bl...

Page 36: ...el automatic slow speed sync set the camera to the M mode 7 page 38 and set the desired shutter speed and aperture TTL autoflash will then automatically control the flash exposure If you use an EOS camera mounted with an EF 135mm f 2 8 Soft Focus lens during hand held flash photography note the following 1 To obtain a better soft focus effect set the aperture manually toward the maximum opening 2 ...

Page 37: ...L autoflash controls the flash output ba ed on the set aperture Tv D I I Set the camera to the Tv mode Set the desired shutter speed Turn the camera s electronic dial to set the shutter speed Set the shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec to the camera s fastest sync speed Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the picture aJ If the minimum aperture s...

Page 38: ... set The background exposure is determined by the shutter speed and aperture combination M 38 D I I Ii L _fL f f I Set the camera s Command Dial to M Set the desired aperture and shutter speed Turn the camera s electronic dial Set shutter speed anywhere from 30 sec to the camera s fastest sync speed Take the picture Focus the subject check that the icon is lit in the viewfinder then take the pictu...

Page 39: ...Bounce flash flash exposure compensation and a multi Speedlite system are possible with the 420EX and a Type A or B camera Advanced Flash Photography For Type A and B Cameras ...

Page 40: ... bounce surface While pressing the lpUSHI or 8 button turn the flash head toward the ceiling or wall where the flash can bounce off The flash head can be turned upward and or sideways With bounce flash the flash coverage is set automatically to 50mm and the 50mm autozoom position blinks The flash head can be turned at the angles listed below with respect to the normal flash head position Direction...

Page 41: ...posure compensation you can apply flash exposure compensation to the 420EX To set flash exposure compensation refer to the camera1s instruction booklet Flash exposure compensation can be set with the EOS 1D 1V 1N 1N RS 3 060 030 ELAN 7 7E 30 33 5 A2 A2E ELAN II ELAN II E 50 50 E and IX 41 ...

Page 42: ...o be a wireless slave unit It can thereby be used in an E TIL wireless autoflash system together with a Type A E TIL compatible camera and a master unit 550EX ST E2 MR 14EX or MT 24EX The flash exposure is controlled by the master unit which makes it easy to use a wireless flash system for sophisticated lighting effects Using multiple Speedlites is as easy as using just one Speedlite mounted on th...

Page 43: ...ly one slave group can be used Press the GROUP button to set the slave group 10 Pressing the GROUP sets the slave group 10 in the following looping sequence A 8 C Position the Speerjlites and fire a test flash Use the mini stand provided to position the slave unit s within the effective wireless transmission range Press the test firing button on the master unit to see if the slave unit s fire Take...

Page 44: ... as desired within the wireless transmission range 420EX Slave unit 420EX Slave unit 1 I f i i i ST E2 i Master unit The 420EX and 550EX can be set and used together as wireless slave units If the 420EX slave unit is not used for about 10 minutes the SE mode page 14 will take effect indicated by a blinking channel No automatically to turn off the power Pressing the master unit s test firing button...

Page 45: ...cket Speedlite 550EX Serves as a normal Speedlite or as the master unit or slave unit in a wireless flash system Speedlite Transmitter ST E2 Dedicated wireless transmitter serving as the master unit controlling slave unit s in a wireless flash system Macro Ring Lite MR 14EX I Macro Twin Lite MT 24EX Designed for macro flash photography this can also serve as the master unit in a wireless flash sys...

Page 46: ...sh system accessories to connect the Speedlites and take the picture after the pilot lamp lights TIL Distributor Connecting Cord 420EX r r Off Camera Shoe Adapter OA 2 420EX Off Camera Shoe Adapter OA 2 420EX TIL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 If the TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 s internal battery power is very low the Speedlite s flash ready indicator will not light and no flash will be fired Check the TIL Hot Sho...

Page 47: ...d sockets the TIL Distributor relays the information from the TIL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 to the mUltiple Speedlites connected via Off Camera Shoe Adapter OA 2 TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3 Equipped with a hot shoe and a Connecting Cord socket this Adapter is attached to the camera s hot shoe A Speedlite is then mounted on the Adapter s hot shoe and a Connecting Cord is connected to the socket By connecting t...

Page 48: ...ht conditions a slow sync blurred in the speed is set automatically A blurred picture is prone to occur if the picture camera is handheld at a slow sync speed Use a tripod page 22 36 Set the camera to the P mode page 18 32 With high speed sync With high speed sync the Guide No changes depending on the sync the picture came out speed The faster the sync speed the shorter the effective flash range w...

Page 49: ... 0 7 24 2 meters with 50mm f 1 4lens at ISO 100 2 With high speed sync 0 7 12 7 meters at 1 180 sec Sync speed See page 52 Flash ready indication Red pilot lamp Flash exposure confirmation Yellow green lamp AF assist beam range Covers 1 3 5 or 7 focusing points covers only a part of the 45 point Area AF Range at center Approx 0 7 7 m Range at periphery Approx 0 7 5 m in total darkness Wireless sla...

Page 50: ... 10 5 1 1500 4 8 5 3 6 5 7 1 7 8 8 8 1 2000 4 1 4 4 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 4 1 3000 3 4 3 7 4 6 5 1 5 5 6 2 1 4000 2 9 3 1 3 9 4 3 4 6 5 3 The Guide No above apply to full flash output Recycling Time and Flash Count Battery Type Recycling Time sec Flash Count Size AA alkaline batteries Approx 0 1 7 5 Approx 200 1400 The above specifications are based on Canon s testing standards Using size AA nickel hydrid...

Page 51: ...is priority AE Maximum aperture The background will correct setting blinks be underexposed Preconditions for AF Assist Beam Emission 420EX EOS Camera Combination AF assist by AF assist by the 420EX Camera EOS 060 EOS 1D EOS 3000N 66 REBEL XSN EOS 030 EOS ELAN 7 7E 30 33 EOS 1V EOS 300 REBEL 2000 EOS 3 EOS IX 7 IX Lite EOS IX EOS REBEL G 500N 0 EOS ELAN II ELAN liE SO 50 E EOS 1 N EOS 1 NRS EOS REB...

Page 52: ...0 1 OS EOS 700 EOS REBEUREBEL S 1 000 1000 F EOS ELAN 100 EOS 1000REBEL II REBEL S 11 1000 N 1000 FN EOS 5 A2 A2E EOS REBEL X1REBEL XS 500 EOS 1 N 1 N RS EOS 5000 888 EOS ELAN II ELAN II E 50 50 E EOS REBEL G 500N EOS IX EOS IX 7 IX Lite EOS 3 EOS 3000 88 EOS 300 REBEL 2000 EOS 1V EOS ELAN 7 7E 30 33 EOS 030 060 EOS 3000N 66 REBEL XSN EOS 10 Enabled with the camera s Custom Function 52 ...

Page 53: ...pensation E TTL TTL w Camera Sync Flash E TTL x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 53 ...

Page 54: ...ation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by tu...

Page 55: ...ormity mark of the European Community EC The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing Batteries shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine fire or the like Dry batteries shall not be subjected to charging 55 ...

Page 56: ...ri Milano Italy CANON Benelux N VJS A Bessenveldstraat 7 1831 Diegem Machelen Belgium CANON Schweiz AG Geschaftsbereich Wiederverkauf Industriestrasse 12 CH 8305 Dietlikon Switzerland CANON G m b H Oberfaaerstrasse 233 4th floor 1100 Wien Austria CANON Espana S A C Joaqufn Costa 41 28002 Madrid Spain SEQUE Soc Nac de Equip Lda Pra9a da Alegria 58 2 1269 149 Lisboa Portugal CENTRAL CANON LATIN AMER...

Page 57: ...e equipment having been serviced or modified by other than Canon International Warranty Members or other authorized service facilities around the world d Malfunction resulting from the use of accessories attachments product supplies parts or devices including without limitation batteries film lenses flash attachments and other accessories with this Canon photographic equipment that do not conform ...

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