Canon 199 A User Manual
Main Features
1. An electric signal from the 199A conveys
the f/stop selected on the 199A to the
camera side and automatically sets the
f/stop on the camera except AL-1, AV-1
and New F-1 (in the aperture-priority
mode).
2. In the same way, the light output signal
from the 199A automatically sets the
shutter speed of the camera to the X-sync
speed.
3 Shutter speed settings of 1/60 sec. or
slower with New F-1 and 1/30 sec. or
slower with A-1 can be used.
4. Battery consumption is reduced with
the employment of the series control
system.
5. The 199A may be used jointly with the
Power Winder A, A2, Motor Drive MA,
AE Power Winder FN or AE Motor Drive
FN.
6. Average distribution of metering is
obtained by suppressing the peak sensi
tivity at the center of the picture.
7. Stabilized exposure is obtained with the
built-in regulator circuit.
8. The pilot lamp lights up to indicate that
firing of flash is possible and flashes on
and off to indicate that the battery is
fully charged.
9. The 199A has a built-in flash confidence
light.
10. The flash firing section tilts up to 90°
Thus, bouncing of flash is possible with
the 199A attached to the camera.
11. The flash angle of coverage is designed
for the field of a 24mm lens with the use
of the Wide Adapter for 199A.
12. The 199A has a calculator dial which can
be illuminated for using the unit in dark
places. Aperture selection window gets
also illuminated.
13. The 199A is equipped with low voltage
synchronization circuit for electric shock
protection.
14. The 199A employs two ICs, including an
P L LSI.
15. At full charge, the 199A produces light
output of Guide Number 30 (ISO/ASA
100*m)
16. The automatic flash photography with
the 199A offers three-f-stop choice.
17. Manually operated flash by cancelling
the self sensing mechanism is possible.
The Canon Speedlite 199 A is a highly efficient
automatic electronic flash unit designed for
AE flash photography with Canon A-1, AE-1,
AE-1 PROGRAM. AL-1, AV-1, and New F-1
cameras. The Speedlite 199A has a unique
function which sends signals to the camera
and automatically sets the shutter speed and
f/stop.
In the case of AL-1, AV-1, and New F-1 (in
the aperture-priority and manual modes),
f/stop is set manually on the aperture ring to
same f/stop set on flash. Though it is of the
hot shoe type, this flash unit has a large light
output and increases the freedom of flash
photography with shutter speed selection
switch, tilting head, and with the joint use
of accessory motor drive or winder.
An L LSI is used for the first time in the
world in the electronic flash circuit. Together
with the computer circuit of the camera, it
has achieved a high level automatic system.
On cameras other than the A-1, AE-1, AE-1
PROGRAM, AL-1, AV-1, and New F-1, this
Speedlite 199A can be used as an ordin^
automatic electronic flash unit, i.e. setting
both the aperture on the lens and shutter
speed on the camera manually.
Attachment groove for Wide Adapter 199A
Flash liead
Tilting head
Shutter speed selector
Synchro cord connecting socket
Wide Adapter 199A
Fold out both front and back nomenclature pages
for easy reference while reading the instructions.
Automatic flash photography aperture
Exposure calculator dial
Film speed setting index
Main switch
Tilting angle indicator
window
Lock lever
Aperture selection window
selector switch
Battery chamber cover
Flash confidence light
(doubles as dial
illumination button)
Attachment leg
Pilot lamp
(doubles as test firing button)
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Precautions for Automatic Exposures in
Flash Photography
Proper exposures cannot be obtained under
the following conditions:
1. When the aperture ring of the lens if off
the ‘A’ mark. However, note exceptions for
the AL-1, AV-1 and New F-1 on page 12.
2. When aperture selector switch at the
back of the 199A is set at M.
3. When the film speed setting on the flash
unit is incorrectly set and differs from the
speed of the film in use.
4. When the flash-to-subject distance exceeds
the coupling range for the automatic flash
exposures.
5. When the f/stop choice on the flash unit is
not avilable on the lens, e.g. f/1.4 on the
calculator dial when the maximum aperture
of the lens in use is f/1.8.
Precautions in the Handling of the Flash
Unit
1. Even when the flash unit is not being used
for a long time, you should test-fire the flash
from time to time to keep the capacitor
in good shape.
2. When the flash unit is out of order, do not
attempt repairing it yourself because of
dangers from the high voltage circuit.
Please take it to a Canon Service Station
for repair.
3. Please carefully protect the flash unit
from getting it wet. When it has been
exposed to rain or snow, wipe the flash
unit immediately with a dry cloth.
4. Do not leave the flash unit under direct
sunlight, in high temperature or in very
humid places. Such conditions may be
come a cause for the flash unit becoming
out of order.
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Technical Data
Type: Electronic computer flash unit with
series control system.
Attachment: Clip-on type with a directly
coupled contact. There is a lock
mechanism.
Guide numbers: 30 (ISO/AS A 100*m); 16
(ISO/AS A lOO-m with Wide Adapter
attached), after pilot lamp lights up
and flashers on and off.
Flash angle: Covers a 35mm lens on the 35mm
format. Covers a 24mm lens when the
Wide Adapter for the 199A is attached.
Recycling time:
1. When using alkaline-manganese
batteries (AM-3): approximately 10
sec. for the pilot lamp to light up
when the batteries are new.
2. When using Ni-Cd batteries: approx
imately 6 sec. for the pilot lamp to
light up after each firing when the
condenser has been fully charged.
Number of flashes;
1. When using alkaline-manganese
batteries: 100 flashes allowing 30
sec. between each firing.
2. When using Ni-Cd batteries: 50
flashes allowing 30 sec. between
each firing.
Color temperature: Equivalent to daylight
color due to Canon’s unique green
compensator plate.
Flash duration: 1/500 sec. ~ 1/50000 sec.
Flash control system; The light bounced back
from the subject is measured and the
series control system saves unneeded
energy.
Distribution of metering sensitivity: Peak of
light intensity is spread apart in order
to attain more average reading for the
screen area.
Auto flash working distance selector switch:
Aperture indices; Red, green, and yellow for
Four-mode selection of three auto
working ranges using red, green and
yellow to separate one automatic
setting from another plus manual
setting.
f/1.4, f/2.8, and f/5.6 respectively at
ISO/ASA 25.
Red, green, and yellow for f/2.8, f/5.6,
and f/11 respectively at ISO/ASA 100.
Red, green, and yellow for f/5.6, f/11,
and f/22 respectively at ISO/ASA 400.
Exposure calculator dial: Numerical value
reading type set by turning the outer
rim. Calculator dial lights up by press
ing the confidence light button.
Auto coupling ranges: Colors used match with
three-f-stop settings.
Red mark: 1.5-10.6m (5-34.8ft.);
1.5-6.3m (5-20.7ft.)
when using Wide Adapter
Green mark: 1-5.3m (3.3-17.4ft.);
l-3.2m (3.3-10.5ft.)
when using Wide Adapter
Yellow mark: 0.5-2.6m (1.6-8.5ft.);
0.5-1.6m (1.6-5.3ft.)
when using Wide Adapter
Auto coupling check: Confirmation of coupling
is possible by lighting up of the con
fidence light.
Film speeds: ISO/ASA 25—800 or DIN
15—30 Click stops for every one-third
step between marked figures.
Aperture scale: f/1—f/32
Distance Scale: 0.5-20m (1.5-50ft.)
Slow shutter speed setting: The use of slow
shutter speeds is possible by setting
shutter speed selector at the front to
MANU.
Bounce flash: Maximum tilting of 90° upward.
Click stops at 75° and 60°.
Main switch: The red warning color appears
when the main switch is ON. When
turned OFF, camera reverts to normal
without-flash AE photography.
Power source: Four AA size alkaline-manganese
or Ni-Cd batteries.
Magazine-type loading of batteries
with Battery Magazine D.
Flash testing button: Doubles as pilot lamp.
Pilot lamp: Lights up when flash firing
becomes possible and flashes on and
off when fully charged.
8
When the pilot lamp lights up, the
camera automatically switches over to
flash circuit.
The pilot lamp goes out when the
main switch is OFF.
Contact and socket: Directly-coupled contact
and socket for synchro cord. Slave
unit cannot be used.
Size; 116mm x 79mm x 83mm (4-9/16" x
Weight: 490g (17-5/16 ozs.) including batteries
Accessories: Case, Wide Adapter for 199A,
3-1/8"X 3-1/4")
Magazine D, Synchro Cord A (optional)
Subject to change without notice.
Procedure for Using the 199A
^ Load the batteries correctly.
^ Attach the 199A to the camera.
^ Set the ISO/ASA film speed on the calcu
lator dial.
^ Select the f/stop with the aperture
selector switch.
^ Set the shutter speed selection switch
(usually to AUTO).
Set the 199A’s main switch to ON.
Focus on the subject.
Check the pilot lamp.
Check the display information in the
finder.
Press the shutter release button.
Wind the film.
Automatic flash photography means that the
photocell of the flash picks up the light
bounced back from the subject, the capacitor
stores up energy, and stops discharge of light
as soon as the flash unit determines sufficient
light was reflected from the subject to the
unit’s photocell.
There are three conditions in performing
automatic flash photography.
1. Set the 199A to the film speed of the
film to be used.
2. Set the shutter of the camera to X
synchronization speed.
3. Decide the f/stop to be used.
When cameras A-1, AE-1, AE-1 PROGRAM,
and New F-1 (in the shutter-priority mode)
are used, there is no need to remove the
aperture ring of the lens from the ‘A’ mark
(automatic setting). But for AL-1, AV-1 and
New F-1 (in the aperture-priority mode), f/stop
need to be set manually on the aperture ring.
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