Canon 320EX User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

English

Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.

The Canon Speedlite 320EX is a multi-feature flash unit for Canon EOS cameras. It works automatically with E-TTL II and E-TTL autoflash systems. It can be used as an on-camera flash that attaches to the hot shoe of the camera or as part of a wireless flash system used at a distance from the camera. It is also equipped with an LED light for movie shooting.

Read this instruction manual while also referring to your

camera’s instruction manual.

Before using the Speedlite, read this instruction manual and your camera’s instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the Speedlite operations.

Using the Speedlite with a Camera

Using with an EOS digital camera

• You can use the Speedlite for easy autoflash shooting just like a camera’s built-in flash.

Using with an EOS film camera

• When using with an EOS film camera with E-TTL II and E-TTL autoflash systems, you can use the Speedlite for easy autoflash shooting just like a camera’s built-in flash.

• This flash unit cannot be used with an EOS film camera with

TTL autoflash system.

Compatible camera types

For convenience, in the camera’s instruction manual, cameras that support E-TTL II and E-TTL autoflash systems are referred to as A-type cameras.

Contents

1 Getting Started and Basic Operations................................. 7

Installing the Batteries............................................................................................. 8

Attaching and Detaching the Flash ......................................................................... 9

Turning on the Power Switch ................................................................................ 10

Fully Automatic Flash Shooting............................................................................. 11

Flash Shooting in Each Camera Mode ................................................................. 13

2 Using Flash .......................................................................... 17

AFE Lock ............................................................................................................ 18

Switching the Flash Coverage .............................................................................. 19

Bounce Flash ........................................................................................................ 21

AF-assist Beam..................................................................................................... 22

Movie Shooting Using the LED Light .................................................................... 23

3 Flash Function Settings by Camera Operations............... 25

Flash Control from Camera Menu Screen ............................................................ 26

yFlash Exposure Compensation........................................................................ 27

High-speed Sync................................................................................................... 28

Second-curtain Sync ............................................................................................. 29

Manual Flash......................................................................................................... 30

Setting Custom Functions ..................................................................................... 32

Wireless Flash Shooting ..................................................... 33

Wireless Flash Shooting ....................................................................................... 34

Reference .................................................................................. 40

320EX System ...................................................................................................... 40

Troubleshooting Guide.......................................................................................... 41

Specifications ........................................................................................................ 43

Nomenclature

Flash head (p.19)

LED light (p.23)

Wireless sensor

(p.35)

Mounting foot (p.9)

Remote control transmitter (p.39)

Mini stand pocket

Locking pin

(p.9)

Contacts

Case 320EX mini stand

(p.35)

Shoe

Bounce angle index (p.21)

Firing group selection switch (p.34/36)

Flash-ready lamp (p.10)

Flash head extended lamp (p.19)

Power switch/ Slave function switch (p.10/34/39)

>: Turns on power

SLAVE

>: For wireless flash

shooting

OFF

>: Turns off power

Mounting foot’s lock lever

(p.9)

Lock-release button (p.9)

Wireless communication channel selection switch (p.34)

Remote release button (p.38/39)

Manual LED light button (p.23)

Battery compartment cover (p.8)

LED light switch (p.22/23)

Conventions Used in this Manual

Icons in this Manual

8: Indicates that the respective function remains active for 16 sec.

after you let go of the button.

M: If shown on the upper right of the page, it indicates that the

function is available only in the Creative Zone modes of the camera.

(p.**):Reference page numbers for more information.

: Warning to prevent shooting problems.

: Supplemental information.

Basic Assumptions

The operation procedures in this instruction manual assume that both

the camera and Speedlite’s power switches are already set to <

Icons used in the text to indicate the respective buttons, dials, and

settings match the same icons found on the camera and Speedlite.

The operation procedures assume that the menu and Custom

Functions of the camera and the Custom Functions of the Speedlite are at their default settings.

All figures are based on the use of AA/LR6 alkaline batteries and

Canon’s testing standards.

Getting Started and

Basic Operations

Installing the Batteries ............................................ 8

Attaching and Detaching the Flash......................... 9

Turning on the Power Switch................................ 10

Fully Automatic Flash Shooting............................. 11

Flash Shooting in Each Camera Mode................. 13

Cautions for firing continuous flashes

To avoid overheating and degrading the flash head,

do not fire more than 20 flashes continuously. After 20 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 min.

If you fire more than 20 continuous flashes and

then fire more flashes in short intervals, the inner overheating prevention function may be activated and make the recycling time about 8 to 20 sec. If this occurs, allow a rest time of about 15 min. and the flash will then return to normal.

Installing the Batteries

Install four AA/LR6 batteries.

Open the cover.

Slide the battery compartment cover

as shown by the arrow and open it.

Install the batteries.

Make sure the + and – battery

contacts are correctly oriented as shown in the battery compartment.

Close the cover.

Close the battery compartment cover

and slide it as shown by the arrow.

Recycling Time and Flash Count

Recycling Time (Approx.) Flash Count (Approx.)

0.1 - 2.3 sec. 180 - 1000

Based on new AA/LR6 alkaline batteries and Canon’s testing standards.

Using AA/LR6 batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper

battery contact due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.

If you change the batteries after firing many flashes continuously, be

aware that the batteries might be hot.

Use a new set of four batteries of the same brand. When replacing the

batteries, replace all four at one time.

AA/LR6 rechargeable Ni-MH or lithium batteries can also be used.

Attaching and Detaching the Flash

Attach the Speedlite.

Insert the Speedlite’s mounting foot

into the camera’s hot shoe all the way. (The mounting foot will protrude slightly from the hot shoe.)

Secure the Speedlite.

On the mounting foot, slide the lock

lever to the right.

X When the lock lever clicks in place, it

will be locked.

Detach the Speedlite.

While pressing the lock-release

button, slide the lock lever to the left and detach the Speedlite.

Before attaching or detaching the Speedlite, be sure to turn off the Speedlite.

Turning on the Power Switch

Set the power switch to <ON>.

X The flash recycling starts.

Check that the flash is ready.

When the flash-ready lamp blinks and

then lights in red, the flash is ready to fire (fully charged).

About Quick Flash

The flash-ready lamp blinks when Quick Flash is ready even before the flash is fully charged. You can use the flash to take a picture at that time; however, the flash output is only half or one-third of the flash’s full charge. This is useful for taking pictures of subjects very close to the flash.

About Auto Power Off

To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after 90 seconds of idle use. To turn on the Speedlite again, press the camera’s shutter button halfway.

The time until auto power off takes effect may increase when firing

continuous flashes.

Auto power off can also be disabled (p.32).

Fully Automatic Flash Shooting

Readying the Camera

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

Cameras with external flash function settings

Press the camera <M> button and

select [Flash control] or [External Speedlite control].

Select [External flash func. setting]

and set [Flash mode] to [E-TTL II].

Cameras without external flash function settings

This operation is not required on EOS film cameras or EOS digital

cameras without the [Flash control] or [External Speedlite control] menu functions because the flash mode cannot be

changed on these camera models.

The Speedlite does not fire when the LED light (p.22) is turned on.

“Full Auto” refers to <A>, <1>, and <C> shooting modes.

Taking the Picture

Focus the subject.

Press the shutter button halfway to

focus.

X The shutter speed and aperture will

be set as displayed in the viewfinder.

Check that <D> is lit in the viewfinder.

Take the picture.

X When you press the shutter button

completely, the flash will fire and the picture will be taken.

After taking the picture, check the image on the LCD monitor of the camera. If the light from the flash did not reach the subject, move closer to the subject and take the picture again. You can also increase the ISO speed when using a digital camera.

Flash Shooting in Each Camera Mode

With the flash mode set to E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash, just set the camera’s shooting mode to <s> (Shutter priority AE), <f> (Aperture priority AE), or <a> (Manual exposure) and you can use E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash. On EOS digital cameras without the [Flash control] menu function or EOS film cameras, E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash is set automatically.

s: Shutter Priority AE

Select this mode when you want to set the shutter speed manually. The camera will then automatically set the aperture matching the shutter speed to obtain a standard exposure.

If the aperture display blinks, it means that the background exposure will be

underexposed or overexposed. Adjust the shutter speed until the aperture display stops blinking.

f: Aperture Priority AE

Select this mode when you want to set the aperture manually. The camera will then automatically set the shutter speed matching the aperture to obtain a standard exposure. If the background is dark, such as in a night scene, a slow sync speed will be used to obtain a standard exposure of both the main subject and background. Standard exposure of the main subject is obtained with the flash, while a standard exposure of the background is obtained with a slow shutter speed.

If the shutter speed display blinks, it means that the background exposure will

be underexposed or overexposed. Adjust the aperture until the shutter speed display stops blinking.

a: Manual Exposure

Select this mode if you want to set both the shutter speed and aperture manually. Standard exposure of the main subject is obtained with the flash. The exposure of the background is obtained with the shutter speed and aperture combination you set.

Z: Depth-of-field AE, Y: Auto Depth-of-field AE

The result will be the same as using <d> (Program AE).

Flash Sync Speeds and Apertures Used

Shutter Speed Aperture Value

Full Auto,

<d>

s Set manually (1/X sec. - 30 sec.) Automatic f Set automatically (1/X sec. - 30 sec.) Manual

a Set manually (1/X sec. - 30 sec., Bulb) Manual

1/X sec. is the camera’s maximum flash sync speed.

Set automatically (1/X sec. - 1/60 sec.) Automatic

Function for Transmitting the Color Temperature Information

This function optimizes the white balance during flash shooting by transmitting the color temperature information to the EOS digital camera when the flash fires. When you set the camera white balance to <Q> or <D>, the function is enabled automatically. See the Specifications in the camera’s instruction manual for compatible models.

Using Flash

AFE Lock............................................................ 18

Switching the Flash Coverage .............................. 19

Bounce Flash........................................................ 21

AF-assist Beam .................................................... 22

Movie Shooting Using the LED Light .................... 23

AFE LockN

FE (flash exposure) lock locks the correct flash exposure setting for any part of the scene. With the flash mode set to E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash, press the camera’s <A> button to enable FE lock. On some cameras, press the <B> or <7> button.

Focus the subject.

Press the <A> button. (8)

Aim the center of the viewfinder over

the subject and press the <

X The Speedlite fires a preflash, and

the required flash output is retained in memory.

X “FEL” will be displayed in the

viewfinder for approx. 0.5 sec.

Each time you press the <A> button,

a preflash will be fired and a new flash exposure reading will be locked.

Take the picture.

Compose the picture and press the

shutter button completely.

X The flash fires when the picture is

taken.

> button.

If the subject is too far away and underexposure may result, the <D>

icon will blink in the viewfinder. Move closer to the subject and perform FE lock again. You can also increase the ISO speed and perform FE lock again when using a digital camera.

If the target subject is too small in the viewfinder, the FE lock might not

be very effective.

Switching the Flash Coverage

The flash head can be extended or retracted manually to match the lens focal length. As the focal length of EF lenses and EF-S lenses differs, extend or retract the flash head while referring to the table below (the flash head position in relationship to the lens focal length).

Flash head position

Normal position

Extended position

Guide number 24/79 (ISO 100 in m/ft.)

Guide number 32/105 (ISO 100 in m/ft.)

Flash Head Position and Lens Focal Length

Flash Head Position Normal Position Extended Position

Lens Focal

Length

EF-S Lens 15mm or longer 32mm or longer

EF Lens 24mm or longer 50mm or longer

When using an EF-S lens with a focal

length of 32mm or longer or an EF lens with a focal length of 50mm or longer, extend the flash head for greater flash output and longer flash range.

When the flash head is extended, the

TELE

> lamp on the Speedlite lights

< or blinks.

TELE

When the <

> lamp blinks, retract the flash head to its normal position. If you take a picture while the < lamp is blinking, the periphery of the picture may appear dark.

TELE

Flash Shooting Range Guidelines

When using EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS [approx. m / ft.]

ISO

100

200

400

800

1600

3200

6400

12800

Normal Position Extended Position

18mm 55mm 18mm 55mm

1 - 6.9 /

3.3 - 22.6

1 - 9.7 /

3.3 - 31.8

1 - 13.7 /

3.3 - 44.9

1.2 - 19.4 /

3.9 - 63.6

1.7 - 27.4 /

5.6 - 89.9

2.4 - 38.8 /

7.9 - 127.3

3.4 - 54.9 /

11.2 - 180.1

4.8 - 77.6 /

15.7 - 254.6

1 - 4.3 /

3.3 - 14.1

1 - 6.1 /

3.3 - 20

1 - 8.6 /

3.3 - 28.2

1 - 12.1 /

3.3 - 39.7

1 - 17.1 /

3.3 - 56.1

1.5 - 24.2 /

4.9 - 79.4

2.1 - 34.3 /

6.9 - 112.5

3 - 48.5 /

9.8 - 159.1

1 - 5.7 /

3.3 - 18.7

1 - 8.1 /

3.3 - 26.6

1 - 11.4 /

3.3 - 37.4

1 - 16.2 /

3.3 - 53.1

1 - 22.9 /

3.3 - 75.1

1.4 - 32.3 /

4.6 - 106

2 - 45.7 /

6.6 - 149.9

2.8 - 64.6 /

9.2 - 211.9

Bounce Flash

By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface before illuminating the subject. This can soften shadows behind the subject for a more natural-looking shot. This is called bounce flash.

Change the Bounce Direction

You can turn the flash head as shown. Bounce flash is normally done with the flash head in the extended

position.

If the wall or ceiling is too far away, the bounced flash might be too weak

and result in underexposure. If the picture appears dark, use a larger aperture opening (smaller f/number) and try again. You can also increase the ISO speed when using a digital camera.

The wall or ceiling should be plain white for high reflectance. If the

bounce surface is not white, a color cast may result in the picture.

AF-assist Beam

When autofocus cannot achieve focus on the subject in low-light conditions, the AF-assist beam activates automatically.

AF-assist Beam Using Continuous Flashes

When autofocus cannot achieve focus on the subject in low-light conditions while taking pictures using the viewfinder, pressing the shutter button halfway fires the flash continuously to assist autofocus. The flash also fires continuously under the same conditions when AF mode is set to [Quick mode] during Live View shooting or movie shooting. The effective range is approximately 4 m / 13.1 ft. This function only works when used with an EOS digital camera with an external Speedlite control function. Depending on the camera model, the firmware of the camera may need to be updated.

AF-assist Beam Using the LED Light

The LED light can be used as the AF-assist beam when the AF mode is set to [Live mode] or [uLive mode] during Live View shooting or movie shooting. The effective range is approximately 4 m / 13.1 ft. (With f/1.8 lens at ISO 3200)

Manual light button

Manual light Auto light

LED light switch

Manual light

Set the LED light switch to <

until the LED light turns on.

The LED light will turn off after about 60 minutes of idle use. To turn off the LED light, press the <

light turns off.

> and press the <

LED LIGHT

> button until the LED

> button

The Speedlite does not fire when the LED light is turned on.

Auto light

If you use a camera that has an automatic LED light up function, set

the LED light switch to <

When the shutter button is pressed halfway in low-light conditions,

the LED light turns on automatically to assist autofocus.

AUTO

Movie Shooting Using the LED Light

The LED light is for use with EOS digital cameras that have a movie shooting function.

The LED light can be used to light the

subject within the angle of view of an EF lens of 50mm or longer or an EF-S lens of 32mm or longer.

The LED light can be used up to

LED light

Manual light button

Manual light Auto light

Turning on the Light Manually

Set the LED light switch to <

until the LED light turns on.

X The LED light turns on.

To turn off the LED light, press the <

light turns off.

approximately 3.5 hours with new batteries.

LED light switch

> and press the <

LED LIGHT

> button until the LED

> button

Turning on the Light Automatically

If you use a camera that has an automatic LED light up function, the LED light turns on automatically when taking pictures in low-light conditions.

AUTO

Set the LED light switch to <

The LED light turns on or off automatically according to the ambient

light when the shooting image is displayed on the LCD monitor.

The symbol < > is displayed on the LCD monitor when the LED

light is turned on automatically.

When using the LED light to shoot portraits, keep the Speedlite at least

1 m / 3.3 ft. away from the subject. Using the LED light at close range to the person can impair the person’s vision.

When the auto light setting is set, the LED light turns on during Live View

shooting or movie shooting in low-light conditions. To save battery power of the Speedlite, set the power switch to < switch to <

When the batteries’ remaining power is low, the LED light may not turn

on even if the flash-ready lamp is lit. If the LED light does not turn on, replace the flash batteries.

With cameras that have an automatic LED light up function, if the flash

batteries’ remaining power is low, the < > icon displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor during movie shooting may blink. If the LED light does not turn on, replace the flash batteries.

> when not in use.

OFF

> or set the LED light

Flash Function Settings

by Camera Operations

Flash Control from Camera Menu Screen............ 26

yFlash Exposure Compensation ....................... 27

High-speed Sync .................................................. 28

Second-curtain Sync ............................................ 29

Manual Flash........................................................ 30

Setting Custom Functions .................................... 32

Flash Control from Camera Menu Screen

By attaching the 320EX to an EOS digital camera with an external Speedlite control function, you can set various flash function settings with the camera’s menu screen.

Select [Flash control].

Press the camera <M> button and

select [Flash control] or [External Speedlite control].

X [External flash func. setting],

[External flash C.Fn setting], and [Clear ext. flash C.Fn set.] are displayed.

Select [External flash func.

setting].

X You can set various flash settings in

the [External flash func. setting] screen displayed.

yFlash Exposure CompensationN

In the same way as normal exposure compensation, you can set exposure compensation for flash. The flash exposure compensation amount can be set up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments. (If the camera’s exposure compensation is set to 1/2-stop increments, flash exposure compensation will be in 1/2-stop increments.)

Select [1exp. comp.].

Select [1exp. comp.] and press

<0>.

Set the flash exposure

compensation amount.

Set the flash exposure compensation

amount and press <0>.

X The flash exposure compensation

amount is set.

Depending on the camera model, the flash exposure compensation can

be set with the Quick Control screen.

Generally, set a decreased exposure compensation for dark subjects

and set an increased exposure compensation for bright subjects.

High-speed SyncN

With high-speed sync (FP flash), the flash can synchronize with all shutter speeds. This is convenient when you want to use aperture priority for fill-flash portraits.

Select [Shutter sync.].

Select [Shutter sync.] and press

<0>.

Set [Hi-speed].

Set [Hi-speed] and press <0>.

X High-speed sync is set.

Check that <e> is lit in the viewfinder. If you set a shutter speed that is equal to or slower than the camera’s

maximum flash sync speed, <e> will not be displayed in the viewfinder.

With high-speed sync, the faster the shutter speed, the shorter the

effective flash range will be.

To return to normal flash firing, set [Shutter sync.] to [1st curtain].

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