Canon 420EX User Manual
Canon
■ , J'
English Edition
INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
The Canon Speedlite 420EX is an autozoom flash unit equipped with a
wireless sensor for E-TTL wireless autoflash.
* E-TTL stands for Evaluative-Through-The-Lens.
The features available with Speedlite 420EX depend on the EOS camera.
Refer to the table below to identify your camera type.
This instruction booklet has separate chapters for Type-A and Type-B EOS
cameras. After reading the first chapter applicable to both camera types,
read the respective sections that apply to your camera.
Type-A Camera E-TTL
Type-B Camera TTL
Available 420EX Features with EOS Cameras
Speedlite Feature
E-TTL autoflash 0
TTL autoflash
High-speed sync (FP fiash)
FE lock
E-TTL wireless autoflash with multiple SpeedlilesO
EOS 30/ELAN 7E, E0S1V, E0S3, EOS Elan ll/Elan II E/50/50E,
EOS 300/REBEL 2000, EOS REBEL G/500N, EOS IX, EOSIX 7/IX Lite
All other EOS cameras other than the above.
O; Available X: Not available
With Type-A CamerasWith Type-0 Cameras
X
X 0
O
O
X
X
X
Key to Symbols
The Caution symbol alerts you to actions to prevent flash
^ photography problems.
The Note symbol gives additional information for basic operations.
The Light bulb symbol offers helpful tips for operating the
'W' Speedlite or for taking pictures.
Keep this instruction booklet handy for future reference.
Conventions Used in this Bookiet
This instruction bookiet has separate chapters for Type-A and
Type-B cameras. If you have a Type-A camera, read pages 9 to
30 and 39 to 53.
If you have a Type-B camera, read pages 9 to 16 and 31 to 53.
The operation procedures in this instruction booklet assume
that the main (power) switch on the camera and 420EX has
been turned on. Be sure to turn on the main switch 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:
D ; Full Auto
p : Program AE
Av : Aperture-priority AE
Tv : Shutter speed-priority AE
M : Manual
The ((2)16) icon indicates that the respective function remains in
effect for 16 sec. after the relevant button is released.
Reference page numbers are indicated in parentheses as
follows: (-»page ■)
Contents
Conventions Used in this Booklet...............................................3
Nomenclature................................................................................6
Before You Start (ForType-A and Type-B Cameras) .....9
Installing the Batteries
Mounting the Speedlite..............................................................12
Wireless Selector
Main Switch
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Switch
Pilot Lamp and Test Firing........................................................15
Flash Exposure Confirmation...................................................15
Flash Coverage
AF-Assist Beam..........................................................................16
................................................................................
..............................................................
.......................................................................
........................................
..........................................................................
"2, Easy Flash Photography (For Type-A Cameras)
Flash in Full Auto Mode
Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash).....................................................25
FE Lock.......................................................................................27
Second-Curtain Synchronization
Modeling Flash...........................................................................30
............................................................
......................................
.............................................
10
13
14
14
16
..
17
18
20
29
Contents
3 Easy Flash Photography (For Type-B Cameras)
Flash in Full Auto Mode.............................................................32
Flash in Other Picture-Taking Modes
......................................
......
31
34
4 Advanced Flash Photography (For Type-A and B Cameras) ...39
Bounce Flash..............................................................................40
Flash Exposure Compensation
Multi-Speedlite System..............................................................42
Troubleshooting Guide..............................................................48
Major Specifications..................................................................49
...............................................
41
Nomenclature
•
Front
• 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
Back
Nomenclature
Horizontal bounce
release button (-rpage 40}
E-TTL indicator
<Vh>
High-speed sync (FP flash)
switch (-»page 14)
< PILOT >
Pilot lamp /
Test firing button (^page 15)
Flash exposure confirmation
lamp (-»page 15)
<GROUP>
Slave group (SLAVE ID)
button (-»page 43)
<&>
Upward bounce release
button (^page 40)
- Autozoom position
indicators (-»page 16)
Main switch (-»page 14)
<OFF>: Turns off the power
<ON>: Turns on the power
-— < CH. >Channel button (-»page 43)
Wireless selector (^page 42)
This chapter helps you prepare for flash
photography with the 420EX.
Before You Start
Installing the Batteries
Install one of the following types of batteries:
(1) Four size-AA alkaline batteries
(2) Four size-AA Ni-Cd batteries
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
Installing the Batteries
Recycling Time and Flash Count
Battery Type Recycling Time
Size-AA alkaline batteries
Size-AA Ni-Cd batteries
Approx 0 1-7.5 sec Approx 200-1400
Approx 0 1-45 sec Approx 80-600
The above data is based on Canon's standard tests with new batteries.
i
Battery Cautions
• Use four new batteries of the same type.
• When replacing the batteries, replace all four batteries at one time.
• Remove the batteries when the 420EX will not be used for an extended period.
• In low temperatures, take two sets of batteries and keep one set warm in a
pocket, etc., and use the batteries alternately.
• To prevent a faulty connection, make sure the battery contacts are clean. Use
a clean cloth to wipe the battery contacts before installing the batteries.
• Although ordinary, non-alkaline batteries may be used, the number of flashes
will be less.
• Size-AA nickel-hydride or lithium batteries can also be used.
• The shape of the Ni-Cd, nickel-hydride, and lithium battery contacts is not
standardized. Before buying these batteries, make sure the battery contacts
can properly touch the battery chamber's contacts,
• An external power pack cannot be used with the 420EX.
Flash Count
11
Mounting the Speedlite
1
f
Loosen the locking collar.
• Turn it as shown by the arrow.
Mount the 420EX onto the camera.
• Slide the 420EX's mounting foot all
the way into the hot shoe.
Tighten the locking collar.
► Turn the locking collar as shown by
the arrow. 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.
<1 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 careful not
to have it slip off the hot shoe.
12
Wireless Selector
The wireless selector has the following settings.
For Normal Flash Operation
• Set the wireless selector to OFF to
use the 420EX as a normal, oncamera Speedllte.
SLAVE
For Wireless Flash Operation
• Set the wireless selector to SLAVE to
use the 420EX as a wireless slave
unit.
OFFIn^SLAVE
► The flash coverage is set to 24mm
automatically.
Q • Even if the wireless selector Is accidentally set to <SLAVE>, the 420EX will still
operate as an on-camera Speedllte for normal flash photography.
13
Main Switch
The main switch has the foiiowing settings.
OFF-
■ON
Turns off the power.
TO
OFF-
TO
■ON
Turns on the power.
After 90 sec. of non-use, the SE
(Save Energy) mode takes effect
automatically to turn off the 420EX
and save battery power.
• To cancel the SE mode, press the
test firing button.
High-Speed Sync (FP Flash) Switch
The high-speed sync switch has the foiiowing settings.
Sets the normal sync mode.
TO
Vh
TO
Sets the high-speed sync mode.
a
When the 420EX is used with a Type-A camera and the switch is set to <^>,
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 used, the normal sync mode takes effect regardless
of this switch's setting.
14
Pilot Lamp and Test Firing
Before taking the flash picture, you can fire a test fiash.
Check that the <pilot > lamp is lit. H
• When the flash is ready, the H
1
< PILOT > lamp lights.
CD] I 1 i 3 «
in
am
0 • Test firing is not possible while the camera's exposure metering is active after
you press the shutter button haifway
• If the SE mode is in effect, pressing the test firing button cancels the SE mode
and turns on the 420EX.
After the < PILOT> lamp lights,
press it to fire a test flash.
► A test flash fires.
• The < PILOT > lamp also works as a test
firing button.
Flash Exposure Confirmation
-Vh
am
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 flash exposure confirmation lamp
does not light after the flash fires, the
picture may have been underexposed.
Move closer to the subject and try
again.
15
Flash Coverage
The 420EX's flash head zooms automatically to provide adequate flash
coverage for the lens focal length in use. Flash coverage is provided for the
24mm to 105mm focal lengths The corresponding autozoom position
indicator on the Speedlite lights.
When a zoom lens is used, the flash coverage changes automatically to
suit the focal length you zoom to.
■ E-TTL
---------------
V «1 IV
3&
50 70 105
r
ll
I
1
HLOT
1
Oi' O'
If a lens focal length shorter than 24mm is used, the picture's periphery will look
dark.
i
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 105 autozoom position indicator
lights.
When the wireless selector is set to <5LAVE> (^page 42), the flash coverage
is set automatically to 24mm.
(3ED 1
OFF -I i-ON ^
•Criri: 1
'
M
D.i
Press the shutter button halfway.
‘ The autozoom position indicator for
the corresponding lens focal length
lights.
AF-Assist Beam
If where you focus lacks sufficient light or contrast, the 420EX's AF-assist
beam is emitted automatically so that the camera can autofocus. The AFassist beam can cover the focusing points of the EOS 30/ELAN 7E and
almost all other EOS cameras. The AF-assist beam is effective from 0.7 to
7 m/2.3 to 23ft. at the center focusing point.
AF-Assist Beam Preconditions
The preconditions for the AF-assist beam to be emitted are explained on
page 51.
16
When the 420EX is mounted on a TypeA camera such as the EOS 30/ELAN
7E, using E-TTL autofiash is just as
easy as normal autoexposure (AE).
E-TTL autoflash uses the camera's
multi-zone metering sensor for highly
precise flash exposure control. A
preflash is fired for evaluative fiash
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
(ForType-A Cameras)
• This section uses the EOS 30/ELAN 7E as the sample Type-A camera.
• Before proceeding, first turn on the main switch on №e camera and 420EX.
• Set the 420EX's wireless selector to <OFF>.
• For EOS 30/ELAN 7E operations, refer to the EOS 30/ELAN 7E instruction
booklet.
* •
17
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