Canon ST-E3-RT User Manual

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English

INSTRUCTION MANUAL MODE D’EMPLOI MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES

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English

Introduction

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The Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT is a transmitter for wireless flash shooting. It can control up to 5 groups (15 units) of Canon Speedlites that have a wireless multiple flash shooting function using radio transmission. The transmitter also has dust and water resistance equivalent to EOS-1D series cameras.

Read this instruction manual while also referring to the

instruction manuals of your camera and Speedlite.

Before using the transmitter, read this instruction manual and the instruction manuals of your camera and Speedlite to familiarize yourself with the operations.

Using the transmitter with a Camera

Using with an EOS digital camera (Type-A camera)

• You can perform wireless autoflash shooting with easy operations.

Using with an EOS film camera

• When using with an EOS film camera compatible with E-TTL II and E-TTL autoflash systems (Type-A camera), you can perform

autoflash shooting with easy operations.

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

autoflash system (Type-B camera).

Chapters

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Introduction

Getting Started

Preparations for wireless flash shooting

Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio Transmission

Wireless flash shooting with radio transmission

Setting Transmitter Functions with Camera Operations

Setting the transmitter functions from the camera’s menu screen

Customizing the Transmitter

Customizing with Custom Functions and Personal Functions

Reference

System map, FAQ

Contents

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Introduction 2

Chapters ...................................................................................................3

Nomenclature............................................................................................6

Conventions Used in this Manual ...........................................................10

Getting Started 11

Installing the Batteries.............................................................................12

Attaching and Detaching the Transmitter................................................13

Turning on the Power..............................................................................13

Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio Transmission 15

' Wireless Flash Shooting ....................................................................16

Wireless Settings ....................................................................................20

a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Shooting...................................24

Using Fully Automatic Wireless Flash.....................................................27

a: Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting with Flash Ratio ....................31

q: Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting with Manual Flash Output ............34

[: Shooting with a Different Flash Mode for Each Group .....................38

Clearing Transmitter Settings .................................................................40

Test Flash from a Slave Unit...................................................................40

Modeling Flash........................................................................................41

Remote Release from a Slave Unit.........................................................42

Linked Shooting ......................................................................................43

Setting Transmitter Functions with Camera Operations 47

Transmitter Control from Camera’s Menu Screen ..................................48

Customizing the Transmitter 53

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C / >: Setting Custom and Personal Functions............................ 54

C: Setting Custom Functions ............................................................ 56

>: Setting Personal Functions........................................................... 58

Reference 59

ST-E3-RT System .................................................................................. 60

Troubleshooting Guide........................................................................... 61

Specifications ......................................................................................... 64

Index ...................................................................................................... 70

Contents

Nomenclature

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LCD panel

Function button 2

Function button 1

<D> Radio transmission confirmation lamp (p.21, 23, 25, 30, 45)

Function button 3

<I> Linked shooting button (p.44)

<E > Flash mode button (p.24, 34, 35, 38)

<Q > Charge lamp/ Test flash button (p.13, 25, 56)

<8> Select/Set button

<9> Select dial

Dust- and water-resistant adapter

Power switch (p.13) <K> : Power on

<a> : Button/dial lock (Power on) <J> : Power off

Flash exposure confirmation lamp (p.25)

Lock-release button (p.13)

Mounting foot lock lever (p.13)

Function button 4

Battery compartment cover (p.12)

Nomenclature 02

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Mounting foot (p.13)

Terminal cover

Remote release terminal (p.42)

Nomenclature

Locking pin

Contacts

Case

Nomenclature

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LCD panel

Radio transmission wireless shooting E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash (p.24)

: FEB (p.28, 50)

: Sync speed warning (p.19)

Flash exposure compensation amount

: Flash ratio (p.31)

: E-TTL II/E-TTL

autoflash

: Flash exposure

compensation (p.27, 50)

Firing group

Flash ratio

Flash exposure level

: Slave flash ready (p.25)

Manual flash (p.34)

(p.15)

FEB sequence (p.56)

: Master (p.20)

: High-speed sync

: Personal Functions (p.58)

Beep

: Radio

transmission wireless shooting

: Channel

* )

(p.21, 22)

: Custom

Manual flash output

: Channel

automatic setting

Functions (p.56)

: Manual Flash

The display will show only the settings currently applied. The functions displayed above function buttons 1 to 4, such as <=>

and <@>, change according to the setting’s status.

When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates (p.14).

Stroboscopic flash (p.35)

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Group firing (p.38)

Flash mode

Firing group

Linked shooting (p.43)

Nomenclature

Multi (Stroboscopic) flash

Number of flashes

Flash frequency

: Group flash

[

Linked shooting

: Slave

: Master

Conventions Used in this Manual

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Icons in this Manual

9 : Indicates the selection dial. 8 : Indicates the select/set button. 3/1/2 : Indicates that the respective function remains active

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

Basic Assumptions

The operation procedures assume that the power switches of the

camera, transmitter and Speedlite are already set to <K>.

The icons used for buttons, dials and symbols in the text match the

icons found on the camera, transmitter and Speedlite.

The operation procedures assume that the menu and Custom

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

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

Canon’s testing standards.

for 4 sec., 6 sec. or 16 sec. after you let go of the button.

: Warning to prevent shooting problems. : Supplemental information.

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Getting Started

This chapter describes the preparations before starting wireless flash shooting.

Installing the Batteries

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Install two AA/LR6 batteries.

Open the cover.

Slide the cover down as shown in "

and open the battery compartment cover.

Install the batteries.

Make sure the + and – battery

contacts are correctly oriented as shown in the battery compartment.

The grooves on the side surfaces of

the battery compartment indicate –. This is convenient when replacing the batteries in a dark place.

Close the cover.

Close the battery compartment cover

and slide it up.

Slide the cover until it clicks in place.

Wireless Flash Shooting Time

You can perform wireless flash shooting for approx. 10 hours* continuously.

* 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.

When <!> is displayed, replace the batteries with new ones. Use a new set of two batteries of the same brand. When replacing the

batteries, replace both batteries at once.

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

Attaching and Detaching the Transmitter

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Attach the transmitter.

Slip the transmitter’s mounting foot

all the way into the camera’s hot shoe.

Secure the transmitter.

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 transmitter.

While pressing the lock-release

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

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

Turning on the Power

Set the power switch to <K>.

X The LCD panel illuminates.

The charge lamp lights when the

wireless shooting (slave) is ready.

During wireless shooting, press the

transmitter’s charge lamp (test flash button) to fire a test flash.

Turning on the Power

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About Auto Power Off

To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after 5 min. of idle use. To turn on the transmitter again, press the camera’s shutter button halfway, or press the test flash button (charge lamp).

About the Lock Function

By setting the power switch to <a>, you can disable flash’s button and dial operations. Use this to prevent the transmitter function settings from being accidentally changed after you set them. If you operate a button or dial, <LOCKED> is displayed on the LCD panel (the functions displayed above function buttons 1 to 4, such as <=> and <@>, are not displayed).

About the LCD Panel Illumination

When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates in green for 12 sec. When setting a function, the illumination continues until the setting is complete. If the transmitter is the master unit in linked shooting, the LCD panel illuminates in green. If the transmitter is a slave unit, it illuminates in orange.

You cannot use the test flash while the camera’s 3/1/2 timer is

operating.

The transmitter settings are stored even when the power is turned off. To

retain the settings when replacing the batteries, replace the batteries within 1 min. of turning off the power switch and removing the batteries.

You can fire a test flash even when the power switch is set to the

<a> position. Also, when a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates.

You can set a beep to sound when the slave unit is fully charged

(C.Fn-20/p.57).

Auto power off can be disabled (C.Fn-01/p.56).

You can change the duration of the LCD panel illumination (C.Fn-22/p.57). You can change the color of the LCD panel illumination (P.Fn-03, 04/p.58).

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Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio Transmission

This chapter describes wireless flash shooting.

For the accessories required for wireless shooting, see the system map (p.60). For the regions of use, restrictions, and precautions related to radio transmission, refer to the separate leaflet.

When the camera’s shooting mode is set to a fully automatic mode or an Image Zone mode, the operations in this chapter are not available. Set the camera’s shooting mode to V/X/ W/q/5 (Creative Zone mode).

The transmitter attached to the camera is called the master unit, and a flash that is wirelessly controlled is called the slave unit.

' Wireless Flash Shooting

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Using a transmitter and a Canon Speedlite compatible with radio transmission wireless shooting makes it easy to shoot with advanced wireless multiple flash lighting, in the same way as normal E-TTL II/ E-TTL autoflash shooting. The system is designed so that the settings of the transmitter attached to the camera (master) are automatically reflected on the Speedlite that is wirelessly controlled (slave). Therefore, you do not need to operate the slave unit while shooting. The basic relative positions and operating range are as shown in the figure. You can then perform wireless E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash shooting just by setting the master unit to <a>.

Positioning and Operation Range

Autoflash Shooting Using One Slave Unit (p.24)

Position the slave unit using the mini stand supplied with the flash. Before shooting, perform a test flash (p.13) and test shooting. The transmission distance may be shorter depending on the conditions

such as the positioning of slave units, the surrounding environment and weather conditions.

(Example of wireless flash shooting)

Transmission distance Approx. 30 m (98.4 ft.)

' Wireless Flash Shooting

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Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting

You can divide the slave units into two or three groups and perform E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash shooting while changing the flash ratio (factor). In addition, you can set and shoot with a different flash mode for each firing group, for up to 5 groups.

Autoflash Shooting with Two Slave Groups (p.31)

Autoflash Shooting with Three Slave Groups (p.32)

' Wireless Flash Shooting

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Shooting with a Different Flash Mode set for Each Group

(p.38)

Auto external

flash metering

E-TTL II

Manual flash

Ceiling

* The flash mode settings are

Manual flash

indicated only as an example.

' Wireless Flash Shooting

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About Restrictions on Functions Depending on the Camera Used

When performing radio transmission wireless flash shooting, restrictions may apply to the flash mode, maximum flash sync speed (referred to below as the “flash sync speed”) and high-speed sync function, depending on the camera that you use.

EOS digital cameras released since 2012

When using the transmitter in combination with a camera such as the EOS-1D X, you can shoot without any restrictions on the flash mode and maximum flash sync speed.

EOS cameras compatible with E-TTL autoflash and released up

to 2011

When using the transmitter with the cameras listed below,

transmission wireless shooting with E-TTL autoflash is not available. Shoot with manual flash (p.34) or stroboscopic flash

(p.35).

EOS-1Ds, EOS-1D, EOS-1V, EOS-3, EOS ELAN II(E)/ EOS 50(E), EOS REBEL 2000/EOS 300, EOS REBEL G/ EOS 500N, EOS 66/EOS Rebel XS N/EOS 3000 N, EOS IX(E), EOS IX Lite/EOS IX 7

Also, when using the transmitter with a film or digital camera released up to 2011, the following restrictions apply.

1. The flash sync speed is 1 increment slower

Check the flash sync speed (X = 1/*** sec.) of your camera, and shoot with a shutter speed up to a maximum of 1 stop slower than the flash sync speed (Example: When X = 1/250 sec., radio transmission wireless shooting is possible from 1/125 sec. to 30 sec.). Also, high-speed sync shooting is not possible. you set the shutter speed 1 increment slower than the flash sync speed, the <k> warning icon will disappear.

2. Group flash is not possible

(p.38).

radio

When

Wireless Settings

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To perform wireless shooting, set the transmitter (master unit) and flash (slave unit) with the following procedure.

Master Unit Setting

Check that <M> is displayed.

Check that <M> is displayed

at the position shown in the figure.

Slave Unit Setting

Set a flash that is compatible with radio transmission wireless flash shooting as the slave unit.

For the slave unit settings, see the flash’s instruction manual.

Transmission Channel/Wireless Radio ID Settings

To avoid interference with wireless multiple flash systems using radio transmission that are used by other photographers, or with other devices that use radio waves (wireless), you can change the transmission channel and wireless radio ID. Set the same channel

and ID for both the master unit and slave unit.

When establishing multiple radio transmission wireless flash systems, interference between flash systems may occur, even if the flashes are set to different channels. Set different radio transmission IDs for each channel (p.21).

Wireless Settings

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Setting the Master Unit Transmission Channel / Wireless

Radio ID

Use the following procedure to set the master unit’s transmission channel and wireless radio ID. Set the same channel and ID for both the master unit and slave unit. For the slave unit settings, see the flash’s instruction manual.

Display <O>.

Press function button 4 to display

<O>.

Set a channel.

Press function button 1 <C>. Turn <9> to select “AUTO” or a

channel from Ch. 1 to 15, and press the <8> button.

Set a wireless radio ID.

Press function button 2 <H>. Turn <9> to select the position

(digit) to set, and press the <8> button.

Turn <9> to select a number from 0

to 9, and press the <8> button.

Repeat step 3 to set a 4-digit number. Press function button 4 <?> to

return to the shooting-ready state.

X When transmission between the

master unit and slave unit is established, the <D> lamp is lit in green.

Wireless Settings

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Scanning the Master Unit Transmission Channels to Set

You can scan the radio reception status and set the master unit’s transmission channel automatically or manually. When the channel is set to “AUTO”, the channel with the best reception signal is automatically set. When setting the channel manually, you can set the transmission channel again while referring to the scan results.

Scanning while “AUTO” is set

Run the scan.

Press function button 4 to display

<O>.

Press function button 3 <W>.

The channel is reset to one with a good reception signal.

Scanning while Ch. 1 to 15 is set

Run the scan.

Press function button 4 to display

<O>.

Press function button 3 <W>.

X The radio reception status is

displayed in a graph.

The higher the peak of the channel in

the graph, the better the radio reception signal.

Set a channel.

Turn <9> to select a channel from

Ch. 1 to 15.

Press the <8> button to set the

channel and return to the shootingready state.

Wireless Settings

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About the <D> Lamp

The color of the <D> lamp changes depending on the transmission status of the master unit and the slave unit.

Color Status Description Action

Green Lit

Red

Blinking

If the transmission channels of the master unit and slave unit are

different, the slave unit does not fire. Set both to the same number, or set both to “AUTO”.

If the wireless radio IDs of the master unit and slave unit are different, the

slave unit does not fire.

Transmission

Lit

Not connected Check the channel and ID

Too many units

Error Turn the power off and on again

Master units + slave units = 16 units or less

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About the Memory Function

You can save the wireless settings and recall the settings later.

Press function button 4.

Press function button 4 to display

<P>.

Save or load the settings.

Press function button 3 <L>.

[Save]

Press function button 1 <V>.

X The settings are saved (stored in the

memory).

[Load]

Press function button 2 <J>.

X The settings that were saved are set.

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Autoflash Shooting Using One Slave Unit

: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Shooting

This section describes basic fully automatic wireless shooting when using a transmitter attached to the camera (master) and a wirelessly controlled flash (slave).

Set the flash as the slave unit.

For the slave unit settings, see the

flash’s instruction manual.

Set A, B or C as the firing group. The

flash will not fire if it is set to D or E.

Check the channel and ID.

If the channels and IDs of the master

unit and slave unit are different, set them to the same numbers (p.21, 22).

Position the camera and the

flash.

Position them within the range shown

on page 16.

Set the flash mode to <a>.

Press the <E> button on the

master unit and set the flash mode to <a>.

The slave unit is set automatically to

<a> during shooting via the control from the master unit.

a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Shooting

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Check the transmission status

and that the flash is ready.

Check that the <D> lamp is lit in

green.

When the slave flash is ready, the

AF-assist beam emitter blinks at 1-second intervals.

Check that the <Q> slave flash-ready

icon is lit on the master unit’s LCD panel.

When the recycling of all the flash

units is completed, the master unit's charge lamp lights.

Check the operation.

Press the master unit’s test flash

button (charge lamp).

X The slave unit flashes. If the slave

unit does not fire, check that it is placed within the operation range.

Take the picture.

Set the camera and take the picture,

in the same way as with normal flash shooting.

X If a standard flash exposure was

obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for 3 sec.

If the <D> lamp is red, radio transmission has not been established. Check again the transmission channels and wireless radio IDs of the master unit and slave unit. If you cannot connect with the same settings, turn the power off and on again.

a: Fully Automatic Wireless Flash Shooting

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Autoflash Shooting Using Multiple Slave Units

When you need more flash output or you want to perform lighting more easily, you can increase the number of slave units and fire them as a single flash. To add slave units, use the same procedure as “Autoflash Shooting Using One Slave Unit”. Set A, B or C as the firing group. The flash will not fire if it is set to D or E. When the number of slave units is increased, automatic control is performed to fire all flashes at the same flash output and ensure that the total flash output results in the standard exposure.

You can press the depth-of-field preview button on the camera to fire the

modeling flash (p.41).

If the slave unit’s auto power off takes effect, press the master unit’s test

flash button (p.13) to turn on the slave unit. Note that the test flash cannot be fired while the camera’s metering timer is operating.

The autoflash system (E-TTL II/E-TTL) depends on the camera used and

is set automatically. Note that <a> is displayed on the LCD panel for both systems.

You can enable a beep to sound when the charge of all the slave units is

complete (C.Fn-20/p.57).

Using Fully Automatic Wireless Flash

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Flash exposure compensation and other settings set on the transmitter (master unit) will also be automatically set in the flash (slave unit). You do not need to operate the slave unit.

f Flash Exposure Compensation

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.

Display <M>.

Press function button 4 to display <

Press the <@> button.

Press function button 2 <@>.

X <f> is displayed and the flash

exposure compensation amount is highlighted.

Set the flash exposure

compensation amount.

Turn <9> to set the flash exposure compensation amount, and press <

X The flash exposure compensation

amount is set.

“0.3” indicates 1/3 stops and “0.7”

indicates 2/3 stops. To cancel flash exposure compensation, return the compensation amount to “±0”.

Generally, set an increased exposure compensation for bright subjects

and set a decreased exposure compensation for dark subjects. If the camera’s exposure compensation is set to 1/2-stop increments, flash exposure compensation will be up to ±3 stops in 1/2-stop increments.

When the flash exposure compensation is set on both the transmitter and

the camera, the transmitter setting is given priority.

The flash exposure compensation amount can be set directly with <9>

without pressing the button (C.Fn-13/p.57).

Using Fully Automatic Wireless Flash

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g FEB

You can take three shots while automatically changing the flash output. This is called FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing). The settable range is up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments.

Display <M>.

Press function button 4 to display

<M>.

Press the <E> button.

Press function button 3 <E>.

X <g> is displayed and the FEB level

display is highlighted.

Set the FEB level.

Turn <9> to set the FEB level, and

press <8>.

X The FEB level is set.

“0.3” indicates 1/3 stops and “0.7”

indicates 2/3 stops. When used together with flash exposure compensation, FEB shooting is performed based on the flash exposure compensation amount.

After the three shots are taken, FEB is canceled automatically. Before shooting with FEB, it is recommended to set the camera’s drive

mode to single shooting and check that the flash is recycled.

You can use FEB together with flash exposure compensation or FE lock.

If the camera’s exposure compensation is set to 1/2-stop increments, flash exposure compensation will be up to ±3 stops in 1/2-stop increments.

You can set FEB to remain enabled automatically after shooting the three

shots (C.Fn-03/p.56).

You can change the FEB shooting sequence (C.Fn-04/p.56).

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