Specifications

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14 EVERYTHING EOS 2011 EVERYTHING EOS 2011 15

Speedlites

Complete system for travelling light

While a built-in ﬂash unit is useful, it is limited in range and scope. All EOS cameras accept Speedlites – the

Canon name for an attachable electronic ﬂashgun. Although the current range of Speedlites is relatively

small, several of the discontinued models are quite common on the second-hand market.

Speedlite speciﬁcations

This chart gives the basic speciﬁcation of all the different Speedlite models. The guide number indicates the

power of the unit. Choose one with a tilt and/or swivel head if you want to try bounce ﬂash photography. An

EX-series unit is recommended for Type A cameras (see next page) and is essential for EOS digital cameras.

EX-series

These are the most advanced Speedlites.

Most give E-TTL II autoﬂash metering

with Type A-II cameras, E-TTL autoﬂash

metering with Type A models and TTL

autoﬂash metering with Type B models

(see next spread for listing of models).

Speedlite 220EX

Twice the power of a built-in ﬂash, but only half

that of the 420EX. Useful for ﬁll-in ﬂash outdoors

or subjects within 3 or 4 metres indoors. The ﬁxed

head means you need an Off Camera Shoe Cord

for bounce ﬂash photography. High speed (FP)

synchronisation. Flash exposure compensation.

Speedlite 270EX

The compact Speedlite 270EX builds on the success

of the 220EX, with more power than usual for its

class and size. It includes a host of new features

not available with a built-in ﬂash. These include

the addition of a zoom head for efﬁcient light

distribution and a bounce ﬂash head.

EOS magazine, Apr-Jun 2009, page 19

EOS magazine, Oct-Dec 2009, page 54

Speedlite 270EX II £195.00

The Speedlite 270EX II (above) replaces the Speed-

lite 270EX at the entry level of Canon’s Speedlite

range. It is compatible with Canon’s distance-linked

E-TTL II system, and can be used on-camera or as a

slave unit controlled by a separate master unit or the

Integrated Speedlite Transmitter of cameras such as

the EOS 600D, 60D and 7D.

EOS magazine, Apr-Jun 2011, page 27

Speedlite 320EX £269.99

The Speedlite 320EX is a compact, versatile ﬂash

compatible with Canon’s distance-linked E-TTL II

system. It can be used on-camera or as a slave unit

controlled by a separate master unit or the Inte-

grated Speedlite Transmitter of cameras such as the

EOS 600D, 60D and 7D. In a ﬁrst for Canon Speed-

lite, the Speedlite 320EX features a Video Light

function, complementing bodies with EOS Movie

by enabling users to illuminate low light scenes

continuously when capturing HD video. When using

the Speedlite 320EX in combination with compatible

cameras such as the EOS 1100D or 600D, Auto Light

mode ensures that the LED light automatically turns

on or off according to the ambient light of the scene

when in Movie mode.

EOS magazine, Apr-Jun 2011, page 27

Speedlite 380EX

The 380EX offers E-TTL and TTL modes, but is not

part of the wireless ﬂash system. The head only tilts

(no swivel). However, it does offer high speed (FP)

synchronisation and ﬂash exposure compensation.

Speedlite 420EX

A successor to the Speedlite 380EX adding swivel

to the tilt head. AF-assist is linked to the seven

focusing points. It emits a cross-type pattern

with vertical and horizontal stripes. The effective

AF-assist range is up to a maximum of about 7

metres.

EOS magazine, September 2000, page 13

Speedlite 430EX

Replaces the Speedlite 420EX, bringing slightly more

power. Improves on many of the speciﬁcations of

the 420EX. New features include automatic white

balance setting to match the ﬂash output, and auto

adjustment of the zoom ﬂash position to match the

sensor size of the camera. Can be used as a wireless

slave unit.

EOS magazine, September 2005, page 64

Speedlite 430EX II £310.00

Replaces the Speedlite 430EX. Recycle times have

been reduced by about 20% and recycling is silent.

A new metal mounting foot provides ultra-stable

communication between camera and Speedlite.

Features for digital cameras include colour

temperature control (ﬂash colour temperature

is transmitted to the camera for optimal white

balance) and picture size zoom control (ﬂash head

zooms to a position to suit the camera’s frame size).

EOS magazine, Jul-Sep 2008, page 16

Speedlite 550EX

The 550EX is the ﬁrst Speedlite with wireless

control. This allows one gun to be designated as the

master unit and up to three groups of guns (called

‘slaves’) to be remotely controlled from this master

unit. Studio-type lighting can be created while

retaining the advantage of a fully dedicated ﬂash

system. There is no limit to the number of ﬂashguns

that can be used in the ﬂash groups. Ratio control

can be applied to groups A and B. Group C,

intended for ‘accent’ lighting, does not have ratio

control. However, ﬂash compensation can be used

to control the brightness of the illumination from

Group C, effectively giving total control of the

lighting from all three groups. The 550EX can be

used as a master or a slave unit.

EOS magazine, September 1998, page 18

Speedlite 580EX

Although suitable for all EOS cameras, the 580EX

has been optimised for use with digital models. It

provides full compatibility with the distance-linked

E-TTL II ﬂash system found on recent EOS cameras,

and automatically adjusts to provide optimum cover-

age for the sensor size of the latest digital cameras.

Autoﬂash exposure

All Canon Speedlites provide autoﬂash

exposure. The exposure is determined

by measuring the brightness of the ﬂash

illumination reﬂected from the subject.

However, the sensors which measure

this reﬂected light are actually found

inside the camera, rather than in the

Speedlite (the Speedlites 200M and

480EG are exceptions). The way in which

autoﬂash metering operates has evolved

over the years.

TTL autoﬂash

When the shutter button is pressed, the camera

sets the shutter speed and aperture to suit the

ambient light. Then the ﬂash starts to ﬁre. The

light reﬂected back to the camera from the subject

is reﬂected from the ﬁlm during the exposure

and measured by ﬂash sensors inside the camera

body. When the camera determines that sufﬁcient

light has been received for correct exposure,

it terminates the ﬂash output. TTL is short for

‘through-the-lens’ – meaning that the light is

measured only after it has passed through the

camera lens.

A-TTL autoﬂash

The ‘A’ stands for ‘advanced’. Here, a short, low-

power ﬂash is emitted from the Speedlite as the

shutter button is pressed. This allows the camera

to determine the aperture needed for correct ﬂash

exposure. At the same time, the camera takes a

normal light reading to determine the aperture

needed for the ambient light exposure. The smaller

of these two apertures is then set and the main

ﬂash ﬁres. The actual ﬂash output is still controlled

during the exposure by a sensor measuring the light

reﬂected from the ﬁlm. The advantage of A-TTL over

TTL autoﬂash is that correct exposure is given up to

the maximum range of the Speedlite regardless of

the lighting conditions.

E-TTL autoﬂash

‘E’ is for ‘evaluative’. The ﬂash system shares the

light sensors in the camera viewﬁnder which are

also used for evaluative metering of the ambient

light. As the shutter button is pressed, an ambient

light reading is taken. Then a low power pre-ﬂash

is emitted by the Speedlite. The sensors measure

the pre-ﬂash illumination reﬂected by the subject,

but can’t help seeing the ambient light at the same

time. So the camera deducts the ﬁrst ambient light

reading from this second reading to get a ﬂash-only

reading. This ﬂash reading allows the camera to

determine the intensity of the main ﬂash needed

for correct exposure. Finally, the shutter opens and

the main ﬂash ﬁres at this pre-determined intensity.

Unlike TTL and A-TTL autoﬂash metering, the E-TTL

system does not monitor the ﬂash output during the

actual exposure.

E-TTL II autoﬂash

E-TTL autoﬂash works on the assumption that

the subject will be covered by an autofocus (AF)

point. However, an AF point does not always

cover the area of the subject where you want the

ﬂash exposure to be correct. The E-TTL II autoﬂash

system overcomes this problem. When you press

the shutter button, the ambient light is metered

by each sensor. Then a pre-ﬂash ﬁres and this is

also metered by all the sensors. The ambient and

ﬂash readings for each sensor are then compared.

The area of the scene which shows a signiﬁcant

difference between the readings is the area where

the subject is most likely to be. This is because the

main subject is likely to be closer to the camera

than the rest of the scene and will reﬂect more of

the ﬂash. However, if the difference between the

two readings is signiﬁcantly high, the camera will

ignore this area on the basis that the ﬂash is being

reﬂected back to the camera by a very shiny surface,

such as a mirror. The pre-ﬂash meter readings from

accepted areas are weighted and averaged. They

are then compared with the ambient light reading

before the main ﬂash output is calculated and

stored in memory for the exposure. If the lens is

able to provide distance information, this is used

to determine the closeness of the subject and any

highly reﬂective areas relative to the background.

This information is used to reﬁne the ﬂash exposure.

The result is better ﬂash exposure for difﬁcult

subjects, such as white wedding dresses.

Compatibility

For Speedlite photography, EOS cameras can

be divided into three groups:

Type A-II cameras allow E-TTL II ﬂash metering

with EX-series Speedlites. They use A-TTL ﬂash

metering with EZ-series Speedlites. Type A-II

cameras are:

EOS 1D Mark II, 1D Mark II N, 1D Mark III, 1D Mark

IV, EOS 1D X, 1Ds Mark II, 1Ds Mark III, 7D, 5D, 5D

Mark II, 5D Mark III, 20D, 20Da, 30D, 40D, 50D,

60D, 60Da, 350D, 400D, 450D, 500D, 550D, 600D,

1000D, 1100D,

EOS 30V Date, 33V, 300X.

Type A cameras allow E-TTL ﬂash metering with

EX-series Speedlites. They use A-TTL ﬂash metering

with EZ-series Speedlites. Type A cameras are:

EOS 1D, 1Ds, 10D, 300D, D30, D60.

EOS 1V, 3, 30, 33, 300, 300V, 3000V, 50, 50E,

500N, EOS IX, IX7.

Type B cameras are all EOS models not listed

above. Type B cameras provide TTL metering with

EX-series Speedlites. They use A-TTL ﬂash metering

with EZ-series Speedlites.

Off-camera ﬂash

The only real advantage of attaching

a Speedlite to the camera hot-shoe is

convenience. For most subjects, having

the Speedlite positioned close to the

lens does not give the best results. There

are two ways to move a Speedlite away

from the camera – cables or wireless.

However, not all Speedlites offer the

wireless function (see below), so a cable

is the only option for some.

Off Camera Shoe Cord

The Off Camera Shoe Cord only gives an extension

of about 60cm, but this is more than adequate

to improve the lighting for most subjects. Try

holding the Speedlite above and to the left of the

camera for better portraits. Canon says the cord is

incompatible with the EOS 600 and RT cameras.

However, it is only the A-TTL and E-TTL modes

which appear to have problems, often setting an

aperture which is too small for correct exposure.

The cord appears to work normally if you can switch

the Speedlite to TTL mode, or use the camera in

manual (M) mode. With digital cameras, the cord

works normally, but the radio interference caused

may exceed the regulatory limits of the US, Canada

and Germany.

Multiple ﬂash accessories

If you want to move the Speedlite further from the

camera, the multiple ﬂash accessories are worth

considering. You need an adapter for both the

Speedlite and the camera, plus a connecting cable.

The system was designed to provide TTL metering

with two to four Speedlites, but it can be used with

a single Speedlite. However, with this modular

The guide number, at a maximum of 58 (ISO 100m),

is the highest of any Canon ﬂashgun. Wireless

transmission is built-in and the unit can be used as

a master or a slave. Accessories include a Compact

Battery Pack CP-E3 and Canon’s ﬁrst Speedlite

Bracket SB-E1. The Speedlite 580EX is a successor to

the Speedlite 550EX.

EOS magazine, September 2004, page 65

Speedlite 580EX II £559.99

Replacing the 580EX, the Speedlite 580EX II offers a

more durable build quality. When connected to the

EOS-1D Mark III and later pro models, the 580EX II

achieves the same level of dust and moisture resist-

ance as the camera itself. The 580EX II improves

on many of the speciﬁcations of the 580EX – the

silent recycling time, for example, is 20% faster. A

redesigned metal ﬂash foot place and connector

pins allow more stable communication between

camera and ﬂash, while a quick release mechanisim

minimises wear and tear on both of the units.

EOS magazine, Apr-Jun 2007, page 19

Speedlite 600EX-RT £679.99

The Speedlite 600EX-RT is a high-performance TTL

ﬂash unit. Integrated radio frequency triggering,

in addition to standard optical wireless ﬂash

control, allows complex on-and-off-camera

lighting set-ups. Using one master 600EX-RT or the

new ST-E3-RT radio-frequency wireless Speedlite

Transmitter, up to 15 600EX-RT ﬂash units, set as

slaves and positioned up to 30 metres away, can

be remotely triggered. In addition, EOS cameras

with a connected Speedlite 600EX-RT can be

triggered by a remote Speedlite 600EX-RT. The

Speedlite 600EX-RT communicates white balance

settings to the camera through the hot shoe

connection. However, to further balance ﬂash and

ambient light, a new colour ﬁlter adapter and two

supplied colour gels can be ﬁtted to balance the

temperature of the ﬂash and create a more natural

effect when shooting around tungsten or mercury

lighting.

Speedlite 600EX £639.99

As the name suggests, this is the Speedlite 600EX-

RT without the wireless radio trigger. Otherwise

the speciﬁcations are the same. Both Speedlites

can be used with optical wireless transmission in

multiple ﬂash set-ups.

Throughout this

supplement the

names of current

products are printed

in BLACK and

those of discontinued

products in

VIOLET. Items in

RED are new since

the 2011 edition of

Everything EOS.

Display panel of the EOS 600EX-RT

from left to right:

Speedlite 600EX-RT

Speedlite 430EX II

Speedlite 320EX

Speedlite 270EX II

system you lose some features:

• A-TTL ﬂash switches to TTL

• there is no preﬂash, autozoom or auxiliary light

• there is no distance readout or second curtain

synchronization

• you can’t use Depth mode.

Optical wireless ﬂash

An alternative to the cables is the optical wireless

ﬂash system introduced by Canon with the

Speedlite 550EX.

You need a minimum of two units as one

needs to be connected to the camera hot-shoe.

This is called the master unit. It can be one of the

compatible Speedlites or the Speedlite Transmitter

(this does not provide ﬂash illumination – it simply

controls one or more off-camera Speedlites). If you

use a Speedlite 600EX-RT, 600EX, 580EX or 550EX

on the camera you can reduce the power of the

ﬂash so that it controls off-camera units without

adding to the illumination. The units controlled by

the master are called slaves.

Master units are the Speedlite 600EX-RT,

600EX, 580EX, 580EX II, 550EX, Macro Ring Flash

MR-14EX and Macro Twin Flash MT-24EX, plus the

Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2. The built-in ﬂash of

the EOS 7D, 60D and 600D can also be used as a

master unit.

Slave units can be the Speedlite 600EX-Rt,

600EX, 580EX II, 580EX, 550EX, 420EX, 430EX,

430EX II, 320EX and 270EX II.

Wireless ﬂash is only fully compatible with

Type A-II and A cameras (see following spread).

Speedlite 600EX-RT must be set to wireless optical

ﬂash to work with other optical wireless units.

Radio wireless ﬂash

The Speedlite 600EX-RT introduces radio wireless

ﬂash to the EOS system. This provides greater

range than the optical wireless system, and does

not require the master and slave units to have

line-of-sight with each other. Many of the features

of the two systems are similar, but they are not

compatible. Currently, the only units with radio

wireless ﬂash are the Speedlite 600EX-RT and the

Speedlite transmitter ST-E3-RT.