Canon Speedlite 540EZ Manual page 2

Thank you for purchasing this Canon product.
The Canon Speedlite 540EZ is a high-performance flash unit designed
for use with EOS Series cameras. The 540EZ incorporates a rich selec¬
tion of features, including an auto zoom function, TTL automatic flash
exposure control, and powerful light output sufficient for virtually any
shooting situation. When used with an EOS camera, the 540EZ is capa¬
ble of everything from simple, automated flash shooting to advanced
techniques such as flash exposure compensation, automatic flash control
based on user-selected shutter speed and/or aperture settings, manual
firing with eight selectable flash output levels, and intricate multiple-flash
lighting setups using EOS multi-flash accessories.
@ 540EZ Features
(1) A-TTL Automatic Flash Control
A-TTL automatic flash control stands for Advanced Through The Lens automat¬
ic flash control. When used with an EOS camera set to Program AE or Full
Auto mode, the camera and flash unit work together to automatically set the
appropriate aperture and shutter speed for proper flash exposure for indoor and
low-light scenes as well as backlit subjects in daylight.
(2) TTL Automatic Flash Control
TTL automatic flash shooting is possible in other shooting modes such as aper¬
ture-priority AE, shutter-priority AE or manual exposure mode. When the 540EZ
is combined with aperture-priority AE for an indoor shot or a night scene, the
camera automatically sets a slow shutter speed to properly expose the back¬
ground while the flash fires to properly expose the subject.
(3) Three-Zone Flash Metering for Multi-Point Autofocus Systems
When the 540EZ is used with an EOS camera that has multiple focusing points,
the flash automatically weights the exposure in the area of the active focusing
point using the camera's three-zone flash metering system.
(4) Automatic Flash Exposure Confirmation
After a picture is taken using flash, an LED on the back of the flash unit lights
for two seconds to indicate that proper flash exposure was achieved.
(5) Auto Zoom
The flash head automatically zooms to set the proper flash coverage angle
according to the lens focal length. Settings from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm
telephoto are possible with the flash alone, and coverage for ultra-wide-angle
lenses down to 18mm is possible using the built-in wide panel. The flash cover¬
age angle can also be set manually to any desired position.
(6) Flash Exposure Compensation
The 540EZ allows the flash exposure to be adjusted independently of the cam¬
era, providing a compensation range of ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments
(7) Manual Flash Control at Eight Output Levels 7
The flash output can be set manually to any of eight power levels, from full (1/1)
power to 1/128 power.
(8) Bounce Flash
The flash head can be tilted upward or can be surveled to the right or left for
bouncing the flash off of nearby surfaces such as a ceiling or wall to create a
softer lighting effect. The flash head can also be tilted 7° downward for close-up
shots. .7
(9) AF Auxiliary Light Corresponding to Five Focusing Points
The built-in AF auxiliary light automatically fires in low-light and low-contrast sit¬
uations to aid the camera's autofocus system. When combined with the EOS-1
N, the AF auxiliary light emission automatically corresponds to the camera's
five autofocusing points.
(10) Stroboscopic Flash
The 540EZ can be set to automatically fire several flash bursts during a single
exposure, creating a stroboscopic effect that records the flow of subject move¬
ment. The stroboscopic firing speed can be freely set to frequencies as fast as
100 bursts per second.
(11) Flash Sync Timing
The sync timing can be set to either first-curtain sync, which fires the flash as
soon as the shutter is fully opened, or second-curtain sync, which fires the flash
immediately before the shutter closes.
(12) SE (Save Energy) Function
When the flash is set to SE mode, the power automatically turns off after 90
seconds of non-operation in order to conserve battery power.
(13) Rich Selection of External Power Supplies
Three types of external power supplies are available, including the Compact
Battery Pack E.
(14) System Accessories for Professional Flash Lighting Techniques
Canon's line of dedicated flash accessories include the Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2
for separating the flash from the camera, as well as adapters and cords for con¬
figuring elaborate multiple-flash setups. Even when using more than one flash,
the flash exposure can be controlled automatically by the EOS TTL system.
♦
The instructions in this manual assume use with the EO.S-1 N camera.
♦
Flash functions and the information displayed in the LCD panel may differ when
used with other EOS cameras.
♦
When the 540EZ is used with a camera set to Full-Auto mode or a
Programmed Image Control (PIC) mode, all flash functions are controlled by
the camera and function settings on the flash unit itself are canceled.