QuickGuide to Canon Speedlite 580EX II Modes and Functions
| Article ID: ART170203 | | | Date published: 05/01/2018 | | | Date last updated: 07/17/2020 |
Description
QuickGuide to Canon Speedlite 580EX II Modes and Functions
Solution
Overview
This QuickGuide is designed to provide an overview of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II's main features and menu structure. With this in mind, we have color-coded the three primary operating modes that are available, along with the selections that are available in each mode. By familiarizing yourself with how these modes and features are organized you will be able to quickly determine what features are available and where to find them. For more detailed information on each feature set, please refer to the 580EX II Instruction Manual.
Controls
Display Illuminator/Custom Function Button
Press once to illuminate the display. Press and hold to access the Custom Function menu. The 580EX II offers 14 custom functions (C.Fn-00 – C.Fn-13). Note: To change the default distance indicator from meters to feet, change C.Fn-00 to “1”.
Flash Mode Button
Press this button to cycle through the three operating modes:
E-TTL Automatic
Manual
Multi (Stroboscopic)
The display will change with each button press.
High-Speed/Shutter Curtain Sync Button
The High-speed Sync and Shutter Curtain Sync options are available only when the 580EX II is in E-TTL or Manual mode. Press the button until the corresponding icon appears on the display. When no icon is visible the corresponding function is off.
Zoom/Wireless Select Button
Press this button once if you wish to manually set the flash coverage angle. The 580EX II will otherwise adjust its coverage to your lens' focal length automatically. Press and hold this button if you wish to select one of the three wireless options (available only
when you are in the E-TTL Auto or Manual mode). See below for more information.
Select Dial
This dial allows you to scroll through the options available in a particular feature set. The Select Dial is active only when a feature set is active (blinking).
Select/Set Button
This button allows you to cycle through specific options available in each of the three flash modes. Once you have activated a feature (indicated by blinking), the Select Dial will allow you to change the feature to the setting of your choice.
E-TTL AUTOMATIC MODE
This operating mode uses the camera's light meter to automatically control flash output and exposure. It can control a single Speedlite attached to the camera and can also wirelessly control multiple Speedlites. The basic functions available in this mode
include:
Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
Press the Select/Set Button until the flash exposure compensation icon flashes. Turn the Select Dial clockwise to increase the flash exposure or counter-clockwise to reduce it.
Compensation can be set in 1/3-stop increments up to ± 3 stops. Press the Select/Set Button to lock-in your choice. Once set, the icon will no longer blink
Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB)
Press the Select/Set Button until the Flash Exposure Bracketing icon flashes. Turn the Select Dial clockwise to increase the flash exposure bracket increment or counterclockwise to reduce it. Bracketing can be set in 1/3-stop increments up to ± 3 stops. Press the Select/Set Button to set the amount. Once set, the icon will no longer blink.
Manual Zoom
Press the Zoom Button once. When the coverage angle indicator (upper-right of the display) blinks, turn Select Dial to the angle of your choice. The choices are 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80, and 105mm, in 35mm full-frame equivalents. Divide by 1.6 for the
Canon APS-C equivalent.
High-Speed Sync
When this option is selected the flash will flash stroboscopically, in sync with the shutter as it cross the focal plane. Although this allows the 580EX II to synchronize with shutter speeds higher than 1/200-second it also reduces light output as shutter speeds move progressively past the standard maximum sync speed.
Second-Curtain Sync
The 580EX II is normally triggered the instant the first shutter curtain opens. When Second-Curtain sync is selected the flash will be triggered just before the second shutter curtain closes.
Note that given a fixed ISO setting, the longer your shutter speed, therefore the more effect that ambient light and any resulting preflash motion blur will have on the image.
E-TTL Automatic also has three wireless flash options:
Wireless [Off]
Wireless [On - Master]
Wireless [On - Slave]
To access a wireless flash option:
1. Press and hold the Zoom/Wireless Select Button until the display blinks.
2. Turn the Select Dial to the option of your choice.
3. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the icon will no longer blink.
Wireless [Off]
All wireless functions are off. Only basic functions such FEC, FEB and High-Speed/Second-Curtain Sync are available.
Wireless [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the automatic power ratio between Sender and Receivers.
All wireless functions are off. Only basic functions such FEC, FEB and High-Speed/Second-Curtain Sync are available.
Wireless [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the automatic power ratio between Sender and Receivers.
You will also be able to make the following additional selections:
Master Flash (On or Off)
When set to "On" the Sender will contribute to the overall exposure. When set to "Off" the Sender will control the receivers without firing during the overall exposure.
E-TTL Exposure Ratio (Off, A:B, A:B C)
When set to "Off" the Sender and receiver(s) will automatically output the same amount of light. When set to "A:B" you can adjust the auto-exposure ratio between the Sender (A) and receivers (B). When set to "A:B C" you can adjust the autoexposure ratio between the Sender (A) and receivers (B) while adding a separate, independent group of receivers (C).
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not fire.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses. As each option become available it will blink. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.
Wireless [On – Slave]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Receiver (secondary) unit that is controlled by a Sender set to the same channel. You will be able to make the following additional selections:
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Senderr will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not be affected.
Slave Group Select
This allows you to control the group (A, B, or C) to which the Receiver is assigned.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses.
As each option become available it will blink. Push the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.
MANUAL MODE
This operating mode allows you to manually adjust the light output to the setting of your choice. When you are in this mode you will be able to make the following selections:
Manual power adjustment
Power settings are adjustable from full to 1/128 in 0.3- or 0.5-stop increments (depending on custom function setting). Press the Select/Set Button. When the power setting blinks, turn the Select Dial to the power setting of your choice. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the display will no longer blink.
Manual Zoom (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
High-Speed Sync (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
Second-Curtain Sync (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
You will also be able to make the following additional selections:
Wireless [Off]
Wireless [On - Master]
Wireless [On - Slave]
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button to access the options listed above. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses. As each option become available it will blink. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.
Wireless Mode [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the manual power ratio between Sender and Receiver groups.
Ratio (Off, A:B, A:B C)
Flashes can all fire at even power (Ratio Off), or you can set groups A, B and C to fire at different manual flash power levels. Press (don't hold) the Zoom/Wireless Select Button until Ratio blinks, then turn the Select Dial to make your choice. Press the Select/Set Button on the Master unit, then turn Select Dial to set the actual power level for each group.
Master Flash (On or Off)
When set to "On" the Sender will contribute to the overall exposure. When set to "Off" the Sender will control the receivers without contributing to the overall exposure.
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not be affected.
Wireless Mode [On – Slave]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Receiver (secondary) unit that is controlled by a Sender set to the same channel. You will be able to make the following additional selections:
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receiver set to the same channel. Receiver set to a different channel will not be affected.
Receiver Group Select
This allows you to control the group (A, B, or C) to which the Receivers is assigned.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses.
As each option become available it will blink. Push the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.
MULTI MODE
This operating mode allows you to set the 580EX II to fire repeatedly, during a single long exposure. You can set the firing frequency (flashes per second, expressed as Hz, from 1-199 per second), the total number of flashes during the exposure, and the
flash output. Note: Although any wireless flash settings you have made will remain active while you are in Multi Mode, the results can be unpredictable. It's best to test the exposure and effects before combining wireless flash with Multi Mode.
Calculating the Shutter Speed
During stroboscopic flash, the shutter must remain completely open while the Speedlite is flashing and close as soon as the flashing stops. Use the formula below to calculate the necessary shutter speed.
No. of flashes / Firing frequency = Minimum shutter speed
For example, if the number of flashes is 10 and the frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed should be at least 2 seconds.
This QuickGuide is designed to provide an overview of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II's main features and menu structure. With this in mind, we have color-coded the three primary operating modes that are available, along with the selections that are available in each mode. By familiarizing yourself with how these modes and features are organized you will be able to quickly determine what features are available and where to find them. For more detailed information on each feature set, please refer to the 580EX II Instruction Manual.
Controls
Display Illuminator/Custom Function ButtonPress once to illuminate the display. Press and hold to access the Custom Function menu. The 580EX II offers 14 custom functions (C.Fn-00 – C.Fn-13). Note: To change the default distance indicator from meters to feet, change C.Fn-00 to “1”.
Flash Mode ButtonPress this button to cycle through the three operating modes:
E-TTL Automatic
Manual
Multi (Stroboscopic)
The display will change with each button press.
High-Speed/Shutter Curtain Sync ButtonThe High-speed Sync and Shutter Curtain Sync options are available only when the 580EX II is in E-TTL or Manual mode. Press the button until the corresponding icon appears on the display. When no icon is visible the corresponding function is off.
Zoom/Wireless Select ButtonPress this button once if you wish to manually set the flash coverage angle. The 580EX II will otherwise adjust its coverage to your lens' focal length automatically. Press and hold this button if you wish to select one of the three wireless options (available only
when you are in the E-TTL Auto or Manual mode). See below for more information.
Select DialThis dial allows you to scroll through the options available in a particular feature set. The Select Dial is active only when a feature set is active (blinking).
Select/Set ButtonThis button allows you to cycle through specific options available in each of the three flash modes. Once you have activated a feature (indicated by blinking), the Select Dial will allow you to change the feature to the setting of your choice.
E-TTL AUTOMATIC MODE
This operating mode uses the camera's light meter to automatically control flash output and exposure. It can control a single Speedlite attached to the camera and can also wirelessly control multiple Speedlites. The basic functions available in this mode
include:
Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
Press the Select/Set Button
until the flash exposure compensation icon flashes. Turn the Select Dial clockwise to increase the flash exposure or counter-clockwise to reduce it. Compensation can be set in 1/3-stop increments up to ± 3 stops. Press the Select/Set Button
to lock-in your choice. Once set, the icon will no longer blinkFlash Exposure Bracketing (FEB)
Press the Select/Set Button
until the Flash Exposure Bracketing icon flashes. Turn the Select Dial clockwise to increase the flash exposure bracket increment or counterclockwise to reduce it. Bracketing can be set in 1/3-stop increments up to ± 3 stops. Press the Select/Set Button to set the amount. Once set, the icon will no longer blink.Manual Zoom
Press the Zoom Button
once. When the coverage angle indicator (upper-right of the display) blinks, turn Select Dial to the angle of your choice. The choices are 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 80, and 105mm, in 35mm full-frame equivalents. Divide by 1.6 for theCanon APS-C equivalent.
High-Speed Sync
When this option is selected the flash will flash stroboscopically, in sync with the shutter as it cross the focal plane. Although this allows the 580EX II to synchronize with shutter speeds higher than 1/200-second it also reduces light output as shutter speeds move progressively past the standard maximum sync speed.
Second-Curtain Sync
The 580EX II is normally triggered the instant the first shutter curtain opens. When Second-Curtain sync is selected the flash will be triggered just before the second shutter curtain closes.
Note that given a fixed ISO setting, the longer your shutter speed, therefore the more effect that ambient light and any resulting preflash motion blur will have on the image.
E-TTL Automatic also has three wireless flash options:
Wireless [Off]
Wireless [On - Master]
Wireless [On - Slave]
To access a wireless flash option:
1. Press and hold the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
until the display blinks.2. Turn the Select Dial
to the option of your choice.3. Press the Select/Set Button
to set your choice. Once set, the icon will no longer blink.Wireless [Off]
All wireless functions are off. Only basic functions such FEC, FEB and High-Speed/Second-Curtain Sync are available.
Wireless [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the automatic power ratio between Sender and Receivers.
All wireless functions are off. Only basic functions such FEC, FEB and High-Speed/Second-Curtain Sync are available.
Wireless [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the automatic power ratio between Sender and Receivers.
You will also be able to make the following additional selections:
Master Flash (On or Off)
When set to "On" the Sender will contribute to the overall exposure. When set to "Off" the Sender will control the receivers without firing during the overall exposure.
E-TTL Exposure Ratio (Off, A:B, A:B C)
When set to "Off" the Sender and receiver(s) will automatically output the same amount of light. When set to "A:B" you can adjust the auto-exposure ratio between the Sender (A) and receivers (B). When set to "A:B C" you can adjust the autoexposure ratio between the Sender (A) and receivers (B) while adding a separate, independent group of receivers (C).
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not fire.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses. As each option become available it will blink. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.Wireless [On – Slave]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Receiver (secondary) unit that is controlled by a Sender set to the same channel. You will be able to make the following additional selections:
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Senderr will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not be affected.
Slave Group Select
This allows you to control the group (A, B, or C) to which the Receiver is assigned.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses.As each option become available it will blink. Push the Select/Set Button
to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.MANUAL MODE
This operating mode allows you to manually adjust the light output to the setting of your choice. When you are in this mode you will be able to make the following selections:
Manual power adjustment
Power settings are adjustable from full to 1/128 in 0.3- or 0.5-stop increments (depending on custom function setting). Press the Select/Set Button
. When the power setting blinks, turn the Select Dial to the power setting of your choice. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the display will no longer blink.Manual Zoom (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
High-Speed Sync (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
Second-Curtain Sync (refer to E-TTL Auto instructions)
You will also be able to make the following additional selections:
Wireless [Off]
Wireless [On - Master]
Wireless [On - Slave]
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
to access the options listed above. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses. As each option become available it will blink. Press the Select/Set Button to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.Wireless Mode [On – Master]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Sender (main) unit that controls any other Receiver (secondary) units that are set to the same Channel. It will also allow you to control the manual power ratio between Sender and Receiver groups.
Ratio (Off, A:B, A:B C)
Flashes can all fire at even power (Ratio Off), or you can set groups A, B and C to fire at different manual flash power levels. Press (don't hold) the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
until Ratio blinks, then turn the Select Dial to make your choice. Press the Select/Set Button on the Master unit, then turn Select Dial to set the actual power level for each group.Master Flash (On or Off)
When set to "On" the Sender will contribute to the overall exposure. When set to "Off" the Sender will control the receivers without contributing to the overall exposure.
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receivers set to the same channel. Receivers set to a different channel will not be affected.
Wireless Mode [On – Slave]
When your Speedlite is set to this option it will function as the Receiver (secondary) unit that is controlled by a Sender set to the same channel. You will be able to make the following additional selections:
Channel Select (1, 2, 3, 4)
The Sender will control all receiver set to the same channel. Receiver set to a different channel will not be affected.
Receiver Group Select
This allows you to control the group (A, B, or C) to which the Receivers is assigned.
To make a selection:
Press the Zoom/Wireless Select Button
to cycle through the options listed above. They will cycle in a continuous loop in the order listed. When the option you have chosen is blinking, turn the Select Dial to cycle through the options in parentheses.As each option become available it will blink. Push the Select/Set Button
to set your choice. Once set, the option will no longer blink.MULTI MODE
This operating mode allows you to set the 580EX II to fire repeatedly, during a single long exposure. You can set the firing frequency (flashes per second, expressed as Hz, from 1-199 per second), the total number of flashes during the exposure, and the
flash output. Note: Although any wireless flash settings you have made will remain active while you are in Multi Mode, the results can be unpredictable. It's best to test the exposure and effects before combining wireless flash with Multi Mode.
Calculating the Shutter Speed
During stroboscopic flash, the shutter must remain completely open while the Speedlite is flashing and close as soon as the flashing stops. Use the formula below to calculate the necessary shutter speed.
No. of flashes / Firing frequency = Minimum shutter speed
For example, if the number of flashes is 10 and the frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed should be at least 2 seconds.