EOS Documentation Project

E-TTL Advanced Flash Differences

by Julian Loke, Jim Strutz, Dave Herzstein and Mike Milton

Contents

• Introduction
• Single E-TTL Unit
• Wireless E-TTL Master
• Wireless E-TTL Slaves
• Optical Wireless Master
• Optical Wireless Slaves
• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

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For example, the wedding photographer who uses 2nd curtain sync indoors, but wants High Speed Sync flash outdoors would be constantly pushing buttons on a 550EX. If a 420EX was used instead, the switch between 2nd curtain sync and HSS would occur automatically, just depending on the shutter speed chosen on the camera body.

Another example: 2nd curtain sync is impossible with multiple flash wireless E-TTL. Second curtain sync can only be achieved by forsaking E-TTL altogether and converting to an optical slave system. The Sigma EF 500 Super and Vivitar 880AFC are ideal, since they feature a built-in optical slave trigger. If you choose to use a Canon Speedlite, such as the 430EZ or 550EX, you would need to buy an additional optical slave trigger accessory to mount on the flash hotshoe, and even then, there may be unwanted side effects such as SCR lockup.

This document is intended to highlight just the differences in advanced E-TTL function between currently available E-TTL compatible flash units. It is not meant to provide a comprehensive survey of the basic flash features, nor is it a replacement for the instruction manual. To identify whether a camera body is Type A or Type B, refer to this document.

Single E-TTL Unit

If you need only one EX Speedlite just for automatic flash, the 420EX offers a good balance between features and cost, providing that your camera body offers features such as Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) and 2nd Curtain Sync. If your camera does not have FEC and 2nd curtain sync, then the Speedlite 580EX has the largest feature set, one which is nearly matched by the 550EX and the cheaper Sigma EF 500 Super and Vivitar 880AFC.

For dedicated macrophotography, the most convenient option would be either a MR-14EX ring-flash, or the MT-24EX which has adjustable heads. Otherwise, the differences between the two units are minimal.

										Type B body
								Type A body
Model	Max GN	#L	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	AF	SE oR	Ext HV	Mod Flsh	HSS	2nd Curt	FEC	FEB	Force TTL	Fixed Pwr	Multi Hz,#	Multi Pwr
Canon 220EX	22m 72ft	1	n n	F 28	1	90s n	n	n	Sw	b	b	n	b	Max	n	-
Canon 380EX	38m 125ft	1	Y n	A 24-105 B 50	1 3	90s n	n	n	Sw	b	b	n	b	Max	n	-
Canon 420EX	42m 138ft	1	Y Y	A 24-105 B 50	1 3 7	90s n	n	b%	Sw	b	b	n	b	Max	n	-
Canon 550EX	55m 182ft	1	Y+ Y	A 24-105 B 50 M 17,24-105	1 3 45	90s Y	Y	b	Y#		Y	Y	Y	8 EV 8 steps	1-199, 1-100+	6 EV 6 steps
Canon 580EX	58m 191ft	1	Y+ Y	A 24-105 B 50 M 14,24-105	1 3 7 45	90s Y	Y	Y	Y#		Y	Y	Y	8 EV 25 levels	1-199, 1-100+	6 EV 6 steps
Canon MR-14EX	14m 46ft	2	n Y	F 28	Man	90s Y	Y	Y	Y#		Y	Y	Y	7stops 7 levels	n	-
Canon MT-24EX	22m 72ft	2	Y% Y%	F 28	Man	90s Y	Y	Y	Y#		Y	Y	Y	7stops 7 levels	n	-
Sigma EF 500 Super	50m 165ft	1	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	1	5min Y	n	f	Y*		Y	Y	n	8 EV 8 steps	1-199, 1-100	6 EV 6 steps
Vivitar 880AFC	50m 165ft	1	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	1	5min Y	n	f	Y*		Y	Y	n	8 EV 8 steps	1-199, 1-100	6 EV 6 steps
Model	Max GN	#L	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	AF	SE oR	Ext HV	Mod Flsh	HSS	2nd Curt	FEC	FEB	Force TTL	Fixed Pwr	Multi Hz,#	Multi Pwr

Max GN Maximum Guide Number #L Number of light sources in unit Tilt Vertical aim adjustment Swiv Horizontal aim adjustment Zoom Flash coverage AF Coverage, by pattern of AF sensors SE Energy Saver mode timer oR overRide Ext HV External High Voltage power option Mod Flsh Modeling flash function HSS Performs High Speed Sync flash 2nd Curt Performs Second Curtain synchronization FEC Performs Flash Exposure Compensation FEB Performs Flash Exposure Bracketing Force TTL Allows TTL-only mode, i.e. no preflash Fixed Pwr Allows disabling of flash auto-exposure Multi Hz,# Performs Stroboscopic multiple flash bursts: Hz=frequency; #=count, +=no limit Multi Pwr Flash intensity levels for stroboscopic flash

? no data - not applicable n no Y YES Y+ Includes downward tilt Y% Independent movements for each light: Tilt +45° to -45° Rotate +50° to -30° Converge +60 to -30° b% Modelling flash only in slave mode Y# Either 2nd Curtain OR HSS at any one time Y* HSS setting is lost if shutter speed falls below X-sync A Auto zoom range B Zoom setting for Bounce M Manual zoom F Fixed coverage Man Manually activated on the flash, not via the camera Max Forced Maximum power after blind FEL b If supported by camera body f Full power (non ratio) modeling flash Sw Switches in and out of HSS depending on shutter speed

Wireless E-TTL Master

The 580EX is the best E-TTL master flash. It is easy to program, and can control up to 3 slave groups in auto, manual and stroboscopic mode.

											Type B body
				Type A body
				Auto E-TTL							Man E-TTL			Multi
Model	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	Chan Grps	Auto Mstr	FEC Mstr	FEB Mstr	HSS Mstr	Mod Flsh	Flash OFF	2nd Curt	Man Mstr	Fixed Pwr	2nd Curt	Multi Hz,#	Multi Pwr
Canon 220EX	n n	-	n	n	-	-	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon 380EX	Y n	-	n	n	-	-	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon 420EX	Y Y	-	n	n	-	-	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon 550EX	Y+ Y	A 24-105 B 50 M 17,24-105	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	Y	Y	b	Mstr	n	Y	8 EV 8 steps	n	1-199, 1-100+	6 EV 6 steps
Canon 580EX	Y+ Y	A 24-105 B 50 M 14,24-105	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	Y	Y	b	Mstr	n	Y	8 EV 25 levels	n	1-199, 1-100+	6 EV 6 steps
Canon MR-14EX	n Y	F 28	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Mstr only	n	Y	Y	n	n	-
Canon MT-24EX	Y% Y%	F 28	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Mstr only	n	Y	Y	n	n	-
Canon ST-E2	n n	n	4 A:B	Y	b	n	Y	b	-	n	n	-	-	n	-
Sigma EF 500 Super	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	n	Y	f	Mstr	n	Y	8 EV 8 steps	n	1-199, 1-100	6 EV 6 steps
Vivitar 880AFC	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	4 A:B:C	Y	Y	n	Y	f	Mstr	n	Y	8 EV 8 steps	n	1-199, 1-100	6 EV 6 steps
Model	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	Chan Grps	Auto Mstr	FEC Mstr	FEB Mstr	HSS Mstr	Mod Flsh	Flash OFF	2nd Curt	Man Mstr	Fixed Pwr	2nd Curt	Multi Hz,#	Multi Pwr

Tilt Vertical aim adjustment Swiv Horizontal aim adjustment Zoom Flash coverage Chan Number of channels Grps Separately controllable slave groups Auto Mstr Functions as Auto E-TTL master FEC Mstr Emit Flash Exposure Compensation commands FEB Mstr Emit Flash Exposure Bracketing commands HSS Mstr Emit High Speed Sync flash commands Mod Flsh Emit modelling flash commands Flash OFF Master does not light scene during exposure Man Mstr Allows disabling of flash auto-exposure Fixed Pwr Number of light intensity levels 2nd Curt Second Curtain Synchronization Multi Stroboscopic multiple flash bursts Multi Hz,# Stroboscopic Hz=frequency; #=count, +=no limit Multi Pwr Flash intensity levels for stroboscopic flash

? no data - not applicable n no Y YES Y+ Includes downward tilt Y% Independent movements for each light: Tilt +45° to -45° Rotate +50° to -30° Converge +60 to -30° b If supported by camera body A Auto zoom range B Zoom setting for Bounce M Manual zoom F Fixed coverage Mstr Applies only to Master unit Mstr only Only one of the two tubes can be shut off A:B Controls two slave groups A:B:C Controls three slave groups f Full power (non ratio) modeling flash

Wireless E-TTL Slaves

The non-Canon slaves, like the Vivitar 880AFC and the Sigma EF 500 Super, offer a good feature set at a lower cost than a Canon 550EX or 580EX, but should only be used with manual power control.

Important: The 420EX cannot respond to manual power or stroboscopic flash controls.

Important: The Vivitar 880AFC responds best to manual E-TTL commands, but does not function correctly as an automatic slave. Refer to Sigma Photo Technical Support Compatibiltiy Table for Electronic Flash EF-500 DG Super

										Type B body
					Type A body
					Auto E-TTL					Man E-TTL			Multi E-TTL
Model	Stand Tilt Swiv	Zoom	SE oR	Chan Grp	Auto Slave	Slave HSS	Mod Flsh	FEC oR	2nd Curt	Man Slave	Pwr oR	2nd Curt	Multi Slave	Multi oR Hz,#,Pwr
Canon 220EX	n - -	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon 380EX	n - -	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon 420EX	Y Y Y	F 24	10min n	4 A,B,C	Y	Y	Y	n	n	n	n	n	n	n
Canon 550EX	Y Y+ Y	A 24 M 17,24-105	60min Y	4 A,B,C	Y	Y	Y	Y	n	Y	8 EV 8 steps	n	Y	1-199, 1-100+ 6 EV
Canon 580EX	Y Y+ Y	A 24 M 14,24-105	60min Y	4 A,B,C	Y	Y	Y	Y	n	Y	8 EV 25 steps	n	Y	1-199, 1-100+ 6 EV
Canon MR-14EX	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon MR-24EX	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Canon ST-E2	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	n	-
Sigma EF 500 Super	Y Y+ Y	A 28 M 17,28-105	n -	4 A,B,C	n	Y	f	Y	n	Y	8 steps	n	Y	1-199, 1-100 6 EV
Vivitar 880AFC	n Y+ Y	A 28 M 17,28-105	n -	4 A,B,C	n	Y	f	Y	n	Y	8 steps	n	Y	1-199, 1-100 6 EV
Model	Stand Tilt Swiv	Zoom	SE oR	Chan Grp	Auto Slave	Slave HSS	Mod Flsh	FEC oR	2nd Curt	Man Slave	Pwr oR	2nd Curt	Multi Slave	Multi oR Hz,#,Pwr

Stand Hotshoe stand Tilt Vertical aim adjustment Swiv Horizontal aim adjustment Zoom Flash coverage SE Energy Saver mode timer oR overRide Chan Number of channels Grp Assignable Slave group Auto E-TTL Auto E-TTL Auto Slave Obeys Auto E-TTL commands Slave HSS Obeys High Speed Sync flash commands Mod Flsh Obeys modelling flash commands FEC oR Set FEC override on an individual slave unit Man E-TTL Manual E-TTL Man Slave Obeys Manual E-TTL commands Pwr oR Set manual power on an individual slave 2nd Curt Second Curtain Synchronization Multi Stroboscopic flash Multi Slave Obeys Stroboscopic commands Multi oR Set stroboscopic flash on an individual slave Hz,#,Pwr Stroboscopic Hz=frequency; #=count, +=no limit; Pwr=Flash intensity levels

? no data - not applicable n no Y YES Y+ Includes downward tilt b If supported by camera body A Auto zoom range B Zoom setting for Bounce M Manual zoom F Fixed coverage A,B,C Slave group identification f Full power (non ratio) modeling flash

Optical Wireless Master

An "optical" master emits a light pulse that simultaneously lights the scene and synchronizes the firing of slaves. Normally, the slaves will respond to any flash, even if not from your camera. However, the system is simple and the number of slaves is unlimited, so it can be used to create complex lighting. No wonder most studio strobes have this capability built in.

Use a popup flash if one exists on your camera body. If your camera does not have a popup flash, refer to the table below to choose a suitable hotshoe mounted flash unit. For comparison, some non-E-TTL flash units are also included.

Apply a piece of processed unfogged slide film as an infrared filter if you do not wish the master flash to add light to your scene. Manual or TTL-type flash is the simplest to use- just push the shutter button to shoot. If the popup flash is E-TTL, you will need an extra step for successful synchronization - see blankFEL.

						Type B body
						Type A body
					Master Signalling							Multi
Model	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	Chan Grps	Flash OFF	Type	HSS	Mod Flsh	FEC	FEB	2nd Curt	Fixed Pwr	Multi Mstr Hz,#,Pwr
Body Popup Flash	n n	b	0 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	b	Max	n
					TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	b	n
Canon 220EX	n n	F 28	0 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	b	n	b	Max	n
					EX-TTL	n	n	b	n	b	n
					EX-M	n	n	-	-	n	Max
Canon 380EX	Y n	A 24-105 B 50	0 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	b	n	b	Max	n
					EX-TTL	n	n	b	n	b	n
					EX-M	n	n	-	-	n	Max
Canon 420EX	Y Y	A 24-105 B 50	0 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	b	n	b	Max	n
					EX-TTL	n	n	b	n	b	n
					EX-M	n	n	-	-	n	Max
Canon 550EX	Y+ Y	A 24-105 B 50 M 17,24-105	0 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Y	Max	1-199 1-100+ 6 EV
					TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	Y	n
					M	Mstr	n	-	-	Y	8 EV
Canon MR-14EX	n Y	F 28	0 0	Mstr only	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Y	Max	n
					TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	Y	n
					M	Mstr	n	-	-	Y	7 EV
Canon MT-24EX	Y% Y	F 28	0 0	Mstr only	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	Y	Max	n
					TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	Y	n
					M	Mstr	n	-	-	Y	7 EV
Canon ST-E2	-	-	-	-	n	-	-	-	-	-	-	n
Model	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	Chan Grps	Flash OFF	Type	HSS	Mod Flsh	FEC	FEB	2nd Curt	Fixed Pwr	Multi Mstr
Sigma EF 500 Super	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	2 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	n	Mstr	Max	1-199 1-100 6 EV
					EX-TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	Y	n
					M	n	n	-	-	Y	8 EV
Vivitar 880AFC	Y+ Y	A 28-105 B 50 M 17,28-105	2 0	n	E-TTL*	Mstr	Mstr	Mstr	n	Mstr	Max	1-199 1-100 6 EV
					EX-TTL	n	n	Mstr	Mstr	Y	n
					M	n	n	Mstr	n	Y	8 EV
Canon 430EZ	Y Y	A 24-80 B 50 M 24-80	0 0	n	A-TTL	Y	n	n	Mstr	n	-	1-10 + 4 EV
					M	-	-	n	n	n	6 EV
Sunpak 383 Super	Y Y	F 35	0 0	n	Auto	n	n	n	n	n	-	n
					M	n	n	-	-	n	5 EV
Model	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	Chan Grps	Flash OFF	Type	HSS	Mod Flsh	FEC	FEB	2nd Curt	Fixed Pwr	Multi Mstr

Tilt Vertical aim adjustment Swiv Horizontal aim adjustment Zoom Flash coverage: A=auto, B=bounce, M=manual, F=fixed Chan Number of channels Grps Controllable slave groups Flash OFF Master does not light scene during exposure Type Operating mode for the Master flash FEC Flash Exposure Compensation FEB Flash Exposure Bracketing HSS High Speed Sync 2nd Curt Second Curtain Synchronization Mod Flsh Modeling flash Fixed Pwr Number of light intensity levels Multi Mstr Stroboscopic multiple flash bursts Hz,#,Pwr Stroboscopic Hz=frequency; #=count, +=no limit; Pwr=Flash intensity levels

? no data - not applicable n no Y YES Y+ Includes downward tilt Y% Independent tilt, rotate, converge for each light b If supported by camera body A Auto zoom range B Zoom setting for Bounce M Manual zoom F Fixed coverage 0 Will trigger any slaves indiscriminately E-TTL* Type A body, using blankFEL method EX-TTL Type B body, or TTL using EX-M-TTL method EX-M Man using EX-M-TTL method TTL TTL selected with Flash Unit Custom Function M Manual mode selected on Flash Unit Mstr Applies only to Master. Slaves are unaffected Max Full power burst using blankFEL method

Optical Wireless Slaves

"Optical" slaves trigger indiscriminately whenever they detect a light pulse, whether emitted from your camera or elsewhere, and whether your camera shutter is closed or open. In a controlled studio environment, this simple system can be used with an unlimited number of slaves to to create complex lighting. Setting up such lighting usually requires a handheld flash exposure meter and test shots.

The Sigma EF 500 Super and Vivitar 880AFC feature a built-in optical slave eye. Canon Speedlites do not have an optical slave eye, so you will need to mount an accessory hotshoe optical slave trigger.

Model	Max GN	Slave Eye	Slave Response	Chan Grp	SCR lockup	Stand	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	SE oR	Ext HV
Canon 220EX	22m 72ft	n*	Max	0 0	?	n	n n	F 28	90s n	n
Canon 380EX	38m 125ft	n*	Max	0 0	Y	n	Y n	F 24	90s n	n
Canon 420EX	42m 138ft	n*	Max	0 0	Y	Y	Y Y	F 24	90s n	n
Canon 550EX	55m 182ft	n*	8 EV 8 steps	0 0	Y	Y	Y+ Y	A 24 M 17,24-105	1h Y	Y
Canon 580EX	55m 182ft	n*	8 EV 25 steps	0 0	Y	Y	Y+ Y	A 24 M 14,24-105	1h Y	Y
Canon MR-14EX	14m 46ft	n*	7 EV 7 steps	0 0	Y	n	n Y	F 28	90s Y	Y
Canon MT-24EX	22m 72ft	n*	7 EV 7 steps	0 0	Y	n	n Y	F 28	90s Y	Y
Canon ST-E2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Sigma EF 500 Super	50m 165ft	Y	8 EV 8 steps	2 0	-	Y	Y+ Y	A 28 M 17,28-105	n -	n
Vivitar 880AFC	50m 165ft	Y	8 EV 8 steps	2 0	-	n	Y+ Y	A 28 M 17,28-105	n -	n
Canon 430EZ	43m 141ft	n*	6 EV 6 steps	0 0	n	n	Y Y	B 50 M 24-105	90s n	Y
Sunpak 383 Super	37m 120ft	n*	5 EV 5 levels	0 0	n	n	Y Y	F 35	n -	Y
Model	Max GN	Slave Eye	Slave Response	Chan Grp	SCR lockup	Stand	Tilt Swiv	Zoom	SE oR	Ext HV

Slave Eye Built-in Sensor for Slave Sync Slave Response Number of light intensity levels Chan Number of channels Grp Assignable slave group SCR lockup Trigger circuit locks up and need resetting Stand Hotshoe stand Tilt Vertical aim adjustment Swiv Horizontal aim adjustment Zoom Flash coverage: A=auto, B=bounce, M=manual, F=fixed SE Energy Saver mode timer oR overRide Ext HV External High Voltage power option

? no data - not applicable n no n* requires accessory hotshoe optical slave trigger Y YES Y+ Includes downward tilt 0 Will respond indiscriminately to any flash Max Full power burst

Revision History

v0.3b2006Nov11 jul: Sigma Photo (in)compatibility table
v0.3a2005Mar03 sz: 380EX SCR lockup
v0.3 2005Jan01 jul: page breaks
v0.2 2004Nov03 jul: 580EX
v0.1h2004May09 jul: optical channels; xref types
v0.1g2003Dec23 jul: body type
v0.1f2003Dec16 mm: MT-24EX; jul: edits, Pwr, Swiv, oR, Multi, Stand, Ext Hv, Max GN
v0.1e2003Dec13 jul: 500Sup Flash OFF fixed.
v0.1d2003Dec04 dh: MR-14EX; ST-E2
v0.1c2003Nov28 jul: more edits, more tables, colour scheme; 640 width; table legends; SE; Optical; Chan; tidy;
v0.1b2003Nov22 js: added to authors, data on Sigma EF 500 Super
v0.1 2003Nov15 jul:Original draft

Comments

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