Canon autofocus
540EZ System Flash
1. Development of second generation Canon Speedlite
If you take notice, every great system camera will has a great companion flash
to supplement the camera models as well. The Speedlight 430EZ system, which was a
top-class clip-on type flash unit for the pre-EOS-1N, was released in 1989 as an
improved version of the 420EZ system released earlier back in 1987. It featuring
an addition of compatibility with external power sources. After that, the 430EZ system
was improved by adding the compact battery pack E in 1992. However, the system now
has an image of being out of date since more than 4 years have passed since it was
released. The 540EZ system is a new upgrade, a similar clip-on type flash unit designed
specifically for professionals and advanced amateurs, and was planned and developed
as a successor to the EOS-1/430EZ system combination.
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" ...The Canon EOS 540EZ flashCompatible with Canon EOS Rebel series, Elan series, 600 series, digital SLR's etc. Battery compartment and flash shoe look great! Flash shows a few tiny superficial signs of wear on the LCD screen. Other than that this flash is in wonderful condition Don't miss out on having this fantastic flash in your collection! |
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TTL Photography has greatly influenced the conventional way how photographers work with possibilities. |
Development of this system has
the following objectives:
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a) Enhancement of the Canon EOS-1N / EOS-1N RS (HS-RT) system to be released at the same time and expansion of photographic expression |
2. Overview of the Canon 540EZ system flash
The 540EZ system is a clip-on type flash unit with a large light output, maximum GNo = 54 (at ISO 100-m TELE 105 mm). Characteristically, this system is a top-class flash unit that features ten new or improved functions based or the desires and opinions of current users of the 430EZ, and that answers user complaints about the 430EZ with regard to operating performance. In particular, this system permits high-level flash photography due to its compatibility with 5-point focusing and 3-point TTL metering when mounted on the EOS-1N/EOS-1N RS.
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2.1 Improved Functions. of the 540EZ Main Unit |
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| Canon 540EZ AF TTL Speedlite Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. A Argenzio®. from "Shutter Blade.come". Image copyright © 2005. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. |
Canon 430EZAF TTL Speedlite Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. Elle of www.PhoneBusta.co.uk®, U.K.. The Company also maintains an active Ebay Store, trading many photo equipment of various labels. Image(s) copyright © 2005. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. |
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Improved function |
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(28)
Note:- Out of the above 12 items, the function of item 2) is as follows: When the wide panel built into the top surface of the flash head unit is drawn out by hand, the panel automatically folds down 90', as shown in illustration below, so as to cover the flash head (the zoom position is automatically set and fixed to 28 mm). When this diffusion plate is set in the bounce state as shown in another illustration, weak light reflected from the diffusion plate is directed toward the subject, providing an effective catch light effect for portrait photography.
Canon 540EZ
Compatibility With Pre-EOS Cameras Canon
the Canon 540EZ be used on Pre-EOS cameras ? In a word, TTL automatic flash operation
is possible with the T90, but with other cameras the flash must be used manually
using guide number calculations. Supplementary explanations are provided below. (a)
With AE SLRs equipped with a JCC contact on the accessory shoe, the synchronous shutter
speed is automatically set upon completion of flash charging. (b) With the T90, which
is equipped with TTL automatic flash control circuitry, both A-TTL and TTL automatic
flash exposure are possible. However, since data communications between the camera
and flash differ from the EOS system, operation is restricted as follows:
• Auto zoom, f/No display and coupling range display are not provided on the 540
EZ.
• Flash exposure compensation from the flash unit side can be set on the 540EZ, but
it does not function.
• Second-curtain synchronization can be set but does not function,
When attached to the T80 and previous cameras which are not equipped with a TTL automatic
flash control function, the 540EZ fires at fill power because the camera does not
send a stop signal to the flash unit. Manually set the aperture according to the
value calculated from the "Guide number divided by Shooting distance" formula.
In manual firing mode, the 540EZ operates at the output level indicated in the display.
For Canon 540EZ when uses EOS
cameras other than the EOS-1N,
CLICK HERE
for the compatibility Chart (models confined to to EOS-1n Era).
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Display Panel Comparison Between 540EZ (left) and 430EZ (right) |
Regarding performance, the following two items, which were mentioned as major complaints about the 430EZ, have been improved. * When using flash at short distances, exposure control was poor, often causing over-exposure. ** Because of the flash units rather high color temperature, overall color balance was bluish and did not provide faithful color reproduction.
Apart from the above, the main specifications of the 540EZ system are almost the same as those of the 430EZ except the following dimensions and weight.
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Model |
Dimensions (mm/inches) |
Weight (gramme / oz) |
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Width |
Height |
Depth |
Excluding battery |
Including battery |
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540EZ |
80mm / 3-1/8" |
138mm / 5-7/16" |
112mm / 4-7/16" |
415g / 14.5 oz |
515g / 18 oz |
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430EZ |
75mm / 2-15/16" |
127mm / 5" |
106mm / 4-3/16" |
370g / 13 oz |
470g / 16.5 oz |
2.2 External Power System
(1) Built-in power source When this flash unit is used alone, it is powered by four AA-size Alkaline-manganese batteries incorporated in the main unit. AA-size Ni-Cd batteries or AA-size lithium batteries can also be used. When an external power source is used, batteries (LR6 x 4) are always necessary in the main unit to provide power to the control circuits of the 540EZ main unit.
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(2) External power source The following external power sources for the 430EZ System can be used without modification. |
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1/2 MORE discussion .. ...-
Canon
540EZ system Flash:-
Part one | two
Flash Photography:- Index Page Part | 2 | 3 | 4 - Canon 540EZ site
Selective
Canon TTL Flash Models:-
160E | 200E | 300EZ | 300TL | 420EZ | 430
EZ
| 480EG | 540EZ | Macrolite | Other non-TTL Canon flash models
Useful
Resources at Julian Loke site: - Instruction Manual(s (PDF) for Canon
420EX
| 580EX AF-TTL Speedlites.
Suggestive weblink:-
Canon Flash Resources at Photonotes.org or Bob Atkin Flash FAQ
section
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Background and Various Issues | The Basic Features
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Manual &
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Metering
Systems | Exposure Control | Viewfinder Optical
System Flash Photography (with Speedlite 540EZ
extension & Selective info on Canon TTL Flash Models:-160E
| 200E | 300EZ
| 300TL
| 420EZ | 430 EZ | 480EG | Macrolite
| Other non-TTL Canon flash model
Reliability Issues:- Body Chassis | Shutter Unit | Electronic Circuitry | Film Transport & film handling Secondary Functions:- Custom Function Part One | Part Two | System Accessories:- Film Back Options - instruction for Command Back E1 | Macro/Close Up Part one | Part two and Part III Flash for Macro-Photography | Power Sources -BP-E1 | PDB-E1 | Focusing Screens | Remote Control with Wireless Remote Set LC-3 | System compatibility
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Listings of 7-segment
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PDF file applicable for both Canon
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