Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 is a wireless transmit- t e r which can control up to two Speedlite 550EX groups set as slaves.

The transmitting range is about 12 to 1 5 meters / 39.4 to 49.2 ft indoors and 8 to 10 meters / 26.2 to 32.8 ft outdoors. With Type A cameras (EOS-3, EOS Elan IIIIIE, EOS 50/50E, EOS 500NlRebel G, EOS IX. EOS IX7AX Lite), the ST-E2 can execute the fol- lowing operations through wireless control:

E-?"rL autoflash

This Instructions booklet assume t h a t a Type A cam- era is used with the ST-E2.

With Type H cameras (EOS cameras except 'I'ype A models), the ST-E2 can be used only for manual flash and multi-flash photography. See pages 23 to 27 in t h i s booklet a n d t h e Speedlite 550EX Instructions.

'

High-speed sync (FP flash)

FE lock

Flash exposure compensation

Manual flash (Flash output set with Speedlite) Multi-flash firing (Set with the Speedlites)

With the EOS-3, the following operations a r e also possible: Flash ratio control between two Speedlite

slave P ~ O U D S .modeline flash firing. and linkage- of

-,

A F - a s k t dea'm to a r e a k .

C ???

The CE Mark is a Directive cunformity mark of the European Community (ECl

This digital apparatus does not exceed t h e Class B limits for radio noise emissions frnrn digital appara- tus a s set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled "Digital Apparatus", ICES-003 of the Industry Canada.

(I) Installing the Battery

Use one l i t h i u m 2CR5 b a t t e r y (sold separately).

1Slide the battery compartment cover as shown by the arrow and remove.

Install the battery in the orien- tation shown in the compart- ment.

Install the battery compart- ment cover to close the battery compartment.

About the battery

If t h e b a t t e r y c o n t a c t s a r e soiled, improper electrical con- t a c t m a y r e s u l t . Before installing the battery, wipe the battery contacts with a clean cloth.

When to replace the battery Replace the battery if it takes 30 sec. o r longer for t h e red pilot l a m p to light a f t e r you s e t t h e main switch to < I > or < HOLD >.

(2)Attachment to the Camera

Push in the ST-E2's mounting 1 foot all the way into the camer-

a's hot shoe.

Slide t h e shoe lock slider a s shown by the arrow. (The lock pin protrudes to lock t h e ST- E2 onto the camera.)

To remove the ST-152,slide t h e shoe lock slider in the opposite direction ( t h e lock pin retracts) and slide off the ST-EP.

The hot shoe on t h e EOS 650, EOS 620, EOS 750, a n d EOS 850 will not couple w i t h t h e lock pin. The ST-E2 can still be attached to these cameras, but it cannot be locked onto the hot shoe.

(3) Turning On the Power

When transmission is possible, 2 the pilot lamp lights in red and the 5 icon lights in the camera

viewfinder.

1Turn the main switch to < I >.

The main switch has the follow- ing three positions:

<0 > : Turns of'f'the powcr.

<I > : Turns on the powrr.

<H LD > : T h e s e t t i n g s which were set a t the I switch position arc frozen. All transmitter con- trols exccpt t h e t e s t trtinsmis- sion button a r e disabled. This prevents inadvertant alteration of transmitter settings.

0 When the 5 icon lights in the camera viewfinder, it indicates that the ST-E2 is able to trans- mit. When Speedlite 550EX is rechareed and readv to fire. its AE-assist beam emiiter blinks.

Q If t h e ST-E2 is on and not u s e d for 90 sec., t h e S E (Save Energy) feature takes effect a n d t u r n s off t h e power automatically to save b a t t e r y power. The ST-E2 t u r n s back on when t h e shutter button or test trans- mission button is pressed.

With a Type A camera (EOS- 3, EOS Elan IIIIIE, EOS 50/50E, EOS 500NIRebel G, EOS IX. EOS IX7IIX Lite) equipped with E-ITL, the ST- E2's E-ITL indicator lights.

To prevent wireless signals from being transmitted to unrelated S p e e d l i t e 55OEX u n i t s i n t h e vicinity, you can set a channel dif- ferent from the one used by the unrelated Speedlite 550EX units. One of four channels can be set. T h e ST - E2 ( m a s t e r ) and s l a v e Speedlite(s) must be set to t h e same channel No.

P r e s s t h e < CH. > button a n d select the desired channel.

Each time the button is pressed the channel indicator changes in-the fol- lowing loop: 1 + 2 -.3 -.4 1

T h e S T - E 2 a n d S p e e d l i t e 5 5 0 E X m u s t be set to the same channel No

S e t t h e w i r e l e s s selector t o 1 < SLAVE >. H e r e i n a R e r , a S p e e d l i t e 5 5 0 E X s e t to t h i s

mode will be called a "slave."

The zoom setting is set automat- ically to (a c7'lmm. T h i s can be overridden manually.

2 Set the slave's main switch to < I > or < SE > to turn it on.

When t h e Speedlite is ready t o fire, the AF-assist beam emitter blinks conli~>uouslya t 1 Hz.

E a c h t i m e you p r e s s t h e < SEL/SET > button, the blink- ing display changes in the fol-

2 While is blinking, press t h e < + z or < - > butlon to select the same channel No. as the ST-E2's.

0 If t h e 550EX's channel No. is d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h e S T - E 2 ' s c h a n n e l No., w i r e l e s s t r a n s - mission will not work.

3 press t h e < SEL/SET, b u t t o n to regster the channel N ~(the,

d i s p l a y s t o p s b l i n k i n g a n d stays on).

After t h e ST-E2 a n d s l a v e a r e ready, they can work w i t h i n t h e a r e a shown below for easy wireless E-TTI.autoflash.

For explanatory purposes, t h e EOS-3 will be used a s t h e sample camera here.

(I) Positioning of ST-E2 and slave

Attach t h e slave to t h e mini s t a n d (equipped with tripod socket) which comes with t h e 550EX.

Turn t h e Speedlite's body (bounce feature) so t h a t t h e slave sensor fhccs toward t h c ST-EZ.

Indoors, the slave position need not be so precise since the light will also bounce off the walls.

After positioning t h e c a m e r a a n d slaves, be s u r e to t e s t t h e wirclrss control before taking a picture.

Do not place any obstructions between t h e ST-EP and slaves. Otherwise, remote transmission may not bc achieved.

(2) Camera operation

Set the camera for normal flash operation.

0 With the EOS-3, make sure the ST-E2's flash ratio control lamp is off. (If necessary, press the <RATIO > button to turn it off.) If the flash ratio control lamp is on, the Speedlite may not fire or a correct exposure m a y not be attained . After turning off the flash ratio con- trol lamp, set the main switch

(3)Checking the ST-E2's (4) Wireless operation test

pilot lamp and slave- ready status

to <IioLD> prevent the 'lash ratio control lamp from light- ing inadvertantly.

1111111

Check that the ST-E2's pilot lamp is on and that the slave is ready.

When the slave is ready to fire, its AF-assist beam emitter flashes a t 1

P r e s s t h e S T - E 2 ' s pilot l a m p (which also functions a s a t e s t transmission button).

If everything is OK, slavc A will fire

followed by slave R ( a t 1/64 output). If the slave(s)docs not fire, reposi-

tion the slave's angle or distance toward the ST-EZ and Lcst it :rg;lin.

0When t h e ST-E2's pilot lamp lights and the 5 icon lights in t h e camera viewfinder, they indicate t h a t t h e ST - E2 is ready for remote transmission. They do not indicate that the slave is ready (recharged).

(5)Taking the picture and flash confirmation

W h e n y o u p r e s s t h e s h u t t e r b u t - t o n c o n ~ p l e t e l ya, w i r r l c s s s i g n a l i s t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e s l a v e , t h e n t h e s l a v e f i r e s a p r e f l a s h a n d t h e n t h e m a i n f l a s h w h e n t h e p i c t u r e is

t a k e n .

The subject's flash cxposurc reading is obtained with t h e preflash a n d used to s e t t h e main flash output. Wireless flash photography is there- by executed with a n optimum flash ou1put.

When t h e correct flash exposure is obtained, t h e ST-E2's flash confir- mation lamp lights for about 3 sec. immediately after the flash fires. If i t does not light, the picture might be underexposed. In this case, use a larger a p e r t u r e or place the slave

closer to t h e s u b j e c t a n d r e p e a t steps (2)to ( 5 ) .

With the EOS-3, the model- B Ing, 'flash can be fired to see t h e lighting effects before t h e p i c l u r e i s t a k e n . S e e

page 32.

The slave must be properly positioned to receive t h e wireless transmission.

After t h e picture is t a k e n . the slave's operation result is displayed on t h e slave's display panel.

I f t h e s l a v e i s in t h e S E (Save Energy) mode, press- ing t h e ST-E2's t e s t t r a n s - mission button will cancel it. When you press t h e shutter button halfway and activate t h e c a m e r a ' s e x p o s u r e meter, the ST-E2 cannot be used to cancel the slave's SF: mode o r to e x e c u t e a t e s t transmission. The camera's exposure m e t e r m u s t t u r n off (viewfinder's exposure s e t t i n g d i s p l a y t u r n s off) before t h e S E mode can be canceled or a test transmis- sion executed.

AF-assist beam

U n d e r low-light o r low-contrast c o n d i t i o n s , t h e ST-E2's A F - a s s i s t b e a m is e m i t t e d t o a s s i s t a u t o f o c u s i n g . The A F - a s s i s t b e a m i s c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e EOS-3's A r e a AF. T h e AF-assist b e a m ' s effective r a n g e is a b o u t 0.6 m e t e r t o 10 m e t e r s a t t h e c e n t e r a n d 0 . 6 m e t e r t o 5 m e t e r s a l o n g t h e p e r i p h e r y .

The ST-E2's AF-assist bran> c a n he e m i t t e d only while t h e ST-E:! is attached to the EOS-3. In the case of EOS c a m e r a s with a built-in AF- assist beam emitter, the beam will

be emitted by the camera.

The slave's AF-assist beam is not emitted (except when t h e flash is ready).

44 To prevent overheating, limit t h e n u m b e r of consecutive wireless transmissions to 50. After 50 consecutive wireless transmissions, allow the ST-EP to rest for 10 minutes.

T h e r e a r e t w o t y p e s of wireless multi-flash E-TTL autoflash opcr- ations:

a< RATIO > O F F : All slaves fire the same flash output.

Q)< RATIO > ON: Slaves are given a n ID, e i t h e r A o r B. T h e f l a s h ratio is then set for each ID.

The flash ratio can be set only when

the camera is an EOS-3.

The flash ratio cannot be set with an EOS Elan IVIIE, EOS 50/5OE, EOS Rebel G/500N, EOS IX or EOS K71X Lite.

a By c h a n g i n g t h e d i s t a n c e between t h e subject a n d slaves, the lighting balance (flash ratio) can be changed accordingly.

Two or more slaves can be

used.

With the EOS-3, a modeling flash can be fired to check t h e lighting effects before the picture is taken.

As a n e x a m p l e , t w o s l a v e s a r e used here, one positioned on t h e left a n d t h e other on t h e right of the subject.

All t h e s l a v e s s e t a t t h e s a m e c h a n n e l fire a t t h e s a m e o u t p u t controlled by E-TTL autoflash t o obtain a correct exposure.

Thc operation ~rooedureis thc same a s with wireless I.>-'ITI, autoflash.

0 With the EOS-3, make sure the S T - E 2 ' s f l a s h r a t i o control lamp is off. (If necessary, press the <RATIO > button to t u r n i t off.) If t h e flash ratio control lamp is on, the Speedlite may not fire or a correct exposure m a y n o t be a t t a i n e d . A f t e r turning off the flash ratio con- trol lamp, set the main switch to <HOLD > to prevent the flash ratio control lamp from light- ing inadvertantly.

In t h e sample flash s e t u p shown below, t h e lighting on t h e left will be b r i g h t e r t h a n on t h e r i g h t of t h e subject.

Outdoors

In t h e example shown for "Multi- F l a s h w i t h a U n i f o r m F l a s h O u t p u t , " t h e l i g h t i n g b a l a n c e (flash ratio) was adjusted by plac- i n g t h e s l a v e s a t d i f f e r e n t d i s - t a n c e s t o t h e s u b j e c t . However, with "Multi-Flash with Slave ID a n d F l a s h R a t i o S e t t i n g s , " t h e flash ratio can be adjusted with - out moving the slaves.

T h e f l a s h r a t i o c a n bc a d j u s t e d from 8:l to 1 a n d from 1 to 118 in half-stop increments.

Sample Multi-Flash Setup with Slave ID and Flash ti^ settings

15ni / 49.2ft

(1) Setting the Slave ID

With the wireless control of multi- ple slaves, you can set the flash ratio and specify the main flash and fill flash by assigning a slave ID. There are three IDS:A, B, and C. The ST-E2 can control slaves A and B. When the flash ratio con- trol lamp is lit, the C slave does not fire.

Set the slave ID to A for the slave on the left of the camera. and to B for the slave on the right of the camera.

Press t h e slave's < SEL/SET > button to select < > .

2 Press the <+ > or < - > but- ton to set the slave ID to <A>.

3 Press t h e < SELISET > button to register the slave ID. (The slave I D stops blinking a n d stays on.)

4 Follow the same procedure for the other slave to set the slave ID to <B>.

0 If the slave's ID is set to C, it cannot he controlled by thc ST-

E2. Be sure to set the slave ID 7rn5s to A or B.

T h e r e is no limit a s t o t h e number of slaves t h a t can be used. S e t t h e slave ID for all the slaves to either A or B.

About Slave Group

Control

All slaves s e t to the same ID a r e controlled a s one group.

Shown below is a g r o u p of t h r e e slaves whose ID is A. They will be controlled as a single slave group A.

(2) Setting the A:B Flash Ratio

The flash ratio between slave A and slave B can be set to specify the main flash and fill flash. The flash ratio can be set from 8:l to 1and from 1 to 1:8 in half-stop increments. In terms of exposure stops, it ranges from 3:l to 1 and from 1 to 1:3. When the flash ratio is set, E- TTL autoflash metering controls the flash output to obtain a correct exposure.

(3)Camera and Slave

Positions

Position the ST-E2-attached cam- era and the two slaves to obtain t h e desired lighting effect. See page 26.

Check t h a t t h e ST-E2's main s w i t c h i s s e t t o c I > , t h e n press the <RATIO > button.

T h c f l a s h r a t i o control l a m p lights in red, and the respective flash ratio indicator lights.

The flash ratios for the unmarked indica- tors ( are shown in parentheses below.

Press the < 4 > or < b > but- ton to select the desired flash ratio.

0If the main switch has been set t o < I >, t h e b u t t o n s will not work. S e t t h e main switch to

< HOLD >.

The modeling flash can be fired to see the lighting effects before the picture is taken.

(4)Follow the basic proce- dure for wireless E-TTL autoflash exposure to take the picture. See page 26.

Even with a wireless multi-flash system, you can use high-speed sync (FP flash), FE lock, and flash exposure compensation in the same way a s with a camera-attached 650EX.

Wireless high-speed sync (FP Wireless F E lock

Flash exposure compensation Flash exposure compensation can be set with the camera.

Wlrelchs manual flash

Wireless manual flash can be fired - by settlng the slave to single-slave

or manual flash Wlreless repeating flash

W i r e l e s s r e p e a t i n g f l a s h c a n be used when the slave has been set to slngle-slave or repeat~ngflash

F o r d e t a l l s , s e e t h e 5.50EXts Instruct~ons

After setting t h e wireless single- or multi-flash setup, just s e t t h e ST-E2's high-speed sync button to < 5~ >. This enables wireless high- speed sync. T h e slaves need not be touched at all.

After setting t h e wireless single- o r multi -flash s e t u p , j u s t p r e s s t h e c a m e r a ' s < FEL > b u t t o n t o enable wireless FE lock.

-All data are based un (';~non'?;Stt~nil;~t-'I'vcl.it Method.

S u b j e c t to change without noticc,.