Canon Speedlite 550EX User Manual

Canon
SPEEDLITE
550EX

Canon Speedlite 550EX Specifications

Weight and Dimensions

Weight	405 g

Summary

Conventions Used in this Booklet

Nomenclature

Front

Identifies and describes the front components of the Speedlite 550EX.

Rear

Identifies and describes the rear components of the Speedlite 550EX.

LCD Panel

Details the indicators and information displayed on the Speedlite's LCD panel.

Before You Start

Installing Batteries

Instructions for inserting and cautioning about batteries for the Speedlite.

External Power Sources

Information on compatible external power sources and their specifications.

Attaching the Speedlite to the Camera

Step-by-step guide on how to securely mount the Speedlite onto a camera's hot shoe.

Wireless Selector

Explains the function and settings of the wireless selector switch.

Main Switch

Details the operation and modes of the Speedlite's main power switch.

Flash Exposure Confirmation

How to check if a correct flash exposure has been achieved after firing.

Zoom Button and Wide Panel Usage

Guides on using the zoom function and the built-in wide panel of the flash head.

Flash Mode Selection

How to select different flash modes like E-TTL, Manual, and Stroboscopic.

AF-Assist Beam

Explains the function and conditions for the AF-assist beam to activate.

Reverting to Default Settings

How to reset Speedlite settings to their original default values.

For Type-A Cameras

Basic Flash Photography

Introduces basic flash photography techniques using E-TTL autoflash with Type-A cameras.

Advanced Flash Photography

Explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX.

Wireless Flash Photography

Covers wireless flash photography, explaining built-in master and slave flash features.

For Type-B Cameras

Basic Flash Photography

Basic flash photography with TTL autoflash for Type-B cameras like EOS-1N.

Advanced Flash Photography

Explains advanced flash operations possible with the Speedlite 550EX.

Wireless Flash Photography

Covers wireless flash photography, explaining built-in master and slave flash features.

Custom Functions

Setting a Custom Function

Step-by-step guide to accessing and setting custom functions on the Speedlite.

Custom Function Settings

Table detailing available custom functions, their numbers, settings, and descriptions.

Troubleshooting Guide

Specifications

Guide No. (At ISO 100 in meters)

Provides flash guide numbers for various focal lengths and flash modes.

Maximum Continuous Flashes

Details the maximum number of continuous flashes possible based on flash output and frequency.

AF-Assist Beam Emission Preconditions

Lists camera combinations and conditions for AF-assist beam emission.

Speedlite 550EX Feature Availability

Table showing feature compatibility across different Canon camera models.