ETTL on 35mm EOS

j-dogg · May 7, 2011

Is it possible with the 540ez? I got a 550ex for my digitals and it works in ETTL on my Elan 7e. the 540ez is old school 35mm, and ETTL doesn't work on my digis (but it works on my 5D which is interesting, but not my friend's D30 or my 400d) should I be okay? Figured I'd ask here before I burned an exposure.

TimmyMac · May 7, 2011

540EZ is ATTL. 550EX is ETTL

j-dogg · May 7, 2011

really......i've used multi mode on it exclusively on my 35mm but have never done ATTL or whatever it is on film. im still learning flash stuff. i like being able to bounce stuff off a ceiling finally

Poisson Du Jour · May 7, 2011

The 540EZ is not "old school": it is a preferred working tool still extremely common among working professionals for its very high recycling rate compared to later flashes. ETTL is not part of the 540EZ flash specification, only ATTL. ETTL came out with the EOS 3 and EOS 1N V with a beefed-up specification in the latter, and carry-over to Canon's mid-range digital SLRs, of which the EOS 5D is a member. It is perhaps not a wise investment in security to relay on ATTL or ETTL in situations where you know (based on experience) an evaluative or centre-weighted meter can be fooled with supplementary flash, such as mixed or contrasty light. Canon's flash system has braved a lot flack over time, and most of the negative commentary is from users who relay too fervently on system automation then blame the camera for a result they weren't envisioning.

j-dogg · May 7, 2011

yeah i think something is wrong with my 540ez it takes longer to recycle than it used to, like the batteries are dead or something. I might open it up and see what's going on. my 550ex is about as fast as my 540 used to be.

i rarely use automated anything, I've exclusively shot full manual mode with the flash in either manual mode or multi.

Poisson Du Jour · May 8, 2011

The 540EZ works best with an external battery pack for its high recycling turn-over. Not to say it can also recycle very quickly in manual output using lithium batteries, but with that power source you must be aware of the steep and sudden death curve during and especially after heavy use. A pack of alkaline batteries is never far away from me when I am using the flash, albeit not very ofte now in a landscape context.

agphotography · May 9, 2011

Poisson Du Jour said:
The 540EZ is not "old school": it is a preferred working tool still extremely common among working professionals for its very high recycling rate compared to later flashes. ETTL is not part of the 540EZ flash specification, only ATTL. ETTL came out with the EOS 3 and EOS 1N V with a beefed-up specification in the latter, and carry-over to Canon's mid-range digital SLRs, of which the EOS 5D is a member. It is perhaps not a wise investment in security to relay on ATTL or ETTL in situations where you know (based on experience) an evaluative or centre-weighted meter can be fooled with supplementary flash, such as mixed or contrasty light. Canon's flash system has braved a lot flack over time, and most of the negative commentary is from users who relay too fervently on system automation then blame the camera for a result they weren't envisioning.

Quote for truth. Couldn't have said it better myself

j-dogg · May 10, 2011

I got a bunch of rechargeables I use with my 540ez / 550ex

daveandiputra · May 11, 2011

Good article on EOS flash photography: www.photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

ETTL on 35mm EOS

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