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Canon Support for Speedlite 550EX | Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Speedlite 550EX
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- Windows 11
- Windows 10 (x64)
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1 (x64)
- Windows 8.1
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Software Development Kit
The Canon EOS Digital Camera Software Development Kit (EDSDK) and the Camera Control API (CCAPI) are available on select Canon cameras1 and enables developers to integrate select Canon cameras directly into their software application solutions, giving them access to remote control and communication functionality of the camera. The EDSDK supports USB communication on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems, while the CCAPI uses Wi-Fi (Ethernet on select cameras) and can be used with almost any OS.
The EDSDK and CCAPI (along with other SDKs and APIs) are provided free of charge and more information can be found at https://www.usa.canon.com/support/sdk.
1. Compatibility list available on Canon Developer Community website
SETUP & TROUBLESHOOTING
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PRODUCT INFO
Flash
Type | Direct- sync, shoe-mount flash with E-TTL/TTL autoflash control and wireless transmission/reception (E-TTL preflash, AF-assist beam, auto zoom, and bounce flash). |
Compatible Cameras | Type-A EOS cameras (for E-TTL autoflash control). Type-B EOS cameras (for TTL autoflash control). |
Guide Number | Normal Mode (ISO 100)High-Speed Sync (FP Flash, ISO 100) |
Flash Coverage | Auto zoom head covers 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 80mm, and 105mm lens focal lengths automatically. Manual zoom: Enabled with zoom button. Wide panel: When the built-in wide panel covers the flash head, flash coverage is extended for 17mm lens local length. |
Number of Flashes | |
Recycling Time | |
Flash Duration | 0.2 ms or less. For quick flash: 2.3 ms or shorter. |
Sync Speed | According to camera. |
Flash Range | With 50mm f/1.4 lens (at ISO 100): With normal flash: 0.5-30 meters/ 1.6- 100 feet With quick flash: Min. 0.5 - 7.5 meters and max. 0.5 - 21 meters/: Min. 1.6 - 25 feet and max. 1.6 - 70 feet With high- speed sync: 0.5 - 15 meters/ 1.6 - 49 feet (at 1/250 sec.) |
Flash Modes | Normal flash; Quick flash; High-speed sync (FP flash); Stroboscopic flash: 41 flash frequency settings, 31 firing settings; Preflash: Obtains exposure reading for E-TTL autoflash control; Test flash: With test firing button; Modeling flash: Fired with the EOS-3's depth-of-field preview button |
Exposure Control Modes | E-TTL autoflash (with Type-A cameras) TTL autoflash (with Type-B cameras) |
Flash Metering System | 1. E-TTL autoflash with instant metering using a preflash (with Type-A cameras). 2. E-TTL autoflash with instant partial metering using a preflash (with Type-A cameras). 3. E-TTL autoflash with instant spot metering using a preflash (with Type-A cameras). 4. TTL off-the-film autoflash metering (with Type-B cameras). |
Flash Exposure Compensation | 1. Automatic flash output reduction for fill flash. 2. Flash exposure compensation adjustable manually with the Speedlite up to +/-3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2- stop increments. 3. Flash exposure compensation adjustable manually up to ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2- stop increments with cameras equipped with flash exposure compensation function. |
Flash Exposure Bracketing | Set with the Speedlite up to +/-3 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments. |
Flash Exposure Confirmation | Yellow-green pilot lamp lights. |
Flash-ready Indication | Red pilot lamp indicates normal flash ready. Green pilot lamp indicates quick flash ready. |
AF Assist Beam | Linked to area AF (45 focusing points), effective from approx. 0.6 to 10 meters / 2 to 33 feet at the center and 0.6 to 5 meters / 2 to 16 feet along the periphery (in total darkness). |
Bounce Positions | |
Custom Functions |
Wireless Functions
Transmission System | Optical pulse transmission |
Configuration | Camera, master unit, and slave unit(s) |
Wireless Switchover | With wireless selector |
Wireless Selector Positions | OFF, Master, Slave |
Channels | 4 (Master unit) |
Transmission Angle | Horizontal: Approx. 80° / Vertical: Approx. 60° (At M 24 mm zoom setting) (Manual zooming of flash head also enabled) |
Transmission Range | Indoors: Approx. 12 to 15 meters / 39.3 to 49.2 feet Outdoors: Approx. 8 to 10 meters / 26.2 to 32.8 feet |
Number of Transmissions | Approx. 1500 (without master unit firing) |
Controllable Slaves | A, B, C (3 groups) |
Flash Control | 1. E- TTL autoflash (with Type-A cameras) High-speed sync (FP flash) / FE lock / flash exposure compensation / FEB / flash ratio control 2. Manual flash (with Type A and B cameras) 3. Stroboscopic flash (with Type A and B cameras) |
Flash Ratio Control | A:B = 8:1 to 1:1 or 1:1 to 1:8 (In thirteen 1/2-stop increments) (For C, flash exposure compensation can be set up to +/-3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments.) |
Master Flash | ON/OFF possible (When ON, automatic set as slave unit A.) (Slave unit) |
Reception Angle | Horizontal: Approx. 80°/ Vertical: Approx. 60° |
Flash Coverage | Set automatically to M 24mm (Manual zooming of flash head also enabled) |
Flash-ready Indication | AF-assist beam emitter blinks |
Flash Modes | 1. Controlled automatically by master unit 2. Manual flash and stroboscopic flash settable independently from master unit. |
Flash Exposure Compensation | Settable individually with each slave unit up to +/-±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments. |
Slave Operation Confirmation | Enabled with master unit's test firing button. |
Slave Unit SE Mode Cancellation | While the slave unit's SE mode is in effect, the slave unit turns on when a flash is fired. The slave unit's SE mode can be canceled by the following wireless operations: 1. When the master unit's test firing button is pressed. 2. When the camera's FE lock button is pressed. |
General
Power Source | Size-AA alkaline LR6 batteries (6 V) x 4; Size-AA Nicad KR 15/51 batteries x 4 Size-AA Lithium FR6 batteries (6 V) x 4 |
External Power Source | Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 Size-AA alkaline LR6 (AM-3) batteries (9 V) x 6; Transistor Pack E Battery Magazine TP with size-C alkaline LR14 (AM-2) batteries (9 V) x 6 Ni-Cd Pack TP (NR-SC Ni- Cd batteries x 6 in sealed pack) |
SE Mode | With the power switch set to SE, the Speedlite enters the SE mode as follows: 1. On-camera master unit enters the SE mode after 90 sec. of non-use. 2. Slave unit enters SE mode after 60 min. (or 10 min. with CF-4) of non-use. |
Dimensions | 80 (W) x 138 (H) x 112 (D) mm/ 3.1 (W) x 5.4 (H) x 4.4 (D) in |
Weight | 405g / 14.2 oz |
Canon Flashes Limited International Warranty
The Limited Warranty set forth below is given by Canon U.S.A., Inc. with respect to Canon Photographic Products purchased in the United States.
This Limited Warranty is only effective upon presentation of this warranty card and proof of purchase.
This Canon equipment is warranted against defective materials or workmanship for one year from the date of original purchase and is limited to repair, adjustment and/or replacement of defective parts.
Equipment covered by this Warranty will be repaired in the United States, WITHOUT CHARGE, by our Service Centers and Authorized Service Facilities.
When returning equipment for warranty service, the shipping charges must be prepaid and the equipment should be shipped in its original carton or box, or an equivalent, properly packed to withstand the hazards of shipment and be fully insured. A bill of sale, copy of this warranty card or other proof of purchase should be enclosed, as well as a description of the problem, film samples, etc. Repairs will be made and the equipment will be return shipped at NO CHARGE.
This warranty covers all defects encountered in normal use of the equipment, and does not apply in the following cases:
- loss of or damage to the equipment due to abuse causing deterioration, mishandling, accident or failure to follow operating instructions.
- if equipment is defective as a result of leaking batteries or liquid damage.
- if equipment has been serviced or modified by other than our Authorized Agents.
- Malfunction resulting from the use of accessories, attachments, product supplies, parts or devices (including, without limitation, batteries, film, lenses, flash attachments and other accessories) with this Canon photographic equipment that do not conform to Canon specifications.
- Damage resulting during shipment. (Claim must be presented and examined by the shipper.)
Equipment covered by this Warranty will be repaired in other countries:
a) by Service Centers located outside of the United States and Canada WITHOUT CHARGE. List of international service facilities included with equipment. b) by the participating Warranty Service Facilities located outside of the United States and Canada WITHOUT CHARGE, except for insurance, transportation, and handling charges. List of participating international service facilities included with equipment.
NO IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, APPLIES TO THIS EQUIPMENT AFTER THE ONE YEAR PERIOD STATED ABOVE, AND NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR GUARANTY, EXCEPT AS MENTIONED ABOVE, GIVEN BY ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS EQUIPMENT SHALL BIND THE UNDERSIGNED. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS. SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. NEITHER THE UNDERSIGNED NOR ANY OTHER PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF FILM OR PROJECTION BULB, OTHER LOSSES, EXPENSE OR INCONVENIENCES, OR FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE EQUIPMENT. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY SHALL NOT EXTEND TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THIS EQUIPMENT OR THE PERSON FOR WHOM IT WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from stat to state.
This warranty is given by Canon U.S.A., Inc., with respect to equipment purchased in the United States.
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