| Speedlites |  Amazon |
Zoom1 (mm) | Guide No.1 (m) | Auto Metering2 | AF Beam (m) | Manual Features3 | HSS4 | RPT (Hz) | Flash Duration (s) | Reload5 (s)
Standard | Rapid Fire |
Head Movement (°) vert. | horiz. |
Master6 | Slave6 | Groups/Ch. | Trigger Input | Size (mm) | Weight (g) | Power7 | Production | Comments | Tests/Reviews | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Speedlite 160E | 35 | 16 | TTL | 5 | -/- | no | ≤1/1000 | 0.3 - 1.7 | yes | no | no | no | -/- | 83 x 59 x 52 | 85 | 1x 2CR5 | 1988 - 1990 | ||||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 200E |  |
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(28) 35 | (14) 20 | TTL | 5 | -/- | no | ≤1/1000 | 0.3 - 1.7 | no | no | no | no | -/- | 104 x 64 x 41 | 130 | 4x AA | 1990 | ||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 200M | 20 | built-in* | -/- | no | no | no | -/- | *features built-in metering sensor; this flash was exclusively designed for the Canon EF-M ; can be used with all other EOS models in manual mode | |||||||||||||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 300TL* | |
24 - 85 | 25 - 40 | TTL/A-TTL | -/- | 2CS, M (≥1/16) | no | 1/20000 - 1/700 | 0.2 - 6/13 | no | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | no | -/- | 120 x 94 x 81 | 395 | 4x AA | 1986 - 1991 | *a Speedlite only according to its manual, not labeled on the unit itself; was designed for the T series, but is fully compatible with A-TTL EOS models too | |||||||
| Canon Speedlite 480EG | |
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(20) 35 (135) | (24) 48 (68) | TTL/built-in | -/- | M (≥1/16) | no | 1/20000 - 1/850 | 0.2 - 6/17* | yes | 0 - 90 | -180 - 115 | no | w/ Slave Unit E | -/- | PC | 291 x 257 x 115 | 1065 | 4x AA or TP-E | 1993 | *with Ni-Cd Pack TP/C-size alkalines; Nickname: Potato Masher; features built-in (non-TTL) metering and a handgrip that can plug onto a hot shoe; uses wide angle diffuser 480 EG-20 and tele attachement 480 EG-135 | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 300EZ | |
28 - 70 | 22 - 30 | TTL/A-TTL | 6 (Center AF) | 2CS | no | ≤1/1000 | 0.3 - 6/8 | 1 | no | no | no | -/- | 101 x 89 x 66 | 215 | 4x AA | 1987 - 1995 | not compatible w/ lithium cells | ||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 420EZ | |
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24 - 80 | 25 - 42 | TTL/A-TTL | 8 (Center AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/32), Z | no | 1 - 5 | ≤1/667 | 0.2 - 6.5/13 | 1.5 | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | no | -/- | 122 x 106 x 75 | 350 | 4x AA | 1987 - 1989 | not compatible w/ lithium cells | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 430EZ | |
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24 - 80 | 25 - 43 | TTL/A-TTL | 10 (Center AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/32), Z, FEC | no | 1 - 10 | ≤1/667 | 0.2 - 6.5/13 | 1/1.5 | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | no | -/- | 122 x 106 x 75 | 365 | 4x AA or TP-E | 1989 - 1994 | not compatible w/ lithium cells | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 540EZ | |
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(18) 24 - 105 | (16) 28 - 54 | TTL/A-TTL | 15 (5 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC | no | 1 - 100 | ≤1/833 (1/435) | 0.2 - 6/12 | 0.2 - 1.5/2 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | no | -/- | 138 x 112 x 80 | 405 | 4x AA or CP-E2 | 1994 - 2005 | compatible w/ lithium cells | ||||
| Canon Speedlite 90EX | |
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24 | 9 | E-TTL (II) | preflash only* | no | 5.5 | no | no | optical pulse** | no | -/- | 65 x 52 x 44.2 | 50 | 2x AAA | 2012 | *can only be activated on bodies with Speedlite control menu (500D, 5DII...); **working distance 5-7m; dedicated to the EOS M, yet not enough info available to tell whether working with other EOS models at all | ||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 220EX | |
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28 | 22 | TTL/E-TTL | 5 (Center AF) | yes | ≤1/714 | 0.1 - 4.5 | no | no | no | no | no | -/- | 92 x 65 x 61.3 | 160 | 4x AA | 1996 - 2009 | not compatible w/ lithium cells | ||||||
| Canon Speedlite 270EX | |
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28 + 50 | 22/27 | E-TTL (II) | 4 (preflash only*) | yes** | ≤1/1000 | 0.1 - 3.9 | 0.1 - 2.6 | 0 - 90 | no | no | no | -/- | 72 x 65 x 64 | 145 | 2x AA | 2009 - 2011 | *can only be activated on bodies with Speedlite control menu (500D, 5DII...); **officially supported are bodies 1000D, 450D, 40D, 5DII, 1DsIII and newer, 400D is reported to work too; capable of APS-C readjustment | Photonotes | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 270EX II | |
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28 + 50 | 22/27 | E-TTL (II) | 4 (preflash only*) | M (≥1/64) | yes | ≤1/1000 | 0.1 - 3.9 | 0.1 - 2.6 | 0 - 90 | no | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 1grp, 4ch | 77 x 65.8 x 65.2 | 155 | 2x AA | 2011 | *can only be activated on bodies with Speedlite control menu (500D, 5DII...); capable of APS-C readjustment | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 320EX | |
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24 + 50 | 24/32 | E-TTL (II) | preflash and LED | 2CS, M (≥1/64), Z, FEC | yes | ≤1/714 | 0.1 - 2.3 | 0.1 - 1.8 | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | 115 x 78.4 x 70 | 275 | 4x AA | 2011 | video light function (75 Lux, 4500 - 6500K) | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 380EX | |
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24 - 105 | 21 - 38 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (Center AF) | 2CS | yes | ≤1/714 | 0.1 - 4.5/7.5 | no | 0 - 90 | no | no | no | -/- | 114 x 104 x 75 | 270 | 4x AA | 1995 - 2001 | compatible w/ lithium cells | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 420EX | |
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24 - 105 | 23 - 42 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 7 (7 Point AF) | 2CS | yes | ≤1/833 | 0.1 - 4.5/7.5 | no | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | 123 x 100 x 72 | 300 | 4x AA | 2000 - 2005 | compatible w/ lithium cells | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 430EX | |
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(14) 24 - 105 | (11) 25 - 43 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (9 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/64), Z, FEC (±3), CFn (6) | yes | 1 - 100* | ≤1/714 | 0.1 - 3.7 | no | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | 122 x 101 x 72 | 300 | 4x AA | 2005 - 2008 | *wireless only; compatible w/ lithium cells; capable of APS-C readjustment | Jörg Napiwotzki's Vergleichstest | ||
| Canon Speedlite 430EX II | |
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(14) 24 - 105 | (11) 25 - 43 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes (9 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/64), Z, FEC (±3), CFn (9) | yes | yes* | ≤1/714 | 0.1 - 3.8 | no | 0 - 90 | -180 - 90 | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | 122 x 101 x 72 | 320 | 4x AA | 2008 | *wireless only; capable of APS-C readjustment | |||
| Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT | |
(14) 24 - 105 | () - 43 | E-TTL (II) | preflash + IR | 2CS, M (≥1/128), FEC | yes | 3.5 | 0 - 90 | -150 - 180 | IR + radio | IR + radio | 3g/4ch + 5g/15ch | 113.8 x 98.2 x 70.5 | ~295 | 4x AA | 2015 | capable of APS-C readjustment; Color Filter SCF-E2, Bounce Adapter SBA-E2 and Color Filter Holder for SBA-E2 optionally available | |||||||||
| Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI | (14) 24 - 105 | () - 47 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (1-19 points) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), FEC, CFn (19) | yes | no | ≤1/950 (1/?) | 0.1 - 5.5 | 0.1 - 3.9 | 0 - 120 | -180 - 180 | no | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | no | 130.4 x 105.1 x 74.6 | 385 | 4x AA | 2018 | capable of APS-C readjustment; the AI Bounce requires camera compatibility - check the 470's manual for details | TIPA Photo Innovation Award 2018; EISA Photo Innovation Award 2018-2019 | |||||
| Canon Speedlite 550EX | |
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(17) 24 - 105 | (15) 28 - 55 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (45 Point AF*) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC (±3), CFn (6) | yes | 1 - 199 | ≤1/833 (1/435) | 0.1 - 8 | 0.1 - 4 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 90 | IR | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | 138 x 112 x 80 | 405 | 4x AA or CP-E2 | 1998 - 2004 | *does not cover the upper and lower AF points of 7 point AF cameras; compatible w/ lithium cells; NOT capable of APS-C calculations | Photonotes EF-500 DGS vs. SL 550EX | |||
| Canon Speedlite 580EX | |
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(14) 24* - 105 | (15) 28 - 58 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (45 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC, CFn (14) | yes | 1 - 199 | ≤1/833 (1/435) | 0.1 - 6 | 0.1 - 3 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 180 | IR | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | see Gen.Note 4.) | 134 x 114 x 76 | 375 | 4x AA or CP-E3 | 2004 - 2007 | compatible w/ lithium cells; capable of APS-C readjustment: *with some APS cameras this function is buggy (vignetting at 24mm and below) | ||||
| Canon Speedlite 580EX II | |
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(14) 24 - 105 | (15) 28 - 58 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | 10 (45 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC, CFn (13) | yes | 1 - 199 | ≤1/833 (1/435) | 0.1 - 5 | 0.1 - 2.5 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 180 | IR | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | PC | 137 x 117 x 76 | 405 | 4x AA or CP-E4 | 2007 | compatible w/ lithium cells; capable of APS-C readjustment; dust and moisture sealings, metal mounting foot | |||
| Canon Speedlite 600EX | |
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(14) 20 - 200 | (15) 26 - 60 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes (61 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC (±3), CFn (18) | yes | 1 - 199 | ≤1/555 (1/435) | 0.1 - 3.3 | 0.1 - 2.5 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 180 | IR | IR wireless E-TTL | 3grps, 4ch | PC | 142.9 x 125.4 x 79.7 | 425 | 4x AA or CP-E4 | 2012 | dust and moisture sealings, metal mounting foot | Lighting Rumors on 600EX & w/ Pixel King | ||
| Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT | |
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(14) 20 - 200 | (15) 26 - 60 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes (61 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128), Z, FEC (±3), CFn (18) | yes | 1 - 500* | ≤1/555 (1/435) | 0.1 - 3.3 | 0.1 - 2.5 | -7 - 90 | -180 - 180 | IR + radio | IR + radio | 3g/4ch + 5g/15ch | PC | 142.9 x 125.4 x 79.7 | 425 | 4x AA or CP-E4 | 2012 - 2016 | *in radio mode (1 - 199 as optical slave); max. radio working distance is ~30m; dust and moisture sealings, metal mounting foot; a counterfeit warning was issued in 06.2015 | Lighting Rumors on 600EX & w/ Pixel King | |||
| Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT | |
(14) 20 - 200 | () - 60 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes (61 Point AF) | 2CS, M (≥1/128) | 1 - 500* | 0.1 - 3.3 | yes | -7 - 90 | -180 - 180 | IR + radio | IR + radio | 3g/4ch + 5g/15ch | yes | 143.2 x 122.7 x 78.7 | 435 | 4x AA or CP-E4N | 2016 | *1 - 199 as optical slave; capable of APS-C readjustment; dust and moisture sealings; ships with SCF-E3 color filter set | |||||||
| Canon Speedlite EL-100 | 24 - 50* | - 26 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | preflash only | M (≥1/128), Z | yes | 1 - 500** | - 5.8 | 0 - 90 | -150 - 180 | IR | IR | 3grps, 4ch | 64.6 x 91.7 x 71.0 | 190 | 2x AA | 2018 | *manual zoom only, no auto zoom; **1 - 199 as optical slave; | |||||||||
| Macrolites | Amazon |
Zoom (mm) | Guide No. (m) | Auto Metering2 | AF Beam (m) | Manual Features3 | HSS4 | RPT (Hz) | Flash Duration (s) | Reload5 (s)
Standard | Rapid Fire |
Head Movement (°) vert. | horiz. |
Master6 | Slave6 | Groups/Ch. | Trigger Input | Size (mm) | Weight (g) | Power | Production | Comments | Tests/Reviews | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Macro Ring Lite ML-3 | |
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-/- | 11 | TTL | 1 | ≤1/667 | 0.2 - 6/13 | no | head rotates 360° | no | no | -/- | see comments | 365 | 4x AA | 1989 | not compatible w/ lithium cells; engineered for C/AF macro lenses; size of Control unit: 107 x 74 x 61, size of flash unit: 123 x 106 x 25 | |||||||||
| Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX | |
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-/- | 24 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes | 2CS, M (≥1/64), FEC (±3), CFn (7) | yes | ≤1/714 (1/38) | 0.1 - 7 | no | head rotates 360° | IR | no | 3grps, 4ch | see comments | 430 | 4x AA or C/TP-E | 2000 | compatible w/ lithium cells; size of control unit: 126 x 98 x 74, size of flash ring: 126 x 113 x 26; natively mounts to Ø58mm | ||||||
| Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II | |
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-/- | 24 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes | 2CS, M (≥1/128), FEC | yes | 5.5 | IR | no | 3grps, 4ch | see comments | 455 | 4x AA or CP-E4 | 2014 | size of control unit: 69.6 x 118.8 x 71.4, size of flash ring: 129.6 x 112.1 x 25.3; provides a 67mm filter thread (can't be equipped when using the 50mm F2.5 Compact Macro!) | |||||||||
| Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX | |
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-/- | 1x 26 or 2x 12 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes | 2CS, M (≥1/64), FEC (±3), CFn (7) | yes | ≤1/714 (1/38) | 0.1 - 7 | no | yes | yes | IR | no | 3grps, 4ch | see comments | 585 | 4x AA or C/TP-E | 2001 | compatible w/ lithium cells; size of control unit: 126 x 98 x 74, size of flash heads incl. mount ring: 235 x 91 x 49; provides a 58mm filter thread (can't be used with the 50mm F2.5 Compact Macro!) | ||||
| Canon Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT | -/- | 26 | TTL/E-TTL (II) | yes | 2CS, M (≥1/512), FEC | yes | 5.5 | IR + radio | IR + radio | 3/5grps, 4/15ch | see comments | 570 + 20.1 | 4x AA or CP-E4n | 2017 | size of control unit: 69.5 x 112.5 x 90, size of flash heads incl. mount ring: 62.3 x 55.8 x 49.1; provides a 58mm filter thread (can't be used with the 50mm F2.5 Compact Macro!) | ||||||||||||
| Accessories | Amazon |
Compatibility & Functions | Size (mm) | Weight (g) | Power | Production | Tests/Reviews | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon MacroLite Adapter 52C | |
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allows the use of macro flashes ML-3 & MT with filter Ø52mm lenses (MR compatible anyway) | ||||||||
| Canon MacroLite Adapter 58C | |
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allows the use of macro flashes ML-3 & MT with filter Ø58mm lenses (MR compatible anyway) | ||||||||
| Canon MacroLite Adapter 67C | |
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allows the use of macro flashes ML-3, MR & MT with filter Ø67mm lenses | ||||||||
| Canon MacroLite Adapter 72C | |
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allows the use of macro flashes ML-3, MR & MT with filter Ø72mm lenses | ||||||||
| Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 | for 430EZ, 540EZ, 550EX, 580EX, MR-14EX & MT-24EX | 6x AA | |||||||||
| Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E3 | |
for 430EZ, 540EZ, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, MR-14EX & MT-24EX; compatible AA magazine is CPM-E3 | 8x AA | ||||||||
| Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 | |
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for 580EX II with special sealing, but also fits the others; compatible AA magazine is CPM-E4 | 8x AA | |||||||
| Canon Transistor Pack E | for 430EZ, 540EZ, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, MR-14EX & MT-24EX; either supplied with Battery Magazine TP for C cells or with Ni-Cd Pack TP (told to be better than CP-E2, but not as good as CP-E3) | 6x C or Ni-Cd | |||||||||
| Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 | |
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serves as IR master for slave capable Speedlites; supports E-TTL II (incl. HSS); AF assist beam (10m, fits 45 Point AF, does not cover the upper and lower AF points of 7 point AF cameras); 2 groups, 4 channels; 10 - 15m working range | 80 x 62 x 51 | 100 | 1x 2CR5 | 1998 | Lighting Rumors: Canon vs. YongNuo | ||
| Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT | |
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serves as radio master for RT Speedlites (no IR!!); supports E-TTL II (incl. HSS); no AF assist beam; 5 groups, 15 channels; manual settings include 2CS, M (≥1/128) and FEC; 30m working range; can be used as remote shutter release; dust and moisture sealings | 77.4 x 67.4 x 61.5 | 110 | 2x AA | 2012 | The Digital Picture Review | ||
| Canon Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2 | |
sometimes referred to as "OC-E2"; supports all EZ and EX series flashes as well as 480EG, but does not work with the EOS 600 and RT | length=60cm | 75 | The Digital Picture | ||||||
| Canon Off-Camera Shoe Cord 3 [OC-E3] | |
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identical to OC-E2 in compatibility; features some improvements like metal shoe and foot, dust and moisture sealings to fit 580EX II, 1D MKIII etc. concepts | length=60cm | The Digital Picture | ||||||
| Canon Slave Unit E | small wireless trigger accessory for the Canon Speedlite 480EG (non-TTL) and other flashes featuring a PC port | ||||||||||
| Canon Bounce Adapter SBA-E2 | dome type diffusor cap for Speedlite 430EX III-RT | ||||||||||
| Canon Bounce Adapter SBA-E3 | dome type diffusor cap for Speedlite 600EX II-RT | ||||||||||
| General Notes: | |
| 1.) | Lithium batteries: In 12.2014 Canon released a product advisory stating the incompatibility of lithium cells with all of their Speedlites, Macrolites and Battery Packs due to possible overheating. Kinda curious case, since at least the manuals for some of the models included in the advisory clearly state the opposite. Further it's not clear how it took them 27 years of Speedlite manufacturing for EOS to recognize this or what made them release such an advisory at this time. Unlike somewhat misleadingly stated by Canon USA to be valid for USA and Puerto Rico residents only, this advisory was posted globally on various regional Canon pages including DE, NZ, HK and others. |
| 2.) | Canon ML 1 & 2 are TTL-flashes, but they don't work properly with EOS models. ML 2 works with T90 only. |
| 3.) | Canon's classic wireless TTL system (communication via IR bursts) finds some compatible models among aftermarket offerings. Those are the Metz Mecabounce AF-1 series and all Sigma Remote capable flashes (reported to work buggy), the Genesis Speedlight SP692C, Nissin's Digital Speedlites Di700, Di866 and Di866 II and their MG8000 Extreme, the Phottix Mitros+, Voeloon's 330EX/331EX, V200 and V600 Speedlights, the Voking Speedlites V550 and V580, the Yashica Speedlight YS9100 and a bunch of YongNuo Speedlites including the YN500EX, YN565EX, YN568EX and YN568EX II (they have even more compatible models among their E-TTL slave capable but otherwise manual only flashes, i.e. YN510EX). Just to name a few. |
| 4.) | Canon's more recent radio based wireless TTL system also got some company in the likes of YongNuo's Speedlite Transmitter YN-E3-RT and their upcoming YN600EX-RT Speedlite. |
| 5.) | FlashZebra is a company (?) focusing on manual flash gimmicks. They offer a modified replacement foot assembly for the 580EX Mark I containing a 3.5mm mini jack sync port. |
| 6.) | See the processing log. Additions are welcome. |
| Online Resources: | |
| Canon Camera Museum (old version here) | |
| Canon Europe | |
| Canon Deutschland | |
| Canon Schweiz (for PR as .pdf) | |
| Canon UK (for PR as .pdf) | |
| Canon USA | |
| Canon Hongkong (for PR as .pdf) | |
| Canon Singapore (with a few manuals not to be found somewhere else) | |
Other:
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