The Canon 580EX Speedlite can be used in manual or automatic mode.
The 580EX Speedlite was Canon's top-of-the-line external camera flash when it was introduced. It was replaced by the 580 EX II in 2007. When attached to any of Canon's digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, the Speedlite can be operated in a fully automatic setting so it will communicate with the camera to determine the best possible exposure. You also can use the Canon 580EX Speedlite in full manual mode, giving you complete control over the flash operation.
Instructions
1. Turn off the camera and the Speedlite, slide the Speedlite onto the DSLR camera's hot shoe, and lock the Speedlite in place by turning the locking ring.
2. Turn on the camera and 580EX Speedlite. Select any of the automated exposure modes on the camera. Press the "Mode" button on the back of the speedlite until you see "ETTL" in the LCD screen; ETTL stands for Evaluative Through the Lens. In this mode, the speedlite will communicate with the camera to select the most appropriate shutter speed, lens aperture and power output from the speedlite for the best exposure.
3. Press the button on the side of the 580EX Speedlite flash head to tilt the flash head toward the ceiling. The 580EX Speedlite's movable flash head can be tilted toward the ceiling to create softer light and rotated if you are using the camera in a vertical position. Bouncing the light off the ceiling creates a more natural-looking light on your subject.
4. Hold the camera to your eye, press the shutter release halfway down to activate the camera and look for a diagonal lightning bolt in the viewfinder; this icon indicates that the flash is ready to fire.
5. Adjust the composition of the photo in the viewfinder, then press the shutter release the rest of the way to take the photo.
Tags: 580EX Speedlite, flash head, Canon 580EX, Canon 580EX Speedlite, communicate with, communicate with camera