Canon 50d Owners Manual

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The built-in flash and an external Speedlite can also be set with the 
menu. The menu for the external Speedlite will be applicable only to 
EX-series Speedlites whose functions can be set with the camera .
Select [Flash control].
 Under the [7 ] tab, select [Flash 
control ], then press < 0>.
X The flash control screen will appear.
  Normally, set this to [Enable ].
  If [Disable] is set, both the built-in 
flash and external Speedlite will 
not fire. This is useful when you only 
want to use the AF-assist beam.
  [Flash mode ] cannot be selected.
  [Flash exp. comp ] can be set as 
explained on page 109.
  Set [ E-TTL II ] as explained on the 
next page.
  Shutter sync.
Normally, set this to [ 1st curtain] so that the flas h fires immediately 
after the exposure starts.
If [ 2nd curtain ] is set, the flash will fire right before the exposure 
ends. When this is combined with a slow sync speed, you can create 
a trail of light such as from ca r headlights at night. With 2nd curtain 
sync, two flashes will be fired,  once when you press the shutter 
button completely, and once immediately before the exposure ends.
3  Flash Control N
About [Flash firing]
About [Built-in fl ash func. setting]
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3 Flash Control N
 E-TTL II
For normal flash exposures, set it to [Evaluative].
If [Average] is set, the flash exposure will  be averaged for the entire metered 
scene as with an external metering flash. Flash exposure compensation may 
be necessary depending on the scene, so this setting is for advanced users.
Select either [External flash func. setting] or [External flash C.Fn setting]. For details on which external Speedlite settings the camera can set, see the 
compatible EX-series
 (such as the 430EX II) Speedlite’s instruction manual.
Attach the Speedlite to the camera and turn it on.
1Select either [External flash func. 
setting] or [External flash C.Fn 
setting].
  Turn the < 5> dial to select the item, 
then press < 0>.
  Settings which cannot be set will be 
dimmed.
2Set the external flash function 
settings.
 Select a flash function and set it as 
desired. The procedure is the same 
as setting a menu function.
  On the flash function settings screen, 
the settable items or current settings 
displayed differ depending on the 
current flash mode settings or flash 
Custom Function settings.
  If you press the  button to clear 
the Speedlite settings, both the 
external Speedlite and built-in flash 
settings will be cleared.
Setting an Exte rnal Speedlite
External flash func. setting
External flash C.Fn setting
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Basically operates like a built-in flash for easy operation.
When an EX-series Speedlite is attached to the camera, almost all the 
autoflash control is done by the camera. In other words, it is like a high-
output flash attached externally in place of the built-in flash.
For detailed instructions, see the  EX-series Speedlite’s instruction 
manual. This camera is a Type-A camera that can use all the features of 
EX-series Speedlites.
  With an EZ/E/EG/ML/TL-series Speedlite set in the TTL or A-TTL 
autoflash mode, the flash can be fired at full output only.  Set the 
camera’s shooting mode to < a> (manual exposure) or  
(aperture-priority AE) and adjust the aperture setting before 
shooting.
  When using a Speedlite which has m anual flash mode, shoot in the 
manual flash mode.
External Speedlites
EOS-dedicated, EX- series Speedlites
Canon Speedlites other than the EX-series
Shoe-mount Speedlites Macro Lites
 With an EX-series Speedlite not controllable by the camera, only [ Flash 
exp. comp ] and [E-TTL II ] can be settable for [External flash func. 
setting ] (p.111).
(For some EX-series Speedlites, [ Shutter sync.] can also be settable.)
  When the flash metering mode is set to TTL autoflash with the flash’s 
Custom Function, the flash will fire at full output only.
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External Speedlites
Sync Speed
The camera can synchronize with non-Canon compact flash units at  
1/250 sec. and slower speeds. With large studio flash units, since the 
flash duration is longer, set the sync speed within 1/60 sec. to 1/30 sec. 
Be sure to test the flash synchronization before shooting.
PC Terminal
 The camera’s PC terminal can be 
used with flash units having a sync 
cord. The PC terminal is threaded to 
prevent inadvertent disconnection.
  The camera’s PC terminal has no 
polarity. You can connect any sync 
cord regardless of its polarity.
Cautions for Live View shooting
When using a non-Canon flash unit for  Live View shooting, set the [6 
Live View function settings ] menu’s [Silent shoot. ] to [Disable]. The 
flash will not fire  if it is set to [Mode 1] or [Mode 2].
Using Non-Canon Flash Units
 If the camera is used with a flash unit or flash accessory dedicated to 
another camera brand, the camera may not operate properly and 
malfunction may result.
  Do not connect to the camera’s PC  terminal any flash unit requiring 250 
V or more.
  Do not attach a high-voltage flash unit on the camera’s hot shoe. It might 
not fire.
A flash unit attached to the camera’s hot shoe and a flash unit connected to 
the PC terminal can both be used at the same time.
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6
Live View Shooting
You can shoot while viewing the picture on the camera’s 
LCD monitor. This is called “Live View shooting.”
Live View shooting is effective for still subjects which do 
not move.
If you handhold the camera and shoot while viewing the 
LCD monitor, camera shake can cause blurred images. 
Using a tripod is recommended.
About Remote Live View ShootingWith EOS Utility (provided software) installed in your personal 
computer, you can connect the camera to the personal computer 
and shoot remotely while viewing the computer screen instead of 
the camera’s viewfinder. For details, see the Software Instruction 
Manual in the CD-ROM.
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Set the camera for Live View shooting.
1Set the shooting mode.
 Set the shooting mode to a Creative 
Zone mode.
  Live View shooting does not work 
in Basic Zone modes.
2Select [Live View function 
settings].
 Under the [6 ] tab, select [Live View 
function settings ], then press .
3Select [Live View shoot.].
  Turn the < 5> dial to select [ Live 
View shoot. ], then press < 0>.
  Turn the < 5> dial to select [ Enable], 
then press < 0>.
4Set any other functions.
  If necessary, set the following 
functions. Refer to the respective 
page for details.
• Exposure simulation (p.117)
• Grid display (p.119) 
• Silent shooting (p.128)
• Metering timer (p.119)
• AF mode (p.121)
Preparing for Live View Shooting N
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Preparing for Live View ShootingN
5Display the Live View image.
 Press the < A> button.
X The Live View image will appear on 
the LCD monitor.
  Press the < A> button again to turn 
off the LCD monitor and return to 
normal shooting.
Exposure simulation displays and simulates how the brightness of the 
actual image will look. The [ Disable] and [Enable] settings are 
explained below:
  Disable
The image is displayed at the standard brightness to make the Live 
View image easy to see.
  Enable
The Live View image will closely reflect the brightness level of the 
actual image you capture. If y ou set exposure compensation, the 
image brightness will  change accordingly.
About [Exposure simulation]
 During Live View shooting, do not point the camera toward the sun. The 
sun’s heat can damage the camera’s internal components.
  Notes for using Live View shooting are on pages 129-130.
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1Use AF to focus.
 Press the < p> button.
X The camera will focus with the current 
AF mode (p.121).
2Take the picture.
  Press the shutter button completely.
X The picture will be taken and the 
captured image is displayed on the 
LCD monitor.
X After the image review ends, the 
camera will return to Live View 
shooting automatically.
  As with normal shooting through the  viewfinder, while the Live View 
image is displayed, you can still  use the camera buttons to change 
settings and playback images. 
 
When you press the  or  button, you can display 
and change the settings on the LCD monitor. During Live View 
shooting, the metering mode will be set to evaluative metering 
regardless of the current metering mode setting.
  To check the depth of field, press the depth-of-field preview button. 
The image brightness displayed will  be close to the actual brightness 
of the resulting image.
  During continuous shooting, the expos ure set for the first shot will 
also be applied to subsequent shots.
  Using < 8> will be the same as using < d>.
Shooting N
Operations During Live View Display
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ShootingN
 Pressing the < M> button will display the menu screen so you 
can set menu functions. Press the  button again to return 
to the Live View image. If you select [ 2 Dust Delete Data], [ 6 
Sensor cleaning ], [7  Clear settings ], or [7 Firmware Ver. ], the 
Live View shooting will be terminated.
Battery Life with Live View Shooting [Approx. number of shots]
 The figures above are based on a fully-charged Battery Pack BP-511A and 
CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards.
  Continuous Live View shooting is possible for about 1 hours at 23°C/73°F (with 
fully-charged BP-511A).
  Using AF will decrease the number of possible shots.
TemperatureShooting Conditions
No Flash 50% Flash Use
At 23°C / 73°F180170
At 0°C / 32°F 140 130
  The image’s field of view is about 100%.
  If the camera is not operated for a prolonged period, the power will turn 
off automatically as set with [ 5 Auto power off ] (p.44). If [5 Auto 
power off ] is set to [ Off], the Live View shooting will stop automatically 
after 30 min. (camera power remains on).
  A grid can be displayed. With the [ 6 Live View function settings ] 
menu’s [ Grid display ], you can set either [ Grid 1] or [Grid 2 ].
  With the [ 6 Live View function settings] menu’s [ Metering timer], you 
can change how long the AE lock’s setting is to be retained.
  When you take a picture with flash, the shutter will sound like it took two 
shots. However, only one shot will be taken.
  With the video cable (provided) or HDMI cable (sold separately), you can 
display the Live View image on a TV (p.141-142).
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ShootingN
 Each time you press the < B> button, the information display will 
change.
About the Information Display
Magnifying frame Histogram
ISO speed
Shots remaining
Exposure level
AEB range
Aperture
Shutter speed
AE lock
Picture Style
Battery check
Flash-ready
Drive mode
Live View exposure simulation
White balance
Image-recording quality
Flash exposure compensation
AF mode
AF point
(Quick mode)
AEB 
FEB
Highlight tone priority
 About the < E> icon If Live View shooting is done under direct sunlight or other high-temperature 
environments, the  icon (warning for the camera’s high internal 
temperature) may appear on the screen. If Live View shooting continues with 
a high internal temperature, it may degrade image quality. You should 
therefore stop Live View shooting if the warning icon appears.
 If you use a hard disk-type card and Live View shooting continues while the 
 warning icon is displayed, the camera’s internal temperature will 
further increase and the Live View shooting will stop automatically. Live View 
shooting will be disabled until the camera’s internal temperature decreases.
  The histogram and < g> icon are displayed when [ Exposure 
simulation ] has been set to [ Enable] (p.117). If < g> is blinking, it 
indicates that the Live View image is not being displayed at the suitable 
brightness due to low or bright light conditions. However, the captured 
image will reflect the exposure setting.
  If flash is used or bulb is set, the < g> icon and histogram will be 
grayed out (for your reference). The histogram might not be properly 
displayed in low light or bright light conditions.
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