Speedlite 540EZ

[Mr Thomas]

Hi,

What can you say about 540EZ?

• Is the 540EZ even compatible with digital EOS cameras? (I have the 30D)
• It seems like 540EZ is an old model; it seems like you can't swivel the flash (for bouncing flashes),

Thanks!

Cheers,

 

[Doug Pardee]

• Is the 540EZ even compatible with digital EOS cameras? (I have

the 30D)

No. See the bottom of page 107 of the 30D manual: "The flash cannot be fired with an EZ/E/EG/ML/TL-series Speedlite set in the TTL or A-TTL autoflash mode."

Since (AFAIK) the 540EZ doesn't have any other modes (manual or thyristor), you can't use it.

• It seems like 540EZ is an old model; it seems like you can't

swivel the flash (for bouncing flashes),

Not worth the trouble to put batteries in it.

 

[lumièreflâneuse]

The 540EZ will not support E-TTL, and thus won't work on digital EOS cameras for automatic flash exposure. However, I think EZ flashes will fire at full power (and nothing but) on digital EOS cameras. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

ref.:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#nomenclature

 

[robby50649]

The 540EZ worked fine on my DR, but as others said only in manual mode, no E-TTL, but hey it was kind of fun fooling with a flash like in the old days. Just kidding, got a 30D and 430EX, and have not tried the 540EZ on the 30D, but would guess it would fire and work as well...robby

 

[Lemming51]

Since (AFAIK) the 540EZ doesn't have any other modes (manual or
thyristor), you can't use it.

Manual output yes, auto-thyristor no.
The 540EZ can be set for 1/1 (full output), 1/2, ... 1/128

• It seems like 540EZ is an old model; it seems like you can't

swivel the flash (for bouncing flashes)

Head tilts and swivels.

 

[lumièreflâneuse]

I see, I didn't know that the 540EZ has manual output control.

 

[kymak]

I have both the 540EZ and 430EX.

The 540 EZ was the flagship flash in the pass.

I can use it on my digital XT in manual mode. It still gives you the following features :

Auto zoom , Tilt & swivel, AF assist light, 2nd curtain flash, manual power range from 1 to 1/128, Strobe flash up to 100Hz.

I consider it very inexpensive to buy a 2nd hand munaul gun with all these powerful functions.

Mak

 

[Mark B.]

That's the only way the 540EZ will work on a Canon DSLR. Personally, I prefer auto flash with FEC and would rather not bother with manual flash settings. But that's just me.

Mark

 

[Chuck Forsberg]

Manual add-on flash with a digital isn't so bad.
The camera's internal flash will do for quick shots.
The review function can take the guesswork out of
the flash exposure.

There are many things that go wrong in difficult flash
situations, and flash intensity is only a part of it.
--
Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX N2469R http://www.omen.com
Author of Industrial ZMODEM for Embedded Systems

 

[dali777]

this i found on another site, made with one manual flash, most pros use manual flash

 

[msowsun]

I have both the 540EZ and 430EX.

The 540 EZ was the flagship flash in the pass.

I can use it on my digital XT in manual mode. It still gives you the following features :

Auto zoom , Tilt & swivel, AF assist light, 2nd curtain flash, manual power range from 1 to 1/128, Strobe flash up to 100Hz.

I consider it very inexpensive to buy a 2nd hand munaul gun with all these powerful functions.

Mak

There is more.....

The 540EZ will also read the ISO and aperture set on the camera. If you are shooting with the flash head straight ahead, the aperture and max shooting distance will be displayed on the flash LCD screen.

And.... The "flash ready" icon will appear in the viewfinder and the shutter speed will be limited to the max sync speed.

 

[Mark B.]

I have both the 540EZ and 430EX.

The 540 EZ was the flagship flash in the pass.

I can use it on my digital XT in manual mode. It still gives you the following features :

Auto zoom , Tilt & swivel, AF assist light, 2nd curtain flash, manual power range from 1 to 1/128, Strobe flash up to 100Hz.

I consider it very inexpensive to buy a 2nd hand munaul gun with all these powerful functions.

Mak

There is more.....

The 540EZ will also read the ISO and aperture set on the camera. If you are shooting with the flash head straight ahead, the aperture and max shooting distance will be displayed on the flash LCD screen.

And.... The "flash ready" icon will appear in the viewfinder and the shutter speed will be limited to the max sync speed.

Sorry for the use of the caps, but upon reading the responses I'm not sure why this thread was dragged back to life. I really, really wish DPR would see fit to lock threads after a period of time.

 

[davev8]

I have both the 540EZ and 430EX.

The 540 EZ was the flagship flash in the pass.

I can use it on my digital XT in manual mode. It still gives you the following features :

Auto zoom , Tilt & swivel, AF assist light, 2nd curtain flash, manual power range from 1 to 1/128, Strobe flash up to 100Hz.

I consider it very inexpensive to buy a 2nd hand munaul gun with all these powerful functions.

Mak

There is more.....

The 540EZ will also read the ISO and aperture set on the camera. If you are shooting with the flash head straight ahead, the aperture and max shooting distance will be displayed on the flash LCD screen.

And.... The "flash ready" icon will appear in the viewfinder and the shutter speed will be limited to the max sync speed.

Sorry for the use of the caps, but upon reading the responses I'm not sure why this thread was dragged back to life. I really, really wish DPR would see fit to lock threads after a period of time.

because useful info can be added for others to find later...much later...like me in the 2 last post

 

[RomeoromeoT]

I've just come across this post from Feb 27, 2014 and it's been very helpful to me today in 2020.

 

[davev8]

I've just come across this post from Feb 27, 2014 and it's been very helpful to me today in 2020.

jolly good and welcome to the forum