QuickGuide to Macro Speedlite MR-14EX and MT-24EX

This QuickGuide reviews how to use either of Canon’s two Macro Speedlites: the MR-14EX and MT-24EX. The primary difference is between them is that the MR-14EX has two circular flash tubes permanently mounted opposite each other onto the Flash Ring, while the MT-24EX has two removable and adjustable flash heads that snap into miniature flash shoes.

Control Layout

1.LCD ILLUMINATOR/C.Fn – LCD illuminator/Custom Function button

2.MODE – Flash mode button. Toggles between ETTL/ TTL and M (manual) flash mode.

3.+ : Increase button. Increases flash exposure compensation. Press SEL/SET first.

4.: Decrease button. Applies “minus” flash exposure compensation. Press SEL/SET first.

5.SEL/SET – Select/Set button. For selecting and setting features and functions.

6.LAMP – Focusing lamp button

7.- Left arrow button. Increases power to left flash tube (A) relative to right (B).

8.- Right arrow button. Increases power to right flash tube (B) relative to left (A).

9.RATIO – Flash ratio button. Cycles ratio between OFF, A:B, and A:B C. When A is displayed in Manual flash mode, the flash output displayed (1/1 thru 1/64) is

for flash tube A. When B is displayed in Manual flash mode, the flash output displayed is for flash tube B.

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10.CH - Channel button. Selects flash channel (1 – 4) when unit is in wireless slave mode.

11.PILOT – Pilot lamp and test fire button

12.Flash Exposure Confirmation lamp

13.Power switch –Turns power on and off. SE position enables “Save Energy” mode, which automatically powers down the flash after 90 seconds of inactivity. To cancel SE mode, press the PILOT button.

Attaching/Detaching the Flash Ring

The Flash Ring attaches directly to the following lenses:

EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (now discontinued)

MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x

The EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro requires Macro Lite Adapter 67C. The EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro requires Macro Lite Adapter 72C (each sold separately). Macro Lite adapters are available in sizes 52mm, 58mm, 67mm and 72mm.

To attach the Flash Ring, press in on the release

button(s) while placing the ring onto the lens. When the ring is in place, let go of the button(s). Make sure the ring is firmly attached. To detach the ring, reverse the procedure.

Selecting camera exposure mode

Set your camera to whatever exposure mode you prefer: P, Av, Tv, or M. Choose Manual mode when you want small apertures for maximum depth-of-field combined with a fast shutter speed to help minimize blur and separate the subject from the background. (Light falls off more rapidly at short distances, therefore the closer the flash is to the subject, the darker the background exposure will be unless you either increase the shutter speed/ambient light exposure or light the background separately.)

E-TTL OPERATION

Basic E-TTL Auto operation

When the flash unit is set to E-TTL it will automatically emit a brief pre-flash prior to the actual flash exposure. Based on the pre-flash measurement, it will then adjust the flash duration to provide proper exposure based on a combination of flash-to-subject distance, subject reflectivity, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. This applies

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to all camera exposure modes, including Manual. Press the MODE button to toggle between E-TTLand M. The flash is in E-TTL mode when ETTL appears in the upper left corner of the LCD.

To operate the flash in E-TTL mode:

1.Turn the power switch to ON or SE.

2.Set the camera to the ISO and exposure mode of your choice. If the camera is set to Auto ISO, the ISO setting will vary as follows:

Tv or Av or P or CA or Full Auto: The camera will automatically set the ISO speed at 400 (or 800 on Rebel T3).

Av Fill-in Flash: If the pre-flash detects over- exposure at ISO 400 (or 800), the camera will reduce the ISO to as low as 100.

P or CA or Full Auto & bounce flash: If the pre- flash detects under-exposure at ISO 400 (or 800), the camera will increase the ISO speed to as high as 1600.

3.Focus and release the shutter.

4.If there was enough light for a correct exposure the green Flash Exposure Confirmation Lamp will illuminate for 3 seconds. If not, the lamp will not illuminate.

E-TTL Flash Ratio Control

Because the MR-14EX and MT-24EX have two flash tubes (A and B) you have the option of firing A and B at equal output (1:1), firing A and B at an unequal ratio (1:2, 1:4, 2:1, etc.), or firing either A or B independently.

Equal output

1.Press the RATIO button once. The ratio display will appear.

2.Confirm that the ratio indicator is in the center, below 1:1. If not, press either the or ► arrow as needed to move the bar back to the center.

A:B ratio

1.Press the RATIO button once. The ratio display will appear.

2.Press the ◄ arrow toward flash A (left) to increase its power. Press the ► arrow to increase power of flash B (right). Each press will increase the ratio by a half-stop. An A:B ratio of 2:1 indicates that flash A will output twice as much light (one stop) as B. A ratio of 4:1 indicates four times as much (two stops). A ratio of 8:1 indicates eight times as much (3 stops).

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Canon MR-14EX, MT-24EX manual TTL Operation