Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II - Photo Accessories CANON - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Macro ring flash (Ring Lite)
Brand	Canon
Model	Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II
Category	Photo accessory
Dimensions (W x D x H)	Approx. 136 x 116 x 44 mm
Weight	Approx. 320 g (with alkaline batteries)
Power supply	4 AA batteries (LR6) or optional AC adapter
Number of flash tubes	2 ring tubes (A and B) with independent control
Guide number (ISO 100)	14
Recycling time	Approx. 0.1 to 3.5 s (alkaline batteries)
Number of flashes per battery set	Approx. 100 to 700 (depending on power)
Flash modes	E-TTL II, manual, multi
Exposure compensation	±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments
High-speed sync	Yes (with compatible cameras)
Modeling flash	Yes (with compatible cameras)
Lens mounting	58 mm filter thread (adapters for other diameters)
Main functions	Shadowless macro lighting, separate control of two tubes, fill flash
Maintenance and cleaning	Clean with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid moisture and solvents.
Safety	Do not expose to water. Use recommended batteries. Turn off when not in use.
Spare parts and repairability	No user-serviceable parts. Have repairs done by a Canon authorized technician.
General information	Ring flash dedicated to macrophotography and close-up subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions - Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II CANON

How to install batteries in the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II?

Open the battery compartment located under the flash. Insert 4 alkaline or Ni-MH AA batteries respecting polarity. Close the cover.

How to use the flash in wireless mode?

The MR-14EX II does not have a built-in wireless receiver. Use optical slave mode or a compatible Canon wireless trigger.

How to adjust the power of the two tubes separately?

In manual mode, press the LAMP SELECT button to choose tube A, B or A+B. Turn the dial to adjust power (1/1 to 1/128).

What to do if the flash does not turn on?

Check that the batteries are correctly installed and sufficiently charged. If the problem persists, try a set of new batteries. Consult the manual for malfunctions.

Is this flash compatible with Nikon or other brand cameras?

The Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II is designed exclusively for Canon cameras. Use on other brands may damage the camera and flash.

What is the typical battery life?

With alkaline batteries, you can expect between 100 and 700 flashes depending on the power used. Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries offer similar performance.

How to clean the flash?

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the surface. Never use chemical cleaners or solvents. Avoid any contact with moisture.

Are there adapters for lenses with a filter diameter different from 58 mm?

Yes, optional adapters are available for filter diameters 52 mm, 67 mm and 72 mm. Check the Canon accessory list.

How to use the flash to avoid shadows in macro photography?

Place the flash around the lens for uniform ring lighting. Adjust the A/B tube ratio to shape the light and reduce shadows.

Where can I download the full manual for the MR-14EX II?

You can download the PDF manual from notice-facile.com or the official Canon website. The original manual is 260 pages.

USER MANUAL Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II CANON

MACRO RING LITE MR-14EX II

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

MODE D'EMPLOI

MACRO RING LITE MR-14EX II

Introduction

The Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II is a flash unit for shooting close-ups with Canon EOS cameras, compatible with E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash systems.

- Read this instruction manual while also referring to your camera's instruction manual.

Before using the product, read this instruction manual and your camera's instruction manual to familiarize yourself with their operations.

Using the MR-14EX II with a Camera

Using with an EOS DIGITAL camera (Type-A camera)

You can use the MR-14EX II for easy macro flash shooting by autoflash control in the same way as a camera's built-in flash.

• Using with an EOS film camera

- Camera with an E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash system (Type-A camera)

You can use the MR-14EX II for easy macro flash shooting by autoflash control in the same way as a camera's built-in flash.

- Camera with a TTL autoflash system (Type-B camera)

See page 76.

* This instruction manual assumes that the MR-14EX II is used with a Type-A camera.

Cautions when using continuous flash

Flashes will fire repeatedly in continuous shooting using a flash, multi-flash shooting, modeling flash, etc. Some people may experience seizures, etc. due to visual overstimulation from continuous flashes (including light reflected off brightly colored walls, etc.). Stop using flashes immediately if any symptoms emerge.

Item Check List

Before starting, check that all the following items are included with your MR-14EX II. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.

MR-14EX II

Lens Cap
(p.16)

Case

* Be careful not to lose any of the above items.

Conventions Used in this Manual

Icons in this Manual

: Indicates the Select dial.
● : Indicates the Set button.

♂4/♂6/♂8/ : Indicates that the respective function remains active for

10/16 4 sec., 6 sec., 8 sec., 10 sec., or 16 sec. after you let go of the button.

(p.**): Reference page numbers for more information.

: Warning to prevent shooting problems.

: Supplemental information.

☆: ☆ shown to the right of the page title indicates that the function is performed when the camera's shooting mode is set to

(Creative Zone mode).

Basic Assumptions

The operation procedures assume that both the camera and the MR-14EX II's power switches are set to .
The icons used for buttons, dials and symbols in the text match the icons found on the camera and the MR-14EX II.
The operation procedures assume that the menu and Custom Functions of the camera, and the Custom Functions and Personal Functions of the MR-14EX II are at their default settings.
All figures are based on the use of four AA/LR6 alkaline batteries and Canon's testing standards.
The operation procedures assume that a macro lens is used.

Chapters

	Introduction	2
1	Getting Started with Macro Flash ShootingPreparations for macro flash shooting and basic shooting	13
2	Setting Flash Functions with Camera OperationsSetting the flash functions from the camera's menu screen	37	[8GKS]
3	Wireless Multiple Flash ShootingWireless multiple flash shooting using additional receiver units with optical transmission	43
4	Customizing the MR-14EX IICustomizing with Custom Functions and Personal Functions	57
5	ReferenceSystem map, FAQ, use with a type-B camera	67

Contents

Introduction 2

Item Check List.... 3

Conventions Used in this Manual.... 4

Chapters....5

Nomenclature....8

1 Getting Started with Macro Flash Shooting 13

Installing the Batteries.... 14

Attaching the Control Unit to the Camera 15

Attaching the Flash Unit to the Lens 16

Turning on the Power 18

Fully Automatic Flash Shooting.... 20

Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash by Shooting Mode 21

Effective Flash Range (Reference) 24

A:B Setting the Flash Ratio.... 25

Flash Exposure Compensation.... 27

FEB 28

FEL: FE Lock 29

High-speed Sync 30

Second-curtain Sync 31

M: Manual Flash 32

Clearing MR-14EX II Settings 36

2 Setting Flash Functions with Camera Operations 37

Flash Control from the Camera's Menu Screen.... 38

3 Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting 43

Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting....44

Wireless Settings ....47

ETTL: Multiple Flash Shooting with Receiver C Added......49

ETTL: Advanced Multiple Flash Shooting with

Receiver A, B, and C Added....53

M: Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting with Manual Flash Output ....55

4 Customizing the MR-14EX II 57

C.Fn / P.Fn: Setting Custom and Personal Functions....58

C.Fn: Setting Custom Functions ......61

P.Fn: Setting Personal Functions....65

Memory Function 66

5 Reference 67

MR-14EX II System 68

Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature Increase....69

Troubleshooting Guide....71

Specifications....73

Using MR-14EX II with a Type-B Camera ....76

Index 81

Nomenclature

Flash Unit

Control Unit

LCD Panel

E-TTL II/E-TTL/TTL autoflash (p.21)

• The screens shown are examples. The display will show only the settings currently applied.
• The functions, such as and <%>, displayed above function buttons 1 to 4, change according to the settings.
  When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates (p.19).

Manual flash (p.32)

Wireless multiple flash shooting with optical transmission (p.43)

Cautions for firing continuous flashes

• To avoid degrading and damaging the flash unit due to overheating, do not fire more than 20 continuous flashes. After 20 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 min.
  If you fire 20 continuous flashes, and then fire the flash again repeatedly in short intervals, the safety function may activate and restrict flash firing. While flash firing is restricted, the firing interval is automatically set to a time between approx. 8 and 15 sec. If this happens, allow a rest time of at least 10 min.
  For details, see “Flash Firing Restriction due to Temperature Increase” on page 69.

1

Getting Started with Macro Flash Shooting

This chapter describes the preparations before starting macro flash shooting and the basic shooting operations.

Conditions of the subject greatly influence the exposure when shooting close-ups. Therefore, it is recommended to shoot the same subject with different exposures (p.27) and check the exposure immediately after shooting.
When the camera's shooting mode is set to a fully automatic mode or an Image Zone mode, the functions with ☆ added to the right side of the page title cannot be set. Set the camera's shooting mode to P/Tv/Av/M/B (Creative Zone mode) to enable all the operations in this chapter.

Installing the Batteries

Use four AA/R6 batteries.

1 Open the cover.

- Slide the lock-release lever to the left as shown in the illustration, slide the cover down, then open the battery compartment cover.

Install the batteries.

- Make sure the “+” and “-” battery contacts are correctly oriented as shown in the battery compartment. - The grooves on the side surfaces of the battery compartment indicate “-”. This is convenient when replacing the batteries in a dark place.

2 Close the cover.

- Close the battery compartment cover and slide it up. - When it clicks in place, the battery compartment cover is locked.

Firing Interval and Number of Flashes

Firing Interval		Number of Flashes
Quick Flash Normal Flash
Approx. 0.1 to 3.3 sec.	Approx. 0.1 to 5.5 sec.	Approx. 100 to 700

- Based on new AA/LR6 alkaline batteries, both sides firing, and Canon's testing standards.

- The Quick flash function enables flash shooting before the flash is fully charged (p.18).

Note that certain AA/R6 lithium batteries may become extremely hot in rare cases during usage. Due to safety reasons, do not use “AA/R6 lithium batteries”.
- Using AA/R6 batteries other than the alkaline type may cause improper battery contact due to the irregular shape of the battery contacts.

• Be aware that the batteries may become hot, if you change batteries after firing flashes continuously.
• Batteries are required by the flash unit even when an external power source (p.68) is used.

• When <∞> is displayed, or the LCD panel display turns off during recycling, replace the batteries with new ones.
  Use a new set of four batteries of the same brand. When replacing the batteries, replace all four at one time.
  AA/HR6 Ni-MH batteries can also be used.

Attaching the Control Unit to the Camera

1 Attach the control unit.

- Slip the control unit's mounting foot all the way into the camera's hot shoe.

Secure the control unit.

• Slide the mounting foot lock lever to the right.
  When the lock lever clicks in place, it is locked.

3 Detach the control unit.

While pressing the lock-release button, slide the lock lever to the left and detach the control unit.

Be sure to turn off the MR-14EX II before attaching or detaching it.

Attaching the Flash Unit to the Lens

Attach the flash unit to the front of the macro lens.

Attach the flash unit to the front of the lens while holding down the release button.

Make sure that the flash unit is securely attached.
- When rotating the flash unit, lightly press the release button while rotating it.
- Detach the flash unit while holding down the release button.

Attaching the Lens Cap

Attach the provided lens cap to the flash unit when it is not used in order to protect the lens.

A 67 mm diameter filter can also be attached to the flash unit (p.17).

• Be sure to attach the flash unit to the lens when shooting. Shooting while holding the flash unit in your hand may result in a low temperature burn.
• Do not touch the flash unit or batteries immediately after continuous flash firing or modeling flash (p.23). Touching them may result in a burn. Make sure that the flash unit has cooled before detaching the flash unit or replacing batteries.

When using the following lenses, attach the Macrolite Adapter (sold separately) to the front of the lens (filter thread) and then attach the flash unit.

• EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: Macrolite Adapter 67
• EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM: Macrolite Adapter 72C

Using a Filter

A commercially-available filter can be used during flash shooting. A filter can be attached, using the two procedures described below. Filters may not be used together with some macro lenses.

(1) Attach a 67 mm filter on the front face of the flash unit (see the above illustration).
(2) Attach the flash unit to the lens with the filter attached to the front of the lens (filter thread).

Macro Lens	Filter Compatibility
	(1) (2)
EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Not usable*	1	Usable
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro	Usable
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Not usable
EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM		Conditionally usable*2
EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Usable
MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Not usable

*1: The lens cannot be used with a filter, since focusing is interrupted by an attached filter touching the front of the lens. Also, filter may be damaged or the lens malfunction may result.
*2: Attach a filter to the front of the lens before attaching Macrolite Adapter (p.16) to the front part of the filter. If attachment threads are not provided on the front rim of the filter, the flash unit cannot be attached since Macrolite Adapter cannot be attached. Note that if the flash unit is attached after a filter and Macrolite Adapter are attached to the front of the lens, the periphery of the photo may look darker.

Using a Hood

If you want to use a dedicated hood with the MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo (sold separately), attach the flash unit after attaching the hood to the lens.
A hood cannot be attached when using any other macro lens.

Turning on the Power

1 Set the power switch to .

The flash recycling starts.
During recycling, is displayed on the LCD panel. When flash recycling is completed, this indicator disappears.

Check that the flash is ready.

The state of the flash-ready lamp changes from off to green (Quick flash ready) to red (fully charged).
- Press the test flash button (flash-ready lamp) to fire a test flash.

Quick Flash

The Quick flash function enables flash shooting when the flash-ready lamp is lit green (before the flash is fully charged). It is available when the camera's drive mode is set to single shooting. The flash output will be approx. 1/2 to 1/5 of the full output, but it is effective for shooting with a shorter firing interval.

Note that you cannot use Quick flash when continuous shooting, FEB, manual flash, or wireless multiple flash shooting is set.

Auto Power Off

To save battery power, the power will turn off automatically after approx. 90 sec. of idle use. To turn on the MR-14EX II again, press the camera's shutter button halfway, or press the test flash button (flash-ready lamp).

• Quick flash cannot be used when the flash mode is set to .
  A test flash cannot be fired when the camera's ⏻4/ ⏻6/ ⏻8/ ⏻10/ ⏻16 timer is active.

Lock Function

By setting the power switch to , you can disable the flash's buttons and dial operations. It is effective when you want to prevent the flash function settings from being accidentally changed after you set them.

If you operate a button or dial, is displayed on the LCD panel. (The functions displayed above function buttons 1 to 4, such as and <+>, are not displayed.)

LCD Panel Illumination

When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates for 12 sec. If you operate them when the LCD panel is illuminated, duration of the illumination will be extended.

The flash settings will remain in effect even after the power is turned off. To retain the settings when replacing the batteries, replace the batteries within 1 min. after turning off the power switch and removing the batteries.
When the temperature of the flash unit has risen due to continuous flash firing, the time until auto power off takes effect may increase.
You can fire a test flash or turn on/off the focusing lamp while the power switch is set to the position. Also, when a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel illuminates.
You can fire Quick flash during continuous shooting (C.Fn-06/p.62).
Auto power off can be disabled (C.Fn-01/p.61).
- You can select the charging method to be used when an external power source is used (C.Fn-12/p.63).
You can change the setting of the LCD panel illumination (C.Fn-22/p.64).
You can change the color of the LCD panel illumination (P.Fn-03/p.65).

Fully Automatic Flash Shooting

When you set the camera's shooting mode to

(Program AE) or a fully automatic mode, you can shoot in the E-TTL II/E-TTL fully automatic flash mode.

1

Set the flash mode to .

• Press the button and set to .
• Check that is not displayed.

2

Focus on the subject.

• Press the shutter button halfway to focus.
  The shutter speed and aperture are displayed in the viewfinder.
• Check that <z> is lit in the viewfinder.

3

Take the picture.

• When you press the shutter button completely, the flash will fire and the picture will be taken.
  If a standard flash exposure was obtained, the flash exposure confirmation lamp lights for 3 sec.

Even when attached to a camera that supports the E-TTL II autoflash, is displayed on the LCD panel.
- If the flash exposure confirmation lamp does not light or if the subject is dark (underexposed) when you check the image on the camera's LCD monitor, move closer to the subject and shoot again. You can also set a higher ISO speed when using a digital camera.
- “Fully automatic mode” refers to <⁺> , <> , and <> shooting modes.

Using E-TTL II and E-TTL Autoflash by Shooting Mode

Simply set the camera's shooting mode to (aperture-priority AE) or (manual exposure) and you can perform advanced macro flash shooting using E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash.

Av

You can perform flash shooting while obtaining a standard exposure of both the main subject and background while considering the depth of field.Select this mode when you want to set the aperture manually. The camera will then automatically set the shutter speed, matching the aperture to obtain a standard exposure. If the scene is dark, a slow sync speed will be used to obtain a standard exposure for both the main subject and background. Standard exposure of the main subject is obtained with the flash, while a standard exposure of the background is obtained with a long exposure using a slow shutter speed.Since a slow shutter speed will be used for low-light scenes, using a tripod is recommended.If the shutter speed display blinks, it means that the background exposure will be underexposed or overexposed. Adjust the aperture until the shutter speed display stops blinking.

M

Select this mode if you want to set both the shutter speed and aperture manually.Standard exposure of the main subject is obtained with the flash. The exposure of the background is obtained with the shutter speed and aperture combination you set.

- When the shutter speed is manually set with the shooting mode set to (Shutter-priority AE), the aperture will be set automatically. However, this is not recommended because the aperture cannot be set manually.