External flash failing, pls advice.

henavs · 27th February 2005

I got a 420EX that was working perfectly for 3yrs until yesterday.

When I tried the 420ex on my 20D (have been using this combo for bout 3 mths), everything will work normally, the bulb fired, the yellow exposure indication will also lit up as per normal. Except the picture failed to capture the light. The result will come out as if I never use flash at all. For e.g. If its a dark scene, it will remain dark...

But when I used 20D pop up flash, it will perfectly captured the bright flash & light up the scene.

I've tried reseting my camera to its factory settings & custom function, but nothing works.

Anyone has this pbm b4? Is it my flash that's faulty or my camera?

Thx

xieyuqi · 27th February 2005

try cleaning the 5 contacts at the hotshoe (camera and flash)

henavs · 27th February 2005

Originally Posted by xieyuqi

try cleaning the 5 contacts at the hotshoe (camera and flash)

Thx, xieyuqi. I've cleaned those but still the same.

I notice that 420ex no longer responded to the flash increment settings from the camera. It keeps firing at full power no matter at -2 or +2, and the result is not captured by the camera. It became dumb flash...

szekiat · 28th February 2005

your mount is loose. I encountered the same problem with my 550ex a couple of days ago. In my case, the problem was on the camera mount. All functions will work but the flash power loses regulation (sync) with the camera's requirements etc. Send it back to canon, flash and body and have them check it out. Your body is new so it might be the flash

Hilarion · 28th February 2005

The chances are it is the flash.

henavs · 28th February 2005

Thx szekiat & Hilarion,

Will bring them to Canon for checking later.

John Tan · 28th February 2005

Lifespan of the 420ex had reach?

vanads · 28th February 2005

had this problem wiith my 20d ,i thjink its the len mount,,,may be loose.had just send back to sg canon for check ,will bbe ready by fri.

vanads · 28th February 2005

btw,what len u using?mine is the 17-85 is

27th February 2005	#1
henavs Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,120	External flash failing, pls advice. I got a 420EX that was working perfectly for 3yrs until yesterday. When I tried the 420ex on my 20D (have been using this combo for bout 3 mths), everything will work normally, the bulb fired, the yellow exposure indication will also lit up as per normal. Except the picture failed to capture the light. The result will come out as if I never use flash at all. For e.g. If its a dark scene, it will remain dark... But when I used 20D pop up flash, it will perfectly captured the bright flash & light up the scene. I've tried reseting my camera to its factory settings & custom function, but nothing works. Anyone has this pbm b4? Is it my flash that's faulty or my camera? Thx

28th February 2005	#7
John Tan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: JRimage Xpress Posts: 5,682	Lifespan of the 420ex had reach? __________________ JRimageXpress.com

27th February 2005	#2
xieyuqi Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 225	try cleaning the 5 contacts at the hotshoe (camera and flash)

28th February 2005	#4
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	your mount is loose. I encountered the same problem with my 550ex a couple of days ago. In my case, the problem was on the camera mount. All functions will work but the flash power loses regulation (sync) with the camera's requirements etc. Send it back to canon, flash and body and have them check it out. Your body is new so it might be the flash

28th February 2005	#5
Hilarion Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central West Posts: 605	The chances are it is the flash.

28th February 2005	#8
vanads New Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: east Posts: 25	had this problem wiith my 20d ,i thjink its the len mount,,,may be loose.had just send back to sg canon for check ,will bbe ready by fri.