Problems With My 550EX

[hanqiang1011]

Hi guys,

My 550EX Speedlite takes a long time to recharge after firing off. The standard timing is 7 secs but now even I put fresh set of batteries in, it takes 15 secs and sometimes more time.

Is it a sign of failing or parts malfunction? Wondering how much Canon willl be charging for servicing my 550EX?

Any one can advise?

Regards

[Zack]

What kind of batteries are you using?

[hanqiang1011]

Energizer. Not the rechargable ones.

[n0d3]

Don't use alkalines, they run out faster. Invest in NiMH batteries, e.g. the Sanyo 2500 mAh ones. You can get them from Eastgear.

[jimtong]

get a rechargerable battery. It is not recommended to use akaline.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by jimtong get a rechargerable battery. It is not recommended to use akaline.

Why

I tend to use alkaline batteries when I need a faster recharge rate for the flash (more expensive than the NiMh rechargeables naturally). I also use for most flash situations where flash cycle time is not important NiMh batteries. The 1.5V alkaline versus the 1.2V NiMh makes a lot of difference to how fast the flash charges up.

[trlnlty]

just wanna ask a out of point question...

how long do batt's usually last for flashes?

i just got the 500DG

[Jemapela]

Originally Posted by freelancer Why I tend to use alkaline batteries when I need a faster recharge rate for the flash (more expensive than the NiMh rechargeables naturally). I also use for most flash situations where flash cycle time is not important NiMh batteries. The 1.5V alkaline versus the 1.2V NiMh makes a lot of difference to how fast the flash charges up.

Ehh? Are you sure?

Since when were throw-away akalines faster to recharge a flash? Am I outdated or what?

The 1.5V versus 1.2V is not a proper indication of which battery type is faster. You should instead look at the mAh (milli Ampere hour) rating of the battery. It sort of describes how much current is released from the battery.

I'm sure others would agree with me that the rechargeables "reload" your flash much faster.

[kensh09]

Originally Posted by trlnlty just wanna ask a out of point question... how long do batt's usually last for flashes? i just got the 500DG

Really depends on what batt u using and what flash and whether using full burst or TTL. Too many factors to consider already. But I guess an average count shld be from 100-150 shots.

[kensh09]

Originally Posted by Jemapela Ehh? Are you sure? Since when were throw-away akalines faster to recharge a flash? Am I outdated or what? The 1.5V versus 1.2V is not a proper indication of which battery type is faster. You should instead look at the mAh (milli Ampere hour) rating of the battery. It sort of describes how much current is released from the battery. I'm sure others would agree with me that the rechargeables "reload" your flash much faster.

I agree tat having a higher mAH batt does help a lot in the recharge.

[Jemapela]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Energizer. Not the rechargable ones.

It's possible that the flash will take a longer time to charge up to full power if you set it on Manual mode 1/1 power.

If you set it on ETTL, it shouldn't take that long, or at least, it shouldn't exceed much of Canon's test standards (as described in the instruction book).

Also, if you were operating the flash in a cold environment, it will slow down the recycle rate.

Maybe you bought imitation Energizer batteries?

[hanqiang1011]

Originally Posted by Jemapela It's possible that the flash will take a longer time to charge up to full power if you set it on Manual mode 1/1 power. If you set it on ETTL, it shouldn't take that long, or at least, it shouldn't exceed much of Canon's test standards (as described in the instruction book). Also, if you were operating the flash in a cold environment, it will slow down the recycle rate. Maybe you bought imitation Energizer batteries?

Maybe its a sign that I change flash. Its my main all the way. There is a saying "Rest is to travel further" maybe its time to get another flashlight and let my work horse rest.

Regards

[jimtong]

Originally Posted by freelancer Why I tend to use alkaline batteries when I need a faster recharge rate for the flash (more expensive than the NiMh rechargeables naturally). I also use for most flash situations where flash cycle time is not important NiMh batteries. The 1.5V alkaline versus the 1.2V NiMh makes a lot of difference to how fast the flash charges up.

Akaline battery are rated 1.5v and recharge battery are rate 1.2v. What it means is for the same watt, recharge battery will give more current (amp) compared to akaline.

You have to look at the current rating, not voltage.

That is why recharge battery will give batter recycling time then akaline batt.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by Jemapela Since when were throw-away akalines faster to recharge a flash? Am I outdated or what?

I am sure. The flash charges up with whatever power source you put in (battery pack, alkaline or NiMh batteries into the flash battery compartment). The flash tube uses the stored energy (charged capacitor) and never direct from the battery pack.

Similarly, the external flash battery pack uses 8 batteries and not 4 (as in the 550EX) - more battery capacity but more importantly a higher source power voltage. If you were to use the new panasonic Oxy "throw away" batteries be surprised how fast it recycles .. around 1 second for full power.

How many flash (or full power equivalent) you get from a set of batteries depend on the battery capacity and that is not related to charge cycle time. Similarly if you use half power, the cycle time is obviously shorter.

By the way, when I use "alkaline" I am using it very loosy to include the panasonic Oxy and Energiser e2 which are actually not strictly alkaline batteries in the strict sense. My primary batteries are currently e2 and this is what I am seeing

[enghong17]

Originally Posted by freelancer Similarly, the external flash battery pack uses 8 batteries and not 4 (as in the 550EX) - more battery capacity but more importantly a higher source power voltage. If you were to use the new panasonic Oxy "throw away" batteries be surprised how fast it recycles .. around 1 second for full power.

True. The external battery pack joins the AA batteries in series thus the voltage is increased by the number of batteries you have.

Charge(Q) = Capacitance(C) x Voltage(V).

A higher voltage means the capacitor is able to store the same charge in a shorter time.

But not true that alkaline batteries are much faster cos their current ratings are much slower than recyclables. Current is the amount of charge is a given time so how much current also determines the charging time.

You also have to look into the type of batteries. Alkaline and NI-Cd or Ni-Mh have different chemical properties and the way it discharges are different.

[GitS]

Originally Posted by kensh09 Really depends on what batt u using and what flash and whether using full burst or TTL. Too many factors to consider already. But I guess an average count shld be from 100-150 shots.

thats way waay too low

[CYRN]

possibily your flash capacitor is dying.

[sci80899]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Hi guys, My 550EX Speedlite takes a long time to recharge after firing off. The standard timing is 7 secs but now even I put fresh set of batteries in, it takes 15 secs and sometimes more time. Is it a sign of failing or parts malfunction? Wondering how much Canon willl be charging for servicing my 550EX? Any one can advise? Regards

15 secs seem too long, as you're using fresh alkaline batteries. Perhaps you should bring in your 550EX for a check up.

[Jemapela]

Originally Posted by freelancer I am sure. The flash charges up with whatever power source you put in (battery pack, alkaline or NiMh batteries into the flash battery compartment). The flash tube uses the stored energy (charged capacitor) and never direct from the battery pack. Similarly, the external flash battery pack uses 8 batteries and not 4 (as in the 550EX) - more battery capacity but more importantly a higher source power voltage. If you were to use the new panasonic Oxy "throw away" batteries be surprised how fast it recycles .. around 1 second for full power. How many flash (or full power equivalent) you get from a set of batteries depend on the battery capacity and that is not related to charge cycle time. Similarly if you use half power, the cycle time is obviously shorter. By the way, when I use "alkaline" I am using it very loosy to include the panasonic Oxy and Energiser e2 which are actually not strictly alkaline batteries in the strict sense. My primary batteries are currently e2 and this is what I am seeing

When I first began photography long long long ago, I wasn't so sure about spending big $$ buying rechargeable batteries and the charger to power my flash. I used the single-use throwaway Energizer or Duracell alkaline batteries.

Some years later, I got increasingly fed up of hunting such batteries at cheap prices, and was also told by a more experience peer to use rechargeables for faster flash recycling times.

So, I tried it. I bought one of the cheaper rechargeables -- the yellow ones made by Eveready (1000mAh). Wow! I was impressed. I gradually bought more sets of 4 to power up my 430EZ (back then) and carried throwaway batteries as "backup ammo".

I never went back to such throwaway batteries. I have stopped using those yellow batteries (they reached their useable lifespan) and I moved on to something newer and better (with higher mAh rating).

If you have never tried NiMH rechargeable batteries, I strongly recommend that you try. You will probably NEVER go back to throwaway Energizer (no matter what fanciful name they label it with).

[cyben76]

From my personal experience...

Alkaline

• charge as fast as Nimh when fresh
• loses the "fast charge" aft few shots
• takes longer to charge a flash up, but last slightly more shots

NiMh

• charge as fast when fresh
• roughly maintains the same "fast charge" time almost till the end
• will go all out, then suddenly... no power

to sum up,

Alkaline=marathon runner
NiMh=sprinter