Dead 430ex flash?

divamum

Went to use my 430ex this morning, and it just won't work. It has power - the screen displays, and you can light it up with the screen button - but the zoom gives a few short buzzy phtttsss, and the pilot light never comes on; you can't test fire with the pilot button.

Thoughts? It's been super-reliable until now, has never been burst fired etc etc.

On a side note, I am very glad I have redundancy gear - would've been disastrous without other ones to use for today's shoot!

PS This was nothing to do with the new triggers - it didn't work from the outset today. The Pixel Kings were flawless with the 580ex - fired reliably no matter where I stood and were easily adjustable with FEC. Loved not having to worry about line of sight!

ziggy53

A fresh set of alkaline AA cells is the first thing to try. I don't use alkaline cells for serious shooting but for diagnostic they can be helpful.

divamum

Ok, tried that. No change - if anything the "vzzzztt" of the zoom startup is even shorter and more anaemic sounding. Is this a "ship to Canon" scenario, or should I just sing a requiem?

ziggy53

I do suggest sending the Canon for service. They will advise for costs and approval before repairs, so you can decide whether to repair once you know the condition of the flash and cost (estimate) for repair.

divamum

Wilco. Thanks for the speedy responses!

jbakerphoto

Diva , my 580ex is not working as well. No pilot light! Canon will quote a price on there website but it was like 170 bucks for me. There is a thread somewhere around here from a couple of months back that had a whole bunch of repairs centers and one of them was super cheap ( like $78). Now if I can just find that thread....

divamum

Ugh - that's higher than I was hoping (you can get a used one for 175-200). Ok, time to do some research, I guess. Phooey - it's been such a reliable piece of gear that the concept of it failing never even occurred to me :-/

jbakerphoto

divamum wrote: »

Ugh - that's higher than I was hoping (you can get a used one for 175-200). Ok, time to do some research, I guess. Phooey - it's been such a reliable piece of gear that the concept of it failing never even occurred to me :-/

If you go here they will give canon's estimate...maybe cheaper flashes are cheaper to fix....hopefully...

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional?pageKeyCode=requestRepair

yea I didnt think it would die either. I also think it was my fault. I was shooting a bike race for brightroom and went a little crazy with fill flash and shooting consecutively....bad idea....

divamum

jbaker, did you find that list of repair services? Anybody know any independent repair services for flashes? I'm still weighing whether or not I should even try - as soon as the repair cost goes over $170, it makes more economic sense just to buy another one. I can, of course, get Canon to look at it, but that means paying for the shipping - I'd rather not invest any money at all into it unless I really am going to keep it.

Times like this I really - REALLY - lament the closing of Penn Camera (bricks and mortar "real" camera store in the area; they also did minor repairs.)

jbakerphoto

divamum wrote: »

jbaker, did you find that list of repair services? Anybody know any independent repair services for flashes? I'm still weighing whether or not I should even try - as soon as the repair cost goes over $170, it makes more economic sense just to buy another one. I can, of course, get Canon to look at it, but that means paying for the shipping - I'd rather not invest any money at all into it unless I really am going to keep it.

Times like this I really - REALLY - lament the closing of Penn Camera (bricks and mortar "real" camera store in the area; they also did minor repairs.)

Diva,
Like I said that form on the canon website will tell you how much they want (no need to send it in). Anyway, I think the list was on another forum. I think it was http://www.unitedcamera.com/

It quoted my repair at 116-121 and 430 ex ii with the same problem for 88 so there is hope for it after all. (not sure why they didnt have 430 ex i in the list ) . I have no idea if they are any good or not as I have not tried them...hope that helps..

divamum

Bugger. Canon have apparently stopped supporting the 430ex, so I guess that means it is toast-ed unless an independent will fix it for me.

angevin1

Diva, Check with KEH via phone.

divamum

Yup, on my "to-do" list, Tom - gmta!!

NagoC50

Diva -- what a downer! Another independent to check -- Lezot Camera (Burlington, VT). I had Lezot do their 580II "shield" mod so I could use those with my PW Flex/Mini set up and they did a nice job.

www.lezot.com

divamum

Another update: Called KEH, and they will fix it if they can find parts. It needs to go in for an estimate and for them to look and try to figure out what's wrong, but if they can fix it, it probably will run around ~150. Still deciding what to do, but thought others might be interested in the info.

angevin1

divamum wrote: »

Another update: Called KEH, and they will fix it if they can find parts. It needs to go in for an estimate and for them to look and try to figure out what's wrong, but if they can fix it, it probably will run around ~150. Still deciding what to do, but thought others might be interested in the info.

When you mentioned Canon had stopped supporting the 430ex, I had no idea that they wouldn't still be making parts for it!

divamum

Yeah, I know. That said, I think parts circulate a while after the product is no longer OEM supported, and I suspect the independents cannibalize units which have been deemed irreparable for the parts which do work. Either way, it's a bummer. On a plus note, it means I'll probably buy a 430ex II, which will give me all sorts of cool in-camera menus (both with and without the Pixel Kings) that I've never been able to use before ~tries to find a silver lining~

Art Scott

I would say it is time to upgrade......you'd be foixing something that is for all purposes
antediluvian .....step up to something a little newer and buy 2 for moments just like this....