Canon 580 EX MK II Speedlite Flash

kerry

kerry

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Hi guys and gals

I have a Canon 580 EX MK II Speedlite Flash that I bought off ebay new in Aug 08 and I now have an issue with it.

The ebay seller of course is no longer a registered user (I know, I know) but they were powersellers with over 3,000 transaction so I thought I was safe.

Don't shoot me I'm not that technical with my descriptions but the flash no longer appears to work correctly on anything but pointing straight on. If I try to bounce off a wall or ceiling it just whites out everything and then won't work straight on again till you disconnect, turn off and reinstall.

I assume it needs repairing but who do I contact, how do I prove its still under warrenty as a got it off ebay, is there anything I might have pressed without knowing that might produce this.......

I'm at a loss as I can't really afford to buy another.

Help please?
 
Hey up Kerry, it's Ian from the FJR Owners site.

Bit more info needed to try and help. When you turn the flash on what does the display say, ETTL or M? If it is on M, press the mode button until you see ETTL and see if that makes a difference. What mode is the camera in?
 
Hey Ian, wow, long time no see. How spooky is this, you still got an FJR?

Yes the flash does display ETTL, and I have mainly been in P mode. Although upon realising there was an issue I have tried portrait, full auto, av and tv all work fine until I adjust the angle of the flash head, then white out. Once I've adjusted the head, returning it back to straight on it still white outs, untill I disconnect the flash, turn off the camera and start again.

My gut says I have damaged a connector or electronic strip in the adjustable head of the flash if that makes sense (I don't exactly think about how I pick it up as a unit, my fault I know and prob a expensive error) but like I say I'm not technically minded, I just shoot and pray very much still.

Here's a head shot I took at Xmas at the club do and one at his mom's 70th last month. Both shots were in P mode trying to bounce off the ceiling, so I know something in wrong.

yvz95b.jpg


Xmas

y0s6fv.jpg


I'm probably still not explaining it correct so if you need anything else let me know and I will try to answer to the best of my ability.
 
All I can say is the 580EX is a complicated weapon with loads of options. Are you sure it's set correctly? And exposure is controlled by the camera :thinking:

You need to double check everything and shoot some more tests before reaching conclusions. But if it is faulty, send it to a Canon service centre. If it's under UK warranty, the serial number will identify it.

Nice bikes :)
 
I have never touched the settings on the flash so I've no idea if its set correctly or has been altered by accident.

I'm very much a beginner and have only just started to experiment with bouncing, let alone setting the flash independantly etc.

I'm at a loss as to how I would double check everything as all I have ever done with it, is connect it to the camera, turn it on and occasionally change the angle of the head to see what happens. Is it wasted on me - yes but I was learning till this happened.

Other than posting on here, my only other idea was popping into my local Jessops but was unsure whether they would be able/willing to help, especially as I didn't get it from them.
 
One way or another, you need to make sure the gun is correctly set up. From what you've said so far, this seems to be the most likely cause of problems.

Jessops are always helpful and if you're lucky you might get someone who actually knows what they're on about. Avoid weekend temps though ;) Take your camera, lens and flash in. They won't know where you bought it.
 
As people have said, this is a complicated flashgun so maybe not the best flashgun to start on if you are only just starting out with flash.

I would say you have got the settings wrong if there is too much flash (white out) however that does not explain you having to turn the camera on and off. Sounds like a problem with the communication between camera and flash (hotshoe electronics) and I would reccomend you return to Canon if possible, or pop into your local Jessops.

One POSSIBLE problem could be that you have set the exposure on the camera to +2 in the menu, or from the top display.
 
kerry said:
Hey Ian, wow, long time no see. How spooky is this, you still got an FJR?
Click to expand...

Yes still got an FJR, though now on my second.

Can you take a photo with a different camera of what's on the display when this is happening? Might help work out exactly what settings you're on currently. Hopefully there'll be someone near you who'd be willing to take a look too.
 
Hi Kerry, I've got the 580 MKI and yes they are complicated beasties but lets illiminate what we can before you take it anywhere.

Get the instruction manual out and put it on manual. You only need to put it on a low power setting to test it so put it on about 1/8 power. Pop in on the camera and work through the various positions. Point it forward, up, back etc. That will tell you if you have any kind of problem with the base and head communicating.
 
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