Canon 580EX II not working ...Wedding in a week!!

I absolutely swear ...if I did not have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all!!

I was practicing on-camera flash this morning and all was fine and now my flash has stopped working!! My first wedding shoot is in a week and I desperately need to make this thing work! Please, any suggestions of what I should do??? I cannot afford to buy a new one right now and spending $70 to rent one isn't exactly in my budget either ...an unemployment check only stretches so far and right now I'm trying to scrap together any extra money I have for new meds for my dog so I can't go spending it on a new flash!

My daughter is going to be using the 430 EX II so I need this flash to work (reliably)!

It turns on but doesn't fire. Pilot light stays red. It doesn't do anything when I press the dof preview button on the camera. I have tried everything, changing batteries, cleaning the contacts. The batteries work fine in the 430 and the 430 works fine on-camera. I tried firing it on-camera and wirelessly ...nothing!

I'm almost in tears here, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Denise

If you take it off of the camera and push the pilot button in, does it work then?

Does the 430EXII work on your 7D?

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Originally Posted by Richard Lane

If you take it off of the camera and push the pilot button in, does it work then?

Does the 430EXII work on your 7D?

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No, the pilot button doesn't work off-camera. The 430 works fine on my 7D.

I took some shots this morning of the dogs using it and it worked fine & then I was outside taking some shots of flowers and didn't see any problems with it. I went back to use it this afternoon and it all of a sudden decided not to do anything but turn on.

Will the AF assist beam fire in low light when mounted to the 7D?

I don't know what is wrong with it Denise but... I am happy to lend you one (no charge)

If you can't get it going send me a private message with your address:)

PS are the built in diffusers sticking out a little?

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Originally Posted by Richard Lane

Will the AF assist beam fire in low light when mounted to the 7D?

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Yes, the AF Assist beam works in low light. Thank you Richard for trying to help me determine what is wrong!

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Originally Posted by Joel Eade

I don't know what is wrong with it Denise but... I am happy to lend you one (no charge)

If you can't get it going send me a private message with your address:)

PS are the built in diffusers sticking out a little?

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No, the diffusers aren't sticking out at all.

Thank you so, so much for your generous offer! I am still hoping the a miracle is going to happen and this is going to start working. But then again, I wonder how reliable it will be when I need it most even if it starts working before then.

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

No, the diffusers aren't sticking out at all.

Thank you so, so much for your generous offer! I am still hoping the a miracle is going to happen and this is going to start working. But then again, I wonder how reliable it will be when I need it most even if it starts working before then.

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De Nada! Just let me know if you need it.

Ok, so the Assist beam is firing. Did you go through all of your settings in the 7D menu under Flash Control.

So you pressed the pilot light when it was red (if it wasn't red then press it again when it's red), while it was off of the camera, right? I'm afraid that since the 430 works on your 7D and the test pilot flash didn't work on the 580, than maybe the flash burnt out.

When you look directly into the flash lens does it look brown or burnt?

Denise, I don't know that much about flash, but I was told to keep you talking until the experts arrive. :D

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Originally Posted by Richard Lane

Ok, so the Assist beam is firing. Did you go through all of your settings in the 7D menu under Flash Control.

So you pressed the pilot light when it was red (if it wasn't red then press it again when it's red), while it was off of the camera, right? I'm afraid that since the 430 works on your 7D and the test pilot flash didn't work on the 580, than maybe the flash burnt out.

When you look directly into the flash lens does it look brown or burnt?

Denise, I don't know that much about flash, but I was told to keep you talking until the experts arrive. :D

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LOL! I hope the experts bring some paramedics with them because I can feel my heart racing on this one!

Yes, the light is red when I press it when it is off-camera. Also, when I take a shot with it on-camera, the green light on back lights up but nothing comes out of the flash head at all, not even a weak flash, no noise from the unit or anything. And yes, it does look darker inside the front of the flash head than the 430 does anyway.

If nothing else, does anyone know how much Canon would charge to repair it approximately? Don't they charge a couple hundred dollars just to breathe on it!? Might be cheaper to buy a used (working) one when and if I ever have the funds.

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

LOL! I hope the experts bring some paramedics with them because I can feel my heart racing on this one!
And yes, it does look darker inside the front of the flash head than the 430 does anyway.

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That's not good. :):) So.., how was your weekend?:rolleyes:

It doesn't look like I am going to be able to get this flash working and it will have to go into Canon for repair at some point. But thanks to a couple of offers from my friends here at TDP, I do have a savior mailing me a 580ex II to use for the wedding! So, I guess I won't be able to blame the bad photos on my flash not working!

Between Neuro sending me his 7d, backup cards and batteries and now another member sending me a flash and all the wisdom from Mark and others advising me on wedding photography, I cannot even express how grateful I am for everyone's help and generousity! You guys are awesome and I feel very blessed!

Now ...if I can only produce some great photos! :eek:

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Denise

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

It doesn't look like I am going to be able to get this flash working and it will have to go into Canon for repair at some point. But thanks to a couple of offers from my friends here at TDP, I do have a savior mailing me a 580ex II to use for the wedding! So, I guess I won't be able to blame the bad photos on my flash not working!

Between Neuro sending me his 7d, backup cards and batteries and now another member sending me a flash and all the wisdom from Mark and others advising me on wedding photography, I cannot even express how grateful I am for everyone's help and generousity! You guys are awesome and I feel very blessed!

Now ...if I can only produce some great photos! :eek:

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Denise

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What an amazing community. Seriously, I'm so impressed with the people who frequent this forum.

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Originally Posted by thekingb

What an amazing community. Seriously, I'm so impressed with the people who frequent this forum.

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This is an amazing community indeed! Good luck Denise!!!

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Originally Posted by Jayson

This is an amazing community indeed! Good luck Denise!!!

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Thank you, Jayson and thank you to everyone for all of your help!

I tend to stay away giving advise in all of the various threads posted here on TDP knowing there are so many more people here with a wealth of knowledge that would be able to provide so much more helpful advice than me.

But this is one thing I can advise on from experience. A photographer should never, ever contract to do a wedding unless you have a back-up for everything!! I never would have thought my flash would go out like this! Thank goodness it didn't happen on the day of!! Even though I do have two flashes, I again was wrong thinking I could do this with one photographer and one camera!

Learn from my mistakes and you are bound to go far!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Denise

I hesitated to intervene in your dilema, but now that you said it,
You can take the word of a long time wedding photographer,
Have a back up of everthing, even a back up photographer,
We are our experiences.

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Originally Posted by iND

I hesitated to intervene in your dilema, but now that you said it,
You can take the word of a long time wedding photographer,
Have a back up of everthing, even a back up photographer,
We are our experiences.

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No, reason to hesitate. Being a wedding photographer is not an aspiration of mine. If it were, I would never go into it un-equipped to handle the job. I just never needed two of everything to take photos of my dogs, flowers or butterflies. In fact, I always had much more than what I needed to photograph them! If I were to ever ...and that is a huge EVER get talked into doing this again, I would most definitely figure into my price enough to rent what else I needed until I was able to make the purchases of extra equipment. Oh, and also enough to pay my daughter 3x what she is making on this gig because she swears she'll never be my wedding assistant again ...LOL!

I did the online repair quote on Canon's site and it came back with $183 to repair the speedlite. All it did was ask me date of purchase and serial #. It didn't even ask what the problem was so how accurate is that to what it will really cost. Granted, it is an estimate but even with estimates your usually asked what the problem is first.

Has anyone ever sent something in and it was less than the "esitmate" or much more?

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

Has anyone ever sent something in and it was less than the "esitmate" or much more?

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I doubt it would be less if that is the price they quote. That is probably what it cost them to Refurb one. They are out of stock now but a refurb 580 II is just $319, just $136 more. You could just buy a refurb 430 II for $192.

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

Granted, it is an estimate but even with estimates your usually asked what the problem is first.

Has anyone ever sent something in and it was less than the "esitmate" or much more?

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Canon's estimates are fairly accurate. I beleive there is a "standard labor charge for repairing a speedlite (around $100-125)," plus the part and tax.

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Originally Posted by Richard Lane

Canon's estimates are fairly accurate. I beleive there is a "standard labor charge for repairing a speedlite (around $100-125)," plus the part and tax.

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Lovely ...now I can see why they make them so you can't take the front panel off and replace the bulb yourself.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

They are out of stock now but a refurb 580 II is just $319, just $136 more.

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Funny how a year ago, I would have looked at it as just $319 ...now I look at it as the amount of a weekly unemployment check or the amount of my monthly car payment! The repair will just have to wait until I at least sell something that I need less than I need the flash. I still have my 430ex II for now.

I didn't mean to make it sound like it was cheap, only that Canon is charging almost as much for a repair as they do a refurb.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

I didn't mean to make it sound like it was cheap, only that Canon is charging almost as much for a repair as they do a refurb.

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HA! No, I didn't mean to imply that was what you were implying ...LOL! I'm just saying that is how I looked at things and my how one year changed that! I did look at those and believe me I did think about for a split second and a year ago I would have jumped on it probably!! There is a guy on FM that buys broken gear, I could sell him my flash to make up for some of the cost.

EDIT (added afterthought): But then I think, but all mine probably needs is a dumb little bulb!

I am happy w/ the YN 565ex I think the only difference in function is the ability to be a master. I think you can get this for $150 ish.

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Originally Posted by jrw

The tricky part of replacing the flash tube is finding a suitable replacement for the burnt out one. There are a few properties to them, other than size and shape, that matter as they need to be a match for the electronics that drive them. Canon may even have custom ones built for them just to prevent electronics guys from fixing them on the cheap with parts from Digi-Key or other part supply places.

In all honesty, I'd think you might be better off going with third party flashes as a replacement. I have and use Metz flashes, fully compatible with Canon E-TTL as slave and master with bonus of optical trigger built in, that cost considerably less. Parts and repair costs are lower, though I've yet to need either it was something I looked into before buying the first one. The brand recommended by 'The Strobist' are a lot less money as well. Not sure about cheap imports, though I do sometimes wonder what brand names they produce other than their own. The prices sure are a lot more attractive.

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Originally Posted by Busted Knuckles

I am happy w/ the YN 565ex I think the only difference in function is the ability to be a master. I think you can get this for $150 ish.

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Will any off brand function as the 580ex II does (did) as master w/ my 430ex II? Or, would I be better off selling the 430ex II and buying two non-Canon flashes that are compatible? I have never looked closely at other brands and do not know what makes/models are the best bang for my buck that will function for me like the 580ex II and 430ex II should. So, I am very open to any suggestions.

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Originally Posted by ddt0725

Will any off brand function as the 580ex II does (did) as master w/ my 430ex II? Or, would I be better off selling the 430ex II and buying two non-Canon flashes that are compatible? I have never looked closely at other brands and do not know what makes/models are the best bang for my buck that will function for me like the 580ex II and 430ex II should. So, I am very open to any suggestions.

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Hi Denise,

Sorry to read about your 580 going kaput. Anyway, I own a YN 560 which is similar to the Canon's 580 and have been using it primarily as a slave flash and my main is the 580. The good thing about it is optically triggered. So if you want it to act as a slave. You can use your 430 as the master and the YN 560 as a slave. I think even the built-in flash can trigger this YN 560. It also cost way cheaper than the flagship flash.

Good luck in your upcoming wedding coverage and I'm glad to read that you're fellow photographer friends are here to help you out in any way they can.

Best regards.

Can these alternate flashes be triggered by the 7D's built in flash, or is that a Canon only feature?

Thanks for the info, jrw.

I will look into the Metz flashes before I do anything with the 580. Sad thing is, I just purchased a battery pack and a new omni-bounce last week for the 580 right before it broke. :(

Reviving another old thread here!

I still need to get my 580ex II fixed. Canon's rough online estimate was $183.00. I saw on KEH's website that they no longer give quotes and now have a firm pricelist for repairs and for flashes it is $130.

Has anyone here ever used KEH for repair service?

Denise