Tip for flash life care

[pukkita]

Hi,

You can lengthen your flash life (the capacitor life, one of the electronic components that ages more) with this simple tip:

When you're going to switch off the flash (not going to use it until the next session) fire it manually and then quickly switch it off to avoid storing it with the capacitor charged.

The red pilot for example in the 420ex acts as the manual firing button; I hold the flash with both hands, left thumb on the red button, right thumb on the power switch; then almost simultaneously I fire it and switch it off.

[kb244]

Hrm does that work with the internal flash on the camera itself?

[marcel wouters]

are you shure this is necessary with the 420EX?
With my old flash after power down i pushed the manual fire and it's worked!
On the 420EX as soon you power down the manual fire button did'nt work anymore.
Maybe there is an internal circuit discharging the capacitor to alleviate the problem? Very easy to implement (in theory) and doesn't require an extra flash!

[marcel wouters]

are you shure this is necessary with the 420EX?
With my old flash after power down i pushed the manual fire and it's worked!
On the 420EX as soon you power down the manual fire button did'nt work anymore.
Maybe there is an internal circuit discharging the capacitor to alleviate the problem? Very easy to implement (in theory) and doesn't require an extra flash!

[pukkita]

no, not needed nor possible with the on camera flash.

I don't believe the 420ex does that by himself, though it could be possible.

I fire it manually one fraction of second before switching it off.