Is my New Rebel XT defective?

[SKCIH]

Hi Everyone. I am getting an error code 05 intermittently when the flash needs to pop up. I hear three clicks then error 05 on the screen. I turn off and on and it works. The camera is just over a week old and this has happened about 6 times. I cannot make it happen today.

Amazon said they will replace or refund it. Either way I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem or if it's common to the XT?

Thanks,
Steve

[konaguy1123]

are you stopping the flash from coming up?

[SKCIH]

are you stopping the flash from coming up?

Nope, no hat or anything to stop it. It was really frustrating when I was trying to get a quick shot earlier in the week in a low light situation. It works now, but I have a 30 day window to send it back to amazon.

Steve

[Stump]

Don't send it back to Amazon. That's a very common problem on the Rebel Xt's. The pop-up flash spring or whatever isnt very strong on them. Just pull up when it clicks and it'll come up. You can do things to make them come up better, but I just pull mine up when needed. Im just going to get another real flash anyways, pop up flash's suck!

[SKCIH]

So are you saying this is a problem with all XT's? This was was a big purchase, at least in terms of camera equip for me and I don't want a defective camera. I am leaning toward exchaning it. I want to stick with cannon, but my fiance and I use the flash more than we should for vacation photos and such and are hoping this is not a problem with all XT's. I am taking a photography class this spring and hopefully I will not rely on the flash as much after that.


Steve

Don't send it back to Amazon. That's a very common problem on the Rebel Xt's. The pop-up flash spring or whatever isnt very strong on them. Just pull up when it clicks and it'll come up. You can do things to make them come up better, but I just pull mine up when needed. Im just going to get another real flash anyways, pop up flash's suck!

[Nick_C]

my 350D popup flash works fine, but I wouldnt recommend using the built in flash for any decent shots, its ok but you will want to get an external flash once you get into flash photography a little more, bounced flash works wonders for indoor shots.

If the popup flash is a problem I would exchange it for another one, IF the next one is the same which I doubt that very much, at least you will know that they are all the same.

Nick :-)

[tekkie]

I would send it back and get it exchanged, I read somewhere on here about someone calling and they sent them a new one and then you could send back the old one. So I would shoot for that, but they are pretty good about shipping times anyway.

[Eagle]

I would return it if it keeps acting up. You should not have to pull it up, The spring mechanism should be plenty strong enough to pop it up. An external flash will work much better though. I still use my pop up flash on my 20D at times even though I have an external one.Don't think you use the flash too much, just learn when it will help you out. Fill flash is a wonderfull thing. Will the classes you are going to take allow you to use a digital SLR? Alot of classes still require film.

[SKCIH]

It is purly a digital SLR class offered by the New Hampshire Institute of Art.

I am going to return it, but I have to work out the timing so I am not without it for any period of time for assignments. I could always borrow a friends camera at worst case.

Steve

I would return it if it keeps acting up. You should not have to pull it up, The spring mechanism should be plenty strong enough to pop it up. An external flash will work much better though. I still use my pop up flash on my 20D at times even though I have an external one.Don't think you use the flash too much, just learn when it will help you out. Fill flash is a wonderfull thing. Will the classes you are going to take allow you to use a digital SLR? Alot of classes still require film.

[Nick_C]

I am taking a photography class this spring and hopefully I will not rely on the flash as much after that.


Steve

Its the opposite, you don't rely on flash as such, but more like you use it to your advantage, flash isnt something to stay away from using, when you really get into flash photography its great, being able to balance ambient lighting with flash, well you will see what I mean in time, I actually find using flash one of the more rewarding aspects of digital photography.

Good luck with the new camera,
Nick :-)

[SKCIH]

Well, I've decided to send it back. The flash popup problem has not come back for a few days, but when it did happen I remeber being very upset at the time, so I figure better safe than sorry. Since the XT is on back order at Amazon, I choose the XTi instead. I was rather depressed packing up my XT:cry: this morning knowing I won't have camera for a week

Steve

[79TAKid]

I would have sent it back, or told them to send me a new one first. My XT has never had that problem.

[Dante King]

Crap, my wife's XT pop up flash is like the recoil from a shotgun it is so powerful when the weenie flash pops up. good idea to send it back.

[stupot]

Don't send it back to Amazon. That's a very common problem on the Rebel Xt's. The pop-up flash spring or whatever isnt very strong on them. Just pull up when it clicks and it'll come up. You can do things to make them come up better, but I just pull mine up when needed. Im just going to get another real flash anyways, pop up flash's suck!

this is rubbish, when you spend that much money on a camera it should work. send it back. my 350d's flash works fine, there are times when you need a popup flash, to save weight.

[SKCIH]

Crap, my wife's XT pop up flash is like the recoil from a shotgun it is so powerful when the weenie flash pops up. good idea to send it back.

When it pops up it, like you said it is harsh. But when I was on vacation, intentionally bought the camera right before. We were trying to take lowlight photos and it would not popup, then it would. Honestly I bet it was kind of an isolated glich since I have not been able to make it happen for a few days. But either way, it's so new that I think sendig it back is the right thing. If it was out of warrantly I would not have it fixed.


Steve

[slyone]

When it pops up it, like you said it is harsh. But when I was on vacation, intentionally bought the camera right before. We were trying to take lowlight photos and it would not popup, then it would. Honestly I bet it was kind of an isolated glich since I have not been able to make it happen for a few days. But either way, it's so new that I think sendig it back is the right thing. If it was out of warrantly I would not have it fixed.


SteveYes you're actions are correct even though it may hurt to go w/out a camera. Remember..Documentation is your friend;) "ESPECIALLY" if you were to have a failure/issue soon after warranty expiration!

[superdiver]

I dont have the problem with mine and have not heard of others with this problem either...

BUT, I would send it back as well, you spent good money for a good camera, might as well get one that works correctly...