Speedlite 420 EX on Hot Shoe / Off Shoe

[harhar]

I cannot make my speedlite 420 EX work on EOS 10D placing it either on the hot shoe or the off shoe.

The system works flawlessly, however , on the EOS 50E

Any ideas?

I should add that the 420 EX functions well if I slide it directly on to the camera (not using the hot shoe - off shoe connector)

[harhar]

12 new posts in the meantime - and not a single reply to my question.

Don't you like newbies?

[msvadi]

yes, we do like you ;)

just there is not much one can say about your problem. 420EX should work with your 10D. since it works with the other camera, most likely, the problem is with your 10D. try to clean 10D hot shoe contacts and, just in case, try another copy of 420EX or 550EX (if you live close to New Haven, CT I can give you mine to try ;) ). If nothing works contact Canon.

[robertwgross]

12 new posts in the meantime - and not a single reply to my question.

Don't you like newbies?

Give us the details first.

Does the 420EX not flash at all?

What mode is your camera set for?

What shutter speed?

---Bob Gross---

[Vegas Poboy]

I have the 550 & the 420 and both works well with my 10D. Need more info & also make sure its setting correctly on the hot shoe.

[scottbergerphoto]

I should add that the 420 EX functions well if I slide it directly on to the camera (not using the hot shoe - off shoe connector)
The Off the Shoe Cord 2 has been known to break. If the flash works in the hot shoe and not the Off The Shoe Cord 2, try another cord.
Scott

[sochigetto]

Hello, just a question about batteries for the 420EX flash - the specs mention alk and NiCad. Can Lithium rechargables be used?
thanks - andy.

[scottbergerphoto]

Hello, just a question about batteries for the 420EX flash - the specs mention alk and NiCad. Can Lithium rechargables be used?
thanks - andy.
Yes. Lithium batteries, while expensive, are much lighter, about 1/2 the weight of alkaline; are much less sensitive to cold weather; will shut down automatically when they get too hot; and hold their voltage till they are ready to die, so recycling times are pretty constant. They are also a bit more expensive then alkaline. Don't leave them in a hot car or in the sun if you plan to use them that day.
I'm not aware of any AA Lithium Rechargeables. Do you have a link?
Regards,
Scott

[RichardtheSane]

12 new posts in the meantime - and not a single reply to my question.

Don't you like newbies?

You do have to wait for someone who can help..... be patient

Which off shoe connector are you using? Is it the off camera cord 2? TO work properly it has to be the lastest version of the canon off camera cord.

[sochigetto]

Oppss - sorry - they're NiMH rechargables. I just was curious because the spec for the flash just said alk and the other. The 550EX has everyone and his ansestors. I guess event though they don't mention NiMH that a battery is a bettery in the way it works - thanks - ady.

[mpkirby]

My hotshoe on my G1 stopped working after about 2 years. I decided that perhaps it was taking the flash on and off the shoe while either the flash or the camera was on.

When I got my 10D, I make sure that both the flash and shoe are off. I think the electornics that control the external flash are sensitive to higher voltages -- just a guess.

Mike
Editorialized Photo Links -- http://www.frontiernet.net/~mpkirby/Photography.html

[harhar]

Which off shoe connector are you using?

I suspect that the cord (or the combination of hotshoe-cord-offshoe) is indeed the problem.

I have meanwhile found out that in your area the term "hot shoe" is used for the direct connection between speedlite and EOS - which has lead to some confusion here.

What I use is an adapter shoe which you slide onto the camera (You can mount a flash on top of this shoe; I call the thing "hot shoe") plus an external off shoe plus a connecting cord. With this setup, I use the external flash for directly lighting my macro objects (mainly smallish creatures) and the on-top-of-the-hotshoe-flash to lighten up the shade.

The system works flawlessly with any other EOS (500N, 5, 50E) but not with the 10D.

Also, the 420 EX works fine if I put it directly on the EOS 10D; - and the 430 EZ also works (only in manual mode) if connected directly to the camera.

Final conclusion: I do not believe that the connecting cord is broken, there seems to be an incompatibility between the external flash system and the digital EOS.

Why should a simple electrical connecting system not work on a digital EOS? Any ideas?

[scottbergerphoto]

The Canon Digital cameras use ETTL. Any device you insert between the hot shoe and the flash must be ETTL compliant. It really isn't a simple electrical circuit. If it was you could use a Nikon flash as easy as a Canon flash, or for that matter any of the Canon EZ flashes which you can't either.
Scott

[slin100]

To clarify, there is one and only one cord made by Canon that will work with digital EOS (and G-series, too) cameras: the Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12972&is=REG). None of Canon's other adapters, including the Off-Camera Shoe Adapter or the TTL Hot Shoe Adapter 3, are compatible with ETTL.

[harhar]

Thank you Stephen and Scott and Richard and all the others trying to help me.

The amazing fact is that with EOS 50E (also speaks E-TTL), there is no problem. But apparently the 50E will automatically use TTL (bounce off the film measurement) when the 420EX is used from the extension cord.

Got the message and have already ordered an off camera shoe cord 2 (quite annoying that you have to keep buying new peripherals with Canon. I tend to concentrate on photography not on bying new equipment :( )

Anyway - thanx for the information.

http://www.geocities.com/hartwig_dellmour3/Leptopelis.html