Flash doesnt work

[grimey121uk]

Today i tried to connect my external flash gun (sunpak PF30X) and i could not get it to fire. Im assuming that this means its dead although strange thing is that i can test fire the flash but the camera will not fire it at all. ive tried new batteries, taking battery oput of my 40d etc but still no luck.
I know its more than likely dead but just wanna check to make sure im not missing any custom function etc (even though ive used it many times before)

and advice welcome

[Wilt]

I presume that your statement ,"i can test fire the flash", pertains to usage of the button on the back of the flash to fire the unit. Try the flash off the camera, using the hotshoe contacts shorted together (the center contact shorted to the edge contact) to test the hot foot of the flash. If that works fine, then the problem can be simply that the hot foot contacts are not coming into contact with the hot shoe contacts sufficiently.

[Walczak Photo]

First thing I would do if you haven't already is try it out on another camera...see if it's a problem with the flash or your camera.

[grimey121uk]

just tried the flash on my 400d and it works fine
maybe my 40d hotshoe is dead

[grimey121uk]

update the sunpak seems to be incompatible with my 40d since updating to the latest firmware as i have tested it with a canon 430 flash and it works fine.
so i think ill have to invest in a 430 flash gun or a 580 depending how much cash i can get together

[grimey121uk]

i found out why the sunpak didnt work its because i updated my 40ds firmware to 1.09.
so today i got a good price on a new 430EX from currys.digital for £160

test shot here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=5535428#post5535428

[elysium]

i found out why the sunpak didnt work its because i updated my 40ds firmware to 1.09.
so today i got a good price on a new 430EX from currys.digital for £160

test shot here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=5535428#post5535428
No way, cheaper than Warehouse Express. Great deal! Im looking for another soon. :)

[Wilt]

i found out why the sunpak didnt work its because i updated my 40ds firmware to 1.09.



Oh, joy! We used to have to think only about new camera bodies wreaking havok with lens firmware, and having to send Sigma lenses back for rechipping to run on the newest Canon bodies. Now we also have to worry about camera firmware updates being responsible for rendering third party flash units inoperable, too! :(

What is the source of your information for this apparent conflict?

[grimey121uk]

Oh, joy! We used to have to think only about new camera bodies wreaking havok with lens firmware, and having to send Sigma lenses back for rechipping to run on the newest Canon bodies. Now we also have to worry about camera firmware updates being responsible for rendering third party flash units inoperable, too! :(

What is the source of your information for this apparent conflict?

it worked on my 40d with 1.05 firmware
it works on a 40d in the shop with standard 1.03(i think) firmware
it works on my 400d
since i updated to 1.09 it refused to work

[Curtis N]

Interesting.

Canon seems to be getting creative with how they make third party flash units incompatible. Bad for us, but it is Canon's right to protect their proprietary systems against reverse-engineered competitive products.

I do hope this doesn't become a problem with lenses, too.

[Wilt]

it worked on my 40d with 1.05 firmware
it works on a 40d in the shop with standard 1.03(i think) firmware
it works on my 400d
since i updated to 1.09 it refused to work

The fully scientific proof would be to reload 1.05 firmware on the camera and confirm operability of the flash, then once again load 1.09 firmware on the camera and again confirm the inoperability. Then we could have absolutely no doubt!!!

[runninmann]

The fully scientific proof would be to reload 1.05 firmware on the camera and confirm operability of the flash, then once again load 1.09 firmware on the camera and again confirm the inoperability. Then we could have absolutely no doubt!!!Yep. You have to be able to turn the defect "on" and "off".

[grimey121uk]

The fully scientific proof would be to reload 1.05 firmware on the camera and confirm operability of the flash, then once again load 1.09 firmware on the camera and again confirm the inoperability. Then we could have absolutely no doubt!!!


yes i agree, but with me having a ton of exams at uni and stuff to do at work i wouldnt of had the time. the canon works flawless though.

although for the £60 new i paid for the sunpak it was a steal (when it worked)