Problem with 420ex

[D LeBlanc]

I just bought a Digital Rebel and a 420ex Speedlite. What a difference from my A60. I've taken around 200 shots so far and everything is fine. Now my pictures are all coming out dark with the 420ex. I have new batteries and the flash fires everytime but the green light doesn't come on after the shot. If I take the 420 off the camera and use the stock flash, everything is fine.

Here's a few pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/dbltake/Animals/Rebel3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/dbltake/Animals/Rebel2.jpg

Here's what comes out now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/dbltake/Animals/Dec3104026Medium.jpg

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[paulbuceta]

I had a problem once where the connectors of my speedlite weren't making proper contact with those of the camera. Perhaps it's that?
Did you take the pics in auto or manual?

[Toogy]

Just for a test, try putting the camera in manual mode and set the shutter to 1/80th and the Aperture to something like F5 and see what happens.
I find that you can get much more consistent results with flash when you are in manual mode.

[montyl]

If the little green light does not come one after taking your picture, even though the flash fired, something is wrong. Maybe the flash fired before the shutter was all the way open of fired as the shutter closed. Reread your manual it may give you the answer if you haven't found it already.

[Conk]

If the little green light does not come one after taking your picture, even though the flash fired, something is wrong. Maybe the flash fired before the shutter was all the way open of fired as the shutter closed. Reread your manual it may give you the answer if you haven't found it already.

Not true. If the batteries are weak it will take longer for the pilot to light. The flash will still work but not at full capacity. Replace with fresh batteries! ;)

Btw D LeBlanc , #2 is a great pet photo. I like it very much. :D

[D LeBlanc]

I took the pictures in Auto mode. I tried another 30 pictures in different settings (Auto and Manual) and they all come out very dark. I'll just go exchange it for a new one Monday. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

[Conk]

I took the pictures in Auto mode. I tried another 30 pictures in different settings (Auto and Manual) and they all come out very dark. I'll just go exchange it for a new one Monday. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

I had the exact same thing happen. The 420 eats battery power like crazy. Did you try new ones?

[robertwgross]

When my 420EX has fresh batteries in it, it tends to run pretty consistently. However, when the batteries get "slow" and the recycle time slows down, the consistency will go to hell. The ready light will still come on, but performance is bad.

I can't prove that this is any general fault. Maybe it is just what I thought I observed on my one unit.

---Bob Gross---