PDA

View Full Version : Flashgun life cycle

dpp
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 06:01
Hello

Has anyone got any idea how many pictures a 550EX can take before it will cease to work, or in other words how many flashes are they guarantee'd for?
tim
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 06:22
It's in your manual.
dpp
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 06:28
thanks, I'll make sure I read it when I buy one.
scottbergerphoto
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 06:50
It's in your manual.
Not exactly the kind of answer we like to see here. Yes, I know it's a little early in the morning. I just checked my 550EX manual and I don't see anything about life span. That may be because it depends on how you care for and use the flash.
Scott
defordphoto
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 07:44
The manual is online in a PDF, but I don't have the link here at work. I don't recall reading anywhere about the lifespan of the flash, but it'd be based on number of flashes. I have the link at home and will PM it to you tonight.

We apologize for Tim's rudeness, dpp. Those types of answers to people's questions are against forum policy. We will get you your answer. If someone doesn't answer it before I get home this evening, I'll dig up the info for you, in addition to the manual.
cmM
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 09:06
hmm... I think it should last pretty long. I'm wondering if the flashtubes are interchangeable for EX flashes
scottbergerphoto
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 09:34
hmm... I think it should last pretty long. I'm wondering if the flashtubes are interchangeable for EX flashes
There is a link to EX Flash Tube Replacement in the EOS Flash Sticky.
Scott
S230
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 09:40
I think I read somewhere in the manual and it does mention if you are using strobic flash, you must give it rest or time to cool down after 40 shots. I have to probably re-download and see again. It's written near middle of manual and under stopbic (Spelling probably wrong... ).
defordphoto
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 09:58
The question related to the entire lifetime of the flash.
S230
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 10:07
Sorry but as to Lifespan, I don't think I really know. But logically, it probably like any light bulb, there will be eventually a time before it will burn out. This is however a very valid question and I too am interested in knowing...
DocFrankenstein
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 10:11
One would think the lifespan is large...

My vivitar is about 15 years old, and still works ok. :confused:

How much does it cost to replace the bulb in 550EX?
iwatkins
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 10:30
It's in your manual.

What a daft reply. And totally unhelpful.

Oh, and incorrect as well. I've just gone through my 550EX manual and there is no mention of flash lifetime at all.

some people... *mutter* *mutter*

:roll:
Jon
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 12:21
I think the tube's good for about 5 sec. Of course at 1/10,000 sec. per shot . . .
defordphoto
22nd of February 2005 (Tue), 19:45
http://www3.canon.de/pro/bda/fot/bli/

You can download the 550EX manual here. The file is a self-extracting archive with the pdf enclosed and is direct from Canon Germany.
chris clements
23rd of February 2005 (Wed), 07:44
I have never seen this quoted for any make/model of flash. With such a fragile item as the tube, would any figure be meaningful?
In my experience, guns should go on forever - or, at least until they come into contact with concrete, water or kryptonite.
Recently, my 420 even survived the concrete test (slightly chipped)