External Flash Not Firing on 20D

[AiGTs]

I just bought a Vivitar DF22 flash to use on my 20D. The flash was working fine when I was doing some test shots, but all of a sudden it wouldn't fire anymore. The flash says it's ready and the ETTL light is on, CF7 is set to fire. Am I doing some wrong? I tried all the programmed modes and it still wouldn't fire, I even reset my camera settings.

[Curtis N]

Connection issue, maybe? Loosen the locking ring, make sure it's slid clear forward in the hotshoe and lock it down again.

[AiGTs]

Connection issue, maybe? Loosen the locking ring, make sure it's slid clear forward in the hotshoe and lock it down again.

The flash is connected to the hotshoe properly, but it is still not firing when I take a shot. If I push the * button a few times the preflash will fire. Any idea?

[Titus213]

I would suspect what Curtis is getting at, a loose connection between the camera and flash. It doesn't take much. If the flash can move even a bit it can lose connectivity.

This link is not for the repair instructions as much as it is for the photos of how little the movement has to be: http://www.conraderb.com/flashrepair/

[AiGTs]

I would suspect what Curtis is getting at, a loose connection between the camera and flash. It doesn't take much. If the flash can move even a bit it can lose connectivity.

This link is not for the repair instructions as much as it is for the photos of how little the movement has to be: http://www.conraderb.com/flashrepair/

Thanks for the link. I assume my flash is connected to the camera properly since it can deliver a preflash and it was working when I first put it on. The flash icon in the viewfinder is lit and when I push the flash button for the built-in flash it will not pop up. What could be another reason why the flash isn't firing when taking a shot?

[Wilt]

I just bought a Vivitar DF22 flash to use on my 20D. The flash was working fine when I was doing some test shots, but all of a sudden it wouldn't fire anymore. The flash says it's ready and the ETTL light is on, CF7 is set to fire. Am I doing some wrong? I tried all the programmed modes and it still wouldn't fire, I even reset my camera settings.

Were you simply in too bright ambient light, so that the camera did not think it needed to fire the flash?

Put the camera in M, set f/4 and 1/200 on the camera, turn on the flash in Manual mode (not ETTL) and fire...it should fire regardless of the ambient lighting brightness. If that works fine, report back. Then try the same camera settings but put the flash into ETTL mode. If that works fine, report back. This will determine fundamental functioning of flash firing.

After those two tests, we can rule out other situations.

[AiGTs]

Were you simply in too bright ambient light, so that the camera did not think it needed to fire the flash?

Put the camera in M, set f/4 and 1/200 on the camera, turn on the flash in Manual mode (not ETTL) and fire...it should fire regardless of the ambient lighting brightness. If that works fine, report back. Then try the same camera settings but put the flash into ETTL mode. If that works fine, report back. This will determine fundamental functioning of flash firing.

After those two tests, we can rule out other situations.

Thanks for the great advise... however, this flash does not have a manual setting option. It is a compact auto flash that only has an on/off switch. When the flash is turned on, the Test/Ready and ETTL light are lit, and once the shot is taken the Auto OK light will flash once.

I just set the camera in M with F/4 and 1/200 and nothing happened. This is frustrating!

[Wilt]

Sounds like the time to walk into a store with a Canon brand flash, with the "I'm thinking about buying one for my camera...do you have a display unit that I could mount on my camera and try it out to see how I like it? I've heard that Canons underexpose flash a bit, and I want to see how much it underexposes before I buy one."

[Bob_A]

If you just bought it, take it back to the store and show them that it isn't working. Since the flash could just be faulty they can try a new one or try a Canon branded flash.

If you bought it on-line do what Wilt suggested and go to a local shop asking to try a 430EX II. If the 430EX II works fine it at least confirms that the 20D is OK and you can send the Vivitar flash back for exchange or refund.

Try one thing before you do this though ...

I have an off-shoe cord that doesn't always seat very well on one of my cameras and I have to slide it on and off several times and wiggle it to get it to work. You'd think the thing was on perfectly, but it sure is touchy.

If you can get the Vivitar flash to work once in awhile doing the same thing either the contacts have a bit of a coating that is interfering or the seat isn't very precise.

[AiGTs]

Thanks for the quick response guys. I will borrow a 580 from a friend to see if it'll work with my camera, I remember using one before and it was working fine with my camera.