Opperation of 420ex flash

[jenniferbagwellphoto]

I'm sure this is such a remedial question but I can't seem to download the manual to my camera so I figured I'd take some humble pie and throw this question out there to you guys. My Mom gave me a 420ex flash for me to use with my Rebel XT. She hasn't used the flash in about 5 years. It worked then but it doesn't seem to work now. I replaced the bateries and the light goes on but I can't seem to get it to work. Is there a setting I need to access in the camera to let it know the flash is set up? or should it automatically work when I use the camera?

[PacAce]

The 420EX is pretty straight forward because there aren't too many features to it so it should be basically a plug-n-play flash on your Rebel XT. Make sure that it is seated properly in the hotshoe and that it has been locked in. You might want to check to see if there's any play when you hold the flash and try to move it around in the hotshoe. If there is, you may have a screw or two loose hold the hotshoe to the camera body which will need to be tightened.

If you are not seeing a lighting icon (lightning symbol) in the viewfinder while half-pressing the shutter button when the flash is mounted and turned on, push down on the flash against the hotshoe and see if that makes the flash icon appear. If it does, you have a loose screw or two.

[jenniferbagwellphoto]

Thanks!

[jwilson]

Also, make sure you have the "slave" switch set to off....