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View Full Version : Dropped 420EX - Is it worth fixing?


RockSlut
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 02:13
The short version of a long and very depressing story is that I dropped my 420EX flash on the weekend. Less than 1m onto concrete.

When switched on, you can hear it power up, but the sound does not change to the "ready" sound as with when the flash is ready to fire. The AF-Assist lamp still operates.

The flash looks fine except for a couple of scratches on the side.

The wholly unhelpful technician (non-Canon) looked at the flash twisted and rotated the flash then tested my batteries told me exactly what I described to the shop on the phone and told me "might be $200AUD, might be $350AUD". I would have taken him at his word except for the fact that he did not even remove a single screw nor give the flash anything more than a cursory glance.

The questions I have are -
1. Has anyone had any experience with successful repair of a dropped canon speedlite? If so what was the cost?
4. What chance (if any) is there of this being a minor and inexpensive repair?
3. Is it worth me going across town to Canon's service centre to see about the possibility of them repairing the flash?
4. should I just chalk it up to being a very expensive mistake and get on with my life?

tim
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 04:38
I'd probably post it to the Canon service centre and ask them for a quote before they attempt a repair.

PacAce
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 06:56
Are the batteries fresh? The flash will exhibit similar behavior if the battery is spent and needs replacing.

RockSlut
26th of April 2005 (Tue), 08:02
Thanks for the responses...

Tim - Yes, I'm intending on taking it to the Canon SS, however wanted to see about the expereriences of others before doing so.

PacAce - I've tried several sets of batteries including freshly charged. :(