Help with 580EX

[MinisterStanley]

I recently purchased a 20D and a 580EX flash. On the display of the flash, the current focal length is supposed to be displayed. Whenever I turn on the flash and the camera, there are only 2 dashes where the focal length should be. The other day, I set th camera down and noticed that if not disturbed the focal length would eventually be displayed. Is this normal, or do I have a defective flash unit, or worse yet, a defective camera. This is with the flash in automatic mode and the camera body in program mode using the 18-55mm kit lens.

[tim]

Make sure the flash head's pointing straight ahead, not down a little, or up. You probably have it in the 10 degree down position.

On my 550EX the next position up from the focal length you've chosen on your camera's displayed. It can be a little slow to update, but I never really paid it much attention. So long as you get good exposures I wouldn't worry about it.

[MinisterStanley]

I made sure that the flash head was in the straight ahead position (there is an indicator on the display if it is in the down position). I'm really new to this (first digital SLR and flash) and want everything to work properly. I would rather catch it now and be able to return the flash if something is indeed wrong.

[tim]

Try it in a few positions, half press the shutter button to tell the flash to "wake up" at each position.

My 580EX arrives monday so I could help you more then, but no doubt someone else will pop up soon and answer your question.

[MinisterStanley]

Thanks for the advice, tim. I tried that, but to no avail. I really hope someone can jump in and help a paranoid beginner out. I'm a minister, and I don't make much money. It took me a long time to save up for this setup, and I want everything to work.

[tim]

Scott or Bob will most likely be able to answer your question, if not send me a PM on Monday afternoon and i'll have an answer for you :)

[tim]

Can anyone help out with this? I can check my 580EX tonight, but surely someone knows the answer.

[Dan GSR]

hrm...make sure the contacts are clean, and the flash is seated properly ?

[MinisterStanley]

Done that. The problem is very intermittent. I have had nothing but problems with anything purchased for my 20D.

[tim]

I just tried mine, and it works as expected - so long as the flash head is pointed directly ahead - not down 10 degrees or up at all - the current lens focal length is displayed on the display, and the thingy inside the flash moves to give appropriate coverage. Sometimes the mm displayed doesn't change, but a half press of the shutter activates it. The only time -- is displayed is when the flash head isn't in the straight ahead position.

I hate to say it, but you'll probably need to send the camera and the flash to be inspected. If you keep having trouble with different pieces of your camera system send in a lens too, so they can check it out, but it's more likely to be the camera than the flash. If you can try your flash on another body, or vice versa, that would answer the question of which has the problem too.

Hope that helps.

[MinisterStanley]

Thanks. I sent the flash back to B & H yesterday. If I have the same issue with the different flash, I'll send in the camera. The issue with the lens is certainly the lens, as the problem completely disappears when I go back to using the kit lens.

[scottbergerphoto]

Sorry, I don't have a 580EX.

[mve_cdp]

I just received my 580EX from Amazon and I am sending it back -- same problem as in the original post.

First of all I read and re-read the manual thinking that I must be doing something wrong then I spent over 4 hours on the net trying to find similar issue and this is the only post I found so far. Must be defective flash units ...
Here's what happens with my Canon 580EX Flash:

NOTE: All of the described symptoms (see below) are only apparent after the initial boot-up when "Wireless selector" is set to "OFF". During the boot-up period (lasts few seconds) or if "Wireless selector" is set to "MASTER" everything seem to work (I can change settings such as Flash/MODE,FEC, etc):

1) FLASH doesn't respond to any of the buttons except "PILOT" (not even LCD illumination works!)
2) due to 1) none of the settings can be changed (i.e. FEC,FEB,HSS)
3) flash/LCD keeps blinking (ZOOM/Focal length doesn't display -- it shows dashes, FLASH-RANGE scale is NOT displayed)
4) basically -- flash controls appear to be locked-up

This happens with 580EX on/off the camera (20D).

-MVE [20D/70-200 2.8/kit-lens]

[MinisterStanley]

The new one that I received from B & H has worked like a charm since I got it.

[mve_cdp]

Thank you for the update.

I think I'll get one locally and check it on my camera right in the shop.

-MVE