430EX problem – high power pre-flash?

Hi all,

I’ve just bought a 430EX for my 300D and have been getting the hang of using it, but now it’s playing up.
It seems to be firing a full power pre-flash, which means that it needs to wait to recycle before it can fire the actual flash, resulting in the scene not being lit unless I use second curtain sync with an exposure of a few seconds.

It was working fine yesterday. Is it broken or am I missing something obvious?
The flashgun’s in ETTL mode and it’s the same in all shooting modes.

Many thanks in advance for any help,

Peter

This sometimes happens to me when the flash isn't seated properly on the camera. Make sure it's pushed on all the way, and tightened. Sure it sounds simple, but it's an easy mistake to make.

IIRC the preflash is locked at 1/32 power and never changes, i'd also look at having properly charged NiMH batteries (they're not charged when you buy them). Again it's a simple thing but i've seen someone around here caught out before.

If neither of those help, try a different flash, then the flash on a different camera. A local camera store should help you out if you don't know anyone with gear to help you.

Tim, thanks for the reply. I still couldn't get it working properly so I took it back and got a replacement today, which is working fine.

Peter

I find mine goes off when I accidentally touch one of the 2 buttons by my thumb. The minus '-' button.

Good to hear

When you hit the * button (exposure lock) it does the preflash, that's what it's meant to do.

Thanks Tim....I should have looked a little higher for the star.