How to tell if your 420EX flash is about to die

Hi, this might sound like a dumb question but, is there a way to tell when the batteries are almost drained in the flash? There is no indicator and hard to tell if the power in the flash is diminishing so how does one know? Thanks

The time to charge it after it fired gets longer, and longer, and longer...

Count the number of seconds it takes to charge the flash and the ready light goes on. It 's usually around 6 to 8 seconds. If it takes longer than that, then you're probably low on battery power and it'll be time to replace them.

Look at the 'Pilot' light. If it takes a long time for it to light up in between shots then you know. Also you will hear a long whiny sound.

Thank you all for your input. Since all 3 of you said the same thing, I guess the answer MUST be correct. Not that I doubted any one of you. I think it si time for me to replace my batteries then. I used regualr duracell AA and got maybe like 700 shots with it. I think thats pretty good. I purchased the AA NIMH batteries which I will use and recharge as needed. Thanks again everyone.

Nah, you're all wrong.
The way you tell is by how much time it takes to recharge the flash

hehe

I bought some rechargable alkalines for $0.99
They are great since alkalines actually work better than nimh in flash units (don't know why, but that is what the manual says).

Keep on flashin'! (the legal way)

Wow - that slow? I haven't used an external flash for many years, but I would have expected a faster cycle time than that for a dedicated flash...

Is this par for the course these days, or is the 420ex particularly slow?

I was thinking about getting it, but I'm going to lose a lot of candid shots if I have to wait 6 to 8 seconds between shots.

Dana

On a fully charged battery it should not take 6 to 8 seconds to recycle. Mine does it almost instantly.

Peter:

Thanks - I'm thinking about the 420ex and was wondering how it could be that slow.

What batteries are you using? NIMH rechargeables? mah rating? Brand? Tell all!

Dana

dana wrote:
Peter:

Thanks - I'm thinking about the 420ex and was wondering how it could be that slow.

What batteries are you using? NIMH rechargeables? mah rating? Brand? Tell all!

Dana

I agree with PFlor, when I first installed my battereis the flash would be ready instantly for the next shot. As my 400th picture came along, it started to slow down. For some strange reason, I never thought about it. Now I know the batter is dieing. lol

dana wrote:

What batteries are you using? NIMH rechargeables? mah rating? Brand? Tell all!

Dana

I'm using Panasonic rechargeable Ni-MHs rated at 1600 mAh. Same brand charger.