This is why you have a backup

There is a lot of good advice about having backup equipment because you never know when something will happen. I was doing a portrait session using one 580 exii off camera and one 580 exii on camera as master. I set my camera down on a bench to make an adjustment. Picked it back up and the strap caught on a slat and pulled it out of my hand. Thankfully, it didn't fall far and this was the only damage. Put the good one on and bounced it off a reflector. Calling Canon Monday morning.

ouch, happened to me last year....just ordered a replacement foot, and it was as good as new.

OUCH !!!!! I have dropped a flash before. Luckily it hit carpeting.

I've had flashes bounce off cement and hard floors from as high as 6 feet and have yet to break one!

I've never had total failure at an event from a piece of hardware - closest has been top dial on 5D2 stopped working... Could still shoot with it but was a lot harder to use!

Yes - good advice. Only yesterday one of my 580 ex II wouldn't fire, the pilot light was out, despite the screen lighting up. Turned on/off, popped abtteries etc., so I had to work the rest of the day with one, a PITA but got by. Today I tried new batteries and no problems. will keep an eye on this flash though.

It's also why you have insurance

Its not really worth it to claim insurance on it. I think I had mine fixed locally with a new foot for $70.

Sorry to hear!

It happened to me last year when the foot just broke from wear and tear. I sent it into CPS for a replacement.

Good luck!

If you know how to use manual flash, the yn-560 would come in handy for situations like this .

jser wrote in post #14307575
It's also why you have insurance

Good point and is making me reconsider.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #14308117
Its not really worth it to claim insurance on it. I think I had mine fixed locally with a new foot for $70.

From what I can find, the part should run me ~$50. It's 4 screws and plug in the connector. While it wouldn't be worth it to claim this, it had the potential to be very costly - 5D, 70-200 f2.8 LIS Mk1, and the 580 EX II. The "what if" is making me really consider the insurance that I checked into a few months back.

There's a thread on how to replace the foot yourself, it's cheap and easy. Parts can come from ebay. This thread.

I've had pretty much everything fail at weddings. Once I had two cameras fail at the same time. I've dropped cameras, lenses, and flashes. Once I put down my camera and flash and walked away, forgetting it was connected to the battery pack on my belt.

Some photographers even go to the extend of having a backup vehicle available. Personally I figure I'll rent if that happens.

tim wrote in post #14309694
There's a thread on how to replace the foot yourself, it's cheap and easy. Parts can come from ebay. This thread.

Thanks for the link. Yeah, it's a simple fix. I just need the new part. I'll probably skip ebay and go with Canon parts. Call me anal or whatever, I like to stick with original equipment if I can.

I've got it "rigged" and can still use the flash if I had to, just not on a stand or on camera. My SO usually helps me and could hold the flash/umbrella in hand, but I have a feeling she'd be complaining after a little while.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #14307512
I've had flashes bounce off cement and hard floors from as high as 6 feet and have yet to break one!

I've never had total failure at an event from a piece of hardware - closest has been top dial on 5D2 stopped working... Could still shoot with it but was a lot harder to use!

It was attached to his camera, so much leverage on the foot!

I have dropped flashes too (by themselves!) and they have been fine.

Yowza, hope all goes well

580EX popped and died last wedding I shot. Good thing I had 3 with me that day.