Got a 430EX off eBay which has been kept in smoker's house ...

It just arrived. Looking at it the lens on the flashhead looks yellowed. When I pull the diffuser out that is pure white, you can clearly see the difference. I have not gotten it home to compare to my 580EX, but I'm wondering if that could throw off the color balance somewhat or am I over-worried about this.

If it is a concern, should I try to clean it (assuming it is outer surface only, which is likely given how white the diffuser panel is) or just send it back?

Thoughts?

Hydrogen Peroxide does wonders removing the yellowing from old plastics, I would try to clean it with that method personally.

If it was not disclosed it was from a smoker's house I would send it back. If it was described as being coated with tar I would just keep it and clean it. The smoke not only discolors your lens and yes it will change the color of the light coming out of it, but it is bad for the electronics too.

Blaster6 wrote in post #16610538
If it was not disclosed it was from a smoker's house I would send it back. If it was described as being coated with tar I would just keep it and clean it. The smoke not only discolors your lens and yes it will change the color of the light coming out of it, but it is bad for the electronics too.

It was not disclosed in the listing. I'd rather avoid the hassle of returning it, but you make a good point. On the fence.

Are you assuming it's from a smoker's house because it is yellow, or did the seller disclose he was a smoker? Most people that smoke, smoke outside. Unless someone smoked carton after carton with the flash in hand, I find it hard to believe that the plastic yellowed from smoke. It is much more likely that it yellowed from the heat of repeated flash use.

Was not disclosed. Smells like it slightly. I will compare it to my 580EX tonight and see how different they are.

Take a terry towel and car polish to remove the yellow tint. Or if you dont have that try using toothpaste. It should come out minty fresh

Dave Jr wrote in post #16610804
Most people that smoke, smoke utside. Unless someone smoked carton after carton with the flash in hand, I find it hard to believe that the plastic yellowed from smoke. It is much more likely that it yellowed from the heat of repeated flash use.

Most smokers smoke wherever the he!! they want to without concern for anyone else and if you ask they will tell you.

I don't find it hard to believe at all it was yellowed by smoke and the smell should give it away.

If it was yellowed from use I would tend to think this is an even worse suituation.

Just clean the lens and air it out, no sense sweating the small things.

Blaster6 wrote in post #16610865
If it was yellowed from use I would tend to think this is an even worse suituation.

Exactly. It is supposed to be "little used"

1. Find a clean rag

2. Dampen the rag slightly and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

3. Briskly rub all exterior surfaces of the flash, including the flash "lens' that you indicate is yellow.

4. Rinse the flash with a second rag by doing as above, but omit the drops of washing liquid.

After you complete this rigor report back.

Enjoy! Lon

Well, I think I'm OK. Flash functions fine, on ETTL and Manual. Others don't detect a tobacco smell, but do detect a musty odor, and the manual has been well wetted, the pages are stuck together. But it works great, checked it on slave mode with my 580EX. The on/off switch is very stiff and the head movement is a little stiffer than on my 580EX but that may be because it is little used, as the seller indicated. Will probably loosen up with use.

There is no residue on the lens, I tried a Q-tip and alcohol and got no residue on the Q-tip, Maybe I'm just overly anxious, although the difference in color is more obvious to the eye than in this shot. 430EX on the left, my trusty 580EX on the right.

It's still bugging me. Here's another shot, this time with the diffuser down, which makes it a little more apparent.

I have softboxes that I have owned for over 20 years, and the front panels had yellowed. I have infrequently worn white shirts that have yellowed simply hanging in the closet. My household is non-smoking. Bleach did wonders for both. Automotive cleaner/waxes would probably be beneficial on plastics, particularly the liquids for restoring the plastic automotive headlight covers that yellow and become 'frosted' over time.

I hear ya, Wilt, but that is not the case here. I'm looking at good pics of pristine 430EX units both here and on eBay and they are clear, clear, clear. So is my current 580EX which I've had since about 2005. Headlights yellow due to UV, I believe. Your analogy does not hold water, I'm afraid.

There are two ways I know of (could be more) that lens can yellow. Hard use and smoking environment. It definitely will not yellow sitting in the box with little use, of that you can be sure. Which is how it was advertised.