Can One Live Without On-Board Flash?

As mentioned in an earlier thread,https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=78223, I have an onboard flash on my 20D that worked intermittantly at first, then died for good. I have not been able to find a consumer-level fix for my problem and so am faced with the prospect of sending the camera back to Canon under warranty (which expires in June) I have almost no reason to use the onboard flash as I have other options that give far better results (see sig). I do not want to give up my camera for any significant length of time (more than a week). On the other hand, it is a new(ish) camera and everything should work. In my situation, how many of you would suck it up and send the camera back (for how many days?) and how many of you would keep on using the camera as if it never had a built-in flash?

Well, if I had a camera that had a flash on it, I'd want it to work whether I used it a lot or not. However, if I had a speedlite, I'd wait to get it fixed until a time when I knew I wouldn't need my body.

Yes I also never use the onboard flash, but I too would want it funtional. You paid for a perfeect working body, you should have a perfect working body. Besides, you never know when that spur of the moment shot comes up and you will not have the time to reach into your bag and mount your speedlight, and the only option is the quick Pop-up.

I never use my built-in flash, and wish it didn't exist. If it broke but everything else was OK, I don't think I would worry about it too much - unless I was going to sell the camera soon. Since I have never sold a camera since 1967, I don't think I'd be too worried about that either.

Canon's top line cameras like the 1D and 1Ds don't even have onboard flashes. You need to add an external speedlight if you have need for a flash.

But as Ronald S. Jr. says.. You paid for it so you should have a popup flash. Not only that, but if you eventually decide to sell the camera, you'll probably take a hit in resale value because of the non functioning flash.

It's a pain being without a camera for a while, but I'd get it fixed if it were under warranty.

You'll want it to work when you try to sell it to buy a 40D . . . .

i havnt had an on-camera popup flash for over a year now, i think actually about 18 months already.

I love it, it forces me to use a real flash

I would say have it fixed at the earliest opportunity you feel you can part with the camera for about 7-15 days. Because it is there you never know when it may make the difference.

When I used my D60/10D series I found that on rare occasions I would need flash and would not have my 550EX handy. So if it is there it can make a difference.

Having said that I have a 1 series (thus no on-board flash) as my primary camera now so find I can live quite well without for the most part (but then I also have my trusty 85/1.2L Canonball to make up for lack of light).

Just my experience,

I can't be without both my bodies during wedding season, so i'd choose to have no popup flash over losing the body for a while. I used my popup flash once, ages ago, I always take a 580EX with me now so it's not a problem.

So far its 5:3 in favor of sending the camera back. As far as selling the camera goes, I don't see that happening even when the 80D (32 megapixel, full-frame, 10FPS, ISO 50-6400, sub-$1000 fantasy camera) comes out, as backups are always good and I couldn't be happier with the camera otherwise. As for waiting until I don't need the camera, I never know when that will be (I am not a professional, but would hate to be without a camera when something good comes up). On the other hand, I did pay for the flash and might use it occasionally if it worked; i.e. quick fill flash on a sunny day. I am glad to see some replies so quickly; perhaps I should have made this a poll. Thanks to all for their input.

I welded mine down the day the camera arrived.

I would send it back as the on board flash help in focus in low low light situations. I hate onboard flash ans think it yeilds snap shots ( I wanted to say onboard flash is for weenies, but I'll refrain). So for this function that might come in useful, not to mention resale value, I would send it back.

Get it fixed. Resale reasons, as stated before. I use supplemental flash 99 percent of the time, but every once in awhile something crops up I don't anticipate, and it's nice to pop that sucker up there and bump in a little fill, too.

How can you be sure that the problem with your pop up flash is localized to that flash. It may be a defect that will effect the rest of the camera later. Get it fixed.

I could live without it, but on occassion find it handy for outdoor fiil-flash.

Why not send it for repair and rent a body if it takes too long?