580EX problem

battery leaked in my 580EX - now it will turn on and work for some time...then dies...Canon would fix it maybe for $125, maybe more, 3 month warranty...
what can I do? I am looking for different light

Send it in and get it fixed. At least get a real estimate.

it was a real estimate but they don't know anything for sure, where is the problem...

Hi 19 - welcome to POTN. Sorry to hear about the bad luck. Well, if it's $125 that's better than about 3X the amount for a brand new one. Out of curiousity, what sort of battery.... rechargeable or throwaway? Had it been sitting in there for a while? - Stu

19MTV79 wrote in post #6168662
it was a real estimate but they don't know anything for sure, where is the problem...

this is what I didn't like: I called canon: I have to pay $125 to start the repair, then if it costs them more - refund and bill me, and if I decide not to go with it - NO GARANTI that my unit will work at all!!! so I want to try cleaning it myself or even go with the different light...
I use alkaline batterys and replacing them every time...I like natural light so I use flash for short time only - 4-6 hours...

I guess you could just get a 430EX and send the 580EX to me. I've got some electronics knowledge, who knows, might be able to fix it. Sounds like it may be a PCB that is affected though. I doubt that a simple cleaning will fix it. Unless the contacts are simply just corroded badly. It is impossible to know without opening up the unit and looking.

It sounds as if the 430EX is plenty for the occasional use that you are describing.

Always use rechargeable batteries in a flash. If using alkaline batteries, be sure to remove them between uses.

Seriously though, if you decide to not get the 580 repaired, I'd be interested in it.

I can certainly see how that would be frustrating. I suppose you could try using cotton or foam swabs with alcohol, or even that spray on electronic cleaner that our fathers used on the old mechanical TV tuners. Consider using the rechargeable batteries in the future. They have come down in price and I don't believe they are as prone to leakage.