Flashgun life cycle

Hello

Has anyone got any idea how many pictures a 550EX can take before it will cease to work, or in other words how many flashes are they guarantee'd for?

It's in your manual.

thanks, I'll make sure I read it when I buy one.

Not exactly the kind of answer we like to see here. Yes, I know it's a little early in the morning. I just checked my 550EX manual and I don't see anything about life span. That may be because it depends on how you care for and use the flash.
Scott

The manual is online in a PDF, but I don't have the link here at work. I don't recall reading anywhere about the lifespan of the flash, but it'd be based on number of flashes. I have the link at home and will PM it to you tonight.

We apologize for Tim's rudeness, dpp. Those types of answers to people's questions are against forum policy. We will get you your answer. If someone doesn't answer it before I get home this evening, I'll dig up the info for you, in addition to the manual.

hmm... I think it should last pretty long. I'm wondering if the flashtubes are interchangeable for EX flashes

There is a link to EX Flash Tube Replacement in the EOS Flash Sticky.
Scott

I think I read somewhere in the manual and it does mention if you are using strobic flash, you must give it rest or time to cool down after 40 shots. I have to probably re-download and see again. It's written near middle of manual and under stopbic (Spelling probably wrong... ).

The question related to the entire lifetime of the flash.

Sorry but as to Lifespan, I don't think I really know. But logically, it probably like any light bulb, there will be eventually a time before it will burn out. This is however a very valid question and I too am interested in knowing...

One would think the lifespan is large...

My vivitar is about 15 years old, and still works ok.

How much does it cost to replace the bulb in 550EX?

What a daft reply. And totally unhelpful.

Oh, and incorrect as well. I've just gone through my 550EX manual and there is no mention of flash lifetime at all.

some people... *mutter* *mutter*

I think the tube's good for about 5 sec. Of course at 1/10,000 sec. per shot . . .

http://www3.canon.de/p​ro/bda/fot/bli/

You can download the 550EX manual here. The file is a self-extracting archive with the pdf enclosed and is direct from Canon Germany.

I have never seen this quoted for any make/model of flash. With such a fragile item as the tube, would any figure be meaningful?
In my experience, guns should go on forever - or, at least until they come into contact with concrete, water or kryptonite.
Recently, my 420 even survived the concrete test (slightly chipped)