My 430EX flash just electrocuted me,WTH?

Thats right, you read the title correctly.

It happened just now when I had a casual nighttime photoshoot in Kings Park, Perth.

I used 300D & 100mm Macro USM for my setup. Then I decided to use 430EX flash to shot some trees. After I plugged the flash onto the camera & turned it on, I tried to tilt the angle a little bit.

Then, it happens, my left hand got electrocuted right after I tilted the flash head.

The shock wasn't that big, but seriously it hurts. There wasn't any spark, but it stung my left hand so damn bad. Even now my left arm muscles are still feel a bit sore because of the shock.

I wonder what caused the flash to electrocute like that? I'm sure this kind of situation is not common, and it surprised me a lot.

Has anyone ever got the same experience like this before? What the hell happened to my 430EX?

Did the flash work afterwards? Is there any case damage to the flash - with exposed metal...do you have a really low pain threshold? :0 Need some more info!

Sounds like the flash may have fired, but a short sent the power into you...(need to inspect the case...need an obvious point of contact! If your brave, try to recreate the zap while looking to see whewre it came from...

I've recieved a slight 'tingle' from a cracked flash casing, but never anything near like you describe.

Did you ever open the flash in the past or had it sent in for repair job or anything like that?

It just doesn't make sense.
Is there anything wrong physically with the flash?
Send it to Canon with this story

any chance that metal piece towards the bottom (usually covered by a piece of plastic) was exposed? i dunno. now im afraid of my 430ex hahaha

or maybe you had a muscle spasm =P

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #7467021
Then, it happens, my left hand got electrocuted right after I tilted the flash head.

If you had been electrocuted, you could not have posted the message.

If you are electrocuted, the result is that you aren't around any more - the mortician would be dealing with your remains.

Regarding the shock you received - what sort of humidity level was there in the area? Was the flash unit damp at all? Was the humidity in the area and the flash unit ultra-dry? Depending on the answers to these questions I could think of a couple of scenarios that could cause you to feel something.

good thing you didn't upgrade to the 580ex...

joking aside, no problems with my 430ex

Virsaga_mk2 are you alive?

Hello?

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #7467021
Thats right, you read the title correctly.

It happened just now when I had a casual nighttime photoshoot in Kings Park, Perth.

I used 300D & 100mm Macro USM for my setup. Then I decided to use 430EX flash to shot some trees. After I plugged the flash onto the camera & turned it on, I tried to tilt the angle a little bit.

Then, it happens, my left hand got electrocuted right after I tilted the flash head.

The shock wasn't that big, but seriously it hurts. There wasn't any spark, but it stung my left hand so damn bad. Even now my left arm muscles are still feel a bit sore because of the shock.

I wonder what caused the flash to electrocute like that? I'm sure this kind of situation is not common, and it surprised me a lot.

Has anyone ever got the same experience like this before? What the hell happened to my 430EX?

That huge honking capacitor used to store the charge for the flash tube is located right in the elbow between the flash body and the flash head. The insulation on one of the electrodes of the capacitor might have come off and the bare wire touching the body of the flash. Might be a good idea to send the flash in for servicing, as someone above suggested, if you want to keep from getting any more shocks.

PacAce wrote in post #7468245
Might be a good idea to send the flash in for servicing, as someone above suggested, if you want to keep from getting any more shocks.

Or keep it and use it for practical jokes, as in "Hey Mr. Assistant, could you get me that flash out of my bag?"

tenoverthenose wrote in post #7468363
Or keep it and use it for practical jokes, as in "Hey Mr. Assistant, could you get me that flash out of my bag?"

Yea, that ought to ruin a nice wedding shoot...

GerBee wrote in post #7467660
Virsago_mk2 are you alive?

Hello?

Shhhh... I'm in the grave now. Be quiet please.

virsago_mk2 wrote in post #7470488
Shhhh... I'm in the grave now. Be quiet please.

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Did it shock the sh*t out of you?!

Thats kind of RANDOM... I've had mine out in moist conditions and in the rain, I never got shocked. But those little Kodak disposables... lets just say, I don't recommend taking those apart...