G3 + 420EX help...not working! What did I do?!

Take some pictures using manual mode, iso 100 f5.6, shutter speed 1/60th with slow speed sync and NO timer. Point the 420ex straight forward, push the FEL button and let E-TTL take care of the flash exposure. Wait a minute, set the timer to 10, then hit the shutter release with timer on without using FEL. Allow the camera to use the E-TTL preflash for automatic flash exposure.

Compare the results between the two exposures... Post the results here if you want, maybe someone will see something wierd. Then set your camera to Automatic, try again, see if there's a difference, compare the camera's exposure settings "iso" F-stop shutter speed, to what you chose for manual mode. post that info here too.

Okay, I'm going to have to figure out how to do all of that. LOL Hopefully I can figure it out with the manual. I'll get back to you tomorrow evening...no time to play until then. Thanks!

Okay, I just played with it a bit, trying to figure out what you all were talking about above.

To show you what I'm talking about it doing...
Shot in Automatic mode with the 420 pointing directly at Elmo...
http://im1.shutterfly.​com …f861f0000001511​9IYtWbZo0c If you look very closely, you can kind of see his big white eyes.

Shot in Automatic mode without the flash attached to the camera, so just using the onboard flash...
http://im1.shutterfly.​com …607160000001511​9IYtWbZo0c

Then, trying what was suggested above by Kraig "Take some pictures using manual mode, iso 100 f5.6, shutter speed 1/60th" ( I don't know what the rest of what you said means! Blush, blush. LOL) and this is what I got!
http://im1.shutterfly.​com …a07b40000001511​9IYtWbZo0c The flash actually made the picture brighter instead of darker!!!

Okay, so now what does all of this mean? Anyone know? I'm sorry I'm so clueless about the terms! (I usually shoot in Auto mode, but I want to learn Manual so badly!)

No, it changes depending on what I focus the camera on. Is it always supposed to go to 1/60 automatically in P mode?

I put in on the camera like I always have, nothing seems different. I know it's pushed in all the way. How can you see in there to make sure that they're lining up properly?

One more bit of info... I tried the flash on my neighbor's Rebel XT to see what would happen. It's doing the same thing on his camera, making the pictures come out super dark. So, I know it's not just my camera.

I’m not sure I read ALL the suggestions in this thread, but I tried.

If you have problems with the flash mounted in the G3 and in the Rebel XT, the problem and/or the wrong settings are most likely in the flash.

Somebody in this forum wrote:

Sorry, I just copied the phase, not the author or thread. Hope it will work with your 420EX if there is just a settings problem.

Also, I read some posts on the thread 20D-420EX flash goes off but always underexposed

I think that at least post #9 about the pre-flash and post #19 describing a test in front of a mirror may help you a bit.

Good luck.

Try new batteries also.

you know, the EASIEST AND LEAST COSTLY way to solve so many technical problems is to READ the manual.
you worked hard for your money to spend it on somethingcostly. you might as well learn how to use it.
sorry, kim. i am not gettingat you. this is for all of us including myself who gets too eager too often to play my new toys without readingthe manual.

I've been using this flash for two years, it's not like I just got it. It's suddenly having this problem. I've read the manual over and over, trying to find something that could fix the problem. My husband read through it and can't find anything either. That's why I came here to ask.

Okay, I tried that mirror test. I could see the flash in the picture I took with the onboard flash, but could not see the flash in the picture I took with the 420EX. So what does that mean? My flash isn't firing, just the E-TTL is? Or that it's firing at the wrong time? How can I tell? What should I do next?

Also, what's the best way to clean the contacts?

Kim22
I had the very same problem with my 420 and G2. In fact I just got it back today. I've tried all the stuff everyone is suggesting and finally gave up and sent it back for repair. The "actual repairs section" states, "replaced front cover, rear cover, top unit, check all functions and repair to G.W.O. (good working order).
Only thing I can think of is stress on the camera with the flash attached. The G series gets pretty top heavy with the 420 flash. My camera failed when I was using the flash with a coiled extention cord between camera and flash. I may have induced too much stress on the camera around the hot shoe. I don't know. I does work fine now, but it cost me $205.00.

Its the last time I'm getting this camera fixed, it has been in 4X for various problems. If it didn't take such good pix, I'd can it. I have 4 other Canon's starting with a 1970 TLB, and those cameras still work without any problems. I've been really turned off by Canon and problems with my G2.

Kim22
I insist. As the flash failure is the same in your G3 and in your neighbor’s Rebel XT probably the malfunction is in the 420EX.

Tray the ‘reset’ described in my previous post. I did it in my 420EX. It is harmless for the flash:
-Use a fresh set of alkaline batteries
-Double check that the batteries are inserted correctly (just to be sure)
-Do not mount the flash in the camera
-Set the upper right switch to H
-Set the slave switch to OFF
-Turn the Flash ON
-Wait for the PILOT light, check that the letters in GROUP and the numbers in CH do not lit.
-Press the PILOT button and confirm that the flash fires.
-Wait for the PILOT light again.
-Open the battery cover and remove the batteries.
-Wait for a while (say 30 seconds) and switch the flash OFF

Load the batteries and test your flash in the camera as usual.

If the problem persists, you may want to test the camera with another 420EX from a friend or from a camera shop before send either of the units to repair.

I tried doing that "reset" thing and it doesn't work.

Any more ideas? My cousin is having her new baby tomorrow and I wish I could take pics with the flash.

Should I bother sending it in for repair, or would I be better off just buying a new flash? (I want the cheaper option as we're living on my husband's student loans right now.)

Am I understanding right? It was a problem with your camera, not your flash? If so, I don't think that's what's going on with mine since the flash wouldn't work right on my friend's Rebel, either.