Is my 430EX broken?

[Donald Wong]

Can someone with a 430EX take a look at the flash assist light and let me know if there is supposed to be one or two red LED lamps there? I just noticed that only half of mine lights up and I don't know if it's broken or if that's how it should work. Thanks.

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[Gordon S Walker]

I tried mine and it lights just one up. I think the other half is a receiver (perhaps for slave flash or (like the 300TL for the T90) reads distance information on some cameras.
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[Donald Wong]

Interesting. I also dug up the product description and it says:

An ultra-bright 2-LED configuration focus assist-beam has been designed to be compatible with all focus points within the frame of all EOS AF systems, up to 9-point AF.

Where are the 2 LED's then? I only see 1 lighting up.

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[Brian Choi]

It's not defective. Even the 580EX does the same thing where one side doesn't light up.

 

[RichW]

Try selecting different focus points and you will see how they work.

Rich

 

[Donald Wong]

You're absolutely right. Switching to the side auto-focus sensors enables both LED's to turn on. Looks like my 430EX is working correctly then. Thanks for the help!

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