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T1i and 550EX Flash Question

Started Jul 13, 2017 | Discussions
GreatWhiteWing Senior Member • Posts: 1,675
T1i and 550EX Flash Question

I have a 3 flash wireless setup I have used many times previously with never an issue. I set a 550EX as master mounted on camera on "A" at A:B 1:2 ratio. Use a 430 and 440 in slave mode on "B". All on channel 1. Setup has worked very well for me

I was taking photos faster than the flashes could recharge as usual. Usually just get varied lighting effects but reasonable exposures with camera compensating as it should. Never had a single totally blown out exposure before, lost a few decent shots.

Many of the images where flash wasn't recharged enough came out as usual. I cannot say the blow out images had flash fire or not.

About one in 20 pics came out 99% completely white, total burnout. This NEVER happened before ever with several 1000 of pics pics or more

More info. I use P mode with no exposure compensation shooting in RAW

unrelated info. I am taking kitten pictures so they move pretty fast so I shoot a lot of images.

Am I seeing a problem with camera or flash?

Haven't had time to try to recreate the problem

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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM Tamron SP 70-200 F2.8 G2 +2 more
Canon EOS 500D (EOS Rebel T1i / EOS Kiss X3)
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Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: T1i and 550EX Flash Question

Samples with data?  Could be the speedlite is loose in the hotshoe and losing full ETTL communication, in which case it'll fire at full power.

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OP GreatWhiteWing Senior Member • Posts: 1,675
Re: T1i and 550EX Flash Question

I can't seem to attach an image.

From PS CC camera data 1/60 f4.0 iso 400 4752 x 3168

Flash: fired, no strobe return detection. Compulsory flash firing. Flash function present. No red eye reduction

Seems no flash firing was detected

I did check the connection to the camera and it seemed fully engaged and lock nut tight

 GreatWhiteWing's gear list:GreatWhiteWing's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM Tamron SP 70-200 F2.8 G2 +2 more
OP GreatWhiteWing Senior Member • Posts: 1,675
Re: T1i and 550EX Flash Question

Joust an update. Seems to be a communication error with the camera. The flash zoom stays at 17mm max default.

I tried a few shots and every one completely blown out and can hear flash fully discharge even when only light fill would be needed.

Any ideas on economical repair places?

 GreatWhiteWing's gear list:GreatWhiteWing's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM Tamron SP 70-200 F2.8 G2 +2 more
WilbaW
WilbaW Forum Pro • Posts: 11,643
Re: T1i and 550EX Flash Question

GreatWhiteWing wrote:

Joust an update. Seems to be a communication error with the camera. The flash zoom stays at 17mm max default.

I tried a few shots and every one completely blown out and can hear flash fully discharge even when only light fill would be needed.

Any ideas on economical repair places?

I can't answer that but I remember a thread on the 7D forum about Yongnuo flashes firing at full power, due to a well-known problem with units burning out a component. See if I can find it... yeah, https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3778930

You might get some clues from reading that.

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