ETTL cable for Canon not firing the exposure flash

09/15/2008 03:27:00 PM · #1

Hi All,

I've noticed recently that my ETTL extension cable is not firing the actual exposure flash??

I get the pre flash when it's in ETTL mode to calculate power for the exposure but it's not firing when the shutter is open?

When I set the flash (both 430EX and 580EX II) to manual mode, no flash happens at all.

Seen as I'm getting the pre ETTL flash I can only assume the cable is working but are there seperate wires for the actual flash that could be broken?

Any help would be great as I like to use the cable to get the off camera flash

09/16/2008 04:34:40 AM · #2

Anyone?

leaf

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

09/16/2008 06:46:37 AM · #3

are you shooting at a slow enough shutter speed?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

09/16/2008 06:49:56 AM · #4

Since you don't get any visible flash when in manual mode, I'll assume that shutter speed is definitely not the culprit. Couple questions:
- When you mount the flash directly on the camera, you get proper behavior?
- Is this a Canon or third party cable?
If you *do* get proper behavior with the camera on the body, then I strongly suspect the cable.

09/16/2008 07:09:34 AM · #5

Originally posted by kirbic:

Yes it's working perfectly when on the camera hotshoe and all the ETTL works fine via Master/Slave when the master is on camera

It's just when connected via the cable (which IS a Canon cable)

I assumed the cable was the culprit but I'm confused as to why it's firing the pre flash ok?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/16/2008 07:26:19 AM · #6

I'm on my 3rd Canon flash cable. Apparently they "wear out"... internally the wires bend or break or something. All I know is that after using them for quite awhile they stop working. No visible sign of a problem ... other than the flash just won't fire.

So while I've never had your exact symptoms ... I would at least suspect the cable to be at fault and try getting another one.

But before you do that, do make sure that the hot shoe connector is properly seated on the camera (pushed all the way forward and locked) and likewise make sure the flash is properly connected to the cable.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/16/2008 08:00:27 AM · #7

Yeah I took it off and put it back on a couple of time to be sure it was fully engaged but no joy.

It's a shame as the cables are way over priced IMO for what they are and i've only had it less then a year.

I may just go for a transmitter rather then another cable, are there any disadvantages of the ST-transmitter thingy over a cable? For instance can I have the flash behind the camera with the transmitter?

Are there any other options for off camera flash i.e. radio triggers, etc.. that would still allow me to use ETTL?

Thanks

bjoern

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/16/2008 08:42:24 AM · #8

I had a similar problem with a third party cable. The camera would recognize that there is a flash connected, but it wouldn't fire. I gave it back, and the Canon one seemed too expensive for me.

As far as I know the radio transmitters only fire the flash, but don't do any of the ETTL stuff. You have to set the flash manually.

A cheaper solution than a radio transmitter is an adapter on the camera and one beneath the flash with a PC cable in between. It isn't as elegant as the radio transmitter, though, as there's always the cable someone can trip over and ruin your flash and/or camera.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D