Is My 550EX Broken or is It Me?

Refurbished 550EX on a Canon 10D. Have had it about a year, without a lot of

use. Was trying it out in Av mode, and it fired normally, perhaps a dozen

times. Then switched to high-speed synch by pressing + and - on the speedlite

simaltaneously. The 550EX would not fire, and it has not fired since. Not on

the camera or off the camera in any test firing (the test lamp is always red,

but there is no flash). Have tried it in every mode, switched to fresh

batteries, switched lenses. Nothing. The speedlite appears to function

properly in every other way. In fact, the camera information for each

photograph records as if a flash has fired. Sometimes the speedlite green

light even comes on, presumably because I have the exposure correct, after I

take a shot although no light is firing. Has the unit failed, or have I

inadvertantly done something to cause it not to flash that can be changed? Any

and all suggestions greatly appreciated. Thank you.

And if it is broken, is it worth having Canon repair it? Any experiences with them on this kind of repair? Anyone know the cost?

I have a 580EX, but I know there is a custom function that turns the firing off, so check that first. Everything else functions the same but it doesn't fire. Or, you could have put it in TTL through custom function, because in that mode, the flash doesn't fire but focus assist and everything else functions as normal.

Thank you, Nadine. I've tried the custom functions, the TTL was not enabled. Still no flash. Thanks for the idea though.

Sorry...is the LCD panel functioning as normal? Does focus assist function as normal? Did you try it on another camera?

Yes, all those things functioning properly. Does not fire on my old D30 either. Since the test flash doesn't fire, I think its the flash itself. Thanks again though, you are always willing to try and I appreciate that.

"Then switched to high-speed synch by pressing + and - on the speedlite simaltaneously."

 

Just tried the same trick on my 550 and it keeps on flashing, on or off camera. So I guess

yours is bust. Sorry.

Thanks for trying Ken.

Follow-up -- Canon was terrific in repairing the unit promptly from its Irvine facility. Came back today, appears to be good in all respects, haven't a chance to shoot with it quite yet, but it is test firing properly. To Canon and back in about 11 days.

Hi!

I have a similar issue. My 550 was mounted on a stand, firing as a slave with the infrared trigger. after a few shots it just stood there in the dark. it stopped firing at all. I tried on camera (both, an A2 and a 20D), with the IR trigger and the test button. I tried all flash modes and even removing and re-inserting batteries. All with the same result.

 

... what was the cost to repair yours?