Wheelrider13

Hello, everyone. I'm new to writing to the forum, but have been paying attention to all the excellent advice for some time now, and hope I can get some also.

I purchased a new Canon 7D a little over a year ago. Intermittingly, the internal flash fails to pop up, either manually or automatically, and instead provides several "clicks" and then an Error 05 message. I have returned it to my dealer, who returned it to Canon US, who couldn't find anything wrong. I am still within the "repair" warranty period, but not sure what to do with it now, and I hate being without it for the month that it takes to send it to Canon.

Has anyone else experienced such a situation?
Thanks

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

http://www.fixya.com/support/t1879920-error_05
Error 05 means the flash didn't pop up...duh...like you wouldn't know. Fix is on the link. Seems like a common problem. I have a 7D but don't use the on-camera flash so I don't know if it happens to mine or not.

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

Have noticed this problem sometimes. I know manually raised the flash when I need it. All so it does not function in all shooting modes.

frasher101 Loc: Houndsfield N.Y.

Is the flash for that camera
Sounds like your camera battery is spent or the circut to your hot shoe is defective

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

check your owners manual under the flash section. I don't think that it operates under all settings.

alkaye Loc: North Myrtle Beach, SC

Had the exact same problem. Read the link and followed through, but that did not help. Canon suggested that I send it in for warranty repair.

This is how I solved the problem for now:

1. Used a fingernail to gently pry the flash up while activating the flash button; the flash came up with this extra help (Canon tech suggested that the spring might be too weak to pop up the flash)

2. With a tightly rolled Q-tip, I sprayed a small amount of WD-40 on a piece of paper, dipped the Q-tip into the pool of WD-40 and then, gingerly, wiped the inside rails and pivot points of the pop-up flash mechanism that is visible without dis-assembly. For me, this did the trick. The pop-up flash now does just that, i.e. pops up, when the button is pushed and the camera is in appropriate mode.

I was very careful to ensure that the Q-tip was tightly rolled so that no fibers would be left on the flash assembly and I was equally careful to ensure that the barest minimum of lubricant was applied.

Hope this helps.

Wheelrider13

Thanks, Alkaye. I tried your remedy; the pop-up flash immediately seemed to like a little lube, but I suppose only time will tell if it's the final answer. I really appreciate your response and, even as a 65 year old, am even more in love with the power of the computer - when its linked with human ingenuity and kindness.

carlreno2

Thank you for the info, I have both Canon 20D and 50D with the same problem. I will try the fix recommended.
Good searching.
Carlreno2

Wheelrider13

It's been two months since I oiled the mechanism. Although I don't use it often, I have tried to exercise it manually each time I turn on the camera, and I've had no problems. Thanks, again. What a great site!

hakapeszik Loc: nyc

I too have this problem with my Canon Rebel - it is still under warranty - should I send it in for repair or should I try the recommended solution?

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

Had the same problem some time ago with another Canon DSLR, was a "sticky" flash. Same clean up did the trick!