Canon 7D's built-in flash won't pop up
Aug 3, 2018 12:17:49 #
Ersten
Loc: Concord, CA
Used it the first night on a safari in the Pantanal with no problems, but now it will not pop up. I get the message "Menu not available. Flash is off or unsupported, or an accessory is attached."
I can use a flash attachment (I brought a macro flash kit) and it fires, so the hot shoe works. For some reason, the camera thinks a flash accessory is still in the hot shoe, so the pop-up won't activate. I forced open the pop-up flash, and I still get that message.
I can't call Canon support from Brazil, so any ideas would be appreciated.
I can use a flash attachment (I brought a macro flash kit) and it fires, so the hot shoe works. For some reason, the camera thinks a flash accessory is still in the hot shoe, so the pop-up won't activate. I forced open the pop-up flash, and I still get that message.
I can't call Canon support from Brazil, so any ideas would be appreciated.
Aug 3, 2018 12:37:08 #
Aug 3, 2018 12:59:43 #
Did you try pressing the little flash button on the front of the camera. It has a lightening icon on it.
Aug 3, 2018 15:40:43 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
There are two different reasons this happens....
One is related to the hot shoe. If you are getting a message that says there's already an accessory flash installed, look at the little spring on the lefthand side of the hot shoe (when holding the camera normally). There's a little spring switch under there. That's "stuck" in the "down" position, so the camera thinks there's something mounted in the flash shoe and is preventing the pop-up flash from opening. Often it's just that the "leaf spring" isn't quite allowing the spring switch to full rebound... a wooden toothpick can easily fix that, but carefully using it to "lift" the leaf spring.
Another thing that can occur is dirt, moisture or a hard bump effecting the latch mechanism that keeps the flash closed, preventing the latch from releasing. Usually when this occurs, the camera tries to open the flash but can't do so. Does pressing the button to the left of the flash cause it to open? If not, it could be the latch. Try pressing the button at the same time you're gently lifting the flash with your fingernail. When the latch won't release, sometimes a small drop of light oil on it will help (careful to not to get oil anywhere else). Other times it needs to be rebent after being bumped or mishandled.
Hope one of these helps!
Frankly, one of my 7D had a stuck built-in flash as long as I owned it. I never bothered fixing it because I never use those built-ins. They are a poor solution in so many ways (weak and underpowered, slow to recycle, draw power from the camera's battery and reduce the number of shots possible.... and are in the worst possible place for redeye and shadow problems). Even smaller, relatively inexpensive accessory flashes are much superior to the built-ins.
One is related to the hot shoe. If you are getting a message that says there's already an accessory flash installed, look at the little spring on the lefthand side of the hot shoe (when holding the camera normally). There's a little spring switch under there. That's "stuck" in the "down" position, so the camera thinks there's something mounted in the flash shoe and is preventing the pop-up flash from opening. Often it's just that the "leaf spring" isn't quite allowing the spring switch to full rebound... a wooden toothpick can easily fix that, but carefully using it to "lift" the leaf spring.
Another thing that can occur is dirt, moisture or a hard bump effecting the latch mechanism that keeps the flash closed, preventing the latch from releasing. Usually when this occurs, the camera tries to open the flash but can't do so. Does pressing the button to the left of the flash cause it to open? If not, it could be the latch. Try pressing the button at the same time you're gently lifting the flash with your fingernail. When the latch won't release, sometimes a small drop of light oil on it will help (careful to not to get oil anywhere else). Other times it needs to be rebent after being bumped or mishandled.
Hope one of these helps!
Frankly, one of my 7D had a stuck built-in flash as long as I owned it. I never bothered fixing it because I never use those built-ins. They are a poor solution in so many ways (weak and underpowered, slow to recycle, draw power from the camera's battery and reduce the number of shots possible.... and are in the worst possible place for redeye and shadow problems). Even smaller, relatively inexpensive accessory flashes are much superior to the built-ins.
Aug 3, 2018 22:44:14 #
Ersten
Loc: Concord, CA
amphoto1: The spring (on the right side of the camera when holding the camera to take a shot) is apparently stuck. I could see that after looking at my 5Ti's hotshoe where I noticed that the spring was sticking up. That explains why the camera thinks a flash is attached when there is none on the hotshoe. I tried releasing it with cleaner but it didn't work. I don't have a lubricant to try. I also don't have access to a jeweler's screwdriver, so I guess I'll have to wait until after the trip to try to fix it. Thanks for the insight into my problem.
DWU2: Thanks for the Google tip. One response explained the situation very clearly.
DWU2: Thanks for the Google tip. One response explained the situation very clearly.
Aug 3, 2018 22:44:22 #
Ersten
Loc: Concord, CA
amphoto1: The spring (on the right side of the camera when holding the camera to take a shot) is apparently stuck. I could see that after looking at my 5Ti's hotshoe where I noticed that the spring was sticking up. That explains why the camera thinks a flash is attached when there is none on the hotshoe. I tried releasing it with cleaner but it didn't work. I don't have a lubricant to try. I also don't have access to a jeweler's screwdriver, so I guess I'll have to wait until after the trip to try to fix it. Thanks for the insight into my problem.
DWU2: Thanks for the Google tip. One response explained the situation very clearly.
DWU2: Thanks for the Google tip. One response explained the situation very clearly.
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