My New 580EX II Flash Falls Off Canon Camera! Okay, I finally bought a new Canon 580EX II Flash for my Canon T3i and XS. I read the manual, hooked it properly (I thought) to the hot...

Dunatic

Okay, I finally bought a new Canon 580EX II Flash for my Canon T3i and XS. I read the manual, hooked it properly (I thought) to the hot shoe and locked it in place. To my surprise after shooting with it for a while, it fell off on the floor luckily not breaking but still in the locked position. Since then, I tried it on both of my cameras, it locks in place but I'm scared it will fall off again! My husband looked over the contacts, hooked it up to both of my cameras and tried to pull it off while locked in the on position. It came off once during his little test. I say once is too much to have this happen. I have had it past the 30 days warranty with the camera store, but still have a year warranty with Canon. I'm just wondering has this ever happened to you and who do you think I should do with about it? Thank you for any advise you can give me. Cheryl

madcapmagishion

Return it to Canon, sell your camera and lenses and buy a Nikon D7000 with a SB900 Flash!:mrgreen: (just kidding) But seriously return it to Canon if you can't get it to stay on your camera.

Dunatic

Ya, the stupid flash cost about $450 or so. Should stay on the camera. I thought maybe I wasn't pushing it on hard enough, but that's not the issue here. I will call the camera store and see what they have to say about it. Of course, I do plan to use it off camera -- eventually. But for now, I need to use it on the camera. It is frustrating! Cheryl

madcapmagishion

Dunatic wrote:

Ya, the stupid flash cost about $450 or so. Should stay on the camera. I thought maybe I wasn't pushing it on hard enough, but that's not the issue here. I will call the camera store and see what they have to say about it. Of course, I do plan to use it off camera -- eventually. But for now, I need to use it on the camera. It is frustrating! Cheryl

Hope it all works out for you!

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

In looking at mine, there is a locking pin on the flash. If that pin does not extend into the camera side of mount, it is not locked.
So, is the problem, flash or camera?
Note: Don't pull too hard on flash when mounted to camera. I think that is plastic on the flash mount.

May need to mount, lock and "wiggle a little" to ensure lock and do a slight tug test.
Just thoughts. Hope this is helpful!
Pat

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

i have 2 of these and once it's locked..i cannot pull them off. i have a 5d and a 7d and i even tried it on my older t1i...they are locked on.

never had this problem...

i would definitely be contacting canon. first i would go back to camera store and see if they can see the problem.

i would look at the bottom of the 580 and set the lock to see if that little pin comes out. if the pin comes out..then the problem might be on your cameras. just make sure you have it pushed forward all the way. and since the head will swivel all the way around...make sure that the lcd screen is to the back. other than that, check with canon.

lots and lots and lots of pro users use the 580exII. it's a primo unit. i have never heard of anyone having this problem..so something is definitely wrong.

good luck..

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I have heard of this happening to other users and it usually is user error- but don't rule out a defective part. You have to make sure the flash is slid all the way into the mount before you lock it into place. As has already been noted, check to see of the front most pin moves freely in and out when you turn the lock ring. Also, make sure the spring loaded hole on the camera is allowing the pin to go into it. I would have Canon check it out to be on the safe side. Your local camera shop should be able to check it out also. The problem is not a difficult one to fix for someone familiar with the Canon flash mounts.

Dunatic

I will definitely check this out. I'm sure the camera store where I purchased the flash can help. They have an in-store repair man. I just seems to me that I'm having to push rather hard to get it to seat correctly and now I'm fearful it could fall off. Pat thanks for your feedback. Cheryl

Dunatic

jimberton wrote:

i have 2 of these and once it's locked..i cannot p... (show quote)

Hi: Thank you for this information. I just looked at the bottom of the flash and played a bit with it. I locked and unlocked the unit (off camera) and the pin is definitely coming down, but I am able to manually push it back up! I shouldn't be able to do this correct? Cheryl

Dunatic

jimberton wrote:

i have 2 of these and once it's locked..i cannot p... (show quote)

Thank you for your reply. I definitely love the results this flash gives me. Would you mind looking at your flash off camera and tell me if when you lock your flash (and the pin is down), if you are able to manually push it back up? I think that might be the problem on mine. I'm thinking if it is in the locked position and seated, it may loosen back up when I'm rotating the head to bounce. I'm learning about this flash, I'm moving the head to see what results it will give me and possibly, just the jarring of it is causing mine to slip out of the hole? Well I do believe it is the flash unit and I'm going to call the store to see what they suggest I do. Thank you all for your responses. Cheryl

Dunatic

haroldross wrote:

I have heard of this happening to other users and ... (show quote)

Thank you for your reply as well. I do think it is time for the store to check out this flash and my two cameras. That flash is too expensive to be dropping! Yikes! Cheryl

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Dunatic wrote:

Hi: Thank you for this information. I just looked at the bottom of the flash and played a bit with it. I locked and unlocked the unit (off camera) and the pin is definitely coming down, but I am able to manually push it back up! I shouldn't be able to do this correct? Cheryl

I can push my pin back up manually. I believe that is working ok.

Another thought.....
When you slide the flash on, give one last push with your thumb at the very bottom of the flash in the "lock" area. Just to make sure it has slid all the way. Then lock and test.
Pat

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Dunatic wrote:

quote=jimberton i have 2 of these and once it's l... (show quote)

yes, the pin is able to be pushed up in locked position..i think that is a safety feature so in case it wasn't sitting on the shoe properly, you wouldn't bend the pin.

jim

Cornishpete Loc: Illinois

1)Yes.the pin can be pushed back when in the locked position on mine.

2) When you push the plastic locking-lever forward to the 'locked position' can you hear the little square button immediately infront of the lever click showing that the lever is locked? When you have done this, the lever can not be moved back to the unlocked position until the button is depressed.
We are clutching at straws here so hopefully it is as simple as that- good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dunatic wrote:

Okay, I finally bought a new Canon 580EX II Flash for my Canon T3i and XS. I read the manual, hooked it properly (I thought) to the hot shoe and locked it in place. To my surprise after shooting with it for a while, it fell off on the floor luckily not breaking but still in the locked position.

Interesting. I recently saw a youtube video that was referred by someone here. It showed a youtube regular demonstrating Nikon camera lenses and bodies. A few minutes after attaching the flash to the hot shoe, it fell off. I'll have to re-watch and see if he locked it in place when he attached it.