Dunatic

I wrote (April 2) about the problem I was having with my new 580EX II Flash. It was coming off my Canon T3i or Canon Rebel XS. I called Canon directly and can package up my Flash and ship to them; however, I might be without it for about 3 to 4 weeks. They would either fix it or replace it for me. Since it will be under warranty for a year, I opted not to send it to them just yet. It is only 2 months old. I went back to my local camera shop where I purchased the flash and spent about a half hour with the manager trying it on both of my cameras. We determined that my hot shoes on both cameras were not worn, the flash connectors were working properly. So what now...of course, it didn't fall off one time while we played with it. I did find out that the little pin in the flash that sets in the hole of the camera can be pushed in and out manually when off the camera. But, once the flash is set and locked on your camera it should stay down in the camera hole. You should not be able to move it off your camera at all. So, he thinks it is user error. I'm not getting the pin in the hole correctly...even though the flash is in the locked position. It is annoying having to worry about it. I mean, how will I know it is or isn't locked...if the lock indicates it is locked whether it stays on or falls off my camera. Whew!

I may end up sending it back to Canon. By the way, my store warranty was only 30 days. One positive thing is that I now know when it is getting ready to fall off the camera. How? Because the flash starts to overexpose the photos. I, then, push it back on the hot shoe and keep shooting. Here are a few examples, unedited, of what the flash does before it falls off the camera.

Thanks for listening and for your prior suggestions as to what I should do about this issue. Cheryl :(

#1 hair is blown out


#2 flash is beginning to fall off camera


#3 about to drop the flash

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Well, I got my rig out again to study how my 580 EX II attaches to the camera.
I missed this the first time.
The locking mechanism is two parts. One is the pin as discussed before and the second part is when you rotate or move the locking mechanism to the right, the part just below the rotating lock "lowers down" to apply pressure on top of the camera's part of the connection.
You can check this with your flash by watching the metal foot and when you turn the lock, you will see the part above the metal foot, lower down over the metal part (the pin lowers at the same time). This part lowering down takes the slack out of the loose connection of the flash and the camera. If you slide the flash on the camera, and do not lock it down, the mounting is loose and wobbly. I hope described that picture in a way to understand...
I would think you would notice/feel the wobblyness if it didn't lower down correctly and tighten the connection. So, when the connection is tightened to the lock position, it is "snug". It is not wobbly. I can still "move" the flash, slightly while tightened on the camera (with a little effort). But the connection is tight.
When I mount mine and tighten up, I can hold my camera/flash out in front of me, wiggle and shake it, the flash does not in any way start to slide off. It is a good connection.
In the "3 stages of falling off" images above, is the flash/camera connection still, "Tight"?
If so, my thoughts want to look at how you are handling the camera. So take a look at how you are handling the camera when you are not taking an image. How are you holding the camera/flash? Is there anything you could be doing that would put a little pressure to slide the flash off the mount.
I use the strap on the camera and sometimes the strap is around my neck or I will hang it on my shoulder. When I'm not using the camera, it rest in front of me and the weight points it down or it is one my shoulder, pointed down.
Just, thinkiing this thru.
Still, this doesn't make sense that is possible to slide off in the locked position as the pin should prevent the flash from sliding. Unless it is not actually, in the whole.
Still, I would think there would be enough tightness to prevent the flash from sliding under normal use.
Well, just thinking out loud........
I hope these ramblings will somehow, be helpful.
I understand the frustration!!!! It would drive me nuts! Well, more, nuts!
I hope you find the solution.
I'm leaning towards the flash mounting system.
Pat

photopete Loc: Washington, DC

I would talk to my local store. 30 Days? If you are buying a $450+ flash from them they will be glad to keep you happy and keep you as a customer. Go demand a new one and stop worrying about it. You don't buy top equipment to have to worry and find work arounds. Just saying :)

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

It appears that there is a problem here that is more than user error.

The flash is defaulting to full power so that tells me the flash is moving in the mount and losing it's electrical connections with the camera. If it is happening on two different cameras, I would think the problem lies with the flash.

I, too, would think that the camera shop would want to do everything they can to keep your business. A $450 flash today and maybe a $2000 lens next week.

chaztwo Loc: Virginia

I like your style Photo Pete !