brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Was shooting with 6D MKII and a 40mm prime and the ORLIT RT-600c. When taking off the flash I noticed a black spot on the diffuser pullout from the flash. I have never seen or heard of this happening, I give up. Was this a solar eclipse on my flash? See attached photos of what I mean. I tried cleaning the diffuser with no luck.... really not a bigger for me. Just wanted to see if anyone else ever had this happen to the flash?

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Bill_de Loc: US

The Better Beamer gained the nickname Better Burner years ago. Mostly they burned holes in the housings just below the lens.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wow.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

That's what I say, WOW!

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Almost looks like someone hit it with a sharpie! Will it scratch off?

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

No I tried that, my bet results was using a pencil eraser. It's on the rough side of the diffuser lens.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Try tooth paste. I've cleaned up head light covers with it and it does work (followed by car wax). At this point a mild abrasive might do the trick.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Most importantly, it will have no effect on the performance of your flash as per output, light distribution, etc- it's too small to interfere with anything.

It may come off with an application of Acetone rubbed over the spot with a soft cloth or a cotton ball.

I am not familiar with the speedlight brand in question but I can take a guess at the cause. If that diffusion panel is retractable, when it is not employed it is stored in the housing where it may have come into contact with some of the circuitry. If it is a burn, it may have been caused by coming in contact with one of the internal components that many have been heating up. If it is paint, some kind of coating or melted plastic, that too could have come off of a hot component. There are a number of parts that may have that round shape. Sometimes rapid sequence firing can cause overheating. Even if there is no overheating, there could be some adhesive, insulation, lubricant or other substance that could have transferred onto the plastic.

If the flash is operating normally, not smoking, smelling funny or making crackling sounds, it's probably OK and the black spot remains a mystery.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

Acetone may melt the plastic; dissolve it.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

No Acetone for sure, would melt the plastic diffuser for sure. I used the wife's nail polish remover (acetone) on plastic a few years back and it scored the unit that I whipped with this stuff.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Most of theses diffusers are made of thermoset plastics and won't totally dissolve the plastic if a small amount of acetone is applied to a spot. A small amount on the end of a Q-tip will probably dissolve the spot and not melt the entire unit. When using solvents, you don't douse the unit in the stuff or dip it in to it- I should have mentioned that. I use acetone to clean theses thigs as well as the plastic lenses on automotive lights- never meleted anything.

Id the OP has reservations, it is best just to leave it alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Nail polish remover is not pure acetone- it has oils and other additives so it does nor evaporate as quickly, so when it lingers on the surface, it can cause damage.

An alternative clean is ISOPROPANOL. which is found in electrical cotnact cleaner- it is plastic friendly.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

More about acetone:

The lenticular lenses on older flash gear may become dirty or yellowed with age. I routinely clean them with acetone and I have 25 year old speedlights that operate perfectly and have clean undamaged diffusers . I am careful not to get any of the liquid on other parts of the housing because they may be made of thermoplastics can can re-dissolve in the presence of solvents.

I wouldn't recommend anythg that is harmful when used sparingly and properly. With acetone, like Brylcreem (remember that greasy kid stuff) "a little dab will do ya...just rub it in your hair and the ladies will peruse ya"!

Please do not rub acetone into your hair! Always use solvents in a well ventilated area! All cleaners shoud be tested on a small inconspicuous section of whatever you are cleaning!

Oh, notice my handy bottle of acetone is an a PLASTIC container with plastic cap!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

What does the Better Beamer has to do with to OP's problem?

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

"Isopropanol" is another name for isopropyl alcohol, which can be found in a drugstore, paint store, etc. It's a good, fairly safe solvent for lots of things. Comes in real handy for dissolving some gunk on old cameras, cleaning filters and lenses (some lens cleaner fluids are no more than isopropyl alcohol), and lots more , including phonograph records, glass, old thermal paste on computer CPUs. It also removes Sharpie permanent marker ink.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Isopropyl Alcohol had no effect, had this in the vanity in the bathroom under the sink. Thanks for your reply's.