I got given the Canon Speedlite 430ex II for my birthday two weeks ago from my boyfriend. I was using it on my camera on my tripod on Wednesday, when it got pulled over by a rope, landing on the front of the flash and on the lens (50mm 1.8). I haven't dared looked at it until now, but I had to as I'm going on holiday on Friday.
Anyway, I checked it out today and the built in diffuser plate has snapped off. I've only had it two weeks and I cried :( The question is whether I can get this replaced and fixed and if so where I can get a replacement plate from OR is this unnecessary and should I just get an external diffuser? I haven't had a flash before, and I'm still not sure what it does and how necessary it is. I am very upset by this though, and to make things worse my lens is making strange noises :'(
it makes the light from your flash more subtle, and is particularly useful when shooting at very wide angles. I rarely use it, so it's not the end of the world! Mostly I try to reflect the light off a ceiling if I'm indoors, but an external diffuser would be good if you need to point the light directly at the subject.
I don't have an answer for you Cally, but I'm sorry about your camera. I would be upset, too, it that happened to my camera. I hope you can find answer as to what to do.
That really sucks.....but as far as the diffuser, you can use tupperware/plastic tubs as a diffuser, or a piece of white paper or colored plasitc wrap in a pinch. You might find something on freecycle.org or craigslist or other like site. Put up a wanted add for a non-working speedlight (compatible models obv) and see what kind of response you get. You could scavenge the diffuser off of that one. As for the lens, nothing .....but I hope it's not the focusing motor. If so, try using the MF and bypass using the motor.
I almost never use my diffuser. I don't think it is an issue.
However, you need to check whether or not your flash zoom still operates. If your diffuser was out when it broke, your flash may be stuck on "wide angle" mode. That is an issue.
But, you can get them fixed. We send our flashes to Canon for repair regularly - not that they break regularly, we just have a lot (about 20) of them and they each get cycled a couple of hundred times each day (at least), and tend to get used in harsh environments.
@mittens Thank you, Marilyn. A friend has looked at them and said they are ok, so I feel better now, but it really made me unhappy at the time!
@vikdaddy@shadesofgrey@blightygal@jinximages Thank you very much for your help. Made me feel so much better! One of the guys who pulled it over feels really guilty and is searching for a spare part :) I've checked out the flash zoom and that still operates, so all that got damaged was the diffuser and a bit of mud got on the lens. I did have a filter on the lens at the time so the glass isn't damaged at all! Will take extra precautions to make sure it doesn't happen again! I was only a couple of meters away, but I can't lunge at the moment so I couldn't catch it. Lesson learned: stand closer!
Something a profession photographer has told me that he uses is to wrap some bubblewrap around it. You know how you can get those pouch shaped ones? slip it over the end and put an elastic band over it. Looks dodgy but supposedly ok - I haven't tried it though.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Or... you could get an omni bounce? You only really 'need' a diffuser (other than being arty) for lenses wider than a 24mm, or this would do the job instead/better? Cheap!
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/250922192811?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
However, you need to check whether or not your flash zoom still operates. If your diffuser was out when it broke, your flash may be stuck on "wide angle" mode. That is an issue.
But, you can get them fixed. We send our flashes to Canon for repair regularly - not that they break regularly, we just have a lot (about 20) of them and they each get cycled a couple of hundred times each day (at least), and tend to get used in harsh environments.
@vikdaddy @shadesofgrey @blightygal @jinximages Thank you very much for your help. Made me feel so much better! One of the guys who pulled it over feels really guilty and is searching for a spare part :) I've checked out the flash zoom and that still operates, so all that got damaged was the diffuser and a bit of mud got on the lens. I did have a filter on the lens at the time so the glass isn't damaged at all! Will take extra precautions to make sure it doesn't happen again! I was only a couple of meters away, but I can't lunge at the moment so I couldn't catch it. Lesson learned: stand closer!
Thank you again :)
Something a profession photographer has told me that he uses is to wrap some bubblewrap around it. You know how you can get those pouch shaped ones? slip it over the end and put an elastic band over it. Looks dodgy but supposedly ok - I haven't tried it though.