Gutted - Flash related

[rob13]

Someone cheer me up a bit. Just dropped my 430EX II (only a month old) and I've broken the built in drop down diffuser off it. Now can I buy a spare or will I rarely need it? I have a Stofen type, but understand this is Fresnel?

 

[itsdavedotnet]

you use it for if you're using it with a lens wider than about 24mm, with flash on camera, and it spreads the light out in a bit of a wider pattern so that you don't get such a 'bright spot' with dark patches either side. You can probably get spares, I wouldn't bother personally and just pop on the stofen and just accept that it'll lose a bit more light and bounce it around a bit more than the diffuser

 

[Canon Bob]

There may be a little more to it than simply having a missing diffuser. There is a micro-switch behind the diffuser that reports whether it's in or out and modifies the flash parameters based on this.

The part number for the diffuser is CY2-4180 (please check first if you intend to order one though)

Bob

 

[rob13]

Thanks for that advice Bob, as the diffuser spring has been pushed out, its probably modifying it. I'll look into ordering the part.

 

[rob13]

Bob, you are right - the flash wont let me select anything other than wide so I've managed to affix the part for the moment however its missing a small lug on one side so I've contacted Canon to find where I can source one.

 

[rob13]

Just been quoted £30+ for the diffuser. Does anyone know where I could get it cheaper? Its disgraceful for a very small piece of plastic.