Help - 580EX II fires sometimes when chimping?

MatW

MatW

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Mathew
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Hello all, I have noticed something I don't understand and though I would ask about it. I've had a little Google but I can't seem to find anything. Here goes:

I'm using a Canon 40D, with a 580EX II on the hotshoe. I usually go for Manual with the flash on ETTL or sometimes manual, and bounce it. I'm happy with the results. But I’ve noticed this weird thing - mainly when I'm taking quite a few pictures at a party or something, and the flash is getting regular use over a period of time.

Weird thing:
If I take a couple of pictures, then quickly chimp I've noticed that sometimes the flash lets off a series of rapid fire flashes, like a strobe-light, just when I press the [>] button to review the shots. It's like when you have it set on multi-mode, and the rate is very fast - probably lasts about a second, but it strobes so quick the flashes sound like a hum/buzz.

It doesn't happen every time, just sometimes. I’m not pressing the shutter, just the review button, and the flash is not set to Multi at the time.

Now it doesn't seem to cause any problems, other than blinding anyone who happens to be looking in my direction and possibly draining the batteries a bit?

Should this be happening? Is the flash 'discharging'? Anyone seen this before or able to tell me what it is? :shrug:

Thanks!
Mat
 
It sounds like you might be catching the Exposure lock button to me.... this causes the flash to try and calculate exposure by rapidly firing the flash.
 
Trev Rich said:
I get this problem too so I'm interested in any replies. Although... what the hell is chimping ?
Click to expand...

Scratching one's armpits and eating bananas with the skin still on.
 
I used to get this with my 450D and 430EX Flash.

It is caused by pressing the depth of field preview button which fire what the manual describes as the modelling light.

Not sure where this button is on the 40D or if maybe it can be triggered by other buttons.
 
Halflap - ah yes, now you've mentioned it - that's definately what causes it - and it's easy enough to press when you tip the camera down to look at the screen.
 
Trev Rich said:
I get this problem too so I'm interested in any replies. Although... what the hell is chimping ?
Click to expand...

Chimping is a colloquial term used in digital photography (especially when using a digital single-lens reflex camera) to describe the habit of checking every photo on the camera display (LCD) immediately after capture

Found on Wikipedia

But I think the answer given by Nifkin was better :thumbs:
 
Are you sure that you are not pressing the button below the lens release button.
This is used for that purpose, to get a continuous beam for visualising the lighting.

I suspect you may be tipping it with the tip of your left forefinger as you press the preview button with your thumb.
 
Nifkin said:
Scratching one's armpits and eating bananas with the skin still on.
Click to expand...

:lol::cuckoo:

Halflap said:
Chimping is a colloquial term used in digital photography (especially when using a digital single-lens reflex camera) to describe the habit of checking every photo on the camera display (LCD) immediately after capture

Found on Wikipedia

But I think the answer given by Nifkin was better :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks :thumbs:
I'm a certified chimp then :razz:
 
Ah ha! Thanks for all of the replies, I will test it out tonight, but it sounds like i'm probably catching the DOF preview button on the front as suggested. I hadn't thought of that. :bonk:

Many thanks to everyone!

:thumbs:
 
Halflap said:
I used to get this with my 450D and 430EX Flash.

It is caused by pressing the depth of field preview button which fire what the manual describes as the modelling light.

Not sure where this button is on the 40D or if maybe it can be triggered by other buttons.
Click to expand...

Cool, both my 1D and 50D do this with my 550EX, which is something I have just learnt today, cheers.
 
You might be able to turn off the flash when using DOF preview, have a look through the settings.
 
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