Can you help me with my flash?

[Rachelsne]

I have a 30d and just bought the 430ex ii and I am having difficulty getting it to work. I am following the instructions-inset batteries set to ETTL and press the shutter half way and I don't get the Effective range displayed and the flash icon doesn't light up.

When I initially turn the flash on the pilot light doesn't turn to red-how long does it normally take to charge? and I cant fire a test flash-might I be doing something wrong? might the flash or camera be faulty,

Oh and I tried shooting in auto to see if that would get it working-but nothing happened.

any ideas or any links to idot guides for flash use would be appreciated

 

[davebmck]

It should take a few seconds to charge up the first time. Maybe 5 to 10 seconds. When it's charged, the pilot light should turn red. You can press the pilot light to test fire the flash. If your pilot light is not coming on, I would check that you have your batteries installed in the correct sequence. It that doesn't help, it's probably a bad flash.

 

[Rachelsne]

Ok well the pilot button wasn't lighting up at all but the lcd screen did display info.

I was using rechargeable batteries that I had from my previous camera.

Just got back from the store with regular batteries and straight away it lights up the pilot button and the flash works!!!!!!

 

[Big Mike]

NiMH rechargeable batteries, if that's what you have, loose power even when they are not being used. So you would need to give them a fresh charge before using them in something like a flash.