What the HECK just happened?

[runnergirl]

I'm pretty new to photography but I have a DSLR and recently bought an external flash. My camera is Sony alpha 200 and the flash is vivitar brand which was recommended to me by someone as an inexpensive flash I could learn with (which could be the problem). Today I was taking some pics of my baby and all the sudden the flash made a noise like an explosion. It was a really loud pop and kind of smelled like smoke?!? Then it wouldn't work anymore. WHAT DID I DO? Arg.

 

[usayit]

How's the DSLR working afterwards?

Sounds like a capacitor pop....

 

[runnergirl]

Camera is fine. External flash not so much.

I know not to throw my camera, drop it in water, give it to a toddler, or run over it with my car. Who knew I could manage to break it by taking pics with it?

 

[Patrice]

Your flash is done for now. Capacitor as usayit suggested or flash tube. You can either get it fixed of get another one. Glad your camera was not affected.

 

[KmH]

* Thread Moved *

Yep! Sounds like something in the flash unit is now toast, and it may well have been the main flash capacitor.

Which model Vivitar flash did you get? Did you get a new Vivitar flash unit or a used one?

Were you were firing it repeatedly?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I have two ancient vivitar 285s I got off ebay, I can't kill 'em! If yours are under warranty no biggie send it back

 

[runnergirl]

I bought it new a few months ago. This is the second time I used it. I think I took a couple shots in rapid succession right before it happened. Seriously shouldn't it have some built in protection that if you shoot a little too fast it won't fire??

 

[Tuffythepug]

I've been using a Vivitar 283 flash for 30 years now with no problem. When you turn it off and then back on after a few minutes does it make any noise at all as if it's trying to charge itself ? or is it just plain dead ? Should be covered under warranty; and they usually very reliable in my experience

Oh, also, are you using it on the camera's hot-shoe ? or with a cord on a grip ? I needed to buy a special adapter to use my 283 directly on the camera's hot shoe. I was told that without the adapter there could be issues such as the one you described.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I've been using a Vivitar 283 flash for 30 years now with no problem. When you turn it off and then back on after a few minutes does it make any noise at all as if it's trying to charge itself ? or is it just plain dead ? Should be covered under warranty; and they usually very reliable in my experience

Oh, also, are you using it on the camera's hot-shoe ? or with a cord on a grip ? I needed to buy a special adapter to use my 283 directly on the camera's hot shoe. I was told that without the adapter there could be issues such as the one you described.

wow!!!

 

[Tuffythepug]

I should clarify my comment: My old 283 vivitar flash was built way before digital cameras were even thought of. The "expert" at my local camera shop suggested using the adapter if I was going to use it on my Nikon D80 digital. I'm not a technical person so I took his word for it that a problem could occur as a result.

 

[Derrel]

My fairly new understanding from the Strobist blog site is that the "new" Vivitar 285 flash units are sketchy, and quality is nowhere NEAR the quality of the ancient 283 and 285-series models that earned the brand its name...so...yeah....when a flash unit goes "Pop!" and a burning, smoking smell emanates from said flash...yer done!!!!

 

[tirediron]

The first law of electronics.. if you let the blue smoke out, throw it out.

 

[Derrel]

Second law of electronics: if the smoke smells even a little bit like toast...then it IS TOAST!!!!!!

 

[Dao]

I heard that smoke circulates inside the flash system to keep the flash alive just like blood circulate inside a human body. Once you let the smoke out, the flash will die.

 

[tirediron]

I heard that smoke circulates inside the flash system to keep the flash alive just like blood circulate inside a human body. Once you let the smoke out, the flash will die.

S' a fact!