My FC-35 flash for my 35GT just went on the fritz tonight. I can't make it fire. It charges up and the "ready" light comes on, but it won't flash, either when I press the test button or when I take a picture. If I turn it off and back on (even after waiting 3-5 minutes), the ready light comes on without waiting, so I'm assuming it's charged up, but just won't fire. Any suggestions? I bought this flash off ebay about 3 months ago, and it's worked fine since then (except that the batteries run down fast) until now. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

-- fbmatthews (fbmatthews@aol.com), December 05, 1999

Answers

A flash unit has a charging circuit and a trigger circuit. Looks like the charging circuit with consist of a low voltage DC to high voltage DC converter is still functioning, but the trigger circuit may be in trouble.

You may have to test the flash on another camera, to isolate the source of triggering, it could be the camera, or the flash, if it works on another camera, then the problem is in the GT, otherwise it is in the flash. If the camera is ok, the flash trigger circit went, then it needs an overhaul.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), December 13, 1999.