Canon XTi flash

[bgclight]

Hi Bob:

Does the XTi have a problem with the flash showing busy? Mine works great until I try the flash and then it gets very slow between shots. I do not shoot that much indoors and just noticed the problem.

Does Canon have a fix? The Canon rep has instructed me to send the camera to them for repair. I have a friend who is in charge of the local Canon warranty and help center. He has put me in touch with the right people at Canon USA.

I have been keeping up with all of Canon's new models until the XTi and 40D and I decided that was enough. (I have both.) I will stay with the XTi unless you advise the newer version in this series is "better"! I am pretty well retired and the pocketbook has diminished.

Thanks for your input.

B.G.C

[Bob Atkins]

I believe that this is "normal" begavior for the XTi. If you try to take a lot of flash shots in a row, after a few the camera pauses for a longer time between each shot. I've seen suggestions that this is done in order to protect the flash from overheating. Of course the flash does take some time to recharge after each shot, and if you fully drain the flash capacitor by rapid shooting, then it maytake extra time to recharge.

See the note at the bottom of page 54 of your manual. It warns that if you take a lot of flash shots in rapid succession, the camera will pause and display the "busy" signal to protect the flash unit. (see attached file)

The "solution" to this issue to to use an external hot-shoe flash. Results will be better anyway. Any of the Canon EX Speedites will work fine.

The 430 EX II is very good, but if it's too expensive, the 270EX is cheaper (but has fewer features) and the basic 220EX is the least expensive at under $100.

[bgclight]

Thanks Bob!

And now for the final question: I have been keeping up with all of Canon's new models until the XTi and 40D and I decided that was enough. (I have both.)

I will stay with the XTi unless you advise the newer version in this series is "better"! I am pretty well retired and the pocketbook has diminished.

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

BG

[bgclight]

In regards to page 54, I had only tried to shoot one or two flash pictures when I started getting the "busy" signal. I do have an external flash, a 420ex.

Thanks, BG

[Bob Atkins]

The recycle time for the 420EX is up to 7 seconds with alkaline AAs. Recycle time depends on how much power the flash has to put out  and it also depends how good the flash batteries are.

If you're operating so that the flash has to use full power and your batteries aren't fresh, you could certainly see shot to shot times of maybe 7-10 seconds while the flash recharges.

The new T1i has a number of advantages over the XSi/XTi including the ability to shoot video and ISO settings as high as 12,800, plus a number of new software features (see http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/Canon-digital_rebel_t1i_preview_2.html). I think it's worth the extra cost over the XSi (and XTi) but if you don't need those new features, on medium sized prints (up to maybe 11x14) you won't see a huge difference in image quality between the XTi and the T1i.

[bgclight]

Thanks Bob:

I always appreciate your opinion.

Looks like I will be buying the T1i very soon. I think I will stick with my 40D forever.

Thanks again for the input and the good forum.

BG