5D and 550EX problems

[MerrillMorrow]

I've briefly trawled the discussions on this forum regarding the 5D and flash and decided that, despite numerous apparent comparable difficulties, I would regale you all again with my specific difficulties.

Prior to acquiring my 5D I had a 10D which exhibited none of my current problems.

There are two problems. The first is the recycling time after each shot. Even when using fresh batteries and from the very start of use it takes anything up to 10 seconds for the light to reappear on the gun indicating that it is ready to fire again. That is bad enough but the major problem is a major inconsistency after the first shot has been taken. I have to 'chimp' after every subsequent shot to make sure that an adequate amount of flash has fired - the inconsistency is always a variable of too little.

I have wondered whether or not there might be a problem with the connection between the camera and the flash gun but the fact that the first shot is always 'spot on' perhaps would indicate that this is not the case.

Any thoughts on this would be very welcome.

TIA

Merrill Morrow

[KevinWeatherly]

What state are the batteries in? Are you using new fresh ones each time or are they rechargeables, if the latter then they may need replacing. Have you tried another flash gun? Try to change the variables in your set up until you can rule them out or find the culprit.

[MerrillMorrow]

Thank you, Kevin for your speedy response. I've been using fresh batteries each time, not rechargeables. I haven't tried another flash gun but, since the 550EX worked without problems with my 10D, I'm wondering if the 5D is the problem.

[Terry Zorich]

Until you put the 550 on another body, or put another 550 (or 580) on the 5D, it'll all be guesswork.

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