Canon Elan II/E - Builtin Flash does not open

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Hello, Happy newyear to all ! My good Canon Elan IIE has started giving me problems for the first time in 3 years. The problem is : - In Automatic mode, Low light/indoors when clicked, - the Built-In flash does NOT open, but makes a loud stuttering sound as though its trying to open but the Flash head is stuck, Then, - On the LCD panel, the EMPTY battery icon shows up - But the battery is good, when clicked with out AutoMode, or when Flash is not required it works fine.

Any help is appreciated please. I am still trying to learn the intricacies of the Camera. Thanks in advance \Kubera kubera@indiainfo.com

-- Kubera Raja (kubera@indiainfo.com), January 03, 2002

Answers

Have a look in your camera's manual - all will be revealed

In the manual for the EOS 300 [Rebel 2000], which also has an auto pop-up flash, there is an explanation of what the camera is trying to tell you. The flashing empty battery merely indicates that there is something stopping the flash from popping up, and that the camera knows this, it's nothing to do with the battery, but Canon in their infinite wisdom decided, probaly quite rightly, that a 'flash-won't pop up' icon was an unneceesary addition to the LCD display, and so programmed their cameras to do this instead. The disturbing clicking is, as you suspected, the sound of the release catch mechanism being repeatedly fired. Check you're not blocking the flash with an object, but I guess this is unlikely as you've had the camera for a while.

You don't say where you live (I'd hazard a guess at India from your email address), but if there's a Canon EOS dealer, or a reasonably competent camera shop anywhere near you, they will probably be able to help you, either diagnosing and/or fixing the problem if it's a simple one, or helping you send the camera to a Canon service centre (probably quite pricey, unfortunately)

Hey, I've just had a thought. Maybe the spring that actually provides the force for the flash to pop up has broken. When the camera's trying to release the flash, see if it's at all possible to VERY gently lift the flash to the upright position. At least this would tell you what's wrong, though I'd definitely leave it up to the experts to fix. DISCLAIMER: This is just an educated guess, and is not based on any kind of experience I have had. You do it at your own risk, etc., etc.

-- David Miller (david_miller@earthling.net), January 03, 2002.


you can always just use you fingernail to lift the flash up manually. i do that quite frequently so that i don't have to deal with the noise the flash motor produces.

-- Jeff Nakayama (moonduck22@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002.

Hi Kubera,

I have an EOS 50E (the same thing as the ElanIIE but sold outside the US). I have the same problem as you with the flash not popping up. I dont think that there is anything broken with mine as it does pop up eventually. What I suspect the problem is is that the flash is kept down most of the time when stored away. This compresses the spring too much (possibly a design flaw). I left my camera out for a few days with the flash in the up position and then tried again. It seemed to work ok. Have you had your camera serviced as yet? Was there any feedback on what the problem could be?

Regards,

Mark

-- Mark Burgess (mburgess_nz@hotmail.com), January 12, 2002.


I had the same problem. Took it to camera repair shop and they said the flash unit housing had received a blow and therefore was slightly bent. I think they were trying to avoid a waranty repair as they had supposedly fixed the same problem earlier.

Anyway as I was sitting in my car after leaving the shop I took a real close look at the open flash and discovered a small amount of a gummy residue on the front edges of where it meets the body. Took my fingernail and scrapped along the edge of the flash and that fixed it. It has been going strong for over a month now with no problems, despite having had the problem for over 6 months. You might also discover a little metal flashing which will also scrape off easily.

Hope this helps.

Guy

-- Guy Everhart (guyever@earthlink.com), January 21, 2002.


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