Fixing Pop up Flash Receptacle

Written By: Mark
  • Comments: 2
Fixing Pop up Flash Receptacle

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

7

Time Required

10 - 15 minutes

Introduction

A common problem on the Canon EOS A2 is for the pop up flash mechanism to get stuck and not "pop-up". This is caused by the camera fooling itself into thinking an external flash is installed, which interferes with the main flash.

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    • Locate the battery door/camera grip on the left side of the camera and lift the rotating removal tab.

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    • Twist the tab clockwise to unlock the door, then pull outward from the camera to remove it.

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    • Remove the battery from inside the battery housing and set the cover aside.

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    • The inside of the flash shoe has a removable cover which is just snapped in place.

    • Using the flathead screwdriver, pry up on the front end of the cover.

    • Warning: The cover is on tight and is tough to pry off.

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    • Loosen, but do not remove, the 4 screws on top of the flash shoe.

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    • Locate the black pludger sticking up out of the flash shoe.

    • The black pludger may not be visible, which is why the flash is broken. Just locate the hole to where it should be and move on to the next step.

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    • If you can remove the bracket from the camera to reset the hotshoe, this is preferable to using a paperclip to reset the sensors.

    • Push a paperclip in and out of the plunger hole, ensuring the plunger moves up and down freely.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Mark

Member since: 20/04/11

192 Reputation

2 comments

What about the other way, where the external flash IS installed (and the camera is successfully communicating TTL focal length data to it) yet the camera still doesn’t believe there is an external flash installed? Sometimes twisting the external flash a little causes the camera to change its mind and then it works, but then it usually forgets by the next exposure.

Think this mechanism could be causing that behavior too?

Andrew -

Take the hotshoe off, and make sure they move freely. Once they're moving freely, reverse disassembly and make sure it works. This will ensure it is properly "reset".

Nick -