Camera Labs

My Canon 550D is about 4 months old. I will take it back to the shop if no one on here knows a fix.

When I take the Speedlite 270ex off the camera and try to use the in-build camera it says 'this function is not available',
The spitdlite isn't even attached to the camera. It's like the camera doesn't recognise the speedlite is taken off the camera.
The speedlite is turned off before I remove it.
I have cleaned the shoe with a fine brush in case a bit of dirt was in there.

This is a intermittent problem. Today we went to my father in-laws. I only took the camera but the flash wouldn't pop up. Kept saying mode if not available while external flash is attached.
Came back just now. Tried again and the in-build flash popped up.

Anyone got any idea what is causing this?

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Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.

I havent had any issues with the pop up flash saying 'no' but have had problems with my 430 exII saying 'no'. This is typically caused by me attaching it to the camera when the camera is switched on. If I turn the camera off and then on again then all is fine, they talk to each other.

Are you taking the flash off the camera when the camera is switched on? Basically does it need to reboot itself to check what is attached and what isnt?

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Hi. I make sure it is all turned off first.

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Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.

as with all modern electronics all items should be off before connecting or disconnecting

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No celluloid was harmed in the making of this picture

I always have it off first Cakey.

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Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.

I live on the Greenwich mean time line of longitude

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No celluloid was harmed in the making of this picture

On rebel or xx0D series cameras by Canon, the way the camera can tell if a flash is on is due to a sensor on the hot shoe itself. Underneath one of the side rails is a little bar. When a flash is off, this bar goes from the bottom to the underside of the rail. When a flash slides in, this bar is pushed down then informs the camera there is something attached.

When you remove a flash, this bar goes back up and tells the camera there is nothing there.

However, since this is just a thin piece of metal, and if you use your external flash often, it may not come back up as high as needed. When this happened to me, I just took some pliers and gently pulled one end up more and the built in flash started to work again.

Let me know if any of this needs more clarification.

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Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

theres no way I would take a pair of pliers to a brand new camera
if it is the fault let Canon sort it out free of charge

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No celluloid was harmed in the making of this picture