Another flash & batteries issue

[tenchy]

Had a go at some family portrait shooting today.
Was using a Canon speedlite 580 on 1/2 power and a 430 on full power.
I only took about 30 shots in total , but a couple of times the 430 just turned off.
It would turn on again, but after next shot it was off again, and the flash hadn't fired.
I didn't notice it being hot or anything, but is that the behaviour when they get hot? This is first time I've used it for more than a couple of test shots.
The batteries are 2300mAH NiMH, same in both units, and the 580 had a bit more use from them, since charging (2 or 3 weeks ago probably).
I can't see any kind of battery indicator, is that right?

[Alan W]

I replace by NiMh's every year and get the 7 day shops own brand 2800mAH

I had a similar problem and eventually found that the problem was one of my chargers.

Got an excellent charger now, cost about £65 but it takes up to 8 batteries and shows the condition of each one

[lostmysnorkel]

Had a go at some family portrait shooting today.
Was using a Canon speedlite 580 on 1/2 power and a 430 on full power.
I only took about 30 shots in total , but a couple of times the 430 just turned off.
It would turn on again, but after next shot it was off again, and the flash hadn't fired.
I didn't notice it being hot or anything, but is that the behaviour when they get hot? This is first time I've used it for more than a couple of test shots.
The batteries are 2300mAH NiMH, same in both units, and the 580 had a bit more use from them, since charging (2 or 3 weeks ago probably).
I can't see any kind of battery indicator, is that right?

Not familiar with the Canons, but it wasn't dropping into Standby was it?

I know the Nik SB-800s will do that, and not fire when asked.

[tenchy]

I did wonder that at the time, but I did try waving it in front of the ST-E2 to see if it started the red flashing thing when it's 'connected' to the master.
I was doing a group of 3 people (instead of 1 or 2 before) at the end when it 'gave up', it may have been blocked from picking up the bounced IR signal. Although the 580 behind centre of them (for blowing out BG) carried on firing.

[tinysmall]

Rechargeables can loose their charge over the space of a couple of days if they're not looked after from the word go. Try them on a fresh charge.
When a flashgun overheats it will just stop working for about a half hour or so. You'll be able to turn it on but not fire the flash. To see how much heat they give off, stick it on full power and put your hand over the end then fire it. You might be surprised. Then imagine that heat but building up with repeated flashes and being stored in the plastic and circuit boards not being able to dissipate properly. It doesn't take much to fry them. Best option is to up the iso a couple of stops and lower the output to about a quarter power or less. The added bonus of that is almost instant recharge times with very little heat output.