OMG ... did I break my on-board flash???

medbooks321 · 07-06-2008, 06:24 PM

So I was out on a boat with some friends on the 4th, taking some pictures with my K100D and the on-board flash, when after one of them, I heard (and felt) a very strange pop. Since then, the on-board flash won't work, regardless of the settings (M, Av, Tv, auto, scenic). The camera won't even take a picture when it's set to mandatory fire, but it works fine when I put the flash down. The camera fires fine with my Sunpak external flash as well.

My camera is unfortunately 1.2 years old. Has taken 7,000 pics. So it just falls outside of the 1-yr warranty.

So, does everyone agree my on-board bulb is broken? And what can I do about this? Is it an easy thing to replace? For me to replace? I had no idea that the on-board bulb could ever break. I'm kinda stupefied by this.

OniFactor · 07-06-2008, 08:11 PM

yep, just like any bulb, they can pop. take a look at the fresnel.. does it appear slightly discolored? replacing the tube isn't a job you can undertake, but, if you take it to a shop, the repair bill shouldn't be TOO terribly large.

medbooks321 · 07-06-2008, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by OniFactor

yep, just like any bulb, they can pop. take a look at the fresnel.. does it appear slightly discolored? replacing the tube isn't a job you can undertake, but, if you take it to a shop, the repair bill shouldn't be TOO terribly large.

Thanks. Will try this tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Moo · 07-07-2008, 02:52 AM

Try setting the option "allow shooting while flash charging" or whatever its called, and see if it lets you take pictures with the flash up then..
If you felt it, it may have been the capacitor that blew, and not not the bulb.

sasam1400 · 07-24-2010, 12:15 PM

Hi.
I have ist DL, and I have the same problem: I didn't hear any strange pop, but suddenly between two shots my built-in flash decided not to work in any mode. Camera wouldn't even do auto focus when the flash is up.
I tried turning on the setting "allow shooting while flash charging" as Moo suggested and it shoots, but auto focus still wouldn't work.
Any ideas?
My biggest problem is that I live in Bosnia and I don't have any shop anywhere near, so I'll have to manage it by myself, hopefully with help from someone from this forum.

borno · 07-24-2010, 01:25 PM

When the flash on my then new k10d went, it fried some circuits and had to be replaced so I guess you are lucky it still works. That made for a lousy Christmas 2006

SpecialK · 07-24-2010, 04:20 PM

If camera operates normally otherwise, you have an external flash, and the camera is out of warranty, I think you should just use it that way.

07-06-2008, 06:24 PM	#1
medbooks321 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 27	OMG ... did I break my on-board flash??? So I was out on a boat with some friends on the 4th, taking some pictures with my K100D and the on-board flash, when after one of them, I heard (and felt) a very strange pop. Since then, the on-board flash won't work, regardless of the settings (M, Av, Tv, auto, scenic). The camera won't even take a picture when it's set to mandatory fire, but it works fine when I put the flash down. The camera fires fine with my Sunpak external flash as well. My camera is unfortunately 1.2 years old. Has taken 7,000 pics. So it just falls outside of the 1-yr warranty. So, does everyone agree my on-board bulb is broken? And what can I do about this? Is it an easy thing to replace? For me to replace? I had no idea that the on-board bulb could ever break. I'm kinda stupefied by this.

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07-06-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	yep, just like any bulb, they can pop. take a look at the fresnel.. does it appear slightly discolored? replacing the tube isn't a job you can undertake, but, if you take it to a shop, the repair bill shouldn't be TOO terribly large.

07-06-2008, 11:44 PM	#3
medbooks321 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 27 Original Poster	Originally posted by OniFactor yep, just like any bulb, they can pop. take a look at the fresnel.. does it appear slightly discolored? replacing the tube isn't a job you can undertake, but, if you take it to a shop, the repair bill shouldn't be TOO terribly large. Thanks. Will try this tomorrow. Wish me luck.

07-07-2008, 02:52 AM	#4
Moo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173	Try setting the option "allow shooting while flash charging" or whatever its called, and see if it lets you take pictures with the flash up then.. If you felt it, it may have been the capacitor that blew, and not not the bulb.

07-24-2010, 12:15 PM	#5
sasam1400 Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2	Hi. I have ist DL, and I have the same problem: I didn't hear any strange pop, but suddenly between two shots my built-in flash decided not to work in any mode. Camera wouldn't even do auto focus when the flash is up. I tried turning on the setting "allow shooting while flash charging" as Moo suggested and it shoots, but auto focus still wouldn't work. Any ideas? My biggest problem is that I live in Bosnia and I don't have any shop anywhere near, so I'll have to manage it by myself, hopefully with help from someone from this forum.

07-24-2010, 01:25 PM	#6
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	When the flash on my then new k10d went, it fried some circuits and had to be replaced so I guess you are lucky it still works. That made for a lousy Christmas 2006

07-24-2010, 04:20 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	If camera operates normally otherwise, you have an external flash, and the camera is out of warranty, I think you should just use it that way.