topic Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D in Speedlite Flashes

Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

melwilliams — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:28:38 GMT

Hi everyone,

I have a Canon 90D and have attached a Nissin MF18 macro ring flash. When a take a photo I cannot get the flash to fire. In menu > flash control, flash is enabled, but when I go into external flash settings, it says "This menu cannot be displayed. Incompatible flash or flash's power is turned off." The flash is compatible with this camera as I made sure of that before I bought it. Anyone have any tips?

Thanks!

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire

jaewoosong — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:20:39 GMT

I believe the external flash settings is only for Canon's flashes. Non-Canon flashes you'll have to adjust via the flash menu system on the MF18. The only other thing is to make sure you have the canon version of the MF18, vs the Nikon or Sony.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:10:28 GMT

Your macro ring lite flash IS NOT COMPATIBLE with your camera. Check with the manufacturer if there is a firmware update available for your macro ring lite. Also non-Canon speedlites or ring lites won't fire in live view shooting. You must use the viewfinder. Canon speedlites and ring lites don't have this limitation.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire

melwilliams — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:25:34 GMT

Ok, do you know how I can get it to work then? Manufacturers instructions aren’t very helpful. I do have the canon version.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

melwilliams — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:26:30 GMT

I have been assured by the camera store that it is, and the manufacturer lists it as a compatible camera. I have the version that is for canon.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:10:44 GMT

Are you using live view shooting. If you are the macro ring lite won't fire. These 3rd party speedlites and macro ring lites can have firmware updates needed.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:09:48 GMT

Also not all of Canon's speedlites are compatible with the in camera flash menu (430EX, 550EX and 580EX). Some only offer partial compatibility to set rear curtain sync, flash exposure compensation and AF Assist Beam Firing (220EX, 380EX and 420EX). All other Canon speedlites released in an after 2008 are compatible with the speedlite control menu. Cameras released from 2007 onward support the speedlite control menu. Newer speedlites such as the (270EX, 270EX II, 320EX, 430EX III/ III-RT, EL-100 & 90EX). Won't fire an AF Assist Beam on a pre-2007 camera. These speedlites use Intermittent Flashes (Disco Flash) for AF Assist. Or on the 320EX an LED AF Assist Beam (in live view). Which is NOT supported on these cameras.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

MikeSowsun — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:24:04 GMT

Most third party Canon ETTL flash units will be compatible with the Canon in-camera flash menu. Since you are sure you have the Canon ETTL version of this Nissan flash, I can think of only two possibilities of why it is not working properly:

1) the flash is not seated properly in the hotshoe.

2) the flash is defective

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:11:30 GMT

@MikeSowson doesn't Canon not allow 3rd party Speedlites and macro ring lites from firing in live view mode. I was thinking that the OP was using live view. But they haven't confirmed this yet.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

MikeSowsun — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:37:10 GMT

3rd party ETTL flashes WILL work in LiveView. This is because both Canon and 3rd party ETTL flash units automatically disable “LiveView Silent Shooting” when placed in the hotshoe.

It is only 3rd party Manual flash units that won’t work in LiveView. If you disable LiveView Silent shooting in the camera menu, you WILL be able to use a 3rd party Manual flash. Unfortunately the “Rebel” series cameras don’t have that option the in the LiveView menu.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:11:48 GMT

3rd party E-TTL "speedlites" don't fire on my 5D Mark IV in live view shooting. Only Canon speedlites will fire in live view shooting. My old EOS 40D acts the same way too.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

melwilliams — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:41:42 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I’m sorry I’m very novice, I actually don’t even know what live view is.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:43:08 GMT

When you use the rear LCD screen to compose and take pictures instead of the viewfinder.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

MikeSowsun — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:16:44 GMT

@deebatman316 wrote:
3rd party E-TTL "speedlites" don't fire on my 5D Mark IV in live view shooting. Only Canon speedlites will fire in live view shooting. My old EOS 40D acts the same way too.

They will work if you disable LiveView Silent Shooting in the camera menu.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:20:48 GMT

Wouldn't that stop you from using live view though. I know older cameras such as the EOS 40D. Keep the electronic focus ring active in live view. Without half pressing the shutter or using the AF-On button. Also the 40D doesn't support on image sensor AF. It allows quick AF though.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

Waddizzle — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:40:25 GMT

First and foremost, does the camera menu screens recognize that there is a flash connected? If not, then power on the flash before you power on the camera.

I do not know if the flash is E-TTL compatible, or not. That is up to the manufacturer to resolve. The comments regarding not using Live View are correct. You should try using the viewfinder, exit Live View mode, when it comes time to fire the shutter.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

MikeSowsun — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:44:52 GMT

@deebatman316 wrote:
Wouldn't that stop you from using live view though. I know older cameras such as the EOS 40D. Keep the electronic focus ring active in live view. Without half pressing the shutter or using the AF-On button. Also the 40D doesn't support on image sensor AF. It allows quick AF though.

No, Disabling Silent Shutter in LiveView does not stop AF in LiveView, and still allows you to shoot LiveView and use AF with ANY 3rd party flash when using cameras like the 40D, 5D Mk III, 5D Mk IV, etc, (any camera except the Rebel series)

Please try it and report back.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

deebatman316 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:53:19 GMT

I don't own any 3rd party speedlites. My friend used to own a few youngnuo and godox speedlites but she has sold them. They were incompatible with the 5D Mark IV. So I can only speak for Canon's EX or EL speedlites.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

melwilliams — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:48:30 GMT

I've tried disabling live view, still doesn't work. I only use the viewfinder anyway. I've tried turning the flash on before the camera as someone suggested below.

Re: Cannot get Nissin MF18 Macro ring flash to fire on EOS 90D

melwilliams — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:49:11 GMT

I've tried these suggestions, still not firing. It is E-TTL compatible.