EOS M3 Built-in flash not working anymore

[ranz8163]

My Canon Eos M3 built-in flash popped up, like it blew and it wasn't working anymore. I don't have money to go for a repair by a professional ones, what are the steps I can do

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

Canon no.longer services the M3.  It may be possible for you to pursue repair by a third party where you live.  You can try searching for camera repair with your ZIP code.  It's unlikely you will be able to repair it yourself.  I don't normally recommend people take apart their cameras.  It often ends badly.  My recommendation would be professional repair.  

[pcs1]

I wouldn't advice tinkering with a defect flash yourself if you're not used to fixing electronics(there can be dangerous high voltage💥🌩). Either use a third party repair shop or buy a cheap, secondhand on camera flash to fit your hotshoe.

Here 41/43 dollars 90EX for canon M https://www.mpb.com/en-us/product/canon-speedlite-90ex

[ranz8163]

where can I buy that built-in flash or what is it called? therefore I could provide a replacement for it and have a lower price...

[deebatman316]

You’ll be lucky to find any spare parts and it would be more expensive to repair it. Not to mention that the camera’s flash circuitry is high voltage and very dangerous to work on. So I recommend a professional shop repair your camera. Or you can get a cheap used external speedlite. Canon can garuntee forward and backwards compatibility. Where a 3rd Party cannot do such.

[pcs1]

You could try these https://www.xenonflashtubes.com/camera-flash-tube-lamps_19

But watch out for the high voltage capacitator!! Do you even know if it's the flash bulb or some other component?

Again, not advised as DIY, sounds like you don't know what you are doing so don't!

[pcs1]

Fully agree except according to shadowsports Canon no longer services the M3.

[deebatman316]

I was talking about an independent camera shop possibly doing repairs if possible. In the off chance that they can. But a cheap external flash such as the 220EX or 430EX can work. Depending on their needs. If on camera use only then wireless E-TTL doesn’t matter. The 220EX will work but if tilt, swivel and bounce are needed then the 430EX will work. It doesn’t have to be the newest models either. The original model works just fine even if it doesn’t interface with the camera menu. There’s an LCD screen to change all settings when needed. The same goes for the 220EX no in camera menu support. But it still works just fine on new cameras. 

[pcs1]

I was replying to what you wrote : "Canon can garuntee forward and backwards compatibility. Where a 3rd Party cannot do such." 

220EX is around same price second hand as the 90EX I already mentioned. 

[deebatman316]

I always forget about the 90EX. I think it was mainly sold in the EU. As a bundle with certain EOS M series cameras. I don’t think it was a popular model here. Also newer speedlites that rely on camera menu support. Don’t work well with pre-2007 DSLRs because you can’t control the speedlite’s settings. This is not only a software issue but it’s a hardware problem too.