Eos Rebel t7 Flash Problems

[Jul123]

I recently got a Eos rebel t7 and my camera is giving me a hard time taking pictures with the flash on. If I do the automatic setting and the lighting is low, the flash pops up but refuses to take a picture. The flash does a couple annoying and quick flashes but won’t take the picture. What should I do? 

[deebatman316]

It sounds like the lighting is inadequate. The built in flash is providing what is called an AF Assist Beam. The camera will rapidly pulse the built in flash (Intermittent Flash Firing) for AF Assist. What are the lighting conditions like also what lens are you using please provide the FULL NAME of the lens you're using. If you're using the kit lens it should start with EF-S 18-55mm in the name. But Canon has made multiple versions of the lens over the years. So the full name is important so we can help you. Canon also has used multiple different types of AF Assist Beams over the years.

• IR/ Infrared (not really infrared its just a red grid pattern, mainly used on external speedlites)
• Intermittent Flash Firing (this is what the built in flash uses and some external speedlites)
• LED (used on EOS R series cameras and certain speedlites)

[CCooney147]

Hi,

I am having the same issue as above. However I also test the flash in a fully lit room and the intermittent flash firing is still occuring. I guess it's possible I mistakenly changed a setting on my camera which is causing this but I do not believe so.

Also, even with the intermittent flash firing, my Canon will not take a picture, it just says "busy" and the photo  is not taken. 

Could you provide any solution? Would be greatly appreciated!

[John_Q]

Hello CCooney147,

The intermittent flash firing sounds like you have the AF-assist beam enabled on your camera. Depending on your particular camera model will determine where in the menu to find that feature. You can also "force" the flash to fire every time on our digital cameras if you'd like as long as the flash is working of course. The enabling of this feature also varies by camera model. You can reply to this forum post with the camera model if you need further instructions.

[CCooney147]

Thanks @John_Q,

I do have AF-assist enabled on the lens. Sounds like it's also enabled on the camera itself, but I'm not sure where to find the setting for review. The camera model is Canon EOS Rebel T-7 with an 18-55m lens. I'm also unsure how to force the flash for my model, but I'm crossing my fingers that you may have the answer..

Thank you!!

[deebatman316]

The AF Assist Beam is Enabled through the camera menu not the lens. What is the Full name of the lens in question. Canon has released 9 version of that lens over the years. The first of which was released in 2003.

[FloridaDrafter]

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@CCooney147 wrote:

I do have AF-assist enabled on the lens. Sounds like it's also enabled on the camera itself, but I'm not sure where to find the setting for review. The camera model is Canon EOS Rebel T-7 with an 18-55m lens. I'm also unsure how to force the flash for my model, but I'm crossing my fingers that you may have the answer..

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Hello, CCooney!

If you haven't already, please download the manual here (click manuals) as it will save you a lot of grief 🙂 As mentioned, no part of the flash is activated by the lens. I suspect you are confusing the switch that turns on autofocus (AF-MF) on the lens for AF Assist.

You will find flash controls for your T7 in the "Shooting 1" menu, see page 198 in your manual.

As referenced on page 198, you can get more info on AF Assist Beam firing on page 100 and various other pages.

*EDIT* I forgot to mention that you should be able to enable the popup flash by pressing the flash button. It will have a lightning bolt on it and should be between the mode dial and the shutter button. By pressing that, the flash should pop up for you to use at any time.

Newton

 

[CCooney147]

Thanks both.

In response to deebateman316, the lens is an EFS 18-55mm, so a starter lens. I've downloaded the manual which should come in handy. The manual seems to have done the trick, I think I was being too quick to pull the trigger when the assisted flash was firing.

It's worth mentioning that I'm using the built-in flash and not a Speedlite attachment. Does the built in flash generally provide lower quality flash than a Speedlite attachment or is the built in just as good?

Thanks for all your advice, I'm a novice when it comes to photography but picked it up as a hobby recently and looking forward to learning more about the optimal use of Canon's products.

[deebatman316]

Full model please. Canon has released 9 version of that lens over the years.

[deebatman316]

The built in flash is less powerful than an entry level speedlite such as the EL-100.