7D pop up flash problem

[chris1492]

I was using a rather cheap on camera flash on the 7D. Now I am finding that the pop up flash will not come up. When I go to the Flash Control settings I am getting messages that the external flash is still attached. I get messages like "This menu cannot be used. External flash is attached."

I tried cleaning the contacts on the external flash shoe... no help.

[ScottyP]

It wasn't a really cheap one like an old Vivitar or something?

[chris1492]

No, it was specifically meant for new Canons, bought at B&H , can't remember brand name, but it had a ring light attachment.

The last time I used it, it tested out okay at home then failed in the field... then I trashed it.

[cale_kat]

Have you tried resetting the camera? A reboot, I believe, can be done by removing both main and auxiliary battery for some time.

[TCampbell]

Underneath the hot-shoe rails there are a couple of leaf-springs.  Under one of those springs is a tiny micro-switch.  If that button is pressed in then it tells teh camera that there is a flash in the hot-shoe and it wont pop-up.

If you've got any grit, etc. in the micro-switch then it can jam and you may need to clean it out.  Do not use "oil" (oil just attracts dust and dirt and gums up.)  A toothpick might be able to tease it into springing up.  If you do decide to use a cleaner, use something that evaporates... such as a drop of denatured alcohol.

[ScottyP]

I have read that some older designs of flashes still in use (like older examples of Vivitar Thrystor 285) use too much voltage and can fry a newer camera's hotshoe. I hope nothing similar happened here, like when the thing croaked hopefully it didn't somehow take out your hotshoe with current.