Clicking sound with Canon EL-10 Flashgun!

[adam461]

I've had my brand new EL-10 for about a week and every time it fires, it makes a clicking sound, I'm not sure if this is normal across all EL-10's or if mine is just faulty. I've owned many Canon flashguns in the past and none of them made a clicking sound when fired. I did phone Canon this morning to ask them and they said it is normal for this particular model, but I'd thought I'd ask here to see if somebody has got the same flashgun and is experiencing the same sound, thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[deebatman316]

Show us a video of this clicking sound. Sometimes the flash will make a buzzing sound when the AF Assist Beam is firing. As the flash tube is strobed rapidly for AF Assist.

[adam461]

Thanks for helping out, I have filmed a little video on my phone but I can't seem to upload it, this forum wants a URL and the video is only on my desktop, it isn't being hosted anywhere so I can't see how I can show it to you.

[deebatman316]

Do you have Google Account? You can upload it to Google Drive. Then you can post the link in the forum. Make sure that you allow people in the forum to watch it. Also make sure the sharing permissions are set to people with the link.

[adam461]

I've uploaded it to YouTube so hopefully people should be able to see it ok. 

[adam461]

Don't worry about the dragon in the background, he won't hurt you. This is the sound the flashgun makes when fired, either handheld as I'm doing it in the video or attached on my camera. I've been told it's perfectly normal and all EL-10's do it, but I just wanted a second opinion, I've owned lots of Canon flashguns and none of those made a clicking sound when fired. 

[deebatman316]

Does it make the same sound when the AF Assist Beam is firing. Or just when you hit the test button.

[adam461]

Yes, makes the same sound if it's being fired on the camera.

[deebatman316]

I haven’t heard a speedlite make that sound before. Usually people report the buzzing sound a speedlite will make when the AF Assist Beam is firing. Though I’ve never seen the EL-10 fire an AF Assist Beam before. I’ve seen the EL-5 and other Canon speedlites fire an AF Assist Beam before. Have you seen this Speedlite fire an AF Assist Beam before. I would think the sound would be more pronounced if it fired an AF Assist Beam. 

[adam461]

The flashgun itself can't fire an AF assist beam as it doesn't have that feature, it's for use with Mirrorless Cameras. I've been told it's normal but it seems odd to me.