Olympus XA2- how do I tell if my A11 is working?

[GarageBoy]

So my A11 doesn't light up the flash ready LED
How do I tell if its the flash or the camera thats giving me the problem?

Also, it seems to flash after the shutter fires, but will check that on my test roll

 

[dxq.canada]

That light indicates the capacitor in the flash is topped up ... the connection to the camera is only to trigger ... so the problem is in the flash.

 

[btgc]

I've read many of those flashes fail to light up when ready, seems to be common issue. As fresh as possible battery and sufficient charging times should give you some confidence.

 

[sevo]

Capacitors tend to "deform", losing capacity when unused for long time. If they have no flaw beyond that, putting in good, fresh cells and leaving the flash on for a few hours should restore them to normal.

In modern flashes power saving circuitry will often get into the way of re-forming the caps that way, and it will have to be done on the opened flash by applying an external power source directly to the caps (danger, 400VDC are no fun, don't try this at home). The original A11 is old and primitive enough that it would work - but it went through several variations, so YMMV.

 

[farlymac]

I've had several different flash units where the ready light has gone out, but the rest of the flash functions just fine. Just make sure to test the flash sans film before using it, and give it plenty of time to recycle.

PF

 

[GarageBoy]

the flash seems to work. opened the back, went into darkroom and saw it flash through the lens. the pop up flash ready light/ off button works too, just not the in VF indicator

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The little flash symbol in the VF is part of the Albada set up and should be covered and uncovered by a little tab inside the VF. It swings over with the little flash lever to allow or stop the reflection. So it's probably a minor mechanical problem.

BTW, if the flash isn't used very often it takes a long time to charge when first used, then speeds up as the condenser is formed.

Regards, David

 

[oftheherd]

As mentioned above, I also have a flash where the popup indicator doesn't work. Everything else works fine. But I see by your post that isn't your problem. Hopefully David Hughes explanation will help you. Funny, I don't recall ever seeing a flash indicator in the viewfinder of my XA. I don't think it has one.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I don't think I've ever bothered about it or even noticed it. It's a pita to see being in the edge of the frame. I only noticed it as I was testing an A11 and remembered this thread and so started looking and then looked at the manual, vague, and then did the post above.

Otherwise I would have remained ignorant but I've managed to survive...

Regards, David