Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

hi, i have a new 800 that is not firing test or with camera. can hear the faint click indicating flash tube replacement. however, this flash has only been fired ~300 times, should not need replacement. notice that the modeling lamp does not screw in straight, it tilts to side and nearly touches the flash tube- could the flash tube be going out so quickly because it isn't cooling down because of modeling lamp?... pls advise. final note- the flash tube has gone out in "sporadic" fashion. it stopped working intermitently before completely going out.

CS may be of more help but it sounds like you may have an arcing connection on the tube. Remove the tube and check connections for arcing. If one or more legs have dark and/or pitted spots than the unit should be sent in for repair as the socket is sure to have been damaged as well.

If it's clean and shinny than you may have a bad tube or maybe an electronic problem. Easiest way to check is to install a tube from another flash if you have one. That will tell you if it's a tube problem or an electronic problem.

Good luck.

photodan is right on. However, the part you will be inspecting for burning would be the metal part of the legs outside of the glass. There will be a small amount of what looks like burning in the tube itself, and is normal. If burned (arced) the head will need to come in. If not burned, try reseating the tube. If still nothing, try another tube if you have one. Regardless of what you find, if the unit is new, the issue will be corrected under warranty. Please contact customer service to make arrangements.

thank you both for your reply. will check and contact service, thanks!