Flash very weak light

madtigerhide · Joined: 26 Jul 2014 Posts: 15

I got hold of a Hanimex TZ1. with batteries the flash lights up, starts to fill the capacitor and the "ready" light switches on. it does fire, but the light it produces is so dim that it is only visible if you look directly into it.

also once i switch it off the "ready" light remains lit.. and when i press the "test" button the flash does flash (incredibly weak as before) for tens of times.. probably i could press it for a hundred times and it would still fire.

any thoughts about this?

anyone had a similar experience?

thanks
dario

madtigerhide · Joined: 26 Jul 2014 Posts: 15

no one?

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

It could be that the flash is on auto and reading the light level when you fire it. If it was bright light when you fired it the flash will appear dim, although
actually it's the time that is adjusted, not the power. The ready light will stay illuminated if the charge has not been fully depleted - this is quite normal.

See if the flash has a manual setting, or try firing it in a dark room. Otherwise, Hanimex quality often leaves a lot to be desired. Wink

madtigerhide · Joined: 26 Jul 2014 Posts: 15

i tested it indoors with rather dim light so i don't think it is the case. but thanks for your input.

CuriousOne · Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Posts: 669 Location: Home

The fact that "ready" stays on and it can be fired again and again is normal, that is just cheap flash, where switch only turns off low side circuit, without turning off high side circuit (for example, canon Speedlite 155A has same behavour).

The light can be weak due to numerous reasons:

1. Dried out capacitor - as they age, they loose the capacity.
2. Defective bulb
3. Problems with circuitry

I'd settle on #2, as most common problem.