When I fit my Speedlite 430EX to my EOS60D and try to activate External flash func. Setting the first 3 options are grayed out and not available. When I try to activate External flash C.Fn setting I get the following message “This menu cannot be displayed. Incompatible flash to flash’s power is turned off.” The 60D has firmware version 1.1.2 and I have reset all custom functions to default. And Flash firing is enabled. The flash works but I would like to have access to these controls. Question: Is this normal or is there a problem with either the camera or flash? Is there a way of fixing this from my end or do I need to send it to a repairer?
I do not have a 60D, however I tried it on my 70D and the flash control is all lit. When I scroll down to External Flash Func. Setting, this shows what my flash LCD settings are at. Then when I scroll to the External Flash C.Fn Setting I get the same message..."This menu cannot be ..." so that must be a normal indication.
Just to be sure this is a Canon 430EX? You should be able to access the custom functions of the 430EX, I doubt there is a backwards compatibility issue with the first gen flash. I can't replicate with different hardware. But the menu should recognize the canon flashes an allow you to set settings and custom functions from the camera. Do you need the CFn menu on camera, not really as you can set them directly on the flash as well. Could be a connection issue, you did have it mounted directly in hot-shoe or using a sync cable right? And the pilot light is on correct?
Just to note i see all functions and menus on a 580ex2 on a 5d2. But I think its important to be sure which hardware is being used and that the flash didn't power down automatically.
This is normal as the 430 EX is an older flash and not compatible with the in-camera flash menu that first appeared in 2007 with Digic III cameras like the EOS 40D. You must set the Custom Functions the flash LCD.
Thanks Michael I had a suspicion this was the case but everywhere I looked they said the flash was compatible and it does work on the camera but I could neve4 get these functions to work. The only function that can’t achieve through the flash is the flash exposure bracketing but I guess I can do that manually. Thanks again for your insight into my problem. Cheers Max