I don't think you have a hardware problem. You say it flashes but things are dark (under exposed). I suppose you could have a bad capacitor in the flash causing an underpower but I would bet you a nickel that the camera setting/s got changed. I'm a canon shooter but not familiar with the t5i but all canons dslr have a finger wheel just above the shutter button. On my camera that can be set for shutter speed or f/stop adjustments. Could that have gotton bumped by mistake and changed your exposure? Could it have gotten changed from manual to say aperture priority? Is your iso the same. So many settings could have been changed.
I would look at the exif data from a good image and a underexposed image. If all things are equal than the flash may have an issue? Were you running the booth? Could someone else have slid the power slider to lower power?
Look at the facts first before trying a shotgun fix. All your settings should be able to be seen on the lcd when you play pack the images. On my camera I use the info button to toggle from no info, just image to all info (exif data) on image displayed along with histogram. Not sure how the t5i activates the info.
Share what you figure out please.
Kuecker2 wrote:
I am using and Alien Bee 400 in a photobooth set up. It takes 3 pics 5 seconds apart. The camera I am using is a Canon T5i. Initially After running the program for about an hour the flash would fire but the pics came out very dark to black. I have swapped out cameras, sync cables and hot shoe adapater. I am still having the problem and it is happening just a few minutes. Any idea what is causing this? I do not have a second alien bee to test it at this time. The area is well ventilated.