Can the Canon 430EX III-RT firmware be updated by the user?

Asked 4/1/2019

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My Canon 430EX III-RT shows a firmware version in the menu (for example, Ver. 1.0.1). Is that version display only for diagnostics, or can the flash firmware actually be updated? Since there’s no USB port or obvious update method, would any firmware update have to be done by Canon service?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

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Generally, when there is an issue between a Canon EOS camera and a Canon flash, if possible Canon will issue an update for the camera to work around the issue. I'm not sure I've ever seen a user accessible firmware update for a Canon flash.

There have been recalls/updates that require sending a flash in to Canon to fix a bug.

This advisory regarding the firmware for certain serial number ranges of the 600EX-RT and ST-E3-RT requires shipping the unit(s) to a Canon Service Center for inspection and service. When that advisory was issued over three years ago, Brian Worley questioned why Canon does not make flashes updatable by the end user.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

7y ago

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The firmware version display is not necessarily diagnostic-only, but Canon Speedlites generally are not known for user-installable firmware updates. Based on community experience, Canon usually addresses camera/flash compatibility issues with a camera firmware update when possible rather than providing an end-user flash update process.

For Canon flashes, when firmware-related fixes have been needed, they have typically been handled through Canon service rather than by the owner. Canon has issued service advisories for some flash units in the past that required sending the flash to a Canon Service Center for inspection or updating.

So for the 430EX III-RT, the practical answer is: there is no normal user-facing firmware update method, and if Canon ever needed to update it, it would most likely be done by Canon service.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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