AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems

Redsun · 18th February 2008

Hi pentaxians out there who own a 540
I just bought a flash recently and am encountering some weird problems
either im a noob at using this flash or there're something wrong with this 1 im having
When i turn on the flash,the focal length is at 16mm and keeps blinking.
pressing the zoom button doesnt seem to change anything
it just stays at 16mm and i cant seem to switch between auto zoom and Manual zoom.Anyway to do this?

There's a switch at the lower part of the flash,for the different sync modes
I can switch between front and rear sync but when i switch to contrast control sync and High speed sync,nothing seems to happen.Is there another way to switch to HS sync?

flowerpot · 18th February 2008

Originally Posted by Redsun

Hi pentaxians out there who own a 540
I just bought a flash recently and am encountering some weird problems
either im a noob at using this flash or there're something wrong with this 1 im having
When i turn on the flash,the focal length is at 16mm and keeps blinking.
pressing the zoom button doesnt seem to change anything
it just stays at 16mm and i cant seem to switch between auto zoom and Manual zoom.Anyway to do this?

There's a switch at the lower part of the flash,for the different sync modes
I can switch between front and rear sync but when i switch to contrast control sync and High speed sync,nothing seems to happen.Is there another way to switch to HS sync?

did u attached the flash to the camera when u did this...?
the zoom button should toggle between Auto(set to ur lens or 58mm is ur lens is longer) or manual 16mm-->19mm-->24mm-->34mm-->48mm-->58mm

the sync mode depends on the mode you are in...in Tv mode u will see the changes...Av u won't see the HS on the LCD even if u switch to HS...

flowerpot · 18th February 2008

ok just did a quick check...HS will appear even in Av mode, but only when the meter has the shutter speed over 1/180s

Redsun · 18th February 2008

yup i attached the flash to the camera
mine seems to be stuck at 16mm no matter what
i had the 18-55 on

i'll try the sync mode again

istDeS · 18th February 2008

If the zoom is stuck at 16mm, I suspect the zoom is jammed. It is a known bug for AF540. Give a gentle knock, if still cannot. Probably you have to send it to the service center.

flowerpot · 18th February 2008

seems like 1 of those stuck zoom motor problem... has read about it, got warranty should be no problem getting it fixed...

Redsun · 18th February 2008

Thanks guys
i tried out the HS sync and flowerpot is right
It only works at shutter speeds above 1/180

I found that the flash stays at 16mm even if i pull out the flash diffuser
however if i pull out the flash diffuser,turn off the flash and turn it on again,it becomes 13mm

Guess could be the zoom prob
oh btw its now on manual zoom for some unknown reason and can seem to switch it back to autozoom.........
off to the service center then

THanks again guys

fengwei · 18th February 2008

Try to turn your lens (zoom the lens) and see if the flash will zoom along

If it's in P-TTL mode, the flash should zoom aong with the lens...

VSonic06 · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by Redsun

When i turn on the flash,the focal length is at 16mm and keeps blinking.
pressing the zoom button doesnt seem to change anything
it just stays at 16mm and i cant seem to switch between auto zoom and Manual zoom.Anyway to do this?

Give the flash head a couple of light knocks at the side (do it against a soft cloth, on a table) see if the flash zoom starts moving again. I had the same symptom with a brand new flash (blinking 16mm) and the knocks 'freed up' the zoom mechanism.

Very bad first impression of this flash... which is why I recommend people go for the Metz 58 AF-1. Too bad the agent (Tithes Marketing) doesn't even seem to bring it in.

P3ntx · 19th February 2008

My AF54O has physical mechanical problems ..the button is only works for the 45 downwards shift. it is loss and cannot hold my Gary Fong Diffiser upright..

What to do? how to repaire?

VSonic06 · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by P3ntx

My AF54O has physical mechanical problems ..the button is only works for the 45 downwards shift. it is loss and cannot hold my Gary Fong Diffiser upright..

What to do? how to repaire?

Apparently that is normal... The button is only good to release the flashhead down 10° unlike other flash where it is necessary to press the button to swivel or tilt the head.

Just positioning the flash at 90° and avoid tilting sideways when using the heavy diffuser.

Redsun · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by VSonic06

Give the flash head a couple of light knocks at the side (do it against a soft cloth, on a table) see if the flash zoom starts moving again. I had the same symptom with a brand new flash (blinking 16mm) and the knocks 'freed up' the zoom mechanism.

Very bad first impression of this flash... which is why I recommend people go for the Metz 58 AF-1. Too bad the agent (Tithes Marketing) doesn't even seem to bring it in.

ohhh
ok will try it when i get off from work
Hopefully that works,save me a trip down to the service center
Thanks!

Redsun · 19th February 2008

just in case i need to go down to the service center?
is this the address?

11 Chang Charn Road #06-01 Shriro House Singapore 159640

istDeS · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by Redsun

just in case i need to go down to the service center?
is this the address?

11 Chang Charn Road #06-01 Shriro House Singapore 159640

Yes it is.

kayster · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by Redsun

Hi pentaxians out there who own a 540
I just bought a flash recently and am encountering some weird problems
either im a noob at using this flash or there're something wrong with this 1 im having
When i turn on the flash,the focal length is at 16mm and keeps blinking.
pressing the zoom button doesnt seem to change anything
it just stays at 16mm and i cant seem to switch between auto zoom and Manual zoom.Anyway to do this?

There's a switch at the lower part of the flash,for the different sync modes
I can switch between front and rear sync but when i switch to contrast control sync and High speed sync,nothing seems to happen.Is there another way to switch to HS sync?

aaa... did you use the built-in diffuseR?? it keeps the focal length at 16mm if i am not wrong.. as for blinking.. not sure about it...

Redsun · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by kayster

aaa... did you use the built-in diffuseR?? it keeps the focal length at 16mm if i am not wrong.. as for blinking.. not sure about it...

Nope.The built in diffuser wasnt pulled out
i was thinking if i should take the flash apart to try to fix the zoom head...
but then again,i could spoil it permanently....

VSonic06 · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by Redsun

Nope.The built in diffuser wasnt pulled out
i was thinking if i should take the flash apart to try to fix the zoom head...
but then again,i could spoil it permanently....

Don't even try

You could get a nasty electric shock unless you let it discharge for a long while. Its still new and under warranty so why not send it for a replacement if slapping the flash head (gently) doesn't work?

kayster · 19th February 2008

Just send to the service centre.. they quite fast.. i send to remove the stuck flash AF-540 on last Monday, and I get the camera on Friday....of course with some tuning of lense as well...

Redsun · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by VSonic06

Don't even try You could get a nasty electric shock unless you let it discharge for a long while. Its still new and under warranty so why not send it for a replacement if slapping the flash head (gently) doesn't work?

you're right
guess i'll do that

istDeS · 19th February 2008

If it is still under warranty, better send it to service center instead of dismantling the flash yourself. It is cover under the warranty. As far as I know, for your problem, previously, the flash might have to be send to Pentax Japan for service, so it will take at least a month or so. I don't know now our service center can service it already or not. Kayster's one is fast because it can be repaired here.

18th February 2008	#1
Redsun Member/Tangshooter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jurong West Posts: 6,347	AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems Hi pentaxians out there who own a 540 I just bought a flash recently and am encountering some weird problems either im a noob at using this flash or there're something wrong with this 1 im having When i turn on the flash,the focal length is at 16mm and keeps blinking. pressing the zoom button doesnt seem to change anything it just stays at 16mm and i cant seem to switch between auto zoom and Manual zoom.Anyway to do this? There's a switch at the lower part of the flash,for the different sync modes I can switch between front and rear sync but when i switch to contrast control sync and High speed sync,nothing seems to happen.Is there another way to switch to HS sync? __________________ Flickr DeviantART Tangshooters

18th February 2008	#3
flowerpot Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Both East n West Posts: 2,240	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems ok just did a quick check...HS will appear even in Av mode, but only when the meter has the shutter speed over 1/180s __________________ ~Towards Sublime Gallery~

18th February 2008	#4
Redsun Member/Tangshooter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jurong West Posts: 6,347	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems yup i attached the flash to the camera mine seems to be stuck at 16mm no matter what i had the 18-55 on i'll try the sync mode again __________________ Flickr DeviantART Tangshooters

18th February 2008	#5
istDeS Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: "River end" Posts: 2,913	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems If the zoom is stuck at 16mm, I suspect the zoom is jammed. It is a known bug for AF540. Give a gentle knock, if still cannot. Probably you have to send it to the service center.

18th February 2008	#6
flowerpot Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Both East n West Posts: 2,240	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems seems like 1 of those stuck zoom motor problem... has read about it, got warranty should be no problem getting it fixed... __________________ ~Towards Sublime Gallery~

18th February 2008	#8
fengwei Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bukit Gombak Posts: 9,100	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems Try to turn your lens (zoom the lens) and see if the flash will zoom along If it's in P-TTL mode, the flash should zoom aong with the lens...

19th February 2008	#10
P3ntx Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Coast Road Posts: 642	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems My AF54O has physical mechanical problems ..the button is only works for the 45 downwards shift. it is loss and cannot hold my Gary Fong Diffiser upright.. What to do? how to repaire?

19th February 2008	#18
kayster Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Singapore, Punggol Posts: 198	Re: AF-540 FGZ Flash weird problems Just send to the service centre.. they quite fast.. i send to remove the stuck flash AF-540 on last Monday, and I get the camera on Friday....of course with some tuning of lense as well... __________________ kayster have use k-7 for his honeymoon to Greece with DA15, 21 & 35 Limited.. and F-50mm..