AF540FGZ Boot broke on the side =(

UMDTERPS · 08-31-2015, 01:08 PM

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I've been having issues with my AF540FGZ flash, it keeps falling off the boot. So I was doing some shooting this weekend and it fell off and hit the pavement and of course because it's places the side broke off. Thanks Pentax for making it plastic (It's my understand the new ones are metal...

).

Is there a place where I can get a new bottom piece? I tried super gluing it, but it seems it may not work out

See picture below:

Attached Images

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mcgregni · 08-31-2015, 01:40 PM

Oouch! I always understood the point of the plastic shoe was to make it break instead of the camera hotshoe, which might get pulled out. Far more expensive to replace. I think the idea is to replace the shutter shoe component base unit from the bottom of the flash, which unscrews. There must be a wired connection inside which is easy to reconnect to a new base unit. I think its a service centre job though .....

condor27596 · 08-31-2015, 03:09 PM

It should be an easy fix if you can find the part. Kinda makes sense though like that pin on your lawnmower.

awaldram · 09-01-2015, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by UMDTERPS

I've been having issues with my AF540FGZ flash, it keeps falling off the boot. So I was doing some shooting this weekend and it fell off and hit the pavement and of course because it's places the side broke off. Thanks Pentax for making it plastic (It's my understand the new ones are metal...

).

Is there a place where I can get a new bottom piece? I tried super gluing it, but it seems it may not work out

See picture below:

Speak to your local Service department it and easy change

4 screws and a plug

this will give you the idea (and if your in USA you can order it here)

540fgz

Not a Number · 09-01-2015, 03:15 AM

Ricoh's policy is not to sell parts to end users or non-authorized repair places and seems quite adamant on enforcing this policy. Your only options are to send it to an authorized repair center or finding the part or a parts flash on eBay for a DIY repair. Some place that do repair work might fix it - if they can get parts. Try KEH.

Last one (plastic):
Pentax AF 540 FGZ P TTL Hot Shoe Mount Flash Hotshoe Foot Replacement Part New | eBay

UMDTERPS · 09-01-2015, 06:06 AM

Wow, that is steep for a small piece of plastic....

awaldram · 09-01-2015, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by UMDTERPS

Wow, that is steep for a small piece of plastic....

The supplier I listed above was cheaper than that ebay one.

maybe you missed it click on the 540fgz in my thread.

still not cheap but then its a sellers market

Not a Number · 09-01-2015, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by awaldram

The supplier I listed above was cheaper than that ebay one.

If you factor in lowest shipping the difference is only $5.22 USD.

awaldram · 09-01-2015, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

If you factor in lowest shipping the difference is only $5.22 USD.

And ??

That is cheaper !

UMDTERPS · 09-02-2015, 07:06 AM

I ended up buying the last one ebay, better then spending $300-400 on a new flash.

Not a Number · 09-02-2015, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by awaldram

And ??

That is cheaper !

Any price will be cheaper if US camera is out of stock. I've ordered stuff from them off the website before that they told me was out of stock and no longer available. And it is a lot cheaper from the eBay seller (free shipping) if you pick some of other shipping options.from US camera.

And It appears the price difference didn't matter to the OP, making the whole argument moot.

Originally posted by UMDTERPS

I ended up buying the last one ebay, better then spending $300-400 on a new flash.

09-01-2015, 02:12 AM	#4
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by UMDTERPS I've been having issues with my AF540FGZ flash, it keeps falling off the boot. So I was doing some shooting this weekend and it fell off and hit the pavement and of course because it's places the side broke off. Thanks Pentax for making it plastic (It's my understand the new ones are metal...). Is there a place where I can get a new bottom piece? I tried super gluing it, but it seems it may not work out See picture below: Speak to your local Service department it and easy change 4 screws and a plug this will give you the idea (and if your in USA you can order it here) 540fgz

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08-31-2015, 01:40 PM	#2
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Oouch! I always understood the point of the plastic shoe was to make it break instead of the camera hotshoe, which might get pulled out. Far more expensive to replace. I think the idea is to replace the shutter shoe component base unit from the bottom of the flash, which unscrews. There must be a wired connection inside which is easy to reconnect to a new base unit. I think its a service centre job though .....

08-31-2015, 03:09 PM	#3
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	It should be an easy fix if you can find the part. Kinda makes sense though like that pin on your lawnmower.

09-01-2015, 03:15 AM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Ricoh's policy is not to sell parts to end users or non-authorized repair places and seems quite adamant on enforcing this policy. Your only options are to send it to an authorized repair center or finding the part or a parts flash on eBay for a DIY repair. Some place that do repair work might fix it - if they can get parts. Try KEH. Last one (plastic): Pentax AF 540 FGZ P TTL Hot Shoe Mount Flash Hotshoe Foot Replacement Part New \| eBay

09-01-2015, 06:06 AM	#6
UMDTERPS New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 17 Original Poster	Wow, that is steep for a small piece of plastic....

09-01-2015, 06:12 AM	#7
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by UMDTERPS Wow, that is steep for a small piece of plastic.... The supplier I listed above was cheaper than that ebay one. maybe you missed it click on the 540fgz in my thread. still not cheap but then its a sellers market

09-01-2015, 09:54 AM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by awaldram The supplier I listed above was cheaper than that ebay one. If you factor in lowest shipping the difference is only $5.22 USD.

09-01-2015, 11:24 PM	#9
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by Not a Number If you factor in lowest shipping the difference is only $5.22 USD. And ?? That is cheaper !

09-02-2015, 07:06 AM	#10
UMDTERPS New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 17 Original Poster	I ended up buying the last one ebay, better then spending $300-400 on a new flash.

09-02-2015, 07:55 AM	#11
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by awaldram And ?? That is cheaper ! Any price will be cheaper if US camera is out of stock. I've ordered stuff from them off the website before that they told me was out of stock and no longer available. And it is a lot cheaper from the eBay seller (free shipping) if you pick some of other shipping options.from US camera. And It appears the price difference didn't matter to the OP, making the whole argument moot. Originally posted by UMDTERPS I ended up buying the last one ebay, better then spending $300-400 on a new flash.