Flash Hot shoe busted

vievetrick · 10-02-2010, 07:01 AM

GRRRRR so I went to put down the camera with the AF-540 attached but apparently not locked in. I was moving toward the table and caught the strap on the edge and the camera jerked back and flash head weight caused the bottom of the hot shoe to snap :-( Lucky for me I only need a few more quick pictures and with some effort I could get the connection made to send the flash.

Pentax flash 540 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Question, does anyone know of a repair place that would replace the shoe? Or is this something I can do? I see the 4 screws but what is involved under the hood?

Looks like I need to rent or try and borrow one for my trip to Vegas next week.

Thanks for any help

Pat B

Rupert · 10-02-2010, 03:21 PM

If you have the broken part...Super Glue gel is a some powerful stuff!
Regards

vievetrick · 10-02-2010, 05:44 PM

I do and will give it a try I have nothing to lose

Howdy · 10-03-2010, 11:02 AM

I agree - try glueing the broken part first. This is safe and should work well.

Just a friendly warning - be very, VERY careful if you decide you want to take your flash apart. The capacitor voltage is very high and shortening it with your hand will be painful. It should not kill though (unless you are very unlucky).

**alfa75ts** · 10-03-2010, 12:58 PM

USCamera have the parts, here.

JeffJS · 10-03-2010, 12:59 PM

Good luck with it. Every other story I've read like this it took the hot shoe off of the camera.

vievetrick · 10-03-2010, 04:37 PM

Thanks Craig have you used them before?

**alfa75ts** · 10-03-2010, 10:55 PM

Yes, for an fgz-360 I bought cheap with a busted foot.

Had no problems with them.

alohadave · 10-04-2010, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by Rupert

If you have the broken part...Super Glue gel is a some powerful stuff!
Regards

Note that super glue can melt certain plastics instead of bonding them.

wlachan · 10-04-2010, 04:55 PM

Just get the replacement shoe from Pentax and replace it yourself. Super glue is brittle and will never be able to handle the load like this.

vievetrick · 10-04-2010, 05:18 PM

Thanks Dave & wlachan - I did order the part from the link above and with any luck will have it here by wednesday. The superglue will be my backup plan. I leave for a trip to Vegas on Thursday and really hope tomhave it up and running with new shoe but again glue will be backup. Also thought as a way back up I could just shot wireless but that will get annoying quick having to hold it..... Or actually maybe not .... We shall see

vievetrick · 10-04-2010, 05:20 PM

Oh and ps I emailed the supplier of the part replied quick and the part was shipped out today. At this point I am happy with them and as long as in and working I will recommend for sure. Matter of fact I need a replacement part for a Sigma lens that got bent a little I may see if they have it. Thanks again Craig

**alfa75ts** · 10-04-2010, 08:02 PM - **1 Like**

As we say in OZ, "no worries mate".

vievetrick · 10-05-2010, 11:37 AM

Quick FYI the part is already here. Very fast service I will say of USCamera #1 in Parts and Customer Service I will keep you all posted if interested in the repair. The part does look more generic as it does not say LOCK like I believe the orginal does. stay tuned.... PS I will be carefull to not electricute myself ;-)

vievetrick · 10-05-2010, 05:02 PM

HUGE thanks to alfa75ts and of course to this forum.

I order the part from USCamera #1 in Parts and Customer Service 65864-0-y83 paid the extra couple of bucks and had the part at my door in 1 day and the flash is fixed good as new up and running for my trip. $75 I am good to go. I would recommend them to anyone for this type of repair. I was a little nervous about doing this but figured what the heck worth a try. The only thing different was the little sticker that says FIXED was not on the new part. I took it off the old one added it to this one and it is good as new. Again thanks all.

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10-02-2010, 07:01 AM	#1
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	Flash Hot shoe busted GRRRRR so I went to put down the camera with the AF-540 attached but apparently not locked in. I was moving toward the table and caught the strap on the edge and the camera jerked back and flash head weight caused the bottom of the hot shoe to snap :-( Lucky for me I only need a few more quick pictures and with some effort I could get the connection made to send the flash. Pentax flash 540 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Question, does anyone know of a repair place that would replace the shoe? Or is this something I can do? I see the 4 screws but what is involved under the hood? Looks like I need to rent or try and borrow one for my trip to Vegas next week. Thanks for any help Pat B

10-02-2010, 03:21 PM	#2
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	If you have the broken part...Super Glue gel is a some powerful stuff! Regards

10-02-2010, 05:44 PM	#3
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	I do and will give it a try I have nothing to lose

10-03-2010, 11:02 AM	#4
Howdy Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Poland Posts: 86	I agree - try glueing the broken part first. This is safe and should work well. Just a friendly warning - be very, VERY careful if you decide you want to take your flash apart. The capacitor voltage is very high and shortening it with your hand will be painful. It should not kill though (unless you are very unlucky).

10-03-2010, 12:58 PM	#5
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	USCamera have the parts, here.

10-03-2010, 12:59 PM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Good luck with it. Every other story I've read like this it took the hot shoe off of the camera.

10-03-2010, 04:37 PM	#7
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Thanks Craig have you used them before?

10-03-2010, 10:55 PM	#8
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	Yes, for an fgz-360 I bought cheap with a busted foot. Had no problems with them.

10-04-2010, 04:22 PM	#9
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by Rupert If you have the broken part...Super Glue gel is a some powerful stuff! Regards Note that super glue can melt certain plastics instead of bonding them.

10-04-2010, 04:55 PM	#10
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Just get the replacement shoe from Pentax and replace it yourself. Super glue is brittle and will never be able to handle the load like this.

10-04-2010, 05:18 PM	#11
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Thanks Dave & wlachan - I did order the part from the link above and with any luck will have it here by wednesday. The superglue will be my backup plan. I leave for a trip to Vegas on Thursday and really hope tomhave it up and running with new shoe but again glue will be backup. Also thought as a way back up I could just shot wireless but that will get annoying quick having to hold it..... Or actually maybe not .... We shall see

10-04-2010, 05:20 PM	#12
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Oh and ps I emailed the supplier of the part replied quick and the part was shipped out today. At this point I am happy with them and as long as in and working I will recommend for sure. Matter of fact I need a replacement part for a Sigma lens that got bent a little I may see if they have it. Thanks again Craig

10-04-2010, 08:02 PM - 1 Like	#13
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	As we say in OZ, "no worries mate".

10-05-2010, 11:37 AM	#14
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Quick FYI the part is already here. Very fast service I will say of USCamera #1 in Parts and Customer Service I will keep you all posted if interested in the repair. The part does look more generic as it does not say LOCK like I believe the orginal does. stay tuned.... PS I will be carefull to not electricute myself ;-)

10-05-2010, 05:02 PM	#15
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	HUGE thanks to alfa75ts and of course to this forum. I order the part from USCamera #1 in Parts and Customer Service 65864-0-y83 paid the extra couple of bucks and had the part at my door in 1 day and the flash is fixed good as new up and running for my trip. $75 I am good to go. I would recommend them to anyone for this type of repair. I was a little nervous about doing this but figured what the heck worth a try. The only thing different was the little sticker that says FIXED was not on the new part. I took it off the old one added it to this one and it is good as new. Again thanks all.