Replacement diffuser panel for AF540 FGZ II?

**klh** · 11-27-2016, 10:56 AM

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Does anyone know where you can buy a replacement diffuser (wide angle panel) for the Pentax AF540FGZ-II for a reasonable price? I pulled it out one time and the little hinge points broke right off.

Last edited by klh; 11-29-2016 at 12:22 PM.

swanlefitte · 11-27-2016, 12:04 PM

Mine broke on my 360. I didn't replace it but to get the zoom to work i stuck a piece of wood in its spot.

**UncleVanya** · 11-27-2016, 12:22 PM

What about using a pop on diffuser?

Universal Foldable Soft Box Flash Diffuser Dome For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax | eBay

**klh** · 11-28-2016, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Mine broke on my 360. I didn't replace it but to get the zoom to work i stuck a piece of wood in its spot.

Thanks swanlefitte. I may have to try that.

---------- Post added 11-28-16 at 09:06 AM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

What about using a pop on diffuser?

Universal Foldable Soft Box Flash Diffuser Dome For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax | eBay

Thanks UncleFanya, that would work for some shots, but the flash will always assume it is wide angle with the plastic diffuser panel broken so I can not set the focal length, even in manual mode. I typically use bounce flash, and a wide angle bounce is not always ideal.

Last edited by klh; 11-28-2016 at 11:42 AM.

**UncleVanya** · 11-28-2016, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by klh

Thanks UncleFanya, that would work for some shots, but the flash will always assume it is wide angle with the plastic diffuser panel broken so I can not set the focal length, even in manual mode. I typically use bounce flash, and a wide angle bounce is not always idea.

I didn't realize that - hopefully the trick with a wood block works for you.

SOldBear · 12-05-2016, 02:47 PM - **1 Like**

Can you drill a small hole and use epoxy glue to attach a piece of wire?

See this thread.

I'm sorry I lost all the intermediate photos. The one at a end of the thread shows the panel after being repaired.

**klh** · 12-06-2016, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Can you drill a small hole and use epoxy glue to attach a piece of wire?

See this thread.

I'm sorry I lost all the intermediate photos. The one at a end of the thread shows the panel after being repaired.

Thanks. I saw your thread, and I may have to try something like that. The hinge tips on both sides broke off (but I do have them), so I am tempted to try gluing it back together first. The tips are much smaller on the model II. I am amazed at how flashes (not just Pentax) have such a cheap part that is so difficult to replace. It's really a poor design.

Last edited by klh; 12-06-2016 at 12:29 PM.

**klh** · 12-22-2016, 05:50 AM

Here's an update in case anyone else runs into the problem. Using the broken panel, I was able to push the sliding bracket down into the flash until it seated with a click. Of course, the panel won't stay in, but now the flash thinks it is so the zoom features work as they are supposed to. Since I don't really need the panel, it's not necessary to replace it. For the rare times I need a wide angle I can always use one of my Sigma or Yongnuo flashes.

swanlefitte · 12-22-2016, 11:41 AM

Interesting as i recall on the 360 1, it was a button inside in the middle. My piece of wood holds it down while still letting the bounce card slide out.

11-27-2016, 10:56 AM	#1
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Replacement wide angle diffuser panel for AF540 FGZ II? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Does anyone know where you can buy a replacement diffuser (wide angle panel) for the Pentax AF540FGZ-II for a reasonable price? I pulled it out one time and the little hinge points broke right off. Last edited by klh; 11-29-2016 at 12:22 PM.

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11-27-2016, 12:04 PM	#2
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Mine broke on my 360. I didn't replace it but to get the zoom to work i stuck a piece of wood in its spot.

11-27-2016, 12:22 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	What about using a pop on diffuser? Universal Foldable Soft Box Flash Diffuser Dome For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax \| eBay

11-28-2016, 07:05 AM	#4
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827 Original Poster	Originally posted by swanlefitte Mine broke on my 360. I didn't replace it but to get the zoom to work i stuck a piece of wood in its spot. Thanks swanlefitte. I may have to try that. ---------- Post added 11-28-16 at 09:06 AM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya What about using a pop on diffuser? Universal Foldable Soft Box Flash Diffuser Dome For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax \| eBay Thanks UncleFanya, that would work for some shots, but the flash will always assume it is wide angle with the plastic diffuser panel broken so I can not set the focal length, even in manual mode. I typically use bounce flash, and a wide angle bounce is not always ideal. Last edited by klh; 11-28-2016 at 11:42 AM.

11-28-2016, 07:45 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by klh Thanks UncleFanya, that would work for some shots, but the flash will always assume it is wide angle with the plastic diffuser panel broken so I can not set the focal length, even in manual mode. I typically use bounce flash, and a wide angle bounce is not always idea. I didn't realize that - hopefully the trick with a wood block works for you.

12-05-2016, 02:47 PM - 1 Like	#6
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Can you drill a small hole and use epoxy glue to attach a piece of wire? See this thread. I'm sorry I lost all the intermediate photos. The one at a end of the thread shows the panel after being repaired.

12-06-2016, 12:07 PM	#7
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827 Original Poster	Originally posted by SOldBear Can you drill a small hole and use epoxy glue to attach a piece of wire? See this thread. I'm sorry I lost all the intermediate photos. The one at a end of the thread shows the panel after being repaired. Thanks. I saw your thread, and I may have to try something like that. The hinge tips on both sides broke off (but I do have them), so I am tempted to try gluing it back together first. The tips are much smaller on the model II. I am amazed at how flashes (not just Pentax) have such a cheap part that is so difficult to replace. It's really a poor design. Last edited by klh; 12-06-2016 at 12:29 PM.

12-22-2016, 05:50 AM	#8
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827 Original Poster	Here's an update in case anyone else runs into the problem. Using the broken panel, I was able to push the sliding bracket down into the flash until it seated with a click. Of course, the panel won't stay in, but now the flash thinks it is so the zoom features work as they are supposed to. Since I don't really need the panel, it's not necessary to replace it. For the rare times I need a wide angle I can always use one of my Sigma or Yongnuo flashes.

12-22-2016, 11:41 AM	#9
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Interesting as i recall on the 360 1, it was a button inside in the middle. My piece of wood holds it down while still letting the bounce card slide out.