AF540FGZ II problem

**Finntax** · 03-08-2014, 05:57 AM

Hi,

Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body.

Am I missing something with the new flash?

gosman · 03-12-2014, 07:53 AM

I too just got my 540GZII yesterday from BH Photo ($160 discount last week!). It works OK but it under exposes most of the time. Is this typical of a P-TTL flash? I always thought that it would produce perfect pictures each time? Can everyone share with me your settings on K-3 especially or any other Pentax.

**Finntax** · 03-16-2014, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by Finntax

Hi,

Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body.

Am I missing something with the new flash?

The flash turned out to be faulty. Got it replaced and the new copy works perfectly.

amoringello · 03-16-2014, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by gosman

I too just got my 540GZII yesterday from BH Photo ($160 discount last week!). It works OK but it under exposes most of the time. Is this typical of a P-TTL flash? I always thought that it would produce perfect pictures each time? Can everyone share with me your settings on K-3 especially or any other Pentax.

You can do some searching here for lots of issues with PTTL. I can't recall if the K3 has specific issues with underexposure.
In general PTTL should be close to correct, but a lot of things affect it. Probably the worst offender is specular highlights.
PTTL is extremely judgmental to such an extent that if a person's necklace causes sparkles (specular highlight) from the flash it can cause the camera to underexpose by several stops.
The K5 improved on this a lot but it still has problems.
And remember... unlike some other brands, Pentax uses the entire sensor for metering when using flash. Spot and CenterWeighted metering has no effect with flash. i.e. Reflectionson outer edges of the view will not be ignored with spot metering, etc...

gosman · 03-16-2014, 01:18 PM

I did not know that about the focus metering on spot and center not working on flash. Interesting.

jpstanisic · 11-24-2014, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Finntax

Hi,

Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body.

Am I missing something with the new flash?

I am having the same problem with mine. Still "just" under the year warranty, so they are saying they will replace - hopefully with not another faulty unit. It was working fine when I first got it, but lately it just works when it wants to. Even hitting the test button when lit, 3/4 of the time it will not fire. You can hear it click, but no flash discharge and the button stays lit. Really annoying. Really thinking of getting a Metz 64 though. Has anyone had any experience with them? I mainly went with Pentax because of the weather sealing ... but the Metz just has more functionality and distance.

**Just1MoreDave** · 11-24-2014, 11:10 AM

Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review

Still going for now, future might be iffy. The risk is warranty and maybe if Pentax changes the flash protocol later and you need a firmware upgrade.

jpstanisic · 11-24-2014, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review

Still going for now, future might be iffy. The risk is warranty and maybe if Pentax changes the flash protocol later and you need a firmware upgrade.

oof ... thanks for the update!!!

stevebrot · 11-24-2014, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review

Still going for now, future might be iffy

Well, this is tragic.

Metz is an old and respected name.

Steve

**crewl1** · 11-24-2014, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Well, this is tragic.

Metz is an old and respected name.

Steve

Yongnuo ate their lunch.

03-08-2014, 05:57 AM	#1
Finntax Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lappeenranta, Finland Posts: 214	AF540FGZ II problem Hi, Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body. Am I missing something with the new flash?

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03-12-2014, 07:53 AM	#2
gosman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 263	I too just got my 540GZII yesterday from BH Photo ($160 discount last week!). It works OK but it under exposes most of the time. Is this typical of a P-TTL flash? I always thought that it would produce perfect pictures each time? Can everyone share with me your settings on K-3 especially or any other Pentax.

03-16-2014, 11:39 AM	#3
Finntax Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lappeenranta, Finland Posts: 214 Original Poster	Originally posted by Finntax Hi, Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body. Am I missing something with the new flash? The flash turned out to be faulty. Got it replaced and the new copy works perfectly.

03-16-2014, 12:16 PM	#4
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Originally posted by gosman I too just got my 540GZII yesterday from BH Photo ($160 discount last week!). It works OK but it under exposes most of the time. Is this typical of a P-TTL flash? I always thought that it would produce perfect pictures each time? Can everyone share with me your settings on K-3 especially or any other Pentax. You can do some searching here for lots of issues with PTTL. I can't recall if the K3 has specific issues with underexposure. In general PTTL should be close to correct, but a lot of things affect it. Probably the worst offender is specular highlights. PTTL is extremely judgmental to such an extent that if a person's necklace causes sparkles (specular highlight) from the flash it can cause the camera to underexpose by several stops. The K5 improved on this a lot but it still has problems. And remember... unlike some other brands, Pentax uses the entire sensor for metering when using flash. Spot and CenterWeighted metering has no effect with flash. i.e. Reflectionson outer edges of the view will not be ignored with spot metering, etc...

03-16-2014, 01:18 PM	#5
gosman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 263	I did not know that about the focus metering on spot and center not working on flash. Interesting.

11-24-2014, 09:29 AM	#6
jpstanisic Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 33	Originally posted by Finntax Hi, Just received the new AF540FGZ II flash and can't get it working with any of my bodies (K-01, K-5 and K-3). On P-TTL mode (or any other mode for that matter) the flash works when ever it pleases and all images are under exposed (totally black). I also have the older version AF540FGZ so I have a flash to compare with exactly the same settings. The old version works fine with all of the bodies. Firmwares are the latest version on every body. Am I missing something with the new flash? I am having the same problem with mine. Still "just" under the year warranty, so they are saying they will replace - hopefully with not another faulty unit. It was working fine when I first got it, but lately it just works when it wants to. Even hitting the test button when lit, 3/4 of the time it will not fire. You can hear it click, but no flash discharge and the button stays lit. Really annoying. Really thinking of getting a Metz 64 though. Has anyone had any experience with them? I mainly went with Pentax because of the weather sealing ... but the Metz just has more functionality and distance.

11-24-2014, 11:10 AM	#7
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,339	Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review Still going for now, future might be iffy. The risk is warranty and maybe if Pentax changes the flash protocol later and you need a firmware upgrade.

11-24-2014, 11:20 AM	#8
jpstanisic Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 33	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review Still going for now, future might be iffy. The risk is warranty and maybe if Pentax changes the flash protocol later and you need a firmware upgrade. oof ... thanks for the update!!!

11-24-2014, 03:58 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Lighting equipment manufacturer Metz files for insolvency: Digital Photography Review Still going for now, future might be iffy Well, this is tragic. Metz is an old and respected name. Steve

11-24-2014, 04:01 PM	#10
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by stevebrot Well, this is tragic. Metz is an old and respected name. Steve Yongnuo ate their lunch.

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