Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
03-05-2008, 03:07 AM   #1
Junior Member
switch79's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Posts: 49
Anyone had this problem - K10D with AF540FGZ Flash

After trying several different things here is what I think my problem is. On my K10 the hotshoe is having an issue with connectivity to the flash. As a result these are the symptoms: Not all the time but often enough to be a concern

Will randomly go from P-TTL to TTL and massively over expose the shot.
Switch through the mode button and sometimes will just go from TTL-SB with no AUTO, MANUAL or PTTL function available.

Flash will not fire
Auto zoom feature will not function
Auto assist beam will not work
LCD screen will just disappear
Turning off the flash can some times "restore things" to how it should be
There are probably other things i can't think of right now.

Other times it works as it should and like an absolute gem. It's driving me crazy.

Some general observations I've noticed is that on the K10 it has troubles getting a correct exposure when photographing black or dark objects (like my camera). It sometimes is hit or miss when photographing light objects such as a wedding dress.

I originally thought it was a fault with the flash but I have used it on my istDS and have used several different lenses on both cameras and have had not one single problem. Every time the flash fires without issue, prefect exposure.

I have also noticed that the flash recycle times are way way quicker on the DS.

My question to anyone out there who has the k10 540 combo, are you experiencing or have experienced difficulties. If so what were they and how did you fix them.

Is there known issues with the hotshoe related to connectivity and crazy things going on. It does seem a little looser than the DS when it it mounted. I have cleaned it, but it doesn't seem to rectify the problem.

Suggestions, solutions or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Matt.

03-05-2008, 03:22 AM   #2
Senior Member
proudtoshootpentax's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 110
Similar problems

I've had similar problems resulting from the fact that my K10D and 540 flash don't seem to fit together very snugly. I'm not sure which is at fault, but I suspect the flash. I have two 360 flashes which both fit well, as well as other hot shoe mounts which the 540 fits snugly on, but I did have the same problem with my 540 flash being lose on my K100D. I'm sure they'd fix it if I could find time to send it in... one year is up in May, so I've got to do it soon.

Anyways, the problem comes from the flash sliding back in the shoe ever so slightly that it still touches the main contact, but not the Pentax specific contacts. Doing this causes the flash to act as a manual flash, and will fully discharge the flash each time. for a quick fix if this sounds like the problem, get some small white plain labels and cut them in half. About three stacked together will increase the thickness of the hotshoe enough that the flash will tighten better, though it can still slide if you're moving alot.

The better answer is just to send the flash in to be repaired, so that it will tighten completely to the camera.... but who has time to wait when you're making money with it? Can't stop eating for 4-5 weeks!
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
auto, camera, connectivity, ds, dslr, exposure, flash, function, k10, objects, photography, times
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
K20D and AF540FGZ flash. polur101 Pentax DSLR Discussion 4 07-09-2010 03:21 PM
K10D+540 flash problem using trailing flash wirelessly PaulT Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 4 01-18-2010 10:00 AM
Wireless flash with AF540FGZ and Pentax K10D jumbuc Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 6 11-07-2009 05:48 PM
K10D + M42 Lenses + AF540FGZ Flash - How? rormeister Pentax DSLR Discussion 11 06-13-2008 07:58 AM
Problem !!! -> K10D and a AF-540FGZ flash-> Pleas help Askaret Pentax DSLR Discussion 5 05-25-2008 10:08 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:15 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top