PZ-20 Pop-up Flash

DiscoVolante · 01-13-2013, 08:14 PM

I got out my old PZ-20 for my daughter to use in her high-school photography class. I never had any problems with it in pre-digital times, but now the pop-up flash will not stay closed. It is currently secured with a piece of tape. Does anyone know how the latch mechanism is supposed to work and if there is a reasonably easy (cheap) way to fix it?

Thanks.

Sudhakar · 12-20-2014, 09:13 AM

Did you get any solution for this? I am also facing the same issue and currently tape is used to keep in tact. Looking for alternative solution.

hks_kansei · 12-20-2014, 07:11 PM

The usual things to look for would be a broken latch, or a worn one.

Potentially over the years the latch edge may have slowly worn so it's not quite as sharp and grabby as it used to be.

The other possibility, which would be the easier fix, is that perhaps the grease on the catch mechanism has gone sticky with age, causing the latch to no longer spring out and grab.

you can thin out old grease with a little (little!) bit of thinners (alcohol, or metho) but it's generally much better to clean the old grease off and re-grease with fresh lube (but that requires disassmbly usually)

01-13-2013, 08:14 PM	#1
DiscoVolante New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McLean, VA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1	PZ-20 Pop-up Flash I got out my old PZ-20 for my daughter to use in her high-school photography class. I never had any problems with it in pre-digital times, but now the pop-up flash will not stay closed. It is currently secured with a piece of tape. Does anyone know how the latch mechanism is supposed to work and if there is a reasonably easy (cheap) way to fix it? Thanks.

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12-20-2014, 09:13 AM	#2
Sudhakar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hyderabad Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 236	Did you get any solution for this? I am also facing the same issue and currently tape is used to keep in tact. Looking for alternative solution.

12-20-2014, 07:11 PM	#3
hks_kansei Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 834	The usual things to look for would be a broken latch, or a worn one. Potentially over the years the latch edge may have slowly worn so it's not quite as sharp and grabby as it used to be. The other possibility, which would be the easier fix, is that perhaps the grease on the catch mechanism has gone sticky with age, causing the latch to no longer spring out and grab. you can thin out old grease with a little (little!) bit of thinners (alcohol, or metho) but it's generally much better to clean the old grease off and re-grease with fresh lube (but that requires disassmbly usually)