Pentax AF540FGZ User Manual

AUTO ZOOM ELECTRONIC FLASH UNIT

OPERATING MANUAL

Please read this operating manual carefully first for proper use.

Thank you for purchasing the PENTAX Auto-flash AF540FGZ. In addition to easy daylight sync photography with TTL auto, the AF540FGZ also allows wireless TTL auto (P-TTL auto) photography and high-speed sync. It is clip-on type flash which enables accurate focus adjustments even in dark locations with built-in AF-assist spotbeam.

PENTAX is a trademark of PENTAX Corporation.

FOR SAFE USE OF YOUR FLASH UNIT

Although we have carefully designed this flash unit for safe operation, please be sure to follow precautions given on page 2.

WARNING

This mark indicates precautions that, if not followed, could result in serious injury to the user.

CAUTION

This mark indicates precautions that, if not followed, could result in minor or medium injury to the user or damage to the equipment.

is a symbol indicating items that are prohibited.

is a symbol emphasizing a warning.

WARNING

The flash contains electronic circuits that operate at high voltages. Do not attempt to disassemble the flash unit yourself, as there is danger of an electric shock.

If internal parts of the flash unit becomes exposed due to impact, etc., do not touch them as there is danger of an electric shock.

Do not expose the flash unit to water or moisture as there is danger of an electric shock.

CAUTION

Do not use the flash near anyone’s eyes, as it may hurt them. Be particularly careful with the flash around infants.

Never try to disassemble or short the batteries and never try to recharge the non-rechargeable batteries. Also, do not dispose of the battery in fire, as it may explode or ignite.

Misuse of the batteries can result in leakage, overheating, explosion, etc. The batteries should be inserted with the “+” and “–” sides facing correctly.

Remove the batteries from the camera immediately if they become hot or begin to smoke. Be careful not to burn yourself during removal.

Precautions for Your Flash Unit

● Never use organic solvents such as paint thinner, alcohol or benzene to clean the flash unit.

● Avoid leaving the flash unit for extend period in places where the humidity and temperature are very high such

as in a car.

● Be careful not to subject the flash unit to strong vibrations, shock or pressure. Use a cushion to protect the flash

unit when carrying it in a motorcycle, car, boat, etc.

● Do not use the flash unit where it may be directly exposed to rain water etc.

● When using the flash unit off the camera, do not try to attach any metallic object to the electric contacts or to

mount incompatible accessories. Otherwise, the TTL auto mechanism may be damaged or rendered inoperable.

● Periodic checks are recommended every 1 to 2 years in order to maintain high performance. If the unit has not

been used for an extended period of time, or is being readied for an important shoot, it is recommended that you take a test flash with the test button and test shoot with it. Test flash is also important to maintain optimum performance.

● Avoid contact with garbage, dirt, sand, dust, water, toxic gases, salt, etc. When the flash unit is subjected to rain

or moisture, wipe it off with a dry soft.

● When photographing black subjects or white subjects, use exposure compensation.

● Do not attach any accessories having the wrong number of electrical contacts for the hot shoe or grip.

Otherwise, some functions may not work properly.

● Pentax will not be held responsible for any accidents or damage, etc. caused due to the use of this product with

cameras which are made by companies other than Pentax.

■Cautions Regarding Batteries

● This flash unit uses 4 AA-size alkaline, lithium, or nickel metal hydride batteries. Do not use any other type of

battery. The flash unit may not be able to operate correctly or demonstrate sufficient performance, or the flash unit itself may generate heat, depending on the type of batteries used.

● AA-size alkaline and lithium batteries themselves are not rechargeable. Also, do not dismantle the batteries.

Trying to recharge or dismantle these batteries may cause an explosion or leakage.

● When changing batteries, do not mix batteries of different manufacture, type and capacity.

● Do not insert the batteries with the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals the wrong way around. Incorrect

insertion may lead to an explosion or fire.

● Battery performance may temporarily be hindered in low temperatures. Batteries should be kept warm in

temperatures below freezing for proper performance.

● If you do not intend to use the flash unit for an extended period of time, remove the batteries. Leaving the

batteries in may cause damage to the flash unit due to leakage etc.

Table of Contents

FOR SAFE USE OF YOUR FLASH UNIT ........... 1

Precautions for Your Flash Unit ....................... 3

Cautions Regarding Batteries............................. 4

Names of Parts ................................................... 6

Major bundled items ........................................... 9

LCD Panel Indicator.......................................... 10

Inserting the Batteries ..................................... 12

Using the Optional External Power Source ...... 13

Mounting to Camera......................................... 14

Turning the Power On...................................... 15

Charging the AF540FGZ with the

Optional External Power Source................... 16

Switching the Charging Mode........................... 16

Auto Power Off Function................................... 17

Quick Power On Function................................. 17

Select Button (S)/Adjustment

Dial Functions............................................... 18

Camera Format and Flash

Coverage Angle ............................................ 20

Using the Flash Modes .................................... 25

P-TTL Auto Flash.............................................. 26

TTL Auto Flash ................................................. 27

Auto Flash......................................................... 28

Manual Flash .................................................... 30

Using the Sync Mode ....................................... 32

Leading Curtain Sync Mode ............................. 33

Trailing Curtain Sync Mode .............................. 33

High-Speed Sync Mode.................................... 34

Contrast Control Sync Flash............................. 36

Advanced Functions ........................................ 38

Wireless Mode .................................................. 38

Slave................................................................. 50

Slave Mode Setting........................................... 52

Slow-Speed-Sync Photography ........................ 53

Bounce Flash.................................................... 54

AF Spotbeam.................................................... 56

Wide-Angle Panel and Catchlight Panel ........... 57

Modeling Flash/Test Flash................................ 58

Connecting the AF540FGZ with the

Extension Cord ............................................. 59

Supported Functions for Pentax Cameras .... 60

Cameras that Support Each Flash Mode.......... 60

Cameras that Support Each Sync Mode .......... 62

Cameras that Support Wireless Mode.............. 63

Cameras that Support Slow-Speed-Sync

Mode............................................................. 64

Functions Related to Each Flash Mode............ 64

Sync Mode Restrictions.................................... 72

Precautions When Photographing with a

Slave Flash................................................... 79

Flash Effective Range ...................................... 80

Calculating the Flash Effective Range.............. 80

Guide Number (GN).......................................... 82

P-TTL and TTL Auto Flash Effective Range ..... 85

Optional Accessories....................................... 87

Specifications ................................................... 88

Warranty Policy ................................................ 91

Names of Parts

 Bounce angle adjustment  LCD panel  Flash mode button  Select button  Adjustment dial  LCD panel illumination button/ Format button  Zoom button/ Channel button  Test button/ Modeling button/ Ready lamp  Setting switch  Power switch  Wireless mode button  Sync mode switch

 Bounce lock release button  Battery chamber cover  Shoe lock pin  Flash signal contacts  Shoe bracket  Locking lever

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 5P Sync socket

 External power source socket  Socket cover  Slave sensor  Wide-angle panel  Catchlight panel  Flash head  AF spotbeam emitter  Auto flash sensor

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■Major bundled items

 Stan d

Opening of the stand

Slide the hot shoe bracket into the opening of the stand.

● You cannot attach the off-camera shoe adapter F

to the bundled stand.

● When attaching the flash unit to the stand, do not

tighten the locking lever too far. Tightening too far may cause the locking lever to not lock sufficiently when the flash unit is removed from the stand and attached to the hot shoe of the camera.

 Case  Operating manual (this manual)  Certification

■LCD Panel Indicator

 Zoom indicator : (A.Zoom) ➝ (M.Zoom) xxmm = 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85 (35 mm format)

 Format indicator : (35mm) ➝ (645) ➝ (67) ➝ (DIGITAL)  Flash mode indicator : (P-TTL) ➝ (A) ➝ (M) ➝ (SB)  Flash exposure

compensation indicator

 ISO indicator : ISO 25 to 1600  Bar graph  Effective flash range

indicator

 AF spotbeam : (SB) 

Sync mode indicator : (Leading curtain sync: ) - (Trailing curtain sync: ) - (Contrast control

 Bounce flash warning : ( ) 

Flash output adjustment indicator

f/stop : F2 to F22 (When set to ISO 100)

 Channel indicator : (1 to 4CH) 

Wireless mode indicator

: (-3.0 to +1.0 steps, 0.5 step increments)

: (Minimum distance) - (Maximum distance) (in P-TTL, TTL, A modes)

(Minimum distance) (in manual mode)

sync: ) - (High-speed sync: )

:(NN/ X X)

: (MASTER), (CONTROL), (SLAVE)

35, 45, 55, 70, 100, 135, 150 (645 format) 55, 60, 70, 90, 120, 180, 190 (67 format) 13, 16, 19, 24, 34, 48, 58 (DIGITAL format)

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When in poorly lit locations and the LCD panel cannot be seen, pressing the LCD panel illumination button (LIGHT) will illuminate the panel for about 10 seconds. Pressing it again will turn off the illumination.

● The camera's LCD panel lights up also when you

press the LCD illumination button (LIGHT) and the exposure metering timer is on for the following camera. MZ-S

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Auto Check Display

If the correct flash output is obtained, the flash mode indicator and () in the viewfinder will begin blinking. If the auto check display does not blink, the flash output is insufficient. Verify the effective flash range (refer to page 80) and adjust the distance to the subject, or open the aperture further. Even if the auto check display is blinking, the flash output may be incorrect if the subject is too close.

● Depending on the combination of flash mode

and camera, the auto check display may not display correctly

Inserting the Batteries

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Slide the battery chamber cover as shown in the

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figure to open.

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Insert four AA-size batteries, making sure the plus/minus marking (+, -) match the diagram inside the battery chamber cover.

Types of Batteries

This flash unit uses four AA-size batteries of the same type, as shown below.

- Alkaline battery (LR6)

- Lithium battery (FR6)

- Nickel-Metal Hydride battery (Ni-MH) (Nickel manganese (Ni-Mn) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries cannot be used.)

● For information about recycling times and total

number of flashes, refer to “Specifications” on page 88.

● If the indicators on the LCD panel or the ready

lamp does not light up, the batteries may be exhausted or not inserted correctly. Verify the orientation of the batteries or, if the indicators and ready lamp still do not light up, replace them with new batteries.

● If you let the flash unit fire successively using

lithium batteries, the batteries will overheat, activating a safety circuit that temporarily disables the flash unit. If this occurs, rest the flash unit so that the temperature of the batteries returns to normal.

■Using the Optional External Power

Source

Use the optional TR Power Pack-3 (upcoming product, sold separately) as an external power source.

● For information on how to use the TR Power

Pack-3 and connect to the flash unit, refer to the manual provided with the TR Power Pack-3.

● For information on how to recharge the flash unit

using the TR Power Pack-3, refer to “Charging the AF540FGZ with the Optional External Power Source” on page 16.

● The TR Power Pack-2 cannot be used with the

AF540FGZ for mechanical reasons.

The external power source uses six C-size alkaline batteries (LR14). (Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries cannot be used in the TR Power Pack-3.)

If charging time takes more than 20 seconds, the batteries have been exhausted and should be replaced with new batteries. If the flash unit is used with exhausted batteries, the settings may return to their default configuration.

Mounting to Camera

Remove the hot shoe cover from the camera.

Attach the flash unit to the camera.

 Turn the locking lever of the flash unit in the

direction opposite to that indicated by (FIX➝) (clockwise from the direction of the LCD panel).

 Slide the hot shoe bracket of the flash unit into

the camera's hot shoe from the back of the camera forward.

 Turn the locking lever of the flash unit in the

direction indicated by (FIX➝) to lock it.

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The following cameras have a shoe lock pin. When attaching the flash unit, turn the locking lever in the (FIX

➝

camera with the shoe lock pin. When releasing the flash unit, be sure to do so after turning the locking lever in the direction opposite to that indicated by (FIX pin. Otherwise, the hot shoe will be damaged. *ist D series, *ist, MZ-S, MZ-L/ZX-L/MZ-6, MZ-60/ZX-60

● The 672 does not come with a hot shoe. The

optional hot shoe grip 672 should be used.

) direction and lock the flash unit to the

➝

) and loosening the shoe lock

Turning the Power On

Sliding the power switch to the (ON) position will turn on the power. The ready lamp will light up when the flash is charged. Sliding it to the (OFF) position will turn off the power.

● Turn the camera on before turning the flash unit

on.

● Please refer to page 38 for the WIRELESS MODE

position.

● When the power is turned OFF and ON again, the

flash mode will be set to P-TTL and the Zoom position A. Zoom 24mm (35mm), A. Zoom 45mm (645), A. Zoom 60mm (67) and A.Zoom 16mm (DIGITAL).

Ready lamp

■Charging the AF540FGZ with the

Optional External Power Source

Prepare the external power source TR Power

Pack-3 in accordance with the instruction in the operating manual.

Confirm that the power switch of the flash unit

and TR Power Pack-3 is turned to OFF. Then, plug the power cord into the external power socket on the flash unit.

Turn the power switch of the external power

source and the power switch of the flash unit to ON. When charging is complete the ready lamp of the flash unit will light up.

When using the external power source, do not remove the batteries from the AF 540 FGZ: otherwise, the flash unit will not function.

The TR Power Pack-3 is equipped with a pilot

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lamp which lights up to indicate that the power is activated. Note that a lit lamp does not indicate that the flash unit is ready for use. Make sure the ready lamp on the flash unit is lit before discharging the flash unit.

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When turning off the flash unit, make sure you turn the power switch of the external power source to OFF. Otherwise the external power source may be exhausted.

■Switching the Charging Mode

You can select a charging mode from among the following.

PP1: Charge the flash unit using only the external

power source.

PP2: Charge the flash unit using the external power

source and internal batteries. (The charging time will be shorter than PP1.)

Slide the setting switch up.

Press the LCD panel illumination button (LIGHT)

for 2 seconds or more. SL 1 or SL 2 will be displayed.

Press the flash mode button (MODE) twice.

PP1 or PP2 will be displayed.

Press the select button (S) the number of times

required to select PP 1 or PP 2.

Press the LCD panel illumination button (LIGHT).

The LCD panel returns to the normal display.

■Auto Power Off Function

When the flash unit is left unused for about 3 minutes with the power switch set to the (ON) position, it automatically switches off to save the power.

Slide the setting switch up.

Press the LCD panel illumination button (LIGHT)

for 2 seconds or more. SL 1 or SL 2 will be displayed.

Press the flash mode button (MODE).

Press the select button (S) the number of times

required to select PH 1 or PH 2. PH1: Enables the auto power off function. PH2: Disables the auto power off function. Press the LCD panel illumination button (LIGHT).

● The Auto Power Off function can be utilized both

when only internal batteries are used and when an external power source is used.

● In the auto flash mode (A), the power will shut off

after about 6 minutes.

● In the wireless mode, the power will turn off after

about 1 hour of non-operation.

■Quick Power On Function

If the flash unit is mounted on the autofocus cameras, press the shutter release button half way to turn on the power.

● The Quick Power On function can be utilized

both when only internal batteries are used and when an external power source is used.

Select Button (S)/Adjustment Dial Functions

4 types of settings are available as shown on the following pages for the select button (S) and the adjustment dial.

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Procedure

Press the select button (S) so that the number to

adjust is blinking.

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Turn the adjustment dial and adjust the blinking

number.

After adjustment, press the select button (S) and

stop the blinking. Adjust the other items below using the same procedure.

● When using multiple flash units set to P-TTL or

TTL Auto and adjusting the amount of light at the same time, use the camera’s exposure compensation.

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Connected Flash Mode Adjustment Range

Flash exposure compensation P-TTL Auto flash -3.0 to +1.0 levels (EV) (0.5 step increments)

ISO / F (aperture) setting Auto flash (A) ISO 25 to ISO 1600, F2 to F22 (with ISO100)

Manual flash output Manual (M) 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64

Flash output setting

Wireless (W) master flash (M) Wireless (W) slave flash (S)

1/1, 2/3, 1/2, 1/3

Camera Format and Flash Coverage Angle

The AF540FGZ’s flash coverage angle can be adjusted with the auto or manual zoom head to suit the camera’s picture format (35 mm, 645, 67, DIGITAL) and lens focal length. Follow the procedure below.

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Camera Format (FORMAT) setting

 Slide the setting switch down (yellow dot).  Press the format button (FORMAT) the

number of times required to select the camera format size from 35mm, 645, 67 or DIGITAL.

 Slide the setting switch back up (white dot)

when complete.

● The format size will automatically be set when

the shutter release button is pressed halfway down when the AF540FGZ is used in combination with the following cameras. *ist, MZ-S, MZ-L/ZX-L/MZ-6, *ist DL2, *ist DS2, *ist DL, *ist DS, *ist D For all other cameras, set accordingly before use.

Zoom position (Flash coverage angle) setting

With the setting switch set to the (white dot), press the zoom button (ZOOM) to set the suitable flash coverage angle matching the lens focal length. The zoom position changes as shown on page 23.

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 Auto zoom (A.Zoom):

Enables you to set the flash coverage angle automatically when the camera exposure metering timer is on (information is displayed in the viewfinder). The combination of the following cameras and lenses supports this mode.

Camera Lens Types

*ist D series

35mm autofocus single lens reflex cameras

645N2, 645N FA645

● When using with Auto Zoom, make sure that (A.

Zoom) is shown on the LCD panel.

● Auto Zoom will not function when the flash mode

is set to Auto (A).

 Manual zoom (M.Zoom):

Enables you to set the flash coverage angle manually. Select this mode when the camera or lens is set to manual focus mode.

DA, D FA, FA J, FA, F

D FA, FA J, FA, F

● In the manual zoom mode, refer to the LCD panel

and set it so the flash coverage angle matches the lens focal length or set a flash coverage angle that is shorter than the lens focal length.

Zoom Positions for Each Format

* With the wide-angle panel

35mm camera 645 camera 67 camera Digital camera

20mm* 35mm* 55mm* 13mm*

24mm 45mm 60mm 16mm

28mm 55mm 70mm 19mm

35mm 70mm 90mm 24mm

50mm 100mm 120mm 34mm

70mm 135mm 180mm 48mm

85mm 150mm 190mm 58mm

● When the wide-angle panel is used, the zoom

button (ZOOM) will not work. (The wide-angle panel is in a slit on the top of the flash head. Pull it out so that it covers the front of the flash head. If the catchlight panel is not necessary, leave it in the slit.)

35mm Camera 645 Camera 67 Camera

Digital Camera

● In the (A.Zoom) mode, the flash coverage angle

will be adjusted automatically to suit the lens focal length when you press the shutter release button halfway, and the camera exposure metering timer is on.

● A warning signal appears as follows when the

flash cannot cover the focal length of the camera.

- The zoom indicator blinks for the combination of the following camera and lenses.

Camera Lens Types

*ist D series DA, D FA, FA J, FA, F

35mm autofocus single lens reflex cameras

645N2, 645N FA645

- The warning signal does not appear for the combination of the following cameras and focal lengths.

D FA, FA J, FA, F

Camera Focal length

*ist, MZ-L/ZX-L/MZ-6, MZ-S

*ist DL, *ist DS, *ist D

20 mm and over, less than 24 mm

13 mm and over, less than 16 mm

● In the (A.Zoom) mode, if there is no lens focal

length information, the flash coverage angle will be set automatically to 24mm with a 35mm camera. With a 645 camera, it will be set to 45mm, with a 67 camera it will be 60mm, and with a digital camera it will be 16 mm.

● When using the wide-angle panel, the angle will

be fixed at 20 mm for a 35 mm camera, 35 mm for a 645 camera, 55 mm for a 67 camera, and 13 mm for a digital camera in both A.Zoom and M.Zoom.

Using the Flash Modes

The AF540FGZ has the following flash modes. Select the mode best suited for the subject. Before photographing, confirm the following.

1. Whether your camera supports the desired flash

mode. ➝Cameras that Support Each Flash Mode

(Page 60)

2. Whether you can use the desired function with

the combination of your camera and the flash mode you have set. ➝Functions Related to Each Flash Mode

(Page 64 - 71)

P-TTL auto flash (P-TTL)

A pre-flash is fired before the main flash so that the multi-segment metering sensor can measure the subject's distance, brightness, brightness difference, backlit condition, etc. The data obtained is incorporated to set the output of the main flash. This mode obtains more accurate results than with the conventional TTL mode. Refer to page 26 for instructions on how to use this flash mode.

TTL auto flash (TTL)

Based on the amount of light reflected off the film of the camera, the camera adjusts the flash output automatically to obtain a correct exposure. Refer to page 27 for instructions on how to use this flash mode.

Auto flash (A)

The built-in flash metering sensor adjusts the flash output automatically. Use with cameras that are not PTTL or TTL Auto flash compatible. Refer to page 28 for instructions on how to use this flash mode.

Manual flash (M)

When the camera is set to manual exposure, manual flash can be set to suit the subject distance and aperture. The manual flash output can be set to 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, or 1/64. Refer to page 30 for instructions on how to use this flash mode.

■P-TTL Auto Flash

Effective flash range

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Refer to page 25 for the features and conditions of use of this flash mode.

Procedure

Turn on the flash unit.

Press the flash mode button (MODE) until

(P-TTL) is displayed on the LCD panel.

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Set the sync mode switch to leading curtain sync

( ), trailing curtain sync ( ), or contrast-control ( ), according to the subject. (Refer to page 32.)

● After turning the power (ON), the setting will be

(P-TTL) and (A.Zoom).

Set the zoom position. (The setting method

differs according to your camera and lens. Refer to page 21.)

Confirm that the subject is within the effective

flash range and the ready lamp is lit. Then take a picture.

● In the following cameras, if the correct flash

output is obtained, the flash mode indicator and ( ) in the viewfinder will blink. *ist, MZ-S, MZ-L/ZX-L/MZ-6 For details, refer to “Auto Check Display” on page 11.

● The correct flash output is obtained in P-TTL

auto mode only when the flash unit is used with autofocus lenses.

● If necessary, an exposure compensation amount

can be set between +1.0 to -3.0 steps in 0.5-step increments. (Refer to page 18.)

■TTL Auto Flash

Refer to page 25 for the features and conditions of use of this flash mode.

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Procedure

Turn on the flash unit.

Press the flash mode button (MODE) until (TTL)

is displayed on the LCD panel.

Set the sync mode switch to leading curtain sync

( ), trailing curtain sync ( ), or contrast-control ( ), according to the subject. (Refer to page 32.)

Set the zoom position. (The setting method

differs according to your camera and lens. Refer to page 21.)

Confirm that the subject is within the effective

flash range and the ready lamp is lit. Then take a picture.

● In the following cameras, if the correct flash

output is obtained, the flash mode indicator and ( ) in the viewfinder will blink.

35 mm single lens reflex cameras

SF10, 672, 645N2, 645N, 645, LX, Super A/ Super Program For details, refer to “Auto Check Display” on page 11.

except for SF7/

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