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 a clip-on type flash which enables accurate focus adjustments even in dark locations with built-in AF-assist spotbeam. PENTAX is a trademark of HOYA CORPORATION. FOR THE 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 symbol indicates that violating this item could cause serious personal injuries. CAUTION This symbol indicates that violating this item could cause minor or medium personal injuries, or material losses. is a symbol indicating items that are prohibited. is a symbol emphasizing a warning. 1 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. The following may lead to an explosion or fire. Shorting the batteries Exposing the batteries to flames Dismantling the batteries Remove the sticker covering the battery. Attempting to recharge non-rechargeable batteries Remove the batteries from the camera immediately if they become hot or begin to smoke. Be careful not to burn yourself during removal. 2 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 extended 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. Replace all the batteries at the same time. Do not mix battery brands, type or an old battery with a new one. It may cause explosion or overheating. 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 either fewer or different (layout other than PENTAX standard) electrical contacts for the hot shoe or grip. Otherwise, some functions may not work properly. We will not be held responsible for any accidents or damage, etc. caused due to the use of this product with cameras and accessories made by the other companies. 3 Cautions Regarding Batteries This flash unit uses four AA 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 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. 4 Contents FOR THE SAFE USE OF YOUR FLASH UNIT ................................................................. 1 Precautions for Your Flash Unit ....................... 3 Names of Parts ................................................... 6 Inserting the Batteries ..................................... 12 Using the Optional External Power Source ...... 13 Charging the AF540FGZ with the Optional External Power Source................... Switching the Charging Mode........................... Auto Power Off Function................................... Quick Power On Function................................. Major bundled items ........................................... 9 LCD Panel Indicator.......................................... 10 Cautions Regarding Batteries............................. 4 Advanced Functions ........................................ 38 Wireless Mode .................................................. Slave................................................................. Slave Mode Setting........................................... Slow-Speed Sync Photography ........................ Bounce Flash.................................................... AF Spotbeam .................................................... Wide-Angle Panel and Catchlight Panel ........... Modeling Flash/Test Flash................................ Connecting the AF540FGZ with the Extension Cord ............................................. Cameras that Support Each Flash Mode.......... Cameras that Support Each Sync Mode .......... Cameras that Support Wireless Mode .............. Cameras that Support Slow-Speed Sync Mode............................................................. Functions Related to Each Flash Mode ............ Sync Mode Restrictions .................................... Precautions When Photographing with a Slave Flash ................................................... High-Speed Sync Mode.................................... 34 Contrast Control Sync Flash............................. 36 38 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 Mounting to Camera......................................... 14 Turning the Power On...................................... 15 16 16 17 17 Supported Functions for PENTAX Cameras ........................................................ 60 60 62 63 64 64 72 79 Select Button (S)/Adjustment Dial Functions............................................... 18 Camera Format and Flash Coverage Angle ............................................ 20 Using the Flash Modes .................................... 25 P-TTL Auto Flash.............................................. TTL Auto Flash ................................................. Auto Flash......................................................... Manual Flash .................................................... Procedure ......................................................... 18 Flash Effective Range ...................................... 80 Using the Sync Mode ....................................... 32 26 27 28 30 Leading Curtain Sync Mode ............................. 33 Trailing Curtain Sync Mode .............................. 33 Optional Accessories....................................... 87 Specifications ................................................... 88 Warranty Policy ................................................ 91 5 Calculating the Flash Effective Range .............. 80 Guide Number (GN).......................................... 82 P-TTL and TTL Auto Flash Effective Range ..... 85 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 foot Locking lever 6 @ V > S Y G T 7 5P Sync socket External power source socket Socket cover Slave sensor Wide-angle panel Catchlight panel Flash head AF spotbeam emitter Auto flash sensor R " [ W = C U K Q 8 Major bundled items Stand Case Operating manual (this manual) Certification 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. 9 LCD Panel Indicator Zoom indicator : A.Zoom M.Zoom xxmm = 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85 (35 mm format) 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) : 35mm 645 67 DIGITAL : P-TTL A M SB : -3.0 to +1.0 steps, 0.5 step increments : ISO 25 to 1600 : Minimum distance - Maximum distance (in P-TTL, TTL, A modes) Minimum distance (in manual mode) : SB : : : NN/ X X : F2 to F22 (When set to ISO 100) : 1 to 4CH : MASTER, CONTROL, SLAVE (Leading curtain sync) (Trailing curtain sync) control sync) (High-speed sync) (Contrast Format indicator Flash mode indicator Flash output compensation indicator ISO indicator Bar graph Effective flash range indicator AF spotbeam Sync mode indicator Bounce flash warning Flash output adjustment indicator f/stop Channel indicator Wireless mode indicator 10 > @ 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 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 11 Inserting the Batteries 1 Slide the battery chamber cover as shown in the figure to open. 2 Insert four AA batteries, making sure the plus/ minus markings (+, -) match the diagram inside the battery chamber cover. 12 Types of Batteries This flash unit uses four AA 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 discharge 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 (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.) 13 Mounting to Camera ...