Pentax AF540FGZ flash Stuck on hotshoe

[dayalan86]

I would like to know if any of us here have encountered this problem. I have seen this topic being brought up at the numerous forums that I have checked and the weird thing is that, of the cases that being brought its been happening rather frequently with the AF540 + K10D combo.

If any of us here had experienced this before, it would be good if we can share the experience and some have even suggested to remove the locking pin or sealing the locking pin for good.

[KhoKing]

Sometimes it is the problem of the spring in the flash shoe that doesn't retract the pin.

Try to lock/unlock, with camera/flash upside down. Shake the shoe a bit...move in and out a bit...up and down a bit...and pull...

By the way, both Canon and Nikon have improved the design of their new flashes, quick lock switch which IMO is very very well thought! Hopefully there will be one from Pentax with new shoe design soon...

[Huato]

Ya, my Af540 stuck on K10D too. The pin was held by a filmsy plastic!

Thanks for dayalan's advise, and I do hope Pentax do something on this matter.
http://www.photomalaysia....d.php?p=401589#post401589

Better send back to the authorize technician, if under warranty. 

[dayalan86]

But I have yet to see people reporting the problem with the less famed Pentax AF360FGZ, its either because not many units are being used as a master on the camera or probably because that flash had much better built quality.

Nevertheless, I really like the idea of the quick lock, which makes fitting and removing flashes a breeze and I do hope that they could refine the locking mechanism.

[Huato]

This morning I got my flash back! 

My wife help me sent to Shriro Tuesday, Wednesday morning Havard call me, I let him know my thoughs, the same day 5pm a lady call me that I can collect my K10D + flash. That's fast!

After a short chat with this nice guy, Harvard (Technical Manager), I understand that he had modify the broken plastic part with a metal wire embeded in the flimsy plastic part. So the pin still works, and further strenghten the filmsy plastic too. He believe it won't spoil easily anymore. Brilliant!

In fact he is not recommended to take out the pin, just because the hotshoe might slide out a little bit and cause the connection error.

I don't dare to open my AF540 to see what Harvard did with my flash... So below is my understanding by listen to Harvard explanation. Hope this diagram will make things clearer.

I quite like the little "click" sound of the metal part when releasing the FIX ring, cool! At lease I know the pin is working while turning the FIX ring.  Previously there is no sound at all when releasing the FIX ring.

Cheers,

[sooming]

In my past experience with the AF540FGZ, I didn't encounter the pin being stuck, but rather finding it a little hard to install the flash on the K10D. Maybe the plastic piece (on the hotshoe) is a little too thick for the metal holder on the K10D.

Don't have problem with my Metz 54 though.

[ryandpahl]

I haven't run into this problem with my 540 yet... but it seems a little stupid to me to have a metal pin, a metal spring, and a piece of plastic to move it around. Bad design on pentax's part. At least now I'll know what to do when this does happen. Thanks for the post.

[KhoKing]

PENTAX already has a new shoe design in their coming PENTAX AF200FG flash, so I think we can expect a new replacement flash for 540 FGZ soon as well.

[starkillerz]

Good!
How do you always know the new stuff before everybody else Kho!

[teogin]

I have ordered the 540, but it is too expensive and I am a little afraid to have similar problems to your cases.  Do you think that I have to change my order to 360 Flash?

[calsan]

Not sure.
I'm happy with my 360.  Range is far enough for my use.  Lack of swivel head doesn't matter in my opinion, as the wireless mode means you can hand hold it when shooting. 

[steelski]

Mine is stuck at the moment!
Bummer.
I dont really know what to do.
Should I try to fix it myself, or should I wait till after the wedding I am doing in 3 days..
I think I will wait.
Then I will have a dilema on my mind.

[pete155]

I'm also quite happy with my 360.  In comparison to equivalent Nikon, Sony, Olympus and Canon flash units I would rate the build quality of the Pentax as equal to the Nikon and better than the Canon, Sony and Olympus.

[steelski]

Mine is stuck at the moment!
Bummer.
I dont really know what to do.
Should I try to fix it myself, or should I wait till after the wedding I am doing in 3 days..
I think I will wait.
Then I will have a dilema on my mind.

I fixed it myself because I am very impatiant.
was very simple and straight forward if anyone wants to do the same. just take a really long thin philips head and go for it.

[dejay11]

Talk about frustrating.  My 540 flash is stuck to my K10D camera as well.  Pentax doesn't have very many "authorized" Pentax service providers so that I can take it in.  Instead, they want me to package the "camera and flash" very carefully and insure the shipment and send to them in Colorado.  They said they will fix it to "factory warranty condition".  In my mind, that would be a waste of time because they sounded as if they were going to put in the same cheap piece of plastic that caused the problem in the first place.

I asked that they make an exception and cover any charges for me to get it repaired locally with a respectable camera dealer here that just doesn't happen to be a Pentax reseller and they said it would void my warranty.  So, to sum it up...I bought the camera and about $1200 in accesories only to be told to package the camera and flash carefully, ship at my expense (and be sure I insure it well) and then wait for them to restore to the same condition that caused the problem in the first place.  Anyone got a hammer?

I wouldn't put a hammer to the camera, it's an awesome camera.

Does anyone have a better suggestion to get it repaired correctly and not send it off to never-never land for who knows how long?

I love the camera, but this flash issue is a real drag.

Thanks for letting me vent!