Greetings from Lancs + AF540 Question

Just wanted to say 'hi' to everyone. I've just joined the forum, although I have been a 'lurker' for many months and have learned a lot from the high quality advice that members provide.

My interest in photography started in my teens and I used to do B&W processing in a makeshift darkroom in the bathroom. Getting an OM10 was one of the highlights of my life, shows how far we're going back! Unfortunately, studies, work, marriage, children, etc all got in the way and my interest in photography lay dormant for many years. I'm glad to say that the availability of very capable digital equipment has re-awakened my interest, and I've now got a K10D and Aperture on my Macbook to process the results.

I've just treated myself to a new flashgun, but I think there might be an issue with the locking mechanism which I'm hoping any AF540 owners could help me with. When I turn the locking wheel to the right there is no 'click' or anything to let me know that it is locked in position. Also, with the flash off the camera I can see what appears to be a recessed locking pin on the hotshoe mount, but again moving the locking ring clockwise does not make the locking pin come out. Is this normal?

Well, I hope you don't mind my first post being a long one, and thanks for reading this far!

Regards,

Wilf

Welcome to the fora. Before TTK gets in there, could you add in your location details when you get the chance? (Sorry Tel )

Assuming the 360 is similar, it doesn't click, but the pin should come out. If it doesn't, it is faulty. Having said that, some people have had problems with the pin getting stuck out when the flash is on the camera preventing removal. Provided the flash feels secure and tight on the camera, I wouldn't worry too much.

Cheers, Kris.

Thats ok Kris

1: The locking lever doesn't click.
2: The action of moving the locking lever from unlocked to locked, should push the locking pin out through the base of the hotshoe. It is that pin that provides mechanical security between flash and body.

I'd say it was a faulty flash but that the pin may just come lose the more you use it.

If it's brand new, take/send it back for a replacement.

Welcome to the forum Wilf

Hello Wilf and welcome

Thanks for the welcoming messages guys, and also for the info on the expected behaviour of the flash.

The locking pin definitely doesn't come out, but the grip on the hotshoe mount is very good, so I'm not concerned about the flash inadvertently coming loose. Having said that, I would expect everything to work 100% on a brand new unit so I think I'll return it to Amazon - they're always very responsive on returns, so I don't think there will be any problems getting a replacement. I'm also thinking that if I sell it at some time in the future I would not want to have 'faults' to declare if they can be avoided.

Once again, thanks for your help.

Wilf (must get a signature line going!)

Kris (womble),

Thanks for the f/back. Hopefully mt location is now showing!

Regards,

Wilf

Hi and welcome

Hello and welcome.

Hello Wilf, and welcome.

Hello Wilf, welcome to the forum, your not to far from me

Hi Wilf!
The AF540 locking pin is a right pain! Mine was intermittent... and in the end I sorted it out myself
http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/af540_pin

However, since the flash is under warranty, I'd get it replaced
(But at least with the images you can see how the thing is supposed to work! It's pushed down by a small spring, but the tolerances on the plastic locking pin are too tight and it gets stuck!)

Hope that helps
Matt

Thanks for the greetings folks.

Cliff - not far away at all

Matt - Thanks for the heads-up. I took a look at your posts, sound like an inherent design fault. My background is in electronic engineering, so at least I know it's fixable *after* it goes out of warranty!

Regards,

Wilf

Welcome from me too